Beer Me!

There is a certain level of magic behind beer, in the fermentation alone. Those little yeasty cells are working hard to convert sugar to alcohol and CO2, but what else? Disco parties? Courtney Iseman, a Brookyn-based beer journalist, has recently published a zine: "Beer Tarot: Pulling Cards, Pouring Beer, & Discovering Self." She suggests adding a little mysticism, a little magic to the consumption side of beer; through Tarot. In this episode of Beer Me, she explains that while the practice of Tarot has been around for centuries, it has become more popular in recent years. Tarot has risen since the pandemic, "not as much as sourdough" Iseman jokes. People seek more introspective moments and creative outlets, and tarot answers both needs. To be clear, tarot is less about predicting the future and more about setting an intention, for example, "getting a vibe for the day", Iseman explains. (like bones or no bones, RIP Noodle). In her zine, Iseman dives into the history of Tarot and where it's surfacing in beer. For example, EJ Nunns & Max Sherman at Trve Brewing in Denver have designed a custom tarot deck. (it's stunning). What's in the cards? Maybe they suggest you try a new beer or branch out. Or they might suggest to stick to your favorite. Check out this zine for more details! Shoutouts: Trve Brewing, Brasserie l'Ermitage, Joanne Love, Noodle and the No Bones DayMUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

The mix of wonderful and hilarious people one meets in the beer world is a marvel. There is no better time to celebrate those friends than Thanksgiving, or a few weeks after. Beer Me welcomes back to the show Carl Crafts, Sam Nellis, and Grant Vaught. We all met working at Birch & Barley/Churchkey in DC and all have gone off into various directions - but still mostly in beverage. It is a tradition on Beer Me to gather once a year to answer the burning question: "What will you be drinking on Thanksgiving"? While exploring as many tangents as possible. While this isn't hard-hitting beer news (is it ever?), or complex topics rooted in education, it IS fun. Grab a beer, laugh, and enjoy some turkey! MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

"What are your hopes and dreams for the American Craft Beer Industry as a whole?"  This impossibly hard-to-answer question was asked of three beer industry veterans during a live show, in the rain, during their first hour of the Snallygaster Beer Festival. Beer Me Radio returned to our "recorded live" roots for one special show during Snallygaster beer festival in Washington, DC, in a podcast tent, in the rain. It was incredibly fun. Our host, Sarah Jane Curran, had the opportunity to interview Josh Schlesinger (Head of Sales and distribution for Bissell Brothers Brewing Company), Matt Monahan (Founder/CEO of Other Half Brewing Co), and Blake Tyers (Senior Director of Curiosity Creature Comforts). What do these three have in common? All of their respective breweries will be celebrating ten years opened throughout 2024. And with that significant anniversary coming up, why not reflect on the future? In the middle of a beer festival. All of these breweries have been massive contributors to the industry, in their products, and how they engage with the industry and their communities, and they will continue to grow. "It's exciting to be rounding out ten years" -Blake shared. At the time of recording (10/14/23) Creature Comforts was a mere two weeks away from opening its newest location in LA Matt shared the news that Other Half is planning the opening of their 8th location in Chicago As they all reflected on the collective decade of success Josh added:  "I think everyone on this panel has had a pretty sweet ride for the past 10 years" The conversation ranged from what changes they wanted to see in the industry as a whole (more diversity being the main theme), to what styles would be compelling. There was also a discussion about responding to trends, specifically non-alcoholic beer. Matt explained, "Don't want to ignore growth opportunities, but also (you) need to make sure that what you're doing already is working." Was this topic overly ambitious for a live recording at a festival? For sure. But was it worth the ask? 100% MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Successful collaborations are a hallmark of the brewing industry. There are countless examples of collaborations between breweries, brewers with restaurants, and even brewers with bands. The result of these collaborations is the beer, which is formed through many (MANY!) decisions that lead to the desired result (hopefully). As Beer Me Radio relishes in its "cheese era", the newest episode builds on a few recent episodes surrounding cheese and beer.  Megan Vaughan, Founder/Owner of Vaughan Cheese in Chesapeake, MD recently joined the show to share about the process of beer-washed cheese (Listen HERE). She mentioned Vaughan Cheese recently worked with Joe Puttlitz, Founder/Owner of Greenspring Brewing Co. in Calvert County, MD to create a beer specifically for the cheese shop. The goal is to eventually make a beer-washed cheese specifically for the shop using this beer. Both Joe and Megan joined the show to share the finite details of the collaboration and what decisions Joe made during the brewing process to sculpt the perfect brew. Megan requested a beer that was low ABV, had little to no bitterness, and flavors that could pair with hundreds of varieties of cheeses. Joe took all of this into consideration and in the first sample, he presented, nailed it.  Megan explained "It felt like magic to me...I couldn't think of anything to change"In a way, it was magic....and science, and art. Joe explains the malt, yeast, and hop considerations. He talks through the decision process on how to treat the water, and how that would reflect on the final product. This episode allows the listener to take a step into the mind of the brewer. Another successful brewing collaboration on the books! MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

