This episode is kicking off a trio of shows that was recorded at the just concluded Little Beer IV festival hosted by Good Word Brewing and the city of Duluth, Georgia. This panel, which was presented live during the fest, features a trio of brewers all talking about the process, culture, and general greatness of low abv ales and lagers. Guests inc…

Las Vegas will be the focal point for many brewers in the coming weeks as the Brewers Association hosts its annual Craft Brewers Conference, World Beer Cup, and Brewers Expo. For those traveling to sin city – either as brewing professionals or curious drinkers – this episode will offer up all the tips to make the most out of your drinking time on a…

Jack Hendler and Joe Connolly discuss their new book Modern Lager Beer: Techniques, Processes, and Recipes. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer. Host: John Holl Guests: Jack Hendler and Joe Connolly Sponsors: All About Beer Tags: Lager, Tradition, Fermentation, Germany, Landbier Photo by Brewers Publications…

Welcome to This Week in Rauchbier for April 1, 2024. Our Rauchbier spotlight is trained on Caleb Michalke of Sugar Creek Malt in Indiana. He's working to bring rauchmalt of distinction of discerning brewers and distillers. Then Rick Lyke, our rauchbier sherpa and the founder of the Pints for Prostates Campaign, shares his inspirational journey into…

On this episode it's a deep dive on what goes in to making a great IPA. Steve Parker of New York’s Fiden’s Brewery joins the show. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer. Host: John Holl Guest: Steve Parker Sponsors: All About Beer Tags: New York, West Coast IPA, Mosaic Hops, Mouthfeel Photo by John Holl…

How do beers evolve over time? And how does patience, curiosity, trust, and creativity work to the benefit of bother brewery and brewer? Wayne Wambles, the (now former) long-time brewmaster of Cigar City, is here to talk about his career, a return to homebrewing, and how specialty ingredients work best when added to a solid beer base. Wambles has s…

It's beer and weather together on this episode of the podcast as Boston CBS Meterologist Eric Fisher joins the show. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer. Host: John Holl Guest: Eric Fisher Sponsors: All About Beer Tags: Weather, Treehouse, Blizzard, Travel, Boston, Eclipseبقلم All About Beer

It’s a bit of a departure on the show this week as we’re talking about spirits with long-time beverage writer Aaron Goldfarb. He has a new book out: Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits. Goldfarb has been a journalist for over a decade, frequently writing on the subjects of cocktails and drinking culture for such publications as the New York T…

It’s a trip to the Ocean State and a conversation with Morgan Snyder, the head brewer and co-founder of Buttonwoods Brewery. From world-class small-batch lagers, to an expansion, and the wonder of saison, this episode covers it all and more. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer. Host: John Holl Guest: Morgan Snyder Sponsors: All…

Homebrewing has been a source of passionate online chatter over the last week after the American Homebrewers Association announced it would put its annual Homebrew Con on “hiatus” in favor of smaller events and demonstrations located within the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. Julia Herz, the executive director of the AHA is here, to explain…

There’s a lot to love about beer. And that can be tough to remember at times. So in honor of Valentine’s Day, we've asked three enthusiastic folks - Aaron MJ Gore, Annette May, and Tom M. - to come on and share what makes their heart flutter when it comes to lager and ale. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer. Host: John Holl Gu…

There are some trends worth paying attention to these days around the beer space. One of them is THC seltzers. They are popping up on menus in certain states alongside IPA and lager. THC Seltzers are taking off. On this show last year Scott Selix of Lua and Climbing Kites talked about his brewery's entry into the space. Their beverage is being cont…

A conversation with Chris Shields, the Director of Education at Rhinegeist Brewery. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer. This Episode is Sponsored By: The Best of Craft Beer Awards Attention brewers: registration is now open for the 2024 Best of Craft Beer Awards. Now in its 10th year, this is a BJCP sanctioned event judged by …

There’s a lot happening inside the walls of Cleveland, Ohio’s Noble Beast Brewing. All of it is good. On this episode it’s a conversation with owners Shaun Yasaki and James Redford about food, hospitality, creativity, and tradition. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer. This Episode is Sponsored By: The Best of Craft Beer Awards…

There are some iconic beer bars in America, and on the Mt. Rushmore is Hopleaf, the venerable Chicago institution. Michael Roper, its long-time publican, who recently announced his retirement is on this episode. Late last year Roper, who founded the Hopleaf in Chicago in 1992 announced that he’d be retiring from the bar. He’ll stay involved in vari…

This episode features a conversation with the legendary Teri Fahrendorf, the long-time brewmaster and founder of Pink Boots Society. She’s here for a wide ranging conversation about her career, brewery safety, recipe development, creativity, and forging a path in the beer industry. After a storied career in beer, Fahrendorf recently entered a worki…

Lets ease into the new year with a panel discussion from some of my other All About Beer podcast hosts and colleagues. We’ll discuss thoughts and trends for 2024, and have some fun reminiscing on 2023 along the way. Today on the show I’m joined by some of the voices and bylines you’ve come to expect from All About Beer. It’s not quite our holiday o…

