It was the best of times (our 100th episode), it was the worst of times (Sandy, Sandy, and Sandy). Throughout 2012, Beer Sessions Radio™ welcomed an eclectic and brilliant mix of beer industry personalities, authors, experts, brewers and beer drinkers. Through 50 episodes (we lost one to Christmas and one to Sandy when Heritage Radio Network wasn’t broadcasting), we felt there were a few episodes that were just a wee bit better than the rest. Or, if not better, just among our favorites for the year.
We invite you to relive the best of Beer Sessions Radio™, 2012 edition:
Episode 144 (aired 12/18) – Lagunitas Brewing’s Tony Magee
Never one to mince words or shy to give his opinion, Tony Magee did the heavy lifting during the year-end podcast, talking in depth about the past and future of Lagunitas Brewing and how the craft beer industry has changed over the 20 years he’s been producing some of the country’s best beer. Our favorite bit? Tony comparing brewing to composing a symphony.
Episode 136 (aired 10/16) – Cider Week NY
Is it a wine? Is it a beer? Well, if you listened in to this episode, you know that cider is cider! It’s a great beverage being added to the potent potable discussion, and hard cider is having a moment! Listen in to hear how the second annual cider week is spreading nationwide, along with the growth of cider apples in the northeastern US.
Episodes 127 + 128 (aired 8/14 + 8/21) – Belgium Comes to Cooperstown
This beer festival is quickly becoming the largest on the eastern seaboard, and we’ve been making a pilgrimage every year to do the radio show onsite (we record and broadcast the two weeks after our trek upstate). Listen in and hear what you missed from breweries as far flung as Stone Brewing to the many regional brewpubs that are springing up around the event. And find out how BCTC is bringing attention to the region’s fight against fracking.
Episode 102 (aired 2/21) – Beer Can Save the World
Speaking of fracking, what good is beer without good water? In this episode, host Jimmy Carbone discusses the broader implications of the rise of craft beer on the environment, with more sustainable and green practices than most manufacturing industries can claim.
Episode 132 (aired 9/18) – What Does it Take to Run a Bar?
A lot of chutzpah, apparently! Bar owners from across NYC gather to chat with brewers about what makes a great beer bar and the challenges of surviving in the burgeoning NYC beer scene. Portions of this episode were rebroadcast on a “best of Heritage Radio Network” round up. Tune in and find out why!
Episode 119 (aired 6/19) – New Jersey Craft Beer
Great craft beer from Jersey? Badda Bing! Not only did this year see the arrival of several new breweries to the NJ scene, it also saw the rise of beer blogging and writing about the NJ craft beer scene. If you haven’t been drinking Carton and Kane, listen to what you’ve been missing.
Episode 103 (aired 2/28) – Chocolate & Beer
Do we really need to explain why this is among our favorite episodes this year? When you’ve got Clay Gordon and Garrett Oliver in the studio, you’re pairing great craft beer with the world’s best chocolates. ‘Nuff said!
Episode 97 (aired 1/17) – Women in Beer, Kelso and Jason Baldacci
Remember that one about men who love beer and women who love wine? Nah, neither do we! In this episode, local female brewers and beer insiders talk about getting women into the craft beer scene in NYC and beyond.
Episode 141 (aired 11/27) – The World Atlas of Beer & Chimay
One of the things we love about producing Beer Sessions Radio™ is our worldwide reach. Whether its drinking beer from a small brewery in Belgian or learning about the beer scene in Spain and China, our perspective is always enhanced when we get guest who are knowledgeable about far-flung regions of the craft beer world. In this episode, we hear from The World Atlas of Beer authors and learn about the trends taking place across the globe.
Episode 111 (aired 4/24) – Long Island Brewing
Finally, it was a tough call, but this is our “best of show” episode, and our very favorite for 2012. Long Island is experiencing a beer renaissance, made all the more poignant when they were hit with the worst of Hurricane Sandy. Relive the discussion between brewers from Blind Bat Brewing Co., Greenport Harbor Brewing Co., and Bluepoint Brewing Co.
And join us on January 8th, 2013, for the return of Beer Sessions Radio™ on the Heritage Radio Network! Happy New Year!