"It was just a day of horse racing" explains Andreas Krenmair, Beer Author and Historian and most recent guest on Beer Me, as he describes the first Oktoberfest. Austrian-based Andreas has done significant research on the Vienna Lager style and Austrian and German beer & brewing history. Most recently he joined the Beer Me podcast to begin to scratch the surface of Oktoberfest history. He explains how a city-wide celebration of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig I of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen where the main attraction was a horse race has grown into the massive celebration of Oktoberfest. This year, the 188th Oktoberfest kicked off in Munich, Germany September 16th and ended on October 3rd. A celebration that draws numbers in the millions with additional celebrations worldwide. (Check out this recent episode to see how Jack's Abby celebrated). The progression is fascinating to look back on, from the different attractions throughout the year to the actual beer served. Andreas guides the listeners through his studies in the evolution of the world-famous celebration. A detailed map from 1843 shows the 22 publicans that served beer from Munich and the surrounding towns. These include some well-known producers, including "Hackerbräu, Pschorrbräu, Löwenbräu... Maderbräu, Knorrbräu, Oberkandler, Unterkandler, Singlspielerbräu" explains Andreas.Andreas also explains how the regulations on which beer can be served shifted throughout the years. Oktoberfestbier has even achieved PGI (Protected Geographic Indication) status in the EU.With 188 years of celebrations, Andreas was only able to scratch the surface of Oktoberfest history, but a worthy topic to tap into! Prost!MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Jack's Abby Craft Lagers opened in 2011 in Framingham, MA by three brothers: Jack, Eric, and Sam Hendler. They set out to only produce lagers, in a world of IPAs, and have stayed true to that vision. Rob Day, the VP of Marketing for Jack's Abby, described how Jack Hendler studied brewing in Germany and continues his education in German brewing with an annual trip to traditional and modern brewing facilities in Germany, on this week's episode of Beer Me. Every year, this lager brewhouse celebrates Oktoberfest (the season we are in RIGHT NOW!) with traditions of tapping gravity kegs, stein hoisting, and a keg toss. This year, they have outdone themselves, with the release of a festbier, a collaboration with Weihenstephan called "Fest of Both Worlds". Rob explains "(Jack's Abby) is only the 3rd brewery in the U.S to do a collaboration" The other two being Sam Adams and Sierra Nevada. In this episode, he describes the collaboration process and what went into the beer. Oktoberfest is a special time for beer, as Rob describes it "beer's moment", there is no other beverage celebrated during this time. Let's hoist a stein to "one of the world's most affordable luxuries!" MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

When boiled down (pun intended) beer is an agricultural product, as is chocolate. This is one of the many similarities between the craft beer and chocolate worlds.  Chocolate is produced from the seeds of a fruit that grows on a tropical plant. As with beer, chocolate is also a fermented product, and much like beer, there is craft production and mass production. David Nilsen, beer writer, and educator sat down with Sarah Jane Curran, host of Beer Me! to discuss pairing beer and chocolate, inspired by these parallels. MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

After our last episode, talking beer and cheese pairings with Anne Becerra, we needed more cheese. As one does. And there are so many parallels between beer and cheese, both in the production and storytelling possibilities. This week we welcome to the show, Megan Vaughan, cheese expert and owner of Vaughan Cheese in North Beach, Maryland to discuss beer-washed cheese. Megan breaks down the cheese-making and aging process that involves washing cheese with beer and how that impacts the cheese during the aging as well as the final product. She also answers Sarah Jane's burning cheese questions: - What is the cheddering process? - Is there cheese terroir? - Can you wash goat cheese? - Should you always eat the cheese rind? Magan also shares why it is so important to support American Artisan Cheesemakers, for many of the same reasons we support American Craft Brewers. Shoutouts: The Culinary Institute of America, Eleven Madison Park, Jasper Hill Farms, Virtue Hard Cider, Chapel's Country Creamery, 16 Mile Brewing Company, Firefly FarmMUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Almost as ubiquitous as a beer and pretzel, there is the classic pairing of beer with cheese. This pairing is also an excellent gateway into the beer world for those just starting on their beer journey, so we decided to do an episode dedicated to beer and cheese. We welcome Anne Becerra (Cicerone, Speaker, Consultant: annelikesbeer.com) back to the show to talk through her process of pairing beer with cheese. While there are always the classic three C's for pairing beer with food (Compliment, Contrast, Cut), her approach is more organic. She guides us through her method of dissecting the flavors of a beer and how those flavors could act as additional ingredients to the cheese experience. The process is very approachable and easy to follow. In June Anne lead a seminar with cheese expert, Laura Werlin at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, where they paired seven classic European beer styles with some stunning cheese. This was the first time beer was featured as one of the seminar options.  Anne explains her thought process for selecting these styles for attendees who are more wine drinkers and the feedback she got from them. We of course go down a few rabbit holes... drink more Doppelbock! But it wouldn't be Beer Me without at least one or two diversions. MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Homebrewing has been a topic of discussion many times here on Beer Me, but we haven't had many opportunities to dive into what it looks like to transition from hobbyist to professional. While it is a path that requires tenacity, there are certainly rewarding moments along the way. This week, we welcome to the show Jason Bell, Founder of Living the Dream Brewing in Littleton, Colorado. He takes us through his path in kitchens, restaurants, beverage sales, and finally opening a brewery. His brewing path started with homebrew, and he describes how his mindset needed to shift from homebrewer to commercial brewer and what that entailed. He shares the challenges he constantly considers with brewing consistency, distribution, ensuring staff wellbeing, and brewing for the guest. The road to opening a brewery is often condensed into a quick blurb on a website, "engineer turned brewer", but the story is usually more complicated - and more exciting.  Congratulations to the team at Living the Dream Brewing as they head into their anniversary weekend! Nine years! MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Corn has never been given a fair shake. The evils of high fructose corn syrup have been bellowed from every soapbox, the most commonly grown corn is for animal feed, and is generally, not a much-beloved ingredient. This has also been the case in beer. Even as recent as 2019, Bud Light ran an ad during the Super Bowl calling out Coors Light and Miller Lite for using corn syrup in their beer. But the trend of lighter, more session-able beers is on the rise, including corn lagers. Some of the best breweries in the country are using heirloom varietals of corn in their beers- Fonta Flora, Bow & Arrow, and Black Narrows, to name a few. Josh Chapman, founder of Black Narrows Brewing Company in Chincoteague, VA joins the show to talk all things corn lager. We dive into the specific corn they use for their flagship "How Bout It" corn lager (Bloody Butcher heirloom corn from Bill & Bob Savage). Josh takes us through special brewing considerations needed for brewing with corn and how to keep the integrity of the corn flavor. The surface has only been scratched with corn lagers here on Beer Me! So we will undoubtedly return to this subject again.MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Over the past few months on Beer Me! we have explored different parts of the Homebrewing world, including competitions. One aspect of competitions we haven't had the opportunity to discuss is beer judging. Thankfully, Jen Blair joins the show this week to dive into that. Jen Blair is an Advance Cicerone, National BJCP Judge, and co-host of the beer and brewing podcast "False-Bottomed Girls". Last week, she led a virtual breakout session for Crafted for Action, "Turning the Beer Judging Tables: Strategies for an Inclusive Judging Environment"  (Watch the sessions: HERE) On the show, we discuss what that beer judging typically looks like and some of the barriers that exist. Jen takes us through suggestions on how to make the beer judging process more inclusive both from a planning perspective and in the moment. She also has built an extensive resource for those looking to pursue beer judging. Beer judging can be an incredibly fun, engaging experience. It is endlessly beneficial for palette and brewing development. But it can be intimidating. Hopefully today you are inspired to dive into the world of beer judging. MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Homebrewing conversations here on Beer Me often trumpet the same message: “It's easy to get into! Just get a gallon kit!”. Well, what we don't talk about is how the hobby is SO fun, SO engaging, next thing you know, you have a mini fridge in your garage with your own yeast strains and a mass of homebrew equipment slowly taking over your living space. Ok, maybe it doesn't snowball to quite that level, but as someone grows as a homebrewer, so does the collection of equipment. What can be done to combat that? Say you're a homebrewer who lives in a smaller space or travels a lot. Enter the “homebrew collective”! Think of this like a maker space of homebrewing. You pay monthly dues to brew in a collective space with other homebrewers. All the fun and community, without all the storage. About eight years ago, Andy Oetman founded “Fishbowl Collective Brewing” in DC. This is a brewing co-op that does about 6 brew days a year. Members of the collective are encouraged to participate in at least 3 per year. They take a survey to decide the beer style and each person is assigned different jobs. We go down a few rabbit holes on making beer with stormwater and hop-co-operatives (or rather, a co-HOP-erative), but generally stay on track. Check out this episode with Andy Oetman, Founder/Head Brewer of Fishbowl Brewing Collective in DC! Shoutouts: American Homebrew Association, National Arboretum, Witbier, Brewing Water ScienceMUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

