It's the Beer Talking

At your service: Military veterans Steve Gagner and Matt Kehaya deploy righteous beer, and enlisted Brewmaster Dan Sartwell to expand and improve the payload. They're based in St. Albans, Vermont — and find common cause with several regional charities. Beer Talkin' co-hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek, as always, keep the peace.

Which came first: Beer or Music? Matt Wilson, co-founder of Zero Gravity Craft Brewery in Burlington, VT, talks about the company's musical connections with Chelsea Lafayette, managing director of the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival. What's in the Fridge: Zero Gravity's "Bob White" (a Whitbier, ABV 5.0 percent) and ZG "Keller," (dry-hopped lager, ABV 4.9 percent)

"Promote the Brew" podcaster Steve Schmidt joins Jeff & Jason for a dive into logos, branding, design and shelf-appeal.

What is beer, anyway? Why does it pair well with ponderous thoughts? Jeff Baker hosts fellow philosophers Tyler Doggett (who actually teaches philosophy at University of Vermont) and Kenny Richards (who thoughtfully produces ginger beers at Halyard Brewing) in a mostly coherent quest for some answers. What's in the Fridge:  Baker is joined by co-host (and fellow heavy thinker) Jason Strempek for some warm-weather elixirs, including lemon-heavy Del's Shandy from Rhode Island-based Narrangansett Beer (4.7 percent ABV); Pink Lemonade Shandy (4.4 percent ABV) by UFO Beers; and Volcano Juice (4.1 percent ABV) from South Burlington-based Halyard Brewing. Think responsibly!

Jason from the Beverage Warehouse of Vermont and Make the Cut finalists met with It's the Beer Talking. Make the Cut Homebrew Challenge is an annual competition that was created by the Beverage Warehouse of Vermont and 14th Star Brewing Co.

We met with Lincoln Peak Vineyard and Stonecutter Spirits, tried award-winning products, and learned how each business started.

Greg Koch from Stone Brewing met with us remotely to talk about the foundational philosophies of the brewery, his favorite drinks, and how his home-grown chili peppers became a part of his beer.

Tom Bivins, Executive Director of the Vermont Cheese Council, and Craig Gile, Master Cheese Grader at Cabot Creamery, sat down with us to try some beer and cheese pairings, talk about awards won, and various cheese festivals around the country.

Listen as we talk with Steve from American Brewers Guild and Drop-In Brewing about brewing, brewing awards, food and beer pairings, and much more.

This week we talk with Dave Hunter and Nunzino Pizza from Hop Head Farms. Learn about the different varieties of hops, and how Hop Head Farms came to be the first full-scale commercial hop yard in Michigan.

This week we talk with Stuart and Donald from Farrell Distributing. Listen as they pair Halloween candy with a variety of your favorite beers, and find out which was the most successful combination (according to Jeff and Jason). Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thebeertalkin

This week we talk with Steve Torres and Joel Lopez from Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles, California. Learn about their social mission, their work with Heal the Bay, and their Viceland series called, "Beerland." Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thebeertalkin

This week we talk with Nick Weiland and Gregor Mina from Shiner Beer in Shiner, Texas. Learn about the rich history of the brewery during Prohibition and their great, all-American advertising campaigns. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thebeertalkin

It's the Apples Talking in this episode featuring Eden Specialty Ciders! Join Jeff and Jason in a conversation with founder and co-owner Eleanor Léger about Eden's bio-dynamic holistic orchard, the company's history and its strategy.  Learn about apple varieties, growing conditions, bottling techniques and tannins straight from the source. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thebeertalkin

We visited the Vermont Lake Monsters to talk with vice president Kyle Bostwick, Laina Grant of Zero Gravity Craft Brewery and Paul Hale of Queen City Brewery. How many hotdogs have been sold this season? You'll have to listen to find out! Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thebeertalkin.

Join Jeff, Jason and Ryan Chaffing on a journey through the summer of 2017. Hear about the best events and festivals. It will make you wish you were there. Find us on social media with username: @thebeertalkin

Hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek chat with Farrell Distributing's Mike Shea about his observations and predictions for the beer and wine industry.  Then... BLOOPERS! You've waited all season and here they are! The behind the scenes goofs, gaffes and jokes that make this show a joy to work on.

Listen as hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek speak with Carrie Anne Kelly of 21st Amendment Brewery, Sarah Ware of The High End (Anheuser Busch), Chris Costello of Zero Gravity, Kenny Richards of Halyard Brewing, Dave Dolgianow of Shacksbury Cider, Brooke Connor of All Times Sparkling Cider (Citizen Cider).

