The Brewing Network Presents - The Session

Justin's last stop in AZ before heading back to the real world! Drew Pool and Matt Lillard from Wren House Brewing graciously host The Session in their Phoenix location. The beer is fantastic and so is the conversation with this great example of a brewery that keeps to its roots and grows the right way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin continues his journey through the desert with a stop into the Arizona Society of Homebrewers (ASH) clubhouse for a show with some OG's doing the work to keep homebrewing alive and well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Session is still on the road and this time we land at Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company! The crew at AZWB brewed a special collaboration with us; a unique take on the world famous (at least to us here at the BN) Pale 31. Chris White from White Labs was also a part of the collab and sits in as co-host as we learn about the wonderful world of Arizona Wilderness. And stay tuned for part 2 coming soon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special On The Road edition of The Session, we head to San Diego, CA. to visit with our old friend Derek Gallanosa at GOAL Brewing. Derek has accumulated quite the stash of awards in his career, formerly at Moksa Brewing and now with the year old GOAL. Tune in to learn all about his new brewery! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Session we are joined by Brewmaster Alex Tweet and VP of Sales Mathew Barry from Fieldwork Brewing Company. In a surprising twist for our host, Justin Crossley, we are here to talk about non-alcoholic beers! And Fieldwork's creations are damn good! Tune in and find out how this world class craft brewery is making the best non-alcoholic brews we've ever had and why they're important in today's craft beer market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special episode of The Session we welcome the legendary Greg Koch, Founder of Stone Brewing, back to the show to discuss his latest project. But this time it's not beer...it's Music! Listen in to a fascinating conversation about where Greg has been since the sale of Stone, and learn about his new album and accompanying graphic novel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Session we welcome Morgan Territory Brewing from Tracy, CA. to the show. Brewmaster Craig Cauwels and Head Brewer James Noah join us in the Hop Grenade studio to discuss their multi-award winning beers and the story of how Morgan Territory came to be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and beer journalist Breandán Kearney joins The Session to discuss his new book, Hidden Beers of Belgium. The book also features incredible photography of the people, places and beer from photographer Ashley Joanna. Breandán has spent the greater part of a decade learning about and immersing himself in Belgian beer culture and has uncovered some if its greatest stories, along with incredible beer and breweries. Follow along as he takes us through a part of this journey as we learn about the laughter and tears that tell these tales, and even a story about beer made from water run though the bodies of the dead... You don't want to miss this one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brewmaster Nick Mamere from Bartlett Hall and Bartlett Brewing Company joins us on The Session to discuss his award winning dark ales and Belgian style brews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bart Watson, Chief Economist for the Brewers Association joins The Session to discuss the 2024 mid-year craft beer survey results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Founder and Brewer Joh Gillooly and Co-Founder Eric Ortega from Brix Factory Brewing join us this week on The Session. John and Eric have both been in the craft beer industry for years before venturing out on their own to start Brix Factory. Learn about their journey, the great beers, and how John really feels about the state of the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this second installment of our trip to the 2024 Firestone Walker Invitational in Paso Robles, CA. we change things up a bit topic-wise. For this discussion we decided to cover some of the things that breweries do other than beer, like community outreach, partnerships, causes, and involvement in things that their customers care about. So we enlisted Natalie Cilurzo from Russian River Brewing in California, DJ MCCready from Mountain Culture in New South Wales, Australia, and Bob Kunz from Highland Park in Los Angeles. Listen in as we discuss it all live from the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At long last, one of our favorite breweries, Original Pattern, out of Oakland, CA. joins us on The Session. We talk about our recent collaboration beer, The Session IPA, and taste through several amazing brews and styles with Head Brewer Andy Crocker, Senior Brewer Evan Collins, and Co-Director of Sales, Virginia Vaughn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special edition of The Session, we venture down to the 2024 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival in Paso Robles, CA. Hosted by our good friends at Firestone