A fairly common scene: grocery and food market patrons judiciously select their produce from pristine displays. And what happens to the fruit that isn't selected? The produce with a slight blemish or a unique shape. More often than not, it ends up as food waste in a landfill, which is both harmful to the environment and wasteful. One effort to combat this? Beer. Atlas Brew Works of DC has partnered with Food Rescue US-DC to brew a beer using rescued stone fruit from different markets. Daniel Vilarrubi, Director of Brewing Operations joins the show to describe the process. He also talks about partnering with RavenHook Bakehouse to use their leftover bread in brews. Colleen Gillespie also returns to the show as she is now the Site Coordinator for Food Rescue US-DC. She describes different ways markets, restaurants, hotels, and other food production sites can help combat food waste.  An ongoing conversation on this show is how breweries are stewards of the community, and this is a prime example. Shoutouts: Food Rescue US-DC, Atlas Brew Works (soon-to-be) NEW location at Carlyle Crossing in Alexandria, VA, Andy's Pizza, RavenHook Bakehouse, Silent Neighbor Export Stout winning GOLD at the 2023 World Beer Cup! MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

With Homebrew Conference right around the corner (June 22-24 in San Diego), we thought we needed another episode focusing on homebrewing. This week, Julia Herz executive director of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA)—the nation's largest hobbyist not-for-profit organization for homebrewers and fermented beverages joins the show. Julia gives us a little history on The Homebrew Conference, and how it's grown over the years. There are some exciting sessions and topics this year, including a Hot Sauce making session (hey, it's fermentation). We also dive into a conversation on new homebrewing technology (you can do an entire brew day from an app on your phone), and new styles that homebrewers are tackling. It wouldn't be Beer Me if we didn't leave you with a little how-to to start your homebrew journey! Take a look at  American Homebrewers Association website, engage with your local clubs (shout out to the DC Homebrewers Club), or simply grab a 1-gallon kit and get brewing! MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Plenty of regions come to mind when talking about hop-growing regions: the Pacific Northwest, Hallertau, Lubin, etc. But what about regions that have come and gone, the former hop-growing regions?  Jennifer Jordan is in the process of researching her new book and joins the show to share some of the stories she has uncovered. She is a professor of Sociology at The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.  She is the author of Edible Memory: The Lure of Heirloom Tomatoes and Other Forgotten Foods (University of Chicago Press, 2015) and Structures of Memory: Understanding Urban Change in Berlin and Beyond (Stanford University Press, 2006). Her current manuscript is titled Before Craft Beer: Lost Landscape of Forgotten Hops, which explores the boom and bust of hop growing in Wisconsin during the 1800s. She shares stories of the women who harvested the hops, what was involved in the hop bust, and other accounts from old diaries. MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Jeff O'Neil, founder of Industrial Arts Brewing Company in the Hudson Valley is back for part two of sustainable brewing practices. In our last show "From Grain to Bottle" (air date 3/25/22) Jeff shared how malt production has changed throughout the years in the Hudson Valley and we began to discuss water conservation at Industrial Arts. For this episode, Jeff explains the sustainable practices they have implemented in their new facility in Beacon, NY based on techniques from their original location. He talks through the finer points of recycling heat from their glycol chiller, using a nitrogen generator, and vapor distilling. We also dive into hop production in New York and how local products can help with a carbon footprint. There are many hop options now, or as Jeff puts it "tools in their toolbox" that allow brewers to layer flavors. From wet hops, dried flowers, pellets, and even hop extracts, Jeff explain how each can be useful and their impact on the environment. We are looking forward to a part three episode with Jeff soon! Shoutouts: Hudson Valley Beer, Finger Lakes Beer, Pederson Farms (Seneca Castle, NY)

