It’s a dark and stormy night this week on Beer Sessions Radio™, as host Jimmy Carbone welcomes a dynamic but small group into the studio. We’ve got beer writer Niko Krommydas along with first-time guests Matt Monahan and Sam Richardson from Other Half Brewing Co., the first new brewery to open in Brooklyn in nine years. Sam discusses his time brewing with Kelly Taylor at Greenpoint Beerworks and getting his Fermentation Science creds from Oregon State University before launching Other Half.
Niko offers a Long Island beer update shares his opinions on the new breweries opening in the area (he jokes to Jimmy, “Every time a brewery opens in NYC, an angel gets its wings!”).
And we’re getting a beer week preview with events as varied as NYC Brewer’s Choice (on February 26th), which will be focusing on locally grown grains (Kelly Taylor is making a brew with 75% of its grains sourced from NY State: Edible Ale from Kelso will be available seasonally), and a lager cave tour with beer writer Joshua Bernstein (sadly, it sold out in minutes – see the photo courtesy of Niko at left). Plus Brady Lowe calls in about his heritage “porc” event, Cochon555 happening this weekend (tickets available here).
Finally, Beer Sessions Radio™ Justin Kennedy joins the group to discuss emerging beer styles and what they represent (e.g. there’s a movement to have a “Cascadian Ale” designation for brews coming from the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia). What’s the difference between a Black IPA and a Dark Ale? Is local beer preferable to national craft brands? Everyone has a story to share on this week’s episode (listen here).