Walker Brewing Company, this annual event has become a staple in the craft beer industry. For our part, we are graced with the opportunity to moderate the Behind the Beer Stage each year and always get to interview some truly amazing industry professionals. The panel recording here is all about everyone's favorite topic...hops! Tune in and listen to Brent McGlashen from Mac NZ Hops, Justin Burdt from Ghost Town Brewing, and Kevin Smith from Bale Breaker Brewing discuss hop selection, new hop products, hop varieties and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Session we are joined by Topher Boehm, Co-Founder and brewer at Australia's Wildflower. Originally hailing from the U.S. Topher found his way to Oz and fell in love with the native Gadigal-Wangal land around Sydney and later opened this unique brewery with a focus on making balanced, nuanced beer that's welcoming, nourishing, and 100% fermented from yeast cultured from native flowers. Tune in and learn all about the unique concept at Wildflower and how things are always changing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Session we welcome back Faction Brewing Company and Ghost Town Brewing Company to discuss their recent collaboration beer. The two hop loving powerhouses joined forces to brew Crossover IPA; a West Coast IPA with a righteous dry-hop of Citra and Riwaka, plus a dose of Amplifire Fresh Hop Oil from Clayton Hops NZ. We are also joined by Brian Clayton from Clayton Hops to discuss what Amplifire hops are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Session we learn about the unique beers of Dokkaebier. With Asian inspired and influenced ingredients, Founder and Brewmaster Youngwon Lee is creating wonderful beers and making his mark as one of only a few Asians in American Craft Beer. Hear about his journey from brewing in South Korea to owning his own brewery in Oakland, CA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Heller and Zack Frasher from Shred Beer Company come down to the Brewing Network studio from Rocklin, California to discuss their award winning hoppy beer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Session we welcome Oakland newcomer, Tenma Beer Project. Co-owner and head brewery Brennan Perry joins us to discuss his new project and how he's already been able to accumulate some serious awards and accolades in such a short time. Learn about Brennan's stellar brewing history as well as how he got a tiny brewery up and running in no time at all. We also discuss his favorite beers, lagers, and some serious hop talk too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Session we are joined by Spent Grain Brewing from Atascadero, CA. Founder and brewer Chris Chambers has been in the game for well over 20 years and his latest project is the pinnacle of his passion for craft beer. Spent Grain is the only "speakeasy" craft brewery that we know of, and it's a format that works perfectly for Chris and his nano brewery project. Learn about how this veteran owned brewery works and maintains profitability with a one barrel system and no front door. You can hear the passion for the industry Chris has throughout the interview and it's a breath of fresh air for an often struggling industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Session we are joined by a very unique California brewery that specializes in Belgian beer. And the kicker is that they are also Belgian! Learn about how two families, one hailing from Belgium and the other from Sonoma County, CA, came together to form CUVER. The story is fascinating and the beer is delicious. Cheers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Session, we branch further out into the pro brewer world to discuss finances. Our friend Lou Catalano from MUN CPAs join us to discuss brewery accounting and taxes. While it may not seam like the topic everyone wants to hear about, Lou is a fantastic CPA that has helped The Brewing Network and The Hop Grenade through the toughest of times. And he's a homebrewer himself! Tune in and find out some tips and tricks you might not have heard and hone in on your brewery or taproom's financials to make the most of your hard earned cash! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Session we are joined by True North Ale Company from Ipswich, Massachusetts. Head Brewer Seth Barnum and Director of Taproom & Events, Tim Griggs log in to tell us all about their wonderful Northeast brews. Learn about some new lagering techniques they're experimenting with as well as some unique IPA's, like one brewed with spruce tips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Session, we change things up a little and bring in the wonderful people from Early Alert Canines. Executive Director Carol Edwards and Puppy-Rasier Suzie Scher, along with puppy-in-training, Sheldon, join us in the studio to talk about their wonderful program. Sheldon is training to be an early alert Medical Detection Dog, specializing in diabetes. Suzie also consults restaurants, breweries and bars on how to improve accessibility to all people in their spaces through her company Scher Spaces. Tune in and learn all about these amazing dogs (and people)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vinnie Cilurzo and Jessica Young join The Session to discuss the nuances of hop creep and what you can do about it in your brewery. Jessica is a grad student studying hop creep while working for Russian River and contributes a ton of science to Vinnie's real world applications on the subject. We are also joined by our good friend Nate Smith to help on the homebrew side of things. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Session we are joined by Rodg Little and Geoff Scott from Sacramento's Oak Park Brewing. Rodg and Geoff have a great story, bringing their special brand of community oriented beer to the Oak Park neighborhood and beyond. The team at Oak Park has worked tirelessly to build out their brand within the community, while also advocating for and supporting the black brewing community. Listen in as they describe the special events and collaborations they have cultivated to serve their neighbors, as well as helping to establish the National Black Brewers Association. The beer is great and the story is even better with this talented and passionate team of brewers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Marilave returns to The Session after a long hiatus and the fall of his beloved brewery, Flat Tail. Turns out there is a lot more to the story than we thought and Dave is here to spill the beans. This is a story of lies, embezzlement and treachery, and Dave doesn't leave out a gritty detail. Tune in and take head the warnings and learn about persevereance as Dave finally found some sense of closure and opened his newest project, New Spring Brewing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All the way from Edmonton, Canada, Blind Enthusiasm Brewing Company joins us on The Session to discuss mixed fermentation and more. Founder Greg Zeschuk fills us in on his journey as a video game engineer turned brewer and how mixed fermentation beers captured his passion. Now Blind Enthusiasm has one of the largest barrel programs in all of Canada and produces world class, Belgian inspired beer for all to enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shaun O'Sullivan from the 21st Amendment Brewery is back on The Session to discuss the latest at 21A and the state of the industry. Shaun and his business partner Nico Freccia have grown 21A from its beginnings as a neighborhood brewpub in San Francisco to a regional brewery with national distribution. Along the way Shaun has seen many changes in the industry and gives his insight here into where things are headed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Session, Justin is joined by Dick Cantwell, Denham DSilva of Deep Liquid, and Teresa Psuty from Crooked Lane to talk about how AI can converge with craft beer and help brewers connect with consumers. Rather than let our data be used against us just as a marketing tool, Deep Liquid seeks to democratize data, and AI, and let consumers and brewers consult on beer recipes, flavor profiles and more. As a start, we gathered together five of our favorite breweries and asked them to participate in one of the first AI beer projects in the U.S. Tune in and find out how! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our final show stop of the 2023 BN On The Road Summer Brewery Tour, Justin and The Beard® stop in to Modern Times in San Diego to speak with new owner, Garrett Marrero. We know Garrett as the founder of Maui Brewing Company, of course, but his latest bold move in the craft beer scene was to purchase the struggling Modern Times. Now under the Craft Ohana umbrella, Garrett lets us know the reasons behind the purchase, how it all went down, and what's next for his growing empire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Session "On The Road" continues with Jeff Bagby at Bagby Beer Company in Oceanside, CA. Jeff has been a fixture in the Southern California craft beer scene for years and has racked up medal upon medal for his brews. He's continued that output at Bagby Beer Co. and never disappoints when it comes to producing world class, classic styles. Justin and Beardy learn about some unique techniques and ingredients too, including a popcorn beer. Spoiler alert...it was great! Tune in and learn to brew from one of the best. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The third stop on the 2023 Brewing Network Summer Brewery Tour is Radiant Beer Company in Anaheim, CA. We are joined by co-founders Jonas Namura and Andrew Bell and learn about their young, but already multi-award winning beer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Brewing Network Summer Brewery Tour continues with a stop at 14 Cannons Brewery + Showroom in Westlake Village, CA. Justin and The Beard® spend time with Co-Founder and Brewmaster Nic Bertolin to learn about this unique brewery. In doing so, the lager tour continues with some stellar hoppy lagers from Nic's brewery, as well as an award winning Baltic Porter. We learn about how the brewery also operates as a showcase for a construction company that specializes in opening breweries, and for equipment manufacturers. Tune in and get all the details on this special On The Road edition of The Session! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin & Beardy take The Session on the road with a first stop at There Does Not Exist & Liquid Gravity. As part of The Brewing Network's Summer Brewery Tour, we stop in San Luis Obispo, CA. to visit our old friend Brendan Gough from Liquid Gravity. We also invited Max Montgomery from There Does Not Exist to join the show. We dive into the incredible branding of TDNE, as well as their stellar lagers. Tune in and learn how Max does it all and get to hear the great Beardy back on the show too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Session, Justin hits the road and heads up to South Lake Tahoe, CA. to visit South Lake Brewing Company. Chris and Nicole Smith followed their dream to open a brewery in their beautiful home town and, with more than a fair share of adversity, have become one of the best craft breweries around. Tune in and learn about how this year's 'Snowmaggeddon" affected the town and their brewery, as well as how last year's fires nearly shut them down entirely. We also learn about how amazing Tahoe water and a high elevation present challenges and advantages alike for this small town brewery. Cheers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jean-Claude Tetreault from Trillium Brewing Company joins Justin on The Session this week. Originally hailing from Boston's Fort Point neighborhood, Trillum has grown into a powerhouse of a brewery, with the mindset of homebrewer, a farmer, and a hospitality fanatic. J.C. tells about their expansion over that last 10 years, teaches us techniques for world class New England style IPA's and talks about his passion for farm brewery agriculture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adair Paterno from Sante Adairius Rustic Ales joins us in the studio to talk about their unique brewery and brews. We discuss the upcoming California Craft Beer Summit, as well as her time on the board of the California Craft Brewers Association. We also dive into their incredible mixed fermentation beers and learn about their expansion to three locations throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brewmaster and Co-Owner Julian Shrago from Beachwood Brewing joins The Session this week. We discuss the upcoming California Craft Beer Summit, at which he is a speaker. We also talk about current supply chain issues facing the brewing industry and how Beachwood has grown over the last several years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Session we welcome several of the best West Coast brewers from the Bay Area and beyond into the studio! Tune in and hear from Riip Beer, Faction Brewing, Ghost Town Brewing, Wondrous Brewing and Pizza Port as they discuss our favorite style of craft beer. We also discuss the future of AI's role in making beer and how robots could actually bring consumers closer to brewers through collaboration and information sharing. To facilitate that, a new project from Deep Liquid is working to use AI to help brewers make better beer. Robot beer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jon Berkland of Narrative Fermentations out of San Jose, CA. joins us on The Session to discuss starting up his brewery during the pandemic. Jon brews amazing lagers and ales, including some controversial slushy beers, and so much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Homebrew heroes Nathan Smith and Vito Delucchi join us on The Session this week to discuss homebrewing the perfect Pale Ale! Nate spent a lot of quarantine time during the pandemic trying to find the perfect Pale Ale recipe. Along the way he ran into a few hiccups, including the elusive hop creep. Using tips he's learned from the past, as well as a stable of pro brewer friends, Nate found some techniques to help along with his journey. Listen in while Nate and Vito share their knowledge on the subject and outline best practices so you can brew the perfect West Coast Pale Ale. Check out the Firestone Walker Pale Ale homebrew kit and DVD HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Great American Beer Festival 2022 Brewery of the Year, Ghost Town Brewing, joins us on The Session this week. Hailing from Oakland, CA. these guys know there stuff, especially when it comes to IPA's and hops in general. They won Gold in the Imperial IPA category two years in a row, and several other medals in the last few years alone. Tune in and find out some of their secrets, as well as how they put in a new brewhouse right along side their old one, only to find out it didn't work... Yeah, it's a doozy of a story and a great time with the Ghost Town crew. Also, check out the Ghost Town Gold Medal Winning recipe for Nose Goblin HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-Owner & Lead Schmoozer Chris Ritter and Brewer Stephen Ruddy from Oakland United Beerworks join Justin in-studio on The Session this week. We get to taste through and learn about their stellar classic style brews, including a GABF Silver Medal winning Schwarzbeer, a fabulous Baltic Porter and mouth watering Nitro Dry Stout. Along the way, we also learn about the tragic story of how ALS rocked the Ritter family, and the heartwarming tale of a family keeping their sons dreams alive in the brewery they own and run. This one is a must listen folks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices