Month: December 2012

This week on Beer Sessions Radio™, host Jimmy Carbone welcomed Laguitas Brewing Company to the show, which meant co-owner and “warlord” Tony Magee was available for a very candid—and musical—discussion. Tony not only pretty much invented the American IPA (Lagunitas launched their IPA in 1995 as a seasonal, 100th brew, at a time when only a handful of IPAs were on the market), but he also is a music school drop-out (he was studying composing). Thus, his colorful metaphors of how beer is simply another form of composition, with its own “themes, restatement of themes, new developments and returns to a theme in a different key.”

The 20 year story of Lagunitas is fascinating, how it went from a small-town brewery that clogged the sewer lines to a national brand that will be opening its midwest (Chicago) operations during its anniversary year in 2013. Tony’s language is artful, and Lagunitas definitely has the best titles in the craft beer industry (Beer Weasel—that would be brewer Ron Lindenbusch’s title, Pony Ride Attendant, etc.). Tony is joined by New York Marketing Manager for Lagunitas, Mark Slujkic.

You can listen to this very cool episode (#144) here.

What’s going on in the beer world, both home and abroad? On Episode #143 (listen here) of Beer Sessions Radio™, host Jimmy Carbone welcomes an international group of guests, including Leonardo DiVicecenzo and Luciana Squadrill from Italian craft brewery Birra Del Borgo, Patrick Rue and Tyler King from The Bruery (calling in from California), Tony Forder of Ale Street News, Chris Saxman of Private Tap, and Chris Shonberger and Ross Scarano from the newly formed First We Feast on Complex.com.

Find out the cool things happening in the Italian craft beer scene, and if you’re apocalypse (Mayan version) ready by checking in on the 100 Beers to Try Before You Die and The United States of Beer (50 beers from 50 states).

 

 

In the Swiss category, BFM’s very own Jérôme Rebetez was pouring five of his beers, with the BFM Abbaye de Saint Bon Chien 2011 taking both the judges and People’s Choice wins.

The Belgian category was very deep (25 different offerings), so there emerged no clear winner. Standouts included last year’s overall winner from Vanberg & Dewulf, Brasserie Dupont La Bière de Beloeil; Alvinne Cuvee d’Erpigny, which got its unique flavor from mustard seeds and being aged in wine barrels; Hanssens Scarenbecca Kriek; and People’s Choice winner in the Belgian category, Brouwerij Van Steenberge’s Monk’s Cafe.

The judges—Chris O’Leary from Brew York New York, Mary Izett (My Life on Craft), and Jimmy Carbone (host of Beer Sessions Radio™)—tallied their final scorecards and awarded the following:

• Honorable mention—to Hanssens Scarenbecca Kriek
• 3rd place—to Ommegang for it’s Gnomegang beer
• 2nd place—to Alvinne Cuvee d’Erpigny
• And 1st place (may I have a drum roll, please?)—went to Jérôme Rebetez of BFM for his Abbaye de Saint Bon Chien.

Even if you missed out on the amazing event last week, you can live (or relive) some amazing Belgians still available a la carte, including: Ommegang 3 Philosophers, Stillwater Folklore, Monk’s Cafe Flemish Sour, Brouwerij de Dolle Brouwers “Dulle Teve” Triple, Duvel Single, Chimay Triple, Jolly Pumpkin’s, Alvinne Melchior and others.

What’s the difference between contract brewing and gypsy brewing? What is “Tenant Brewing”? Join a colorful cast for Beer Sessions Radio™ Episode 142, where host Jimmy Carbone is joined by contract brewer Jeremy Cowan (Shmaltz), with phone-ins by Pretty Things tenant brewer Dann Paquette and just plain ole brewer John Liegey of Greenport Harbor. Jen Schwertman and Chris O’Leary are also in the studio along with Greenport’s Greg Doroski.

It’s a colorful topic where pretty much everyone in the beer business has a strong opinion. One thing we all agree on? Great beer is the best outcome, regardless of how or where it’s brewed. We also update current Hurricane Sandy relief events. Plus, you’ll get a preview of NYC Beer Week, which the newly formed NYC Brewers Guild is running this year and features NYC Brewer’s Choice (tickets on sale now!)

 

We’ve had some amazing guest on Beer Sessions Radio™ over the past three years, and now we’ve gathered a sort of “best media” list for ease of shopping. You can find a full list of books (and one film) mentioned on the show, and if you buy through The Good Beer Seal Shop, you’ll be directly supporting Beer Sessions Radio™! Just click on the link and you’ll be redirected to Amazon. Load up your cart with some beery good books and spread cheer as you support our programming.