On this week’s episode of Beer Sessions Radio™, host Jimmy Carbone and winter co-host Anne Becera are welcoming a full house (or studio) of special beer guests, including Mike Amidei who is Beverage Manager at Tørst / Luksus and his very cool team of bartenders (Graham Saylor, . They are joined by oft-guest B.R. Royla of Shelton Brothers Imports and Erwin Klijn from Jopenbier in the Netherlands.
Mike (along with Graham “Head Beer Boy” Sailor, Anthony Sorice, Fernelly “Morale Manager” Saria and Ryan Mauban) have all been with Tørst since the bar opened in 2013. Mike came by his passion for the world of beverages honestly. Mike’s father (a life long lover of all things food & beverage) bought a bottle of each of the Bordeaux First Growth wines for the year Mike was born and on his 21st birthday the family opened, and shared, a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild. From there, he was hooked. Mike received his BS from Florida International University in Hotel & Restaurant Management and has held nearly every position on offer in that field from busboy to line cook to hotel management.
Although far from here, Jopenbier shares a connection to NYC, as it is located in Harlaam. Jopenbier is a result of the work of Stichting Haarlems Biergenootschap, which was founded in 1992. The mission of the Biergenootschap is to re-create traditional Haarlem beers and bring them to the commercial market. The name Jopen refers to the 112 litre beer barrels that were used in early times to transport the Haarlem beer.
From starting up a Michelin Award-winning bar to debuting unusual beers in the USA, this panel has a unique take on the challenges and rewards of being in the beer business. And they’re drinking some of the best beers we’ve had on the show in awhile. So pull up a chair, pour yourself a pint, and tune in the full episode here.