Head Retention

Title says it all. After a yearlong hiatus, Head Retention is back! But before we can move forward with our craft beer journeys, let's take an episode to look back at what Lashelle and Roche have been up to...in their lives as well as their craft beer journey. Then, they preview what's to come with the podcast and discuss the triumphant return of a beer style. Make sure your craft beer loving friends are listening and subscribing to Head Retention on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get podcasts.

It's an episode (literal) years in the making! Roche and Lashelle welcome Charlie and Chris (the originator of the Crispy Boi lifestyle!) from Fairwinds Brewery in Lorton, VA.Fairwinds has been busy winning ALL the craft beer awards and join the show to discuss awards (national and regional)and what they mean to breweries. Also, is Kolsch the official beer of Virginia craft brewing? Charlie and Chris (and Lashelle) make the case. Finally, interesting conversation on the important role the taproom server has in educating the clientele...which leads into...(24:00) ...the most controversial subject we've ever undertaken on Head Retention, flights in the taproom! Roche is shocked to learn that most taproom workers (bartenders, servers, AND brewers) are not fans of flights, for a number of a reasons that the gang is only too happy to explain. Make sure your craft beer loving friends are listening and subscribing to Head Retention on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get podcasts.

Welcome to 2023 and a new year of Head Retention! Roche and Lashelle kick off the year with a look at some beer trends to watch in 2023. Phil Runco spoke with over a dozen breweries to find out what the brewers are keeping an eye on this year. He joins the show to discuss the results including what styles are on the way up, what styles are on the way down, the enduring power of the IPA, and the inevitable contraction of the business.  To read Phil's full article click here.Make sure your craft beer loving friends are listening and subscribing to Head Retention on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get podcasts.

It's a Head Retention tradition! Lashelle, Roche, and Jon of Solace Brewing do their annual tasting of holiday specific beers from breweries across the country. Make sure your craft beer loving friends are listening and subscribing to Head Retention on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get podcasts.

This summer, Roche and Lashelle travelled to Lisbon, Portugal...though not together. On this episode of Head Retention, they compare notes on places in Lisbon where you can find traditional American craft beer, the best way to drink like a local, the importance of befriending your bartender, and, most importantly, getting over yourself and enjoying beer in whatever setting you find yourself. Make sure your craft beer loving friends are listening and subscribing to Head Retention on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get podcasts.

There is a lot of talk in the craft beer industry about using locally sourced ingredients. Waredaca Brewing does that in ways that a lot breweries do,  growing fruits, herbs, vegetables, etc to use in their beers. But they also realized their well water was especially suited for a particular style of beer, lagers. Keith Kohr, head brewer at Waredaca, invited Roche and Lashelle to the farm brewery's taproom to discuss the importance of brewing what the land gives you. The gang also samples some Waredaca beers and discuss terminology controversies, and Roche gets a lesson in goses. Special thanks to Musu the cat for making a surprise appearance on the podcast. 

It was a controversial subject a few years ago but the stigma of "selling out" to a macro brewery has mostly subsided.Head Retention spoke with Devils Backbone COO, Hayes Humphreys just after their acquisition by AB InBev in 2016 and he's back to give Roche and Lashelle an update on what life is like for a craft brewery that has been bought by one of the big boys.Hayes discusses the (mostly) positives that have come from being part of the Anheuser-Busch umbrella including the better (and safer) working conditions for DB employees, the increase in charitable work  by Devils Backbone, and more. 

Lashelle, Roche, and our friend Jon of Solace Brewing Company are back for another edition of holiday beer tastings on Head Retention. After a recap of the different styles associated with the holidays, the gang taste an assortments of holiday beer styles from Mid-Atlantic breweries including Hardywood, Flying Dog, and Troegs. It's also fun to have taproom talk while enjoying your beer so they also discuss unusual style names (Cold IPA?, Imperial Pilsner?, Christmas Hard Seltzer?),  Christmas movies, the downside of being first to market, Christmas Mountain Dew, and a breakdown of the Doppelbock style.  Happy Holidays from everyone at Head Retention!

Head Retention tackles a subject so controversial, we had to do a second episode about it.Kids in breweries, yay or nay? On the one hand, the family atmosphere is a hallmark of your local taproom. Families coming to the brewery, the adults enjoying quality beer while the kids play board games (for urban taprooms) or run off some energy (for farm breweries). It's part of the brewery experience, right? Maybe not. More and more, breweries are limiting the amount of time children are allowed in the taproom or on the property. Cedar Run Brewery's Jean (an owner) and Matt (the head brewer) join Roche and Lashelle to explain why they have rules limiting child access to their farm brewery. They give all too familiar examples of how inattentive parents and unruly kids have ruined the brewery experience for everyone. They also discuss how the craft beer industry got to this point and what the future holds for kids in breweries.Then, Jean and Matt discuss the expansive grounds of Cedar Run, the history of the brewery, why now is the time to check out Cedar Run (HINT: fall foliage), and some of the current beers on tap. 

We all know that yeast is vital to the brewing process. But do we know why or even, how vital? Lashelle and Roche find out with the minds behind Jasper's Yeast, a yeast growing lab based in Dulles, VA. Jasper Akerboom and Travis Tedrow explain, in terms we all can understand, the differences and what to look for in yeast, as well as the yeast growing process. Then, Jasper and Travis discuss their love of beer, if yeast growing has changed their beer drinking habits, and why brewers are loathe to discuss yeast strain contamination.Let's all nerd out over yeast on this episode of Head Retention! Here's more info on Jasper's Yeast. 

In May, a social media post went viral and confirmed what most in the industry already knew, craft beer has a MAJOR sexual harassment/assault problem. It's an issue that plagues society so it being an issue in craft beer shouldn't come as a surprise but for many, it did. It's forced every brewery to examine it's policies regarding females in the taproom, and workplace in general. And just like the BLM movement last year spurred Roche to confront his place in a changing society, Lashelle has had to do the same as a female in the industry. She and Other Half Brewing's Odessa Winter have a frank discussion of the types of harassment women face in a brewery (from co-workers and customers) and ways men can be an advocate for their female co-workers. 

Bark Social is the first DMV "Dog Bar" and owner Luke Silverman joins Roche and Lashelle to break down what that means. From Bark Bouncers, to Bark Rangers, to who gets to become a member (HINT: it ain't the humans), Bark Social is aiming to change the way you think about your beer drinking and dog park experience. Luke also discusses the importance of having an extensive local beer menu, the Montgomery County, MD brewery scene, and some of the ways Bark Social is trying to expand your beer palette by being hyper local. Tap for more info on Bark Social

Lashelle and Roche tackle the "controversial" subject of lactose and beer on this edition of Head Retention. They are joined by Jake Endres of Crooked Run Brewing. Crooked Run has been moving away from the use of lactose in their beers and Jake explains the reasoning behind the move, the proper place for lactose in brewing, and the need to be clear to the consumers when lactose is present in a beer. The trio then samples a few CR beers and discuss the expanding seltzer space in the industry. 

Ocelot Brewing Company in Loudoun County, VA is all about the beer...and even that phrase is a bit complicated. Ocelot doesn't believe in a bunch of marketing and/or promotional gimmicks. They aren't interested in growing into a regional brewer. They really aren't all that into signage in their own town. What they ARE interested in is the power of music, beer, and fellowship to relieve the stresses of our lives. Adrien Widman, the owner of Ocelot, joins Lashelle and Roche to explain the philosophy behind the "It's Just Beer" mantra, why he's no one special, and why being true to yourself is all you need to succeed.

Lashelle wanted to talk about non-alcoholic beer. Crazy, right? Fortunately, so did Roche so they got their friend Jason from Three Notch'd Brewing Company to join the show and discuss the need for NAs, why the space is growing, the challenges of brewing an NA, and, most importantly, are they any good ones (short answer: you have to sample a few before deciding). Then they discuss a few NA options and sample the Three Notch'd non-alcoholic IPA. Be sure to subscribe to Head Retention so you don't miss an episode and please rate the show on your favorite podcast platform.

The arrival of December brings the holiday season and beer. Lashelle and Roche welcome Jon of Solace Brewing Company to discuss what makes ingredients are typical to holiday beer, what makes a holiday beer (HINT: Branding plays a key role), and some of the more well known holiday beers. Then, the trio embark on an epic nine beer tasting and Roche ascends to his rightful place as "beer expert" of the podcast. Click here to learn more about Solace Brewing and HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the Head Retention crew!

Beer drinking has increased since COVID-19 and so has the beer drinker's waistline. Pandemic pounds is real and so is the struggle. Do we have to sacrifice our beer because we are less active? The answer is no...if you know where to look. Thankfully, low cal beers have become fashionable the last few years in the craft beer world. Bailey O'Leary, endurance athlete and owner of True Respite Brewing Company, joins Roche and Lashelle to discuss quality low cal beer options, whether the space is a revenue generator for breweries, and how and when to drink to minimize the negative effects of alcohol on your fitness.

How true to your brand can you be?Is it possible to go "all in" on local ingredients?Can you welcome newcomers without alienating your regulars?Can you be tourist friendly as well as a local hangout?Is winning "Best New Brewery In The World" a bad thing??Can you open a second location and strive for a completely different vibe than your first while maintaining your brand?We discuss all this and more in a fantastic episode of Head Retention featuring the owners of Arizona Wilderness Brewing.

Yes, there is a brewery on the campus of Farm Brew Live (2 Silos Brewery) that churns out delicious beer. But there's so much more to FBL than "just" brewing beer. Forrest joins Lashelle and Roche to discuss the vision behind Farm Brew Live, future expansion, and how there really is "something for everyone" when you visit.

It's Oktoberfest season! Do yourself a favor and don't rush to Pumpkins. Instead, enjoy some of the traditional Oktoberfest styles of beer this month. Lashelle and Roche welcome Bill Haase of Black Hoof Brewery to discuss the history of Oktoberfest, the marzen and festbier styles, and how to celebrate Oktoberfest outside of Munich (HINT: bring good vibes!). Then, Bill delves into the science of brewing and why he focuses on German beers.Congrats to Black Hoof for taking "Best In Show" for their Munich Dunkel at the 2020 Virginia Craft Beer Cup!

A number of difficult questions are being asked in the United States and the craft beer community is not immune. Is the community doing enough to welcome people of color into taprooms? What about employment opportunities, especially in breweries that opened in "gentrified" neighborhoods? Does the community even have an obligation to consider these questions? These are some of the topics Lashelle and Roche discuss with Kevin Blodger of Union Craft Brewing in Baltimore. The conversation focuses on the social justice and economic benefits of inclusion as well as the balancing act of performative vs cost effectiveness. Then, Kevin shares his unusual journey to brewery ownership. Check out this article on Thrillist for more about Kevin's craft beer journey.

Making the leap from "white whale beer" to mass production is a challenge most breweries struggle with. Aslin Beer Company has made it look easy. Eric and Shane of Aslin join Lashelle and Roche to discuss how the early days in Herndon, VA evolved to a taproom in Alexandria, VA and distribution to 10+ states without sacrificing quality or innovation in the process.

When the pandemic came, True Respite was ready. Sort of. The owners had been marinating on the idea of a beer delivery service pre-covid but when the lockdown came, it became a no brainer. Thus, biermi.com was born. Brendan of True Respite joins Roche and Lashelle to discuss the impact the site has had on breweries and consumers across the country since it's launch and how it could be a game changer in how we get our local craft beer.