The beer world continues to morph and become a more inclusive space. There are too many people involved in that evolution to name here, but one person doing a lot of good for the beer world is Michele Wonder. Michele got her start in beer as a homebrewer and quickly got involved in organizations like the Pink Boots Society and The Oregon Brew Crew. She has contributed to the beer world in many positive ways. She is a co-founder and social media director for the Women's Craft Fermentation Alliance. Also a co-founder of WIBS: a craft fermentation summit (formerly Women's International Beer Summit), and Founder of the Black is Beautiful Homebrew PDX Brewing Project. She joins the show to share her story and how her work has evolved over the years. We dive into how beer is a community and how much it can be a cultural touchstone. And how we can work together to break down barriers in beer to be a more inclusive space. Get ready for a real feel-good episode:) Shoutouts: Oregon Brew Crew, SheBrew, Queen of Beer, Pink Boots Society, Home Brew Competitions MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In homage to the tail end of coolship season (for most of the world), we decided to do a coolship 101 episode. Garrett Crowell joins the show to explain what a coolship is, its history, and how it can be used in brewing. He draws on his experience as the former head brewer of Jester King in Austin, Texas, and founder of Yokefellow in Johnson City, Texas. MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Our guest this week, Jérôme Rebetez takes us through the journey of founding and growing his brewery Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes in the Jura mountains of Switzerland. Jérôme studied winemaking, but after winning an entrepreneur tv competition, he opened his artisanal brewery in 1997. He has made countless styles of beer over the years, but one we dive into is L'Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien and his "everlasting research in umami." MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

To kick off the new season of Beer Me! we spoke with someone who was kicking off their career in beer. Amanda Burke, Assistant Brewer for Ladybird Brewing in Winfield, Kansas joined the show to share how she got her start in the beer world through the Brewers Association Mentorship Program. She shares what it's been like to be guided into brewing by some excellent mentors, how the culture built by Ladybird Brewing has impacted her journey, and some goals she hopes to achieve. We've had the privilege of sitting down with some impressive industry veterans, but it is refreshing to hear from someone just starting out. Shoutouts: Brewers Association Mentorship Program, Master Brewers Academy, Ladybird Brewing, White Stouts, Beer Travel MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Welcome to a new season of Beer Me! Radio. Host Sarah Jane Curran shares what is in store for upcoming episodes. MUSIC CREDIT: The following music was used for this media project:Music: Funky Intro 31 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9552-funky-intro-31License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

As the days get cooler in the DC area, we thought it would be fun to highlight the coolest beer  (literally) style, Eisbock. While it isn't trending, it is a style begging for a deep dive. Michael Stein, champion of all lagers, joins the show to explain how the style (possibly) came to be, why it's so cool, and why it's so challenging to make.

The season of gifting is upon us! Erika Goedrich, owner of the Craft Beer Cellar in DC, joins the show this week. We dive into tips on buying beer in a retail setting, what styles are best for different kinds of beer drinkers, and what are some cool beer releases to look out for on the shelves. Reach out with any beer gifting questions!

It's that time of year again! Beer Me celebrates Thanksgiving by inviting some of our friends to the show. We share what beers we would bring to a Thanksgiving feast, beers that pair well with food, and awkward family questions. We go down a few side streets on hard seltzer and gin but eventually find the road back to beer. Kick back with your favorite fall beer. 

