Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl – Details, episodes & analysis

There is no shortage of excellent places to drink in New York City, and on this episode, we're talking with Karla and James Murray, the photographers behind a new book Great Bars of New York City: 30 of Manhattan’s Favorite Storied Drinking Establishments (Prestel). 

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

Host: John Holl

Guest: Karla Murray and James Murray

Sponsors: All About Beer

Tags: New York, Drinking, Bars, Photography

Author Josh Noel talks about his new book Malort: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit. It's a story of stubbornness and luck, determination, underground appreciation, and mainstream popularity. The wormwood liquor is easy to hate but should be wonderfully appreciated. It is a uniquely Chicago story, and there is no one better than Noel to tell the story.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

Host: John Holl

Guest: Josh Noel

Sponsors: All About Beer

Tags: Chicago, Malort, Bars, Drinking

Photo by John Holl

This week is a conversation recorded at Notch Brewing, during the Forever Lager Festival. In a moment you’ll hear from the brewers Wild East Brewing, Working Draft, and Dovetail, a bunch of cool brewers doing cool things.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

Host: John Holl

Guests: Jenny Pfafflin of Dovetail Brewery, Clinton Lohman of Working Draft Beer Co., and Brett Taylor of Wild East Brewing.

Sponsors: All About Beer

Tags: Lager, Brewing, Rice, Hazy IPA, Festival

Photo by Andy Crouch

When it comes to beer education, Randy Mosher has schooled countless drinkers on the art and science of tasting beer. 

He is a writer and creative consultant, the author of five books on beer and brewing, and provides training and lectures around the world. Mosher is a teacher at the Siebel Institute, has a background in design and advertising, and frequently consults on new product development and branding for breweries and specialty food and beverage companies. Based in Chicago, he is currently a minority partner in two Chicago-area breweries.

This Episode is Sponsored by:

Athletic Brewing Company
Athletic Brewing Company’s award-winning, craft, non-alcoholic beers are fit for all times. Down time, work time, game time, even gym time. Pick a time and grab an Athletic, because it’s about time you could enjoy a great-tasting brew, any time you want. Even right now. Head to athleticbrewing.com and get some fresh brews delivered. New customers can even get 20% off with code AllAboutBeer20 and free shipping on two 6-packs or more.

For original articles or to read the vast archives or to check out All About Beer.  follow us on Twitter @allaboutbeer and Instagram @allaboutbeer. Support Journalism by visiting our Patreon Page.

• Hosts: Em Sauter and Don Tse
• Guest: Randy Mosher
• Sponsors: Athletic Brewing Co.
• Tags: Brewing, Tasting, Sensory, Flavors, Hops, Books

The following music was used for this media project:
Music: Awesome Call by Kevin MacLeod
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3399-awesome-call
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Artist website: https://incompetech.com

This is the last, for now, of the shows recorded on location from the Pacific Northwest. It was recorded at Von Ebert Brewing’s Glendoveer location, on the far edges of Portland, Oregon and situated on a golf course. 

Von Ebert is a brewery that has been crushing it since the start. Making great IPAs and Lagers as well as boasting a terrific blending program – in fact we discuss some of those beers on this show to illustrate ingredients and process. 

A brewery with a diverse portfolio that executes on the highest of levels always has something to explore, and prior to the show Jeff Alworth, the writer, author, and podcast host, had been driving me around Oregon and trying to dissect Von Ebert. 

Since it was such a conundrum, I invited him to co-host this episode. 

Happily it goes off the rails at points. 

Our guests keep us on track and they are:

Sam Pecoraro, the Head Brewer who has been brewing around Portland for 11 years at various breweries, including Burnside Brewing, The Commons Brewery and Breakside Brewery before joining Von Ebert at their inception in 2018.  As Head Brewer, Sam leads the Pearl District and Glendoveer Brewing teams in all quests related to IPA variants, German-inspired lagers and mixed culture beers. 

