What You Missed on Beer Sessions Radio™: Oktoberfest and Jef Vandersteen

JefVandersteenThis week on Beer Sessions Radio™, it’s a bit of a European takeover… just in time for Oktoberest! Host Jimmy Carbone welcomes back frequent guest Jon Lundbom of B. United, who is joined by Belgian biermeister Jef Vandersteen of Brouwerij De Glazen Toren.

Jef talks about his early “garage brew” days, and his German connection (he brewed there when he outgrew the garage). He also advocates for large bottle distribution (as opposed to the more popular 12-ounce bottles): “A good beer you have to share. You should share with somebody you love. Drinking alone is dangerous.”

And because we never drink alone on Beer Sessions Radio™, joining the three Js is Andreas Heidenreich of Paulaner NYC, a very cool brewpub that is part of a larger German enterprise that has 28 microbreweries worldwide (most of which are in China!). Hear how Germany is not just the birthplace of Oktoberfest, but it’s also where a highschooler can legally brew beer and then follow-up with an apprenticeship in brewing before heading off to college proper.

Finally, Jimmy welcomes Joe Najem and Kenny Leeper of Clinton Hill’s newly launched Hops Hill, who have watched the growing presence of great beer in Brooklyn and now bring their own high-end beer joint to the ‘hood.

And if you were never jealous of the studio guests before, hang out until minute 41 when Kenny pulls out 3floyd’s Zombie Dust and Dark Lord bottles (Joe says he’ll serve you up Barrier’s Money fresh off the line in consequence!). Listen to the whole episode here.

Oktoberfeast to Bring “Veritable Sausage Fest” to the Seaport!

OKTOBERFEAST_SEAPORTBeer Sessions Radio™ and the Good Beer Seal, in conjunction with the Fulton Stall Market, are pleased to present a new series of “pop-up” events offering a sophisticated drinking experience for discerning New Yorkers. First to arrive is Oktoberfeast, which has just announced the addition of a “Veritable Sausage Fest” to next month’s biergarten on Saturday, October 11th at the Seaport in Lower Manhattan. In addition to UNLIMITED samples of a wide variety of German fest beers and the best of NY State microbreweries, Oktoberfeast will have a selection of some of the region’s best sausage, with sausage offerings from which attendees can choose a “Best Brat” People’s Choice Award. Oktoberfeast will feature 20+ of the best fall offerings from NY State brewers and select German-beer importers specializing in Bocks, Kolsches, Pumpkin, and Fest beers. Key features include:

  • An array of sausages from Flying Pigs Farm, Fleisher’s Meats, Brooklyn Cured, Starwurst and others (TBA) for a Bratwurst Cooking Competition
  • A “sophisticated beer event” with three hours of UNLIMITED pours of special seasonal beer offerings from some of NY State’s best small breweries, including Rushing Duck, Secret Engine with Rocky Point Brewing, Radiant Pig, Gun Hill, Bridge & Tunnel, Barrier Brewing, Grimm, The Other Half, and Singlecut Beersmiths, among others
  • Ten Franconian gravity casks from Shelton Brothers Imports, including Weissenohe Monksfest and Weissenohe Bonifacia
  • Ticket includes food samples from Cabot Cheese, Martin’s Pretzels and McClure’s Pickles
  • Live music performances from Dive Bombers, Fireships, and The Shift

Be sure to get your tickets here.

What You Missed on Beer Sessions Radio™: Patrick Rue of The Bruery

PatrickRueIt’s another amazing line-up on Beer Sessions Radio™ when host Jimmy Carbone welcomes rising beer star Patrick Rue of southern California’s The Bruery. Known for it’s wild and crazy sour beers, The Bruery is one of many large-bottle format beers that have come to market in recent years. Listen in and hear about Patrick’s rise in the beer world.

Also in the studio are Ben Keene, author and editor of BeerAdvocate Magazine, and Ben Granger and Andy Laird of Brooklyn’s Nunu Chocolates (they have a chocolate made with craft beer!). Together the panel talks about everything from their love of off-track beers to their hate of pumpkin brews. They taste a few things on air, pair beers and chocolates and generally have a great time! Listen to the full episode here.

What You Missed On Beer Sessions Radio™: The Future of Vermont Beer

worthy-burgerWhat will be the next Heady Topper? Well, this week on Beer Sessions Radio™ on the Heritage Radio Network, host Jimmy Carbone invites back old friend (and Blind Tiger owner) Dave Brodrick, whose Worthy Burger and Worthy Kitchen just celebrated their two- and one-year anniversaries (respectively) up in Vermont. Dave is laying out the Vermont beer scene, including breaking down the current “culty” beers of Vermont:

among others.

And speaking of Lawson’s, Jimmy and Dave are joined by Sean Lawson, along with Aaron Goldfarb, a beer writer whose article on First We Feast inspired the show’s talking points, and Augie Carton of Carton Brewing.

Tune in (full episode here) to hear about Vermont’s prolonged Prohibition (dating back to 1852) plus the growth of the local beer scene today that is making everyone want to create the next cult beer (word to the wise: make beer you love to drink and you’ll never go wrong!).