Beer bars play an important role in delivering a world class experience while offering a curated list that can surprise, delight, or just be a comfort. This is our annual episode where we check in on the state of beer bars with thoughtful publicans. So, What is the state of beer bars in America in 2023? Two bar owners, Jeff Bruning and Devin Cox, s…

It’s our annual end of the year wrap up with writers from around the globe who cover the beer industry. You’ll hear from Matt Kirkegaard, Christopher Shepard, Brandon Hernandez, and Melissa Cole. Listen in as these venerable journalists discuss the trends of 2023, give analysis on the news, and offer insight that impacts all beer drinkers. For more…

This is our second annual show dedicated to homebrewing. Drew Beechum and Denny Conn are here to talk about what’s happening with the hobby, to answer a listener question, and to spread some holiday cheer. Conn and Beechum are longtime homebrewers and noted personalities in the space. They are the co-authors of Simple Home Brewing and Experimental …

Last week, Westbound & Down Brewing announced that it had acquired two breweries, Aspen Brewing and Capitol Creek Brewery’s brewpub, both in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. The deal, says Jake Gardner the Director of Brewing Operations at Westbound & Down Brewing Company, is part of a plan the brewery has been eyeing for a while. There was a desire…

From consumer preferences, to growing a company, I’m excited to have David Moore and Andy Joynt of Big Grove Brewing on the show this week. As the brewery expands through Iowa and is eyeing other states, we will talk about flavors and creativity, and finding ways to stay nimble in a challenging industry. Joynt has been the director of beer for Big …

Sam Masotto of Bonn Place Brewing in Pennsylvania is here for a conversation about hospitality, food, and fun. It’s a special episode, recorded at the brewery in front of an enthusiastic crowd. This Episode is Sponsored By: Shopify Shopify’s already taken the cash register online, helping millions sell billions around the world. But did you know th…

From creating a thoughtful space that puts beer and food front and center, to one of the newest frontiers in adult beverages: THC and CBD, Scott Selix of Lua Brewing is here to talk about his growing brewery and the evolution of hospitality. He is Co-Founder of Lua Brewing in Des Moines as well as Lua’s sister company, Climbing Kites, a THC Sparkli…

Today it’s a visit to Des Moines, Iowa for a lively conversation with two of the state’s leading brewers, the guild director, and historian Maureen Ogle. Last week I was in Iowa to speak and spend time at the state’s guild annual conference. It had been several years since I was there and I wanted to get a better handle on what is happening in the …

This week, I’m delighted to be joined by Diane Flynt, the author of the recently published Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South. This is a story of history, diversity, and the future. For those who say social media is a bad thing, I get it. But occasionally it can provide gems. For example, last week I was scrolli…

There is a lot of uncertainty in the American beer industry these days, especially among the smaller breweries. In what is both a cautionary tale and one of optimism, Sean O’Keefe of Pontoon Brewing in Georgia is here today to talk about how his brewery was forced to close and to furlough employees. Earlier this month the brewery put up a social me…

“I’ve known Nate Schweber going on 20 years now, we’ve been colleagues, friends, and even co-authors. I can say without a doubt that he is one of the hardest working reporters I’ve ever met, he has a keen eye for detail, enjoys a good drink, and knows how to rock with the best of them. He’s a raconteur, with endless curiosity and compassion, and gr…

If you’ve been paying attention to the beer social medias lately, you might have noticed a photo of a Colorado-brewed amber ale making the rounds. It’s called Re-Tired and it’s a clear homage to the original recipe of New Belgium’s Fat Tire. This beer, however, is made by Crooked Stave. Chad Yakobson, the brewery’s founder and brewmaster is here fo…

This week, I’m excited to be joined by Tim Ogden of Deviant Libations in Florida, for a conversation that revolves around inclusivity in the beer space, and creating a taproom that reflects personality and passion. This is the last of the shows I recorded during the Florida Brewers Guld Conference this past summer, and I was grateful to meet and sp…

This is a malt centric episode at the intersection of brewer curiosity. In a moment I’ll be talking with Chris Cates of Little Animals Brewing, Brent Manning of Riverbend Malt House, and Andrew Zinn of Leveller Brewing. A year ago, Cates visited Belgium and came back inspired. After visiting through some of the worlds best breweries, drinking class…

This episode will specifically be talking about self-harm experiences and prevention. Guests Jon Lane of O.H.S.O brewing in Arizona and Russ Klisch of the Lakefront Brewery in Wisconson discuss the beer initiative around 9-8-8, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This episode will specifically be talking about self-harm experiences and preven…

Out to Washington this week for an update on the 2023 Hop Crop and to hear how the timing of the harvest impacts flavor and aroma. Eric Desmarais and Alexandra Nowell of CLS Farm in Yakima is here to share their insight. Mid-September means the hop harvest is in full swing in the Pacific Northewest, and to get insight on what is happening with the …

India pale ale is the style that built craft beer. With bold, hoppy flavors, it was distinctive and different and tantalized tastebuds of craft beer drinkers. IPA is a historic style, but historic doesn’t mean static. Yes, there are many modern interpretations of IPA, but even historic IPA evolved over time, in response to tastes, wars, taxation an…