And Jason Hansen, the Lead Brewer and Blender who Started homebrewing right after college, and ended up getting a job at Seven Bridges Organic Homebrew Supply  in Santa Cruz, CA. before moving to  Sante Adairius Rustic Ales where he eventually became head brewer. He was then Lead Fermentationist at Garden Path Fermentation in Burlington, before joining Von Ebert in 2018. 

It’s a crowded table that grows a bit more when we’re joined later in the show by Madeleine McCarthy, who was then a brewer at Von Ebert but has since started working at 10 Barrel Brewing. 

There is a lot to unpack on this rollicking show recorded just off the practice green at the course with a an audience putting a dent into the lager taps.

-John Holl

This episode is sponsored by:

Jack's Abby Brewing

Guatemala, the land of eternal spring, rich agriculture, and affinity for fantastic food and coffee. Craft beer is a fledgling movement in the country, but it’s being led by our friends from El Zapote Brewing. Our conversation with them inspired us to create a unique coffee golden lager with imported beans from Finca Retana family farm in Antigua, Guatemala. We believe this beer will have a true taste of the country and we hope you enjoy this unique lager inspired by culture, colors, and conversation.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

• Hosts: John Holl and Jeff Alworth
• Guests: Sam Pecoraro, Jason Hansen, Madeleine McCarthy
• Sponsors: Jack's Abby, The Craft Brewery Cookbook, All About Beer
• Tags: Beer, Brewing, Hops, Recipes, Growth, Oregon, IPA, Lager, Mixed Fermentation

As the sojourn through the pacific northwest continues I’m thrilled to air this episode of the podcast recorded in Bellingham Washington at the Aslan Depot where head brewer Austin Umbinetti-Hutton joined me before a live audience on a wide ranging conversation about his career, the beers Aslan is making, the importance of community and creativity, and more.

This Episode is Sponsored By:

New Holland Brewing
Dragon's Milk began as a single barrel experiment over 20 years ago at New Holland Brewing Company and has since grown to become the best-selling American-made stout. Aged in bourbon barrels, rich notes of roasted malt, chocolate, and vanilla make for a deliciously smooth and drinkable brew. Whether it's sitting by a bonfire or binging the latest season of Game of Thrones, share a legend with Dragon's Milk today. Learn more and find Dragon's Milk near you at dragonsmilk.com.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

• Host: John Holl
• Guest: Austin Umbinetti-Hutton
• Sponsors: New Holland Brewery, The Craft Brewery Cookbook, All About Beer
• Tags: Beer, Brewing, Hops, Recipes, Growth, Washington, IPA, Lager, Hop Water

From Andy Crouch:

"Denver holds a special place in my heart. I’ve watched as the local beer scene has grown and then exploded, with dozens and dozens of breweries cropping up in parts of town that didn’t even really exist, such as RiNo. Denver has long had a formidable beer scene but today it is one of the country’s best. And on this second episode of the Beer Travelers podcast, we’re going to talk with two local experts, Tristan Chan of PorchDrinking and Jonathan Shikes of the Denver Post. These two are as knowledgeable as they come and as we’ll hear, they are full of advice for planning your visit to the Mile High City. 

Stay tuned at the end of the episode for my personal favorite suggestion for Denver. Hint: it’s the perfect place for a nightcap or to end your trip."

This Episode is Sponsored by:

Pub Culture Beercations
Stop living vicariously through other people's social media posts and get out and make some memories of your own! Join Pub Culture Beercations for one of our upcoming tours and start exploring the world one pint at a time with us. Visit PubCultureBeercations.com for more information.

For original articles or to read the vast archives or to check out All About Beer.  follow us on Twitter @allaboutbeer and Instagram @allaboutbeer. Support Journalism by visiting our Patreon Page.

• Host: Andy Crouch
• Guests: Tristan Chan and Jonathan Shikes
• Sponsor: Pub Culture Beercations
• Tags: Denver beer, Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Avery Brewing

In the 1920s when the practice was more common, Meghann Quinn’s ancestors followed the railroad west and wound up settling a farm in Washington’s Yakima Valley. 