Liz Garibay, a historian that specializes in the history and culture of alcohol, founded the Chicago Brewseum. This is the first museum in the U.S. fully dedicated to beer. Garibay joins the show to talk about her background and how it lead to the opening of the museum, some Chicago beer history, and the upcoming Beer Culture Summit. This summit will be available virtually!  Register for the Beer Culture Summit here. 

What started as an educational brew club for women to get excited about the beer industry led to the start of Mujeres Brew House.  Carmen Favela, Founder, Owner, and CEO of Mujeres Brew House in San Diego, joins the show this week to share the story of Mujeres. It just so happens that Friday, Oct 14th (Next week!), the Smithsonian Food History Weekend will conclude with "Last Call", an annual beer event hosted by the American Brewing History Initiative. Carmen is one of the panelists at this year's event, “¡Salud! to American Latinos in Beer,” which will explore the past, present, and future of American Latinos in the brewing industry. We talk about the upcoming panel, how her innovative team creates beers highlighting traditional Mexican flavors, and how Mujeres Brew House grew to what it is today.

The online presence of any business is the welcome mat, usually the first interaction the guest has with the brand. For all breweries, this is an opportunity to shine. Aadam Soorma, Head of Marketing and Guest Experience for Trace Brewing in Pittsburgh, PA joins the show to talk about how impactful the digital space can be for a brewery. He covers what goes into content production and engagement, how this can impact the local community, and how Trace has been able to highlight the talents of their staff. Big shout-outs to Liquid Death (excellent brand voice); Artist and FOH brewery staff member Atiya Jones, who painted the windows of the coolship; AND Pittsburgh in general. 

pFreim Family Brewers is nestled in Hood River, Oregon, a quintessential town where pFreim made pilsners a local favorite. Now, pFreim is expanding into new chapters. We talk with head brewer Campbell Morrissy to discuss the recent brewery expansion for pFriem, their new canning line, hop selections (tis the season!), and his research work at the Barley World Lab. Campbell Morrissy is the Head Brewer for pFreim Family Brewers and Ph.D. Candidate at Oregon State University under Dr. Pat Hayes in the Barley World Lab.

If there is one thing to take away from this show, it's that sake is NOT a wine. This week, we begin to scratch the surface of this exciting beverage with John Fischer, a professor of wine, beverage, and hospitality management for The Culinary Institute of America, also, a Certified Sake Professional. We talk about how to buy sake, what to look for in sake service, how it's made, and the hopefully soon-to-be open sake brewery in Hyde Park, New York.  Shout out: John Gauntner, Brooklyn Kura, #floweryeast

Before the pandemic, we had the opportunity to visit Maine Beer Co. in Freeport, Maine this time, the conversation was just as rich, but sadly, less beer. Anne Marisc, Maine Beer Co.'s Partnership + Communications Manager joins the show to talk about continued innovations (like the Black Barn Program), Quality Control, and the ever-shifting Maine beer scene. Take a listen and hopefully, you will be inspired to plan a beer trip to Maine! Shoutouts: Blue Ox Malt House, Maine Grain Alliance, #dowhatsright, #drinkitnow, #peeper 

A passion for beer is started and maintained with education for both brewery employees and patrons. This week on the show, Chris Shields, the Director of Education at Rhinegeist Brewery in Cincinnati, Ohio, describes what built his education and training program and how he continues to grow it.  Shout outs: Beer Education, Cicerone, Cider Program

Throughout the world, people are researching every aspect of beer and brewing. This week, we get nerdy, but I assure you, it's fun! Harmonie Bettenhausen, Director of Hartwick College Center for Craft Food & Beverage, is one of those people meticulously researching craft beverages. She takes us through the research she's worked on for her Ph.D., specifically how barley contributes to flavor.  Shoutouts: Ommegang, Big Alice, Finger Lakes Breweries/Cideries 

Lone Tree Brewing Company in Lone Tree, Colorado celebrated their 10-year anniversary, late in 2021. President and Co-Founder John Winter, our guest this week, shares insights on building brewery longevity, business decisions over the years, and beer trends.