Most beer related activities and businesses either shut down or entered a holding pattern during the COVID-19 pandemic (this podcast included). Hi Wire Brewing decided to do something different. They actually EXPANDED their distribution in the middle of the pandemic. Chris Frosaker is one of the owners of Hi Wire and he joins Lashelle and Roche to explain the thought process behind their expansion into Virginia. He also tells of the history of Hi Wire Brewing and the uniqueness of Ashville, NC in the craft beer world.

Chris Burns of Old Ox Brewery joins Roche and Lashelle to talk about the monumental challenges facing breweries of all sizes during the Covid-19 pandemic. How will this affect the taproom experience? What laws will come off (or stay on) the books when life gets back to normal? What can breweries do during the pandemic to spur sales? Being nimble is the key and Chris has tips that all small business owners can use on this important episode of Head Retention. www.oldoxbrewery.com

Like everything else in the world, Head Retention has grounded to a halt due to Covid-19. Before, the podcast gets back up and running full time, Roche and Lashelle catch up with each other and you on what's changed in the craft beer world now...and in the future. Go to www.biermi.com to find out what breweries deliver in your area and how your brewery can get listed.

Cannabis sounds like it would be awesome to have in your beer...in theory. But what about in reality? Would a beer brewed with cannabis be good or just a marketing stunt? What style of beer would cannabis augment? And how close are we to having it legally brewed into beer? This episode of Head Retention does a deep dive into the question of Cannabis (or CBD) and beer. Roche and Lashelle are joined by Blane of Sinistral Brewing to discuss the moral, financial, and practical reasons behind cannabis in your beer. Sinistral Brewing Company: http://sinistralbrewingcompany.com/

Lashelle prides herself on finding the perfect beer for everyone. Even non craft beer lovers! Her skills are put to the test on this episode of Head Retention as she tries to find an IPA that legendary country music radio personality, Michael J, will enjoy. Michael is a Coors Light man from way back and HATES the test of an IPA. Or so he thinks. After Roche and Lashelle set the scene (11:27), the stage is set for the Michael J IPA taste challenge!

Searching for “whales” was something the craft beer culture was built on. But with beer much easier to get, does it still make sense to hunt? Is it “worth” it? Roche and Jon from Solace Brewing share some hunting stories before Roche laments the loss of the hunt. Then, Lashelle shares her white whale with the group to….unique results.

When the news broke that Constellation was selling Ballast Point to a small brewery just outside of Chicago, the ramifications reverberated throughout the industry. Roche, Lashelle, and Jon of Solace Brewing Co. discuss all the angles of this deal and what it means for the craft beer industry moving forward.

With the industry getting more local and more saturated, Roche and Lashelle wonder what the future of craft beer festivals (local and national) holds. Chris of Fairwinds Brewery and Dave of Ocelot Brewing Co join them to weigh the pros and cons for both brewers and consumers. Also, do winning medals have value and what exactly is a "crispy boy"? It's all in this episode of Head Retention.

Harper's Ferry Brewing drew national attention for their anti-ownership beer, Sell The Team, and now Jessie and Ryan join Roche and Lashelle on this episode of Head Retention to tell the story behind the viral sensation. Then, the guys discuss Harper's Ferry Brewing, its amazing backdrop, and how they keep the momentum of Sell The Team going.

"When are you posting new episodes of the show?" Roche has been getting that question for months and now he has the answer. Hear about the past, present, and future of Head Retention in the latest episode.

Roche explains how his summers are all about the barrel-aged stouts. Ben drops some major humble brags about his cellar that’s “so full right now.” And Kristin wonders if any event is ever that important to tap into your rare beers.

Roche’s college experience was brought to you by Yuengling. Ben’s craft beer snobbery began at his snobby university in northern Indiana. And Kristin loves a nice, warm garage beer. Hear how your hosts got from there to here in the world of craft beer.