Maine Beer Geeks: Hardball & Hops

As the song states at the beginning of this episode, "It's been such a long time... !!  265 days, in fact, since we last posted any content.  We've missed you all and are happy to be behind the mics again.  We're back and we kick it off with some amazing beers!  Give it a listen and enjoy.

In this episode we sample craft beers that really take us out of our comfort zones.  But, in true Maine Beer Geeks style we finish up with one our all-time favorites.  Tune in to hear our thoughts on the stouts we tasted.

In this episode we sample several examples of West Coast IPAs and discuss their merits as it relates to the true criteria(s) of the style.  Listen in to hear our thoughts and "non expert" reviews.

In this episode we sample beers from two of our favorite New England craft breweries.  But not just any beer... nope, we taste variations of three iconic brews.  Tune it to hear our thoughts on whether or not these examples of vertical variations live up to the reputation of the OG.  Cheers!

In this episode we reminisce on the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox, this being the 20th anniversary of breaking The Curse of the Bambino.  For you more "vintage" listeners, do you remember where you were when the final out of that unforgettable series went down?  Oh, and we steer far away from our craft beer comfort zones and sample some sours from Maine brewers.  Listen in to hear our thoughts.

In this episode we reminisce on the unforgettable 2004 season for the Boston Red Sox.  This year marks the 20th reunion of the hometown team breaking The Curse of the Bambino.  We also sample some tasty IPAs from two of our favorite Maine/New England craft breweries.  Give us a listen and hear what we think of these beers.  Cheers!

In this episode we taste a selection of craft beers picked up along our travels this Summer/Fall.  Check out which ones made the cut and our thoughts about each.  And listen in on some more riveting baseball talk from two unbiased fans.  

In this episode we turn our attention to the west coast with a tasting of beers from Russian River Brewing Company.  Many of you are already familiar with some well-know craft beers from this iconic brewery - such as Pliny the Elder, Blind Pig, and Pliny the Younger - but we dive into the barrel aged end of the spectrum to sample some treats a bit our of our lane.  Check in to hear our thoughts.

We're baaaaack!!  After a Summer hiatus... yeah, we took off the entire 2023 MLB season much like the Boston Red Sox... we're back in the recording studio and doing our thing.  And that "thing" would be talking baseball and drinking tasty craft beer.  Being that this is a milestone episode for us - #100, in fact - we are tasting a selection of beers from our all-time favorite brewery - Hill Farmstead (Greensboro Bend, Vermont).  Listen in to hear our thoughts and to also find out who we've dedicated this special installment to.  Cheers!

In this episode we taste some Massachusetts craft beer send to us from one of our loyal  listeners, Chase Castner @chaseboat77.  He was kind enough to send us three NEIPA varieties from Coastal Maine Brewing in Beverly, MA.  Listen in to hear our thoughts on these hazy treats.  We also review the projected roster for the Boston Red Sox as they enter the 2023 MLB... and we give our fearless forecast on the win total for the hometown team.

In this episode we talk baseball and Kevin is presented with a new craft beer from a familiar family of beers we both happen to love.  Listen in to find out what we're drinking!

In this episode we revisit a few Maine craft beer favorites and taste another from a recent Maine Beer Geeks roadtrip.  We also talk about scheduled and possible beer festivals coming up here in Maine later on this year.  Lastly, we discuss news coming from the Maine Brewers' Guild.  We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we did recording it.  Cheers!

In this episode we get back to our roots... Maine IPAs that is!  We also take a quick pre-Spring Training look at the projected roster for the 2023 Boston Red Sox.  You all know how we think this upcoming season is going to go so listen in to see what we thought about the beers.

In this episode we explore a bunch of sour ales from Texas, California and away that Kevin brought back from a recent road trip.  This is not our most favorite style so will we find one we like?  We also discuss our "sour" outlook on the 2023 season for the Boston Red Sox.  Listen in!

In this episode it's all about the craft beer.  We re-taste a couple of favorites from the past and sample some new varieties.  Oh, and I surprises Kevin with one of our "White Whale" beers that we have been chasing for several years.  Listen in to our thought on the beer and Kevin's reaction to the mystery treat.

In this episode we taste a couple of Maine "crushers"; as well as a couple craft beers from our neighbor to the west.  You don't often hear us talking about craft beer from the Granite State, but we were treated to tasty IPAs from Kettlehead Brewing/Spyglass Brewing and Modestman Brewing.  Listen in to hear our thoughts about these beers and some Red Sox hot stove talk.

