Sharing stories of the past, present, and future of our beverage industry. Based out of Asheville, North Carolina.
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In this episode I chat with Dennis Thies, co-owner with Wendy Thies, of Asheville's Green Man Brewery. Green Man is Asheville's second oldest post-prohibition brewery and will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
In this episode, I talk to Shanti Volpe of Asheville's Shanti Elixirs about Jun. Listen and learn about this mystical beverage. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
I talk about how Prohibition was voted for in 1907 in Asheville, and soon after, throughout the state of North Carolina. Strangely enough, Beer City USA suffered under one of the longest prohibition periods in the nation. Photo is of the "Women's and Children's Parade" supporting the "drys," which made it's way through downtown Asheville the night before the vote took place. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Savor Shrub Bitters is an Asheville-based producer of non-alcoholic aperitifs that can be used as mixers or on their own. I talk to business partners Karen Savage and Elliot Patterson about this new beverage endeavor. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
This is the second of my early history of Asheville beer podcasts. Here I talk about the Will Harris murders of 1906--how one bloody night led to the city voting in Prohibition several months later. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
In this show, I talk to both Brent Manning of Asheville's Riverbend Malt House and to Andrew White, a seventh generation North Carolina farmer who is diversifying into growing specialty barley and oats to supply the craft malt house. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
In this episode, I chat with Doug Reiser, co-founder of Asheville's Burial Beer. We talk about their new(wish) Forestry Camp project, how they're dealing with COVID, and do some deep diving into the past. Photo of the three founders/owners: L to R: Tim Gormley, Jess Reiser, Doug Reiser. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Rye Knot is a new hybrid kitchen, brewery, and distillery in the north Asheville area (as of August 2020). In this podcast, I chat with brewer/distiller Bob Byron, and his business partner, Jimi Rentz, long-time Asheville restauranteur. What's it like to open this type of business during COVID-19? Listen and find out! Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
In this episode, I discuss some early Asheville and Western North Carolina beer history from settler times to the late 1800s. Learn about Asheville's first known breweries and saloon row. More history to come if y'all want it! Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
GUEST: Rich Greene and I chat about what guilds do and what the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild has been doing to support its members throughout the pandemic. Listen to learn more about "The State of Southern Beer"!Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
In this episode, I chat with long-time brewer, Josh Brewer, who recently moved from the flatlands of North Carolina to the mountains. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
This episode features a co-owner and co-founder of Silver Bluff Brewing Company in historic Brunswick, Georgia. Listen to Jeff Coyle chat about opening a new production brewery and taproom during the pandemic. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Aaron Wilson, head brewer at Asheville's French Broad River Brewery, chats with me about one of Asheville's oldest breweries, new(ish) ownership, expansion, and COVID-19 changes and precautions. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
GUEST: Jason KohrtSupport the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
GUEST: Mike Rangel, president and co-founder of Asheville Brewing Company chats with me about how his pizzeria and brewery has responded to COVID-19 and lays out hopeful plans for the future. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
This week I talked to three women in beer, who also serve on the Asheville Beer Week committee, about the week in its first virtual form, as well as past boozy celebrations. Listen in for all the details from Leah Rainis of the Asheville Brewers Alliance, Joanna Postlewaite of Thirsty Monk Brewery, and Katie Smith of Highland Brewing Company. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
GUESTS: Shawndra Russell and Tommy Calloway are the hosts of The Great Reset Podcast. We chat about North Carolina's Phase 2 re-opening and other pandemic options for public drinking.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
GUEST: Rett Murphy is a co-owner, founder, and distiller at Asheville's Eda Rhyne Distilling Company. We chat about hand sanitizer, Amaro, and Appalachian-inspired beverages. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
GUEST: Hayley Wells heads the Alcoholic Beverage Law Group of North Carolina's Ward and Smith, PA. We talk about how the world changed in March for alcoholic beverage makers, how Hayley has counseled some of them throughout the pandemic. And we feel sad about recent North Carolina legislation on mixed drinks take-out and delivery. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Today I talk to @abby_drinks_everything about her passion project, helping get local beverages to consumers during the pandemic. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
GUEST: Brandi Hillman, co-owner and co-founder of Hillman Beer, discusses the sudden and dramatic changes in the brewery world in the days of COVID-19. Brandi is a return guest. For the background story for Hillman Beer, find her earlier Imbibe Asheville interview. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
My first "Imbibe Asheville" show since the Stay Home order--from my dining room table. Enjoy my chat with Leah Rainis, executive director of the Asheville Brewers Alliance. We talk about what's been happening in the WNC brewing world over the past month. Reach out if you want to tell your COVID-19 brewery story. Love to all in this crazy time. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Chris Frosaker is co-owner and co-founder of Hi-Wire Brewing in Asheville.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Gaines Myer is the operations manager at Asheville's Green Man Brewery.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
