What You Missed On Beer Sessions Radio™: From Bushwick to New Zealand

BSR_062315This week on Beer Sessions Radio™, host Jimmy Carbone is going “down under” in both Brooklyn and the globe (En-Zed, as the natives of New Zealand like to call it). Joining him is a cavalcade of beer stars in the studio: Jake Cirelli of From the Ground Brewery, Steve “Ben” Middlemiss of Ben Middlemiss Brewing, Lauren and Joe Grimm of Grimm Artisanal Ales, beer writer Josh Bernstein, Ben Keene of Beer Advocate and Joel Shelton of Shelton Brothers Imports.

The farm brewery license has allowed for more local grains, and From the Ground opened up at Migliorelli Farms (you can get their beer at the Union Square Greenmarket on Friday and Saturday); in a moment of “synchronicity” (our word of the day!), a malt house opened up the road, allowing for Jake to incorporate local malt as well as the hops from the farm.

Learn how Ben got his nickname while brewing beer at the age of 14 (they start early in New Zealand!) and became a part of the Shelton Brothers line-up. (For those who need a throwback Tuesday, there’s a connection to Hanson! “Mmm hops!”) Ben reminisces about his youth during the strict years of pubs closing at 6 p.m., watching the intense imbibing that would happen while workers tried to drink as much beer as they could in the hour after work before the pub closed. Despite his youthful indiscretions (he began with explosives before turning his attention to wine-making; his impatience in waiting for fermentation led him to beer making), he has all his digits and a successful gypsy brewery today.

The Grimm team talks about their upcoming 2nd anniversary celebration and their reception at Roberta’s (their Super Going is one of the most popular beers currently on tap at Roberta’s, where we record the show). They’ve become a bit of a “cult” brand, also winning at the Great American Beer Festival (their Imperial Stout Double Negative won a silver medal). This year they’re probably going to send in a dry-hop sour brew. They discuss the submission of beers at what is arguably the worst time of year (August) to ship beer and how it affects what beer is submitted. They also reveal some of the secrets of their gypsy brewing success (their double IPAs are being brewed at Flagship on Staten Island; they brew their sours in Virginia).

Ben and Josh discuss the challenges of judging beer in these large festivals, especially as the number of breweries grows exponentially in the United States. They also summarize the most popular brewing styles currently being made and trends in the industry, along with a discussion of the challenges faced by gypsy brewers both here and abroad.

You can listen to this week’s full episode here.

 

What You Missed On Beer Sessions Radio™: The Bushwick Beer Show

TheSamplerThis week on Beer Sessions Radio™, we’re honoring our home base: Bushwick Brooklyn! Aside from our studio inside of Roberta’s, Bushwick is home to many special places including Good Beer Seal Bar Pine Box Rock Shop (owners Jeff and Heather Rush are in the studio), Arrogant Swine (owner Tyson Ho regales us of life as a pitmaster in industrial Bushwick), and Hops and Hocks‘ Blake Jordan and Rachel Chitwood.

There’s a definite change in the neighborhood as more businesses come in and real estate prices go up, but the Bushwick beer scene has a rich history, which beer writer Chris O’Leary (Brew York New York) reflects on later in the show. Hops & Hocks has built its business on a made-in-Brooklyn and growler shop, and they’re sampling food and beer and discussing session IPAs. “There’s a time and place for every beer,” notes Chris.

Also from Bushwick is another Good Beer Seal bar, The Sampler. Raphael Martinez also reflects on how much his street in the neighborhood has grown in terms of new restaurants.

Chris notes that for a long time, the only place to get good beer was The Bodega but now you can walk from “deep” Bushwick towards East Williamsburg for a “wealth of beer options.”

Listen in to the full episode here.

What You Missed On Beer Sessions Radio™: The Vermont “Old Beer” New Coffee Show

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Luke Manson and Jimmy Carbone behind the sticks at Jimmy’s No. 43 after the show, pouring Beanery Brewing’s Ethiopian Coffee Milk Stout.

It’s a nearly all-Vermont takeover of this week’s episode of Beer Sessions Radio™ when host Jimmy Carbone welcomes back the Worthy Burger team of Dave Brodrick, Ian Campbell and Jason Merrill, along with local entity Blind Tiger’s Luke Manson for a discussion about two of Vermont’s greatest contributions to civilization: coffee and beer! Or, in the case of Beanery Brewing, a joint venture between the Worthy Team at Smuttnose Laboratories in New Hampshire, that is using coffee (and coffee beans) to create a new line of specialty craft beer that is currently making its way to NYC.

It’s the latest version of “The Jimmy Show” as Jimmy Ludwig of The Happy Hour Guys steps in as the always gracious co-host he has become on the show. Big shout out to him and his team for reaching the 300 episode mark of their landmark web series.

Also in the studio? Jeff “Chief” O’Neil, who reveals that his latest venture (open in 2016) will be called Industrial Arts Brewing Company and focus on Jeff’s signature hop-forward beers.

So, what does it take to make beer with unusual ingredients, such as coffee? How do you build a brand around caffeinated beer? The Beanery Brewing team is talking about the impetus for their launch and the many different java brews (Turkish coffee!) they long to incorporate into their alcoholic brews.

Plus, Chris Balla of Mile End Deli/Grand Army talks about launching a new bar in Brooklyn and selecting just the right beers when you’re opening a new place.

Listen to the full episode here.

What You Missed On Beer Sessions Radio™: Greenport Harbor and Long Island Beer Scene

BSR060215This week on Beer Sessions Radio™, host Jimmy Carbone hosts a Long Island takeover with favorite frequent guest Niko Krommydas and Ralph Perrazzo of BBD Eats and Rocky Point LI. Also cramming into our tiny studio is the Greenport Harbor Brewing team of owner/brewer John Liegey, Executive Chef Brian Russell and Sales Director Sean McCain.

Six years in, Greenport Harbor is expanding and John weighs in on the new facility and updates to the brand. They recently lost their packaging line, which means that you can now buy their beers in bottles (hopefully coming soon to a Bodega near you!). Plus Chef Brian discusses the beer-local farm focus of the new restaurant.

Plus we’re talking cider with Kris Nelson of Citizen Cider along with a phone in from Jamie Griffith of Lost Nation Brewing.

Listen to the full episode here.