This episode of It's the Beer Talking comes to you live from the 2017 Farrell Distributing Craft Beer and Cider Portfolio Show in Manchester, Vermont on Tuesday May 9, 2017. Listen as we talk to Marly Thompson of UFO, Chris Mayne of Northshire Brewery, Kenny Vassallo of Long Trail Brewing Company, John Ellsessar of Narragansett and Chris Charest of Stone Brewing Company.

Andrew Peterson of Peterson Quality Malt joins this episode of It's the Beer Talking. Peterson talks with hosts Jeff and Jason about educating consumers, being the eighth malt house in the U.S., and providing Vermont brewers and homebrewers with Vermont malt. What's in the Fridge: Jeff and Jason sample Sunshine and Hoppiness from Drop-In Brewing in Middlebury and a St. Feuillien Saison.

Alan Newman, self-described "serial entrepreneur" and current owner of Higher Ground joins this episode of It's the Beer Talking.  Listen as he and hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek discuss his long career both inside and outside the beer industry.  What's in the Fridge: This week, it's Blackbeary Wheat from Long Trail Brewing Company and Huckleberry from UFO.

Anne Becerra, @annelikesbeer on Twitter joins this episode of It's the Beer Talking.  Becerra works to welcome people into the world of beer and is committed to helping explain the craftsmanship behind it. What's in the Fridge? Jeff and Jason stay local this week with two beers from Halyard Brewing in South Burlington. Bringing Vermont back to its roots, Jeff and Jason try Halyard's "True Ginger Beer" and "Wayward Amber Ginger Beer".

Meghan Sheridan and Doug Paine Vermont Fresh Network join this episode of It's the Beer Talking to discuss the importance of quality, fresh ingredients. Listen as hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek help outline the connection between Vermont Fresh Network, the culinary arts, and craft beer. What's in the Fridge? Jeff and Jason try a Grevensteiner and a Pilsener from Brauerei C. & A. Veltins.

Madi Holtzman of Toast Ale USA joins this episode of It's the Beer Talking to talk about the importance of fighting food waste on a global scale... with beer. Toast Ale uses surplus bread that otherwise would have ended up in the landfill to make craft beer. This week, hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek try two pilsners: Hera Pils from Fort Hill Brewery in Easthampton Ma. and Brau Pils from DC Brau Brewing Co. in Washington Dc.

John Scholl from the Cicerone Certification Program joins us this week on It's the Beer Talking. Listen in as Scholl teaches us the tell-tale signs of a dirty glass and brings us through the levels of certification that can be achieved with the program. What's in the Fridge: This week, hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek try two Trappist Ales... an Orval and a Westmalle Tripel.

Dave Steinman from Beer Marketer's Insights joins this episode of It's the Beer Talking. Beer Marketer's Insights was founded in 1970 and is a family business that tracks data in the craft beer industry to help marketers market. In the fridge this week... hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek try a Thistly Cross 'Whisky Cask Cider' out of South Belton, Dunbar, Scotland and a 'Southern Charred' from Stone Brewing out of California.

Kris Nelson and Cheray MacFarland from Citizen Cider join hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek for this episode of "It's the Cider Talking". In lieu of a formal "What's in the Fridge" segment, Jeff and Jason enjoy Citizen Cider's Unified Press, Wit's Up, The Dirty Mayor and The Lake Hopper alongside the creators. Jeff and Jason also tried some Ginger Peach Hot Sauce from Dave's Gourmet during the show.

Bass player from The Lights Out and Burlington native Matt King joins Jeff Baker and guest-host Brent Hallenbeck to talk about their newest album T.R.I.P. The Lights Out teamed up with Aeronaut Brewing Company to release their album on beer cans in November 2016. What's in the Fridge: Jeff and Jason try two black lagers, a Stony Creek Brewery Black Water Pils and a Narragansett Lovecraft Series: The Unnamable Black Lager.

Seven beers, five chocolates and five cheeses comprise this episode of It's the Beer Talking. Sam Hooper from Vermont Creamery and Eric Lampman from Lake Champlain Chocolates and Blue Bandana Chocolate Maker joined It's the Beer Talking on a special beer, chocolate and cheese pairing episode. Instead of the usual format, host Jeff Baker and guest-host Ryan Chaffin spend the entire time tasting and testing ten different combinations of food and beer.

Sam von Trapp and Mike Whitty from von Trapp Brewery in Stowe, Vt. discuss loyalty, winning your home market, their origin story - yes, that von Trapp - and reveal what type of animal is on their logo. Then, host Jeff Baker and guest-host Ryan Chaffin grill the guests in the lightning round.

Hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek are joined this week by Jason Stuffle and Dan Hament of the Green Mountain Mashers homebrew club. The club, based in northwestern Vermont, aims to create a fun and inclusive space for homebrewers to connect and share their passion. Listen as Stuffle and Hament talk about the club, their homebrewing history, the Greg Noonan Memorial Homebrew Competition and the importance of inclusion in the beer scene. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thebeertalkin.

This week on It's the Beer Talking, join hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek as they interview one of the original craft beer brewers: Ken Grossman, Founder / CEO of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Hear the history of Sierra Nevada in Ken's own words as he takes you through the brewery's conception, development and finally to the creation of their first East Coast location in Asheville, North Carolina. This family business has been through it all.

Jeff and Jason are joined by Todd Haire of Foam Brewers and Bill Mares of House of Fermentology to talk about their various exploits in the world of beer brewing. What's in the Fridge: This week, Jeff and Jason pop open some hybrid beers made with grapes! First a Dogfish Head Midas Touch Ancient Ale and a beer from Brasserie des Trois Dames in Switzerland called L'Amoureuse.

This week on It's the Beer Talking, we bring you a special bonus episode featuring Brandon Greenwood from YeeHaw Brewing Company out of Johnson City, Tennessee. They discuss how Brandon's chemistry background contributes to beer-making, his favorite beer and food pairings, barrel aging, Tennessee's unique liquor laws and the beer tourism market down south. What's in the Fridge: Jeff and Jason pop open a Southern Tier Raspberry White Wheat Beer and a Green Flash Passion Fruit Kicker.

Billy Brigham of PourSmith Draught Services and Justin Gould, Chief Beer Officer of Farmhouse Tap & Grill talked with hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek about how they work to maintain draft lines and share some of their worst horror stories! What's in the Fridge: This week, Jeff and Jason try a couple Double IPAs, both from Stone Brewing Co., Megawheat Double IPA and Jindia Pale Ale. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thebeertalkin.

This week on It's the Beer Talking, Jeff and Jason sit down with Michael Saklad and Pat Fondiller from Smuttynose Brewing Company out of Hampton, NH. What's in the Fridge: This week the hosts try Smuttynose East Coast Common Lager and Stone Ripper from Stone Brewing from San Diego. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thebeertalkin.

In part two of our Make the Cut Homebrew Challenge series, hosts Jeff and Jason talk with more guests who attended the competition at 14th Star Brewery in St. Albans on Sunday January 29, 2017. What's in the Fridge: This week, the hosts try a King Titus porter from Maine Beer Company in Freeport Maine and a Ballast Point Brewing Company Coconut Victory at Sea. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thebeertalkin.

In this special hour-long episode of It's the Beer Talking, hosts Jeff and Jason attend the 3rd Annual Make The Cut Homebrew Challenge at 14th Star Brewery in St. Albans. What's in the Fridge: Jeff, Jason and co-producer Ryan Chaffin try a few beers from the 14th Star fridge. They try "Valor Ale", a hoppy amber beer, and "Tribute", a double IPA. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @thebeertalkin.

This week, Jeff and Jason talk with Jamal Robinson and Andy Schwartz from Stony Creek Brewery in Connecticut. Then, they open the fridge and pull out a Revolution Brewing Anti-Hero IPA out of Chicago and a Funky Buddha Sweet Potato Casserole from Oakland Park, Florida. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with username @thebeertalkin

Jeff and Jason are back and joined by Adam Krakowski and Howie Corbin from Yankee Brew News. What's in the Fridge this week? It's Queen City Brewery's Pint Street Barrel Project Saison Aged in a Red Wine Puncheon With Indigenous Brett and Backacre Beermakers' Sour Golden Ale. For more info, find us on Facebook and Twitter @thebeertalkin!

In a slightly off-the-wall episode, Jeff, Jason, Ryan, Sophia and Joel review the year and chat about their favorite episodes and brews, Jeff regales us with his best Wookiee impression and Jason blasts out our eardrums in the bloopers. From teachers to brewers to farmers to marketers to cooks to festival organizers, our show has certainly been host to some interesting people and has been unique among beer podcasts. Join the hosts, producers, editor and sound engineer to look back on our year-long journey in this special ‘making-of’ episode. What’s in the Fridge this week? During the conversation, the team sipped on Casita Cerveceria’s Té Amo and Samuel Adams’ Rebel Raw Double IPA.

This week on It’s the Beer Talking, hosts Jeff and Jason talk with Dennis Fitzgibbons and Chris Bonacci from Harpoon Brewery. They discuss Harpoon’s recent rebrand, their personal histories with brewing and try Hoppy Adventure, Harpoon’s new Double IPA. What’s in the Fridge this week? Jeff and Jason are joined by Nicole Nason from Farrell Distributing to sample two beers from Golden Road Brewing out of Los Angeles, CA; Wolf Among Weeds IPA and Wolf Pup Session IPA.

Hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek sit down with a diverse set of people this week to talk about outdoor sports and how they intersect with the beer industry. First they chat with Sarah Wojcik from Ski Vermont and Dave Hartmann and Corey Bergeron from Long Trail Brewing. Then they add Executive Director of the Vermont Mountain Biking Association Tom Stuessy and John Tedesco from the board of directors to the conversation to get a feel for a sport from a different season. What's in the Fridge this week? Jeff and Jason try a Belgian-style quadruple that is not available in the U.S., Trappist Westvleteren 12 (XII). Then, they open up a bottle of Brooklyn Brewery Monster Ale from 2007.

This week on It's the Beer Talking, hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek welcome Brittney Hibbs, host and producer of "What's on Tap?" airing on Local 22 & Local 44 news. For those of you not in Vermont, the show is available on their website - http://www.mychamplainvalley.com/lifestyle/whatsontap. Hibbs talks with us about her crazy early morning schedule, her experience with home brewing competitions, and completes our lightning round questions with style. What's in the Fridge this week? Jeff and Jason try Tree House Brewing Company's Green and Fiddlehead Brewing Company's Mastermind.

This week we are joined by Professor Greg Dunkling from the University of Vermont Business of Craft Beer program. He speaks with hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek about the creation of the professional certificate program aimed at helping people create successful careers within the craft beer industry. Learn more about the Business of Craft Beer at UVM by visiting their website: http://learn.uvm.edu/program/business-of-craft-beer/ What's in the Fridge: This week, Jeff and Jason open up a few sour beers. First, they try "Phi" brewed by Picobrouwerij Alvinne out of Belgium. Then, they open up a collaboration between New Belgium and Oud Beersel called "Transatlantique Kriek". Listen below or check us out on iTunes.

This week on It's the Beer Talking, hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek talk with Associate Publisher of Vermont Life Magazine Sky Barsch and Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing Steven Cook. Barsch takes us through her experience with home brewing and featuring a brewer on the cover of the magazine. Then, Cook talks about Vermont's history with the brewing industry and the difference it has made on overall tourism in the state. What's in the Fridge this week? Jeff and Jason open up 21st Amendment's Blah Blah Blah American Double / Imperial IPA and Citrus Limbo IPA presented by the Long Trail Brewing Company.

This week hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek say “Hi neighbor!” to Mark Hellendrung from Narragansett. Chief Gansett talks about the origins of Narragansett, its connection with author H.P. Lovecraft and its universal appeal as a drink for all ages. What’s in the Fridge this week? This week Jeff and Jason try Karaoke Faceplant by Southern Prohibition in collaboration with Nola Brewery and Fentiman’s Botanically Brewed Traditional Ginger Beer.

This week on It's the Beer Talking, hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek are joined by the only "beer concierge" in the country. Matt Canning from Hotel VT speaks about his experience planning brewery tours, becoming the expert on Burlington beer and relays some of his craziest experiences on the job. What's in the Fridge this week? Jeff and Jason break open Amherst Brewing's Jess IPA and BLDG 8 Brewing's The IPA.

This week, hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek are joined by Jeff Wharton from DrinkCraftBeer.com. Wharton has expanded his blog and is now in the business of beer festivals, specifically those that pair food and beer together in a way that the average festival-goer can understand and reproduce in their own lives. Listen in as the hosts learn about the steps Wharton has taken to expand his hobby into a beer festival empire based in Boston, Massachusetts. What’s in the fridge this week? Just back from a business trip that allowed a personal visit to the brewery, Jeff and Jason sample four beers from The Brewer’s Art: Choptank’d Saison, Birdhouse Pale Ale, Beazly Golden Ale and Resurrection Ale.

This week, Jeff and Jason talk with Bill Suhr from Champlain Orchards for a special cider edition of It's the Beer Talking. Setting aside their usual beer talk, the hosts chat about Champlain Orchards' many types of classic cider, peach cider and their beer/wine hybrid called Murray Hill. What's in the Fridge this week? Jeff and Jason sample Rogue Ale's New Crustacean Barleywineish Imperial IPA Sorta and Brouwerij Huyghe/Delirium Tremens' Delirium Red Belgian Ale.

This week on It's the Beer Talking, we spoke with Eli Harrington from Heady Vermont and Joel Bedard from Vermont Hemp Company. We were also joined by Peter Vachon of Stone Corral Brewery and Evan Vacarr, a home brewer and founder of Green Empire Brewing. Hosts Jeff Baker and Jason Strempek ask the guests about the difference between hemp and marijuana, how hemp can be used in beer production and where hemp is on the legal spectrum. Then, brewers Peter and Evan chat about how they created their hemp beers and how some of their brews resemble tea. What's in the Fridge this week? Jeff and Jason sample two brews from Cisco Brewers out of Nantucket, Massachusetts: Whale's Tale Pale Ale and Grey Lady.