The topic of consistency in brewing has come up multiple times here on Beer Me, and one of the best tools for that is implementing some kind of brewing lab to ensure quality control. Our guest, Merritt Waldron, Quality Director of Baxter Brewing Co. and author of "Quality Labs for Small Brewers: Building a Foundation for Great Beer" takes us through some brewing lab basics. He covers why brewing labs are necessary, how labs differ depending on the kind of brewery, and what a beginner brewing lab should include.

Over the past few weeks, we've had the opportunity to dig into some of the finer points of beer production. We get to continue our journey with Brent Manning, Co-Founder of Riverbend Malt House, which recently celebrated 10 years of operations. We dive into local malt production, sustainable practices, and a little malt production 101. Shoutouts: Fonta Flora, #Riverbend10 film, New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, Craft Maltsters Guild

Breaking into a field and climbing the ladder is a challenge no matter what the endeavor. Brewing is no exception. Megan Seastedt, a brewer, consultant, trainer, and podcaster, joins the show this week. She takes us through her brewing transitions, from homebrewer to production manager and everything in between. We talk about the challenges and what she has learned along the way.  Shoutouts: North Country Brewing, Brewers Guild, Pink Boots, OSU Fermentation program, Southern Tier Brewing, Rock Bottom Brewing, BA Education, White Labs Check out more Beer Me! episodes.Join your friends at DC Beer for a trip to the Maryland Craft Beer Festival in Frederick, Maryland! Enjoy beer samples from dozens of Maryland breweries (including a few breweries not yet open to the public) pouring more than 200 unique, beers – all brewed in Maryland. Your road trip package includes transportation to and from the Festival, an Enthusiast Tasting Pass (a $65 value), and much more! More info here!

Countless new ready-to-drink beverages, seltzers, and other canned beverages are flooding the market. One of the newest, and currently only available in Western New York, is Norwhey. This is made from fermented yogurt whey, that would otherwise be waste. Co-founder, and Cornell University Professor, Sam Alcaine joins the show to talk about Norwhey and his journey through the world of fermented beverages.  Shoutouts: Miller Coors, NY Dairy Promotional Board, Doc Luces (DENVER), Tepache, Pulque 

Our Instagram feed has been peppered with delightful, educational beer comics, illustrating beer flavors, styles, or pairings. This week, the creator of these happy posts joins us on the show. Award-winning cartoonist, Em Sauter is our guest this week. Em founded Pints and Panels to produce cute and visual beer education. Em tells us about the process of developing educational, fun, and often whimsical, beer illustrations. Check out her newest book, "Hooray for Craft Beer!", on pre-order now. Check out more Beer Me! episodes.

Beer is a product of agriculture. The grains and hops that are used in a beer recipe are very thoughtfully selected to create vastly different styles. Jeff O'Neil, the founder of Industrial Arts Brewing Company in the Hudson Valley, NY, joins the show. We talk through what goes into sourcing local malt and hops, how the local malt industry has improved in New York, and the shifting hop production in the US. We also dip our toes into water conservation during the brewing process (pun intended). Check out more Beer Me! episodes.

Last weekend, the city of Auburn, NY hosted the first annual Brave Brews Fest. This was a three-day event to celebrate women in craft beverages organized by this week's guest, Dawn Schulz, co-founder of Prison City Brewing. We dive into the event, why it was important, how industry events like this help move women forward in beer, and how women can break into traditionally male-dominated roles within the beer world.  Shoutouts & Mentions:  Pink Boots Society, Jacki Hannon (Bells Brewery), Sloop Brewing (their internship!), Celeste Beatty (Harlem Brewing Company), Jackie Dodd Mallory (aka, The Beeroness)Check out more Beer Me! episodes.

Beer Me likes to get nerdy, about cask beer, hops…but this week we are taking a deep dive into safety. The landscape of the beer industry is changing and will continue to evolve to be more inclusive. With this change, spaces that beer inhabits need to be safe (taprooms, breweries, bars). Amie Ward, a hospitality veteran, and Safe Bars trainer joins the show to talk about how to intervene in an unsafe situation and why training, like Safe Bars, is vital in this industry. Hear more about the beer industry confronting sexual harassment and discrimination:Listen to the episode #notme with Brienne Allan.Trigger Warning:  we discuss instances of assault and unsafe situations in this episode.