The HOP: A Craft Beer Podcast

Now for something COMPLETELY different: This week, Stephen & Gabe are taking a dive into the wide world of mead! Made from fermented honey and water, mead is essentially a honey wine that predates beer, wine and all other spirits. While you may recognize mead only as a drink fit for Vikings, the category is extremely versatile and continues to gain popularity in the craft drink space. First, t...

This week, Stephen & Gabe head back up to the Pine Tree State for a stop at one of the fastest growing breweries in the United States! Mast Landing Brewing began in 2015, operating out of co-founder and current president Ian Dorsey’s garage in Freeport, ME. Today, the Westbrook taproom is wildly popular, and just this month the company debuted a 2nd, state-of-the-art facility in Freeport Cross...

Like many of us, Alfred Rotimi developed a passion for beer in college. He quickly took to home brewing on the side while studying neuroscience in the post-baccalaureate program at Tufts University . . . no big deal! Apparently beer is more fun than psychology, and in 2017 Joyhound Beer Company was born. Stephen & Gabe head down to Baltimore to sample their two original beers, including a clas...

Any beer lover spending time in Burlington, VT would do well to become acquainted with Burlington Beer Company. In less than a decade, founder Joe Lemnah has turned his former home-brewing operation into one of the best beer brands in one of the greatest beer cities in America. Described as a place “where fermentation meets imagination,” BBCO boasts a truly mind-blowing beer menu, showcasing every...

Despite the booming craft beer scene in America, macro beers from companies like Anheuser-Busch, MolsonCoors, Constellation and Heineken continue to dominate the market. This week, Stephen & Gabe consider it their patriotic duty to offer craft beer alternatives to some of the most popular beers in the country. First, we’ll go straight to the belly of the beast with a beer from Blue Point Brewe...

TWO breweries! THREE beers! ONE Taproom Special! This week’s episode is truly jam packed. First, Stephen & Gabe head down to the Baltimore area and stumble upon White Marsh Brewing Company. Operating out of the Red Brick Station Taphouse, this hidden gem has been a local favorite for nearly 25 years. In another edition of our Taproom Special segment, we’ll sample several popular options includ...

When Dave “Philly” Mack handed us beer outside a Wawa in Downtown Philadelphia, we weren’t sure what to expect. In an unprecedented move, The HOP is profiling a brewery in the startup phase with only one beer on the market! Mack Brewing was founded on the belief that dope, innovative, hand-crafted beer can be an eye-opening and, often, game-changing experience for the surrounding community. As one...

Nestled in the mountains of Mount Washington Valley there lies a quaint, nondescript New England inn housing a smokehouse and brewery that’s been in the game for more than two decades. Stephen Johnson founded Moat Mountain Brewing in 2000, opening a restaurant and brewpub in an aged, historic New Hampshire building. He expanded the operation in 2013, restoring the Limmer Barn to open the Moat Moun...

Anderson Valley Brewing has been in the craft beer game since before it was cool. The Northern CA company was founded in 1987, and despite several changes in ownership the mission has always remained the same: To hand craft authentic, balanced ales and lagers with a passion for historical beer styles and sustainable brewing practices. One of America’s 20 original craft breweries, AVBC is home to p...

On the heels of Memorial Day, it seemed like the perfect time for Stephen & Gabe to visit a popular New England brewery that happens to be veteran-owned. Steve Gagner conceived of the idea for 14th Star Brewing while on active deployment in Afghanistan. Steve recruited his best friend and fellow soldier Matt Kehaya to the project and the pair opened the doors to the public in 2012. Despite qui...

This week, Stephen & Gabe return to the Nutmeg State for a visit to Armada Brewing! Armada was founded by home-brewer and CT native John Kraszewski, a visionary seeking to bolster New Haven’s reputation as the “Portland and Denver of Connecticut in terms of craft breweries.” Operating as a gypsy brewery out of The Beeracks, the place is a hidden gem offering a diverse lineup of flavorful IPAs,...

This week, the boys are back in NYC and visiting a local brewery that reflects the rich, vibrant history of its surrounding neighborhood. Harlem Brewing was founded by self-proclaimed “entrepreneur and beer pioneer” Celeste Beatty in 2000. Celeste is a powerhouse on the NYC brew scene, the first black, female brewery owner in the United States and a shining example for generations of young brewers...