David Ackley and Cristina Hall Ackley own and founded Ginger's Revenge, Asheville first and only ginger beer brewery.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Tim Weber is the founder and head brewer at Asheville's Twin Leaf Brewery.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
John is the owner and founder of Homeplace Beer in Burnsville, NC.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Beau Evers is the Southeast representative for Crosby Hop Farms of Oregon.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Experienced brewer Ray Dobens consults to start-up breweries across the USA.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Vince Tursi and Mike Semenec founded DSSOLVR, a beverage company in downtown Asheville, in late 2019. We chat about their surreal marketing, delicious craft beverages, and cool location in an historic building. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Kimberly Floyd is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Craft Beverage Museum, which will be located in Asheville, NC.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Leah Rainis recently became the Executive Director of the Asheville Brewers Alliance, a trade guild representing the craft breweries of Western North Carolina. She studied at the Craft Beer Institute of the Southeast and worked for two regional breweries before taking the reins at the ABA. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Zac is an owner, founder and brewer at Eurisko Beer Company in downtown Asheville. We talk about the brewery's location, just off the South Slope beaten path, it's fun and unusual name, how much the owners love Asheville, and more. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
In this episode, I talk to Lyndon Smith of Botanist & Barrel, a family-owned and run cidery and winery supported by farms just north of Hillsborough and in Leicester, North Carolina. He founded the business with his sister, Kether Smith, in 2017. They craft a variety of natural ciders and fruit wines, and source ingredients as much as possible from within 200 miles of the farmhouse winery.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
GUEST: Joey Cagle is co-owner, co-founder, and co-brewer at Riverside Rhapsody Beer Company in Woodfin, NC. He and partner, Mike Vanhoose, started their first brewery at Blue Mountain Pizza in Weaverville. Their new spot on Riverside Drive just north of Zillicoah Beer offers great beer, live music, and fun events. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
MONOLOGUE: In this special episode, I expound on the big beer news that New Belgium Brewing is selling the brewery to Little Lion World Beverages, which is, in turn owned by Japanese corporation, Kirin. I try to put into context why both other breweries and beer drinkers care about craft brewery sales to larger, non-craft beer conglomerates. New Belgium opened an expansion brewery in Asheville's River Arts District in 2016, and I've written quite a bit about that process and the history of this formerly employee-owned brewery. Photo by Marc Hunt of Asheville on Bikes event at Asheville New Belgium from "Western North Carolina Beer." Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
In this episode, I talk to beverage attorney Derek Allen, who works with breweries throughout Western North Carolina and beyond. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Beer education, yo. Puff Irvin helped start and directs the first two-year brewing, distilling, and fermentation degree in the nation just down the road from Asheville. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
In this episode, I talk to Bill Zimmer, co-found of Brevard's Ecusta Brewing. Hear about booming Pisgah Forest, sour beers, and specialty yeast. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Hard cider! In this episode, I chat with a co-founder of Asheville's first modern-day cider company, Josie Mielke of Urban Orchard Cider. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
In this episode, I chat with co-founder of Asheville's Archetype Brewing, Brad Casanova. The West Asheville brewery recently opened a second location near Five Points. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Ben Colvin is a founder of Asheville-based Devil's Foot Beverage Company. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
John Garcia is the founder, owner, and head brewer at Lookout Brewing Company in Black Mountain, N.C. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Leah Howard is a founder of Asheville's Cultivated Cocktails Distillery.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Even Crutchfield is a long-time brewery sales representative, formerly with Foothills and Wicked Weed Breweries.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
John Cochran, co-founder of Terrapin Brewing in Athens, Georgia, now owns UpCountry Brewing Company in West Asheville, NC. We chat about his long, storied experience in the craft brewery business. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Brandi Hillman is a co-founder of Asheville's Hillman Beer.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Today on Imbibe Asheville, I talk with the effervescent Lisa Marie McDonald of Sanctuary Brewing Company. We discuss baby chicks, vegetarian pub food and, of course, beer!Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
Today on Imbibe Asheville, we learn about the business of whiskey and gin distilling from William Goldberg of Oak and Grist Distilling Company. The small distillery is located in Black Mountain, North Carolina.Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
On this episode of Imbibe Asheville, I talk to Lauren Turpin, co-founder of Asheville's Pleb Urban Winery. Hear how the winery sources regional grapes to make North Carolina wines which they sell from a brewery-inspired taproom. Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)
On this episode of Imbibe Asheville, I chat with Brent Manning of Riverbend Malt House about magical malt and malt production. Tune in weekly to hear stories of the past, present, and future of our beverage industry! Thanks, Brent, for posing with a copy of my most recent book, "Western North Carolina Beer".Support the show (https://tunein.com/radio/Biz-Radio-1350-s23339/)