During the Florida Brewers Guild Conference a few weeks ago I had the chance to meet a lot of dedicated professionals and folks working to bring deeper meaning to beer. One such person is Ami Parrino the Laboratory Manager at Florida Avenue Brewing Company. At the brewery she combines her expertise as a microbiologist and Advanced Cicerone to ensur…

A special live audience episode of the podcast co-hosted by John Holl and Andy Crouch. Recorded on location at Jack's Abby Craft Lagers in Framingham, Massachusetts. With special guests: Jennifer Glanville Love of Boston Beer, Sam Hendler of Jack's Abby Brewing, and Adam Romanow of Castle Island Brewing. This Episode is Sponsored By: Denver Rare Be…

Strap in, because we’re going on a ride, deep into flavor, our senses and what Randy Mosher calls “Your Tasting Brain.” No matter how long you have been around beer, thinking about beer, drinking beer, listening about or talking about beer, there is always something new to learn. This is especially true when around Randy Mosher. He’s the celebrated…

A lot of breweries talk about sustainability and environmental practices, but few are as committed as Florida’s First Magnitude. This week on the show it’s a conversation with Christine and John Denny, the founders of the brewery. Located in Gainesville, Florida they are the Southeast’s first carbon-neutral brewery through a partnership with We Are…

Last Week Jack’s Abby, the Massachusetts-based lager brewery announced that it would soon be releasing a collaboration with Weihenstephan, the venerable German brewery. It’s called Fest Of Both Worlds and it’s brewed with Pilsner and Munich malts along with Sterling and Adeena hops, and fermented with TUM 34/70, which Weihenstephan shared for this …

We’re tasting all the time when it comes to beer and our drinking experiences. But there is always a chance to become better, to go deeper and layer in more thought. Mandy Naglich, is the author of the new book “How To Taste” and she is here to guide us. There are several books that exist that help us understand our brains and senses when it comes …

Perspective is important when it comes to enjoying beer and understanding the industry. This episode features a panel comprised of directors of three state brewing guilds. It’s amazing how much has changed in the beer industry in 10 years. We’ve seen the rise of the Hazy IPA all while the the number of operating breweries exploded. Trends have come…

What’s it like being an organic brewery in 2023? Harder than you might think, but getting a little better. My guest is Sandy Boss Febbo of Minnesota’s Bang Brewery and she’ll explain. I love hearing about breweries that are not trying to be everything to every one. The ones that were founded with a sense of purpose and continue to stick with it. He…

The recent news about Anchor Brewing pulling back it’s distribution to just California and discontinuing Our Special Ale, it’s Christmas offering, had me thinking about the brewery’s place in history and its impact. Scott Ungermann, the former brewmaster of Anchor is here to talk about all that and more. A few weeks ago Dave Infante, of the excelle…

We’re talking about food science, quality control, and the relationship to beer with Eric Tennant, the founder and master brewer of Virginia’s Benchtop Brewing. Occasionally beer gets sent to the home office here and on the afternoons when the schedule is clear and I’m in the mood for some refreshment, I open a few and let my mind wonder. A recent …

Ryan Sentz is here this week to talk about how he and his brother bought back Funky Buddha, the Florida Brewery they sold to Constellation Brands six years ago. There’s an interesting trend happening in beer these days. Small breweries that had sold to larger brewing companies are regaining their independence. The founders of Three Weavers in Calif…

A note from John Holl: "This week I’m pleased to share with you a recent episode of the Brewer to Brewer Podcast, which runs on the All About Beer channel. Shaun O’Sullivan of 21st Amendment interviews Mitch Steele of New Realm Brewing. The duo discuss Steele’s career and he shares insight into his time working for Anheuser-Busch at the dawn of cra…

Averie Swanson of Keeping Together is on the show this week in a conversation recorded last month at Funk Fest in Nashville, TN. We’re talking about saison, building a new brewery, and the creative process. Swanson is one of the most talented and thoughtful brewers in the U.S. today and her career path is well known. Going from a volunteer at Jeste…

This week the show is back in Nashville for the second of three conversations recorded before a crowd at Funk Fest, the amazing event hosted by Yzoo Brewing and Embrace the Funk. Mr. Garrett Oliver the Brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery is the guest. As any good beer fan knows, he is the brewmaster of The Brooklyn Brewery, the author of The Brewmas…

This is a special edition of This Week in Rauchbier as we celebrate Memorial Day Weekend 2023 with a visit to Camp Rauchbier. Recorded at Barrique Brewing and Blending in Nashville, Tennessee before a live and enthusiastic audience John Holl is joined by Spencer Longhurst in the co-host chair. Guests include Jack Hendler of Jack's Abby Craft Lagers…

A lively conversation over two beers with Vinnie Cilurzo recorded before a crowd at the 2023 Funk Fest in Nashville. Cilurzo talks about the relationship between wine and beer, dialing in acidity, and surprises and delights with pours of four-day-old Pliny the Elder. As one of the leading voices in hop-forward beers and proper barrel-aging he offer…