Ahoy, maties! Climb aboard, stow anchor and hoist your sails. This week, Stephen & Gabe take a voyage to Manheim, PA to taste some of the finest grog on the seven seas. Swashbuckler Brewing was founded in 2000, its primary function to provide libations for the wildly popular Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire on Mount Hope Estate. Over time, the company has amassed a following of its own, growing...

It’s that time of year again and we’re busting out the sombreros! After last year’s celebration of authentic, Mexican craft beer, the 2021 pickings were limited. Listen to Stephen & Gabe make lemonade out of lemons, turning a rare episode featuring NO craft beer into one of the biggest parties to date. True to tradition, we’ll start the fiesta with a shot of silver tequila. Then, we’ll sample...

We just can’t get enough of sunny California! This week, Stephen & Gabe head to Anaheim for a stop at Brewery X. The company was founded in 2018 by a ragtag group of industry veterans with one simple philosophy: Brew local, drink social. In just two short years, this young brewery has amassed an extensive, impressive and well-rounded beer lineup, featuring IPAs, hazy IPAs, lagers, sours, dark...

This week, we’re back on the West Coast for a visit to Modern Times Beer! After having several of their offerings on various episodes of The HOP, a full feature was long overdue. Modern Times was founded by Jacob McKean in 2013 and, (true to its namesake,) the company has become a utopian society for lovers of well-crafted brews. They currently operate 7 locations along the Western seaboard and in...

This week, we’re heading back down to the Garden State for one final stop on our New Jersey brewery tour! Husband & wife owners Denise & Leo founded Montclair Brewery in 2014, bringing their Afro-Caribbean roots to the American beer scene. Their eclectic beer lineup is truly impressive, featuring exotic, tropical ingredients such as Baobob fruit and a truly playful, adventurous approach to...

The boys are back together for a visit to Rogue Ales out of Portland, OR! Founded in 1988 by three former Nike executives, the company is widely recognized as one of the original American microbreweries. True to the name, Rogue is anything but ordinary, known for unique, quirky and memorable twists on classic beer styles. (They once brewed a beer with yeast found in their brewmaster’s beard!) Join...

"Industry fills the hive and enjoys the honey." This is the town motto of New Britain, CT and the inspiration for Alvarium Beer Co.! Brian Bugnacki, Chris DeGasero and Mike Larson founded Alvarium in 2017, approaching beer with a philosophy of “Artistry through Industry.” The company has garnered acclaim for a stellar lineup of hazy IPAs, as well as a state-of-the-art taproom hand built by the own...

This week, the boys head back down to the Garden State for a visit to Hackensack Brewing! The company was founded by Herbert Lamont Barr III and Mike Jones, neighbors with a love of beer in search of a like minded community. Today, their warehouse taproom has become a local favorite, complete with music memorabilia, graffiti artwork and a lineup of incredible brews. First, we bring back our “Tapro...

In our 2nd annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Stephen & Gabe return to the Emerald Isle to see what else the Republic has to offer! First, we’ll kick things off with a shot of Irish Whiskey from The Notorious himself, Irishman Conor McGregor. Then we’ll head down to Baltimore to see what Guinness is up to at their Open Gate Brewery, an experimental brewhouse right here in America. Finally,...

This week, Stephen & Gabe head to the Windy City and visit a brewery known for raising beer from the dead! Chicago’s Off Color Brewing was founded by industry veterans John Laffler and Dave Bleitner in 2013 with a strong focus on lost, forgotten beer styles. Today, the expansive tap list includes styles like Gotlandsdrick, Serf Stout, Biere de Miel & Casa de Campo. Perhaps most impressive...

We have a simple rule here at The HOP : If a brewery sends us beer we will feature it on the show. Thus, we return this week to San Diego’s AleSmith Brewing! After appearing on Round 58, AleSmith’s team graciously offered us samples of their latest creations. Having debuted less than a month ago, the new additions to AleSmith’s year-round beer lineup are refreshing, enticing and pleasing to almost...

This week, Stephen & Gabe hit the west coast for a look at a dope new brewery with a strong focus on social justice. Crowns & Hops was founded by Beny Ashburn & Teo Hunter as a way to expand diversity, inclusion and representation in the craft beer industry. The pair has talked about creating an ecosystem of brewers, investors and consumers driving sustained economic growth in underser...

For craft beer drinkers in the state of Connecticut, New England Brewing Company has long been synonymous with quality, well-crafted and truly remarkable ales & lagers. Driven by a deep passion and love for beer, founder Rob Leonard is widely recognized as a pioneer and visionary in the industry. Now, the company has teamed up with the beer science program at Sacred Heart University to create...