In this episode we celebrate Rich's birthday in the state where he was born and raised... Vermont!  And you know that means a visit - or as we like to refer to it as, our annual pilgrimage - to Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro Bend.  While there we unexpectedly ran into fellow Maine craft beer enthusiast Dan Sylvester and his crew of hooligans and after sharing a few beers the birthday celebration shifted south to Waterbury and to a new craft brewery, Freak Folk Bier.  Wow, what an unexpected surprise!  Listen in as we taste five tasty offerings from what is now a Maine Beer Geeks favorite tasting rooms.  Oh, and we continue to lament the ineptitude of one Chaim Doom... I mean, Bloom.  He is undoubtedly the worst executive in Major League Baseball!  But the beer... oh the beer!

In this episode we recap a fun Maine Beer Geeks birthday road trip, where we visited a new craft brewery in Biddeford.  We sample two tasty lagers from Sacred Profane Brewing Company, and give our thoughts on this cool new Tank Pub.  And of course we discuss the current affairs with the Boston Red Sox.  Listen in to Part 1 of our birthday adventures as Rich and Kevin have birthdays about a month apart, with Kevin's coming first.

Every now and then we dig deep into our beer fridges and haul out a selection to sample on our podcast.  In this episode we taste an eclectic group of beers and give our (largely unprofessional) opinions. Enjoy and CHEERS!

In this episode we reminisce about a couple of Vermont road trips we've been fortunate enough to enjoy over the past few years.  One in particular stood out as we traipsed through the backroads of VT hunting down a "white whale" craft beer from California.  After several stops we accomplished our goal, and during this episode we relive the experience with a second tasting of this amazing IPA.  Listen in to find out which beer captured our imaginations a few years back and continues to impress to this day.

In this episode we are treated to some great sour beers from our friends and Grateful Grain Brewing Company in Monmouth, Maine, and Belleflower Brewing Company in Portland.  Hear our thoughts on these two fine examples of a style of craft beer we have only recently come to know and love.  Oh, and we discuss... er, bitch, some more about the state of affairs with our favorite baseball team from "Beantown".

After what seemed like the longest Summer hiatus evah; we're back behind the mics talking about our two favorite pastimes... Red Sox baseball and Maine craft beer.  In this episode we highlight the year in baseball that was 1987 and we sample three tasty collabs released by our local craft breweries - two by Bissell Brothers and the other by Belleflower Brewing.  Tune in to hear our thoughts on the beer and the goings on down south at Fenway Park.

In this episode we talk more baseball and drink more beer.  'Nuff said!

In this episode we wrap some baseball talk around a "themed" craft beer tasting.  Listen in to find out which beers we tasted and what we thought.

In this episode we of course discuss the Year in Baseball 1984 which was the Year of the Tiger(s).  It was also the year one of the Geeks embarked on a career in journalism and had the good fortune to cover the Red Sox home opener... which just so happened to be against the Detroit Tigers.  Listen in as Rich reminisces about his adventure at Fenway park when he got to rub elbows around the batting cage with the likes of Kirk Gibson, Larry Parrish, Alan Trammel and "Sweet Lou" Whittaker.  We also taste a couple of bottles... one from Bissell Brothers Three Rivers; and the other from Allagash Brewing Company.  Listen in to this fun installment of Hardball & Hops.

In this episode we discuss the Year in Baseball 1983, which holds a special memory for one of us.  And of course we talk some about the goings on in the 2022 season thus far for our beloved Boston Red Sox.  Kevin introduces a new West Coast style IPA from Sebago Brewing Company; and we also taste a favorite from Bissell Brothers Brewing Company.  Baseball and beer... goes together like peanut butter & jelly; salt & pepper; spaghetti & meatballs; Bonnie & Clyde; and of course, Guns & Roses!

In this episode we review the Year in Baseball 1982 while enjoying a couple of collab beers between Mast Landing Brewing Company and Belleflower Brewing Co. - released simultaneously at each brewery.  We also engage in spirited debate regarding the drama surrounding the recent start by Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers where he was removed from the game after pitching seven perfect innings and throwing only 80 pitches.  Listen in to hear our thoughts on the beer and this controversial topic.

In this episode we are privileged to spend time with not one, not two... but three Maine craft beer pioneers and legends - Richard Pfeffer and Ed Stebbins, Co-founders of Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company; and Alan Pugsley, Master Brewer and President of Pugsley's Brewing Projects International.  Listen in as we taste and get the back stories on some of Maine's most iconic craft beers.  CHEERS!

In this episode we are hanging out at Maine's Original Brew Pub, Gritty McDuff's in Portland, Maine; chatting beer and the history of the brewery with co-founder, Ed Stebbins; and his friend/mentor, Alan Pugsley.  This was a treat for us to spend time with two of the true pioneers of craft beer here in Maine.  Give a listen... 

In this episode we podcast live from Belleflower Brewing Company in Portland, Maine and help them celebrate their first anniversary.  We are joined by brewery team members and also fellow customers.  The band will be starting in an hour or so and the party rages on so come on down to join us for a delicious beer or two and grab an mic for a few minutes while you're here!

In this episode we review the year 1978 in Major League Baseball, with of course a bent toward our beloved Boston Red Sox.  Oh, and we sample a fantastic 7-way collaboration beer between our friends at Vitamin Sea Brewing Company and a bunch of industry heavy hitters.  As a bonus, we also taste an amazing West Coast Style IPA from Mast Landing Brewing Company.

In this episode we dive into our beer cellars and bring out versions of the Black is Beautiful Collaboration from Weathered Souls Brewing Company (San Antonio, TX), brewed to support Justice and equality for People of Color.  We tasted versions from Fogtown Brewing Company, Austin Street Brewery, Mast Landing Brewing Company and Bissell Brothers Brewing Company, the latter a tasty barreled-aged treat.  And as how now become our custom relating to our podcast episode number, we review the year in baseball from 1977.

In this episode we were lucky enough to get our hands on a handful of the Guild's collaboration IPA V2, and we sampled them all.  We also review the 1976 season of Major League Baseball; well, because this is podcast episode #76.

In this special episode we discuss the 1975 MLB season, which just so happens to be a monumental one for both of us in terms of solidifying our Red Sox fandom and developing a deep love of the game.  Listen in as we wax poetic about this magical year.  We also begin a review of a couple more variations of the Maine Brewers' Guild Collaboration IPA V2, this time from our friends at Grateful Grain Brewing and Fluvial Brewing Company.

Trillium Brewing Company in Canton, Massachusetts; and Bissell Brothers Brewing Company in Portland, Maine have brewed several tasty collaboration beers over the years and this latest iteration, Middle Aged Genius, is Trillium's twist on Bissell's popular Blonde Ale, Baby Genius.  In this episode we taste both side by side and give our takes.  There may have been a couple more beers on the docket during this episode as well.  And as now is our practice, we review the year 1974 in baseball to commemorate our 74th episode of Hardball & Hops.

In this episode we sample some of the bounty from our recent road trip to Tree House Brewing Company in Charleton, MA.  We were fortunate to pick up some of their flagship beer, Julius; as well as a few more from that beer's lineage - King Julius, Blender and Blender King - and we sample them all here.  We also recap the year 1973 in baseball and get engage in a "spirited" debate over the use of the defensive shift in the modern day game.

In this episode we sample and contrast Belleflower Brewing Company's The Sun and The Moon, two tasty IPAs brewed with the same grains and yeast, but with different hop profiles - The Sun with Northern Hemisphere variants (Strata & Idaho 7) ; and The Moon with Southern Hemisphere hops (Motueka & Nelson Sauvin).  Check out our thoughts on these two beers as well as a couple of others from the same brewer.  We also change up our episode number reference from a player who wore that number for the Red Sox to a review of that "Year in Baseball" - this time it's 1972.  Listen in and enjoy!

In this episode we last two new collaboration beers - Petite Puffin, a pale ale from Bissell Brothers/Trillium Brewing; and Schmoophoric Nights:  Raspberry Cheesecake, a double fruited sour brewed by Definitive Brewing/Imprint Beer Co.  We also debate over several baseball topics.  Give it a listen and let us know what you think about these beers and/or our baseball takes.  CHEERS!

In this episode we talk baseball!  More specifically, the Hall of Fame vote.  With the 2022 announcement just a few days away we reveal our personal ballots for this year's MLB Hall of Fame class.  Listen in as we engage in spirited debate over controversial topics such as whether the suspicion or confirmation of performance enhancing drug use should overshadow otherwise outstanding career results; the watering down of the Hall in recent years; and the worthiness of the Designated Hitter position in this museum.  In between thoughts we also partake in tasting a few collaboration beers from the likes of Bissell Brothers, Tilted Barn Brewing, Belleflower and Blaze Brewing.  This was a fun episode for us to record... we hope you enjoy this entry as much as we!

In this episode we travel to Lucky Pigeon Brewing Company in Biddeford, Maine, to spend some time with Kathleen & Bev Pigeon.  Listen in to hear what factors led them to launching the first dedicated gluten free craft brewery in Maine, and only the second of its kind in New England.  

In this episode join us as we taste a few offerings from Lucky Pigeon Brewing Company in Biddeford, Maine - Maine's first and only dedicated Gluten-Free craft brewery.  We're looking forward to having two of the four co-owners of this brewery - Kathleen "Pidge" Pigeon & Beverly Pigeon - as well as head brewer, Scott Nebel, on a future podcast episode, but for now we drink and give our reactions.  If you've been to Lucky Pigeon Brewing please share your thoughts on their beer.

It's a new year and a time for new beginnings as it were.  In this episode we look ahead to 2022, with regards to both craft beer and baseball.  We also sample an outstanding version of the Maine Brewers' Guild Collaboration IPA V2 from Bissell Bothers Brewing Company.  Listen in to discover the things we are looking forward to.

In this episode we take a final look back on our adventures over the past year.  From the tasty beers we drank to the road trips we embarked on... and the things we missed (i.e. Craft Beer Festivals).  And being the beer geeks we are we taste a few out-of-state beers gifted to us.  Join us for this tasty journey.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Alan Pugsley we are treated to a tasting of some of the beers he has been associated over the years, including Geary's Pale Ale, Shipyard Finder, Rupee Premium Lager Beer and more.  Listen in to hear Alan's take on each beer and our thoughts as well.

In this episode we are joined by Alan Pugsley, Master Brewer & President of Pugsley's Brewing Projects International.  Alan has been in the craft brewing industry in England and here in Maine for over 40 years and was instrumental in the founding of such iconic and longtime Maine breweries Geary Brewing Company, Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company and Shipyard Brewing Company.  He has crafted some of the most notable craft beers over the years and has also built brew systems for craft breweries up and down the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, Canada, Europe and in many other locations across the globe.  Listen in to hear about Alan's interesting journey.

In this lastest episode we are treated to a tasting of Rob's recipes, including the iconic Allagash White, Tripel and Curieux.  Listen in to hear how each of these recipes came to be and enjoy!

In this episode we have the good fortune to sit down with Allagash Brewing Company Founder Rob Tod.  You've probably read Rob's story on their website or heard it second hand  on a tour at the brewery, but there is something special hearing it first hand from the man himself.  Rob is an icon in the Maine craft beer community and truly an interesting dude to spend time with.  Listen in to this interesting conversation and enjoy!

in this episode we officially start the 2021 - 2022 Hot Stove Season by examining the contract statuses of each Red Sox player currently on the 40-man roster; the payroll projection for the upcoming season as it currently stands; the decision facing the club on players with options; and the upcoming free agent market (which begins the day after the World Series ends).  As professional armchair GMs, we play the 'Who Stays, Who Goes' game, as well as speculate on potential trades/free agent signings the Sox could make to help them attain the ultimate goal next season.  And on the craft beer side of things, we talk about a recent Maine Beer Road Trip with a tasting of a memorable IPA.

Now that the 2021 season is over for our beloved Boston Red Sox we recap their surprising run at the American League pennant, a campaign in which they unfortunately fell just a couple wins short of another trip to the World Series.   And although this episode was recorded early on a Saturday  morning, we also sample a delicious locally brewed Session IPA.  Give it a listen!

We dedicate this special edition of Hardball & Hops to Dylan Webber, the co-founder and "creative mastermind" behind Definitive Brewing Company in Portland, Maine.  His loss goes beyond words, but his incredible legacy will endure.  Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, Definitive family and the entire Maine craft brewing community.  In his honor we sample a couple of his tasty creations, including a beer Rich believes to be the absolute best of the double fruited sour series.

In this episode we are joined by Angie Cook, the Executive Director of the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, the hosts of the 17th Annual Maine Lakes Brewfest.  We chat about what goes in to planning and executing an event such as this; and of course uncover all the details - what, when, where... and, most importantly for us beer geeks, who is pouring!  Listen in to interesting interview, and mark your calendars for Saturday, September 25th.