Following the repeal of Prohibition, they got into the hop industry and have ridden the wave since; supplying the larger brewers through the uninspired decades of large-scale American brewing, and into the boom days of today’s craft surge. 

Seeing the success of hops in the larger market coupled with an interest in homebrewing Quinn, her husband Kevin, and her brothers launched Bale Breaker brewing on the property in 2013. 

Kevin Quinn is my guest today. 

How close is the brewery to the field? It takes less than five minutes to get from the bine to the kettle, he says. 

It’s more than hops here as well. 

There’s an apple orchard on the nearly 3,000-acre farm, along with fields of Hungarian Wax Peppers, some hemp, and 2021 marked the third barley harvest. Last year they processed more than 200,000 pounds of barley, some of which went into Bale Breaker beers as well. 

There is a real sense of pride that comes with growing ingredients where they are used and it’s clear from the steady stream of visitors that come through during this season and year round, that drinkers and other brewers feel the same. 

This Episode is Sponsored By:

New Holland Brewing
Dragon's Milk began as a single barrel experiment over 20 years ago at New Holland Brewing Company and has since grown to become the best-selling American-made stout. Aged in bourbon barrels, rich notes of roasted malt, chocolate, and vanilla make for a deliciously smooth and drinkable brew. Whether it's sitting by a bonfire or binging the latest season of Game of Thrones, share a legend with Dragon's Milk today. Learn more and find Dragon's Milk near you at dragonsmilk.com.

Denver Rare Beer Tasting
Heading to Colorado for GABF? You should check out the Denver Rare Beer Tasting on October 7th. It's an incredible afternoon of beer passion featuring America's top craft breweries pouring rare, exotic and vintage brews to benefit the Pints for Prostates campaign. This is truly a bucket list event for a great cause where you get to try beers you won't find elsewhere, and meet the men and women who brewed them. More information at pintsforprostates.org.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

• Host: John Holl
• Guest: Kevin Quinn
• Sponsors: New Holland Brewery, Denver Rare Beer Tasting, The Craft Brewery Cookbook, All About Beer
• Tags: Beer, Brewing, Hops, Recipes, Growth, Washington, IPA, Lager

"I’ve been spending the last week or so in the Pacific Northwest and this is the first of several shows that I’ll be bringing you from Washington and Oregon.

It kicks off at Chuckanut, the brewery founded by Mari and Will Kemper and recorded at their brewery in Burlington, Washington, south of Bellingham where they long operated a pub and restaurant. This production facility is largely dedicated to lager, with a few ales thrown for good measure, but mostly lagers. 

They’ll expand upon what brought them to this town, across from the airport in a minute and expansion plans for what is lovingly referred to as South Nut. 

And we’ll talk about the intersection of clean and wild beers with their brewery neighbors Ron Extract and Amber Watts who run Garden Path Fermentation, a temple for all things drinkable from beers to wine, mead, and more. 

While it may seem, at first glance, little to connect them aside from the larger beer industry, there are actually strong ties."

-John Holl

This Episode is Sponsored By:

New Holland Brewing
Dragon's Milk began as a single barrel experiment over 20 years ago at New Holland Brewing Company and has since grown to become the best-selling American-made stout. Aged in bourbon barrels, rich notes of roasted malt, chocolate, and vanilla make for a deliciously smooth and drinkable brew. Whether it's sitting by a bonfire or binging the latest season of Game of Thrones, share a legend with Dragon's Milk today. Learn more and find Dragon's Milk near you at dragonsmilk.com.

Denver Rare Beer Tasting
Heading to Colorado for GABF? You should check out the Denver Rare Beer Tasting on October 7th. It's an incredible afternoon of beer passion featuring America's top craft breweries pouring rare, exotic and vintage brews to benefit the Pints for Prostates campaign. This is truly a bucket list event for a great cause where you get to try beers you won't find elsewhere, and meet the men and women who brewed them. More information at pintsforprostates.org.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

• Host: John Holl
• Guests: Mari Kemper, Will Kemper, Ron Extract, Amber Watts
• Sponsors: Harpoon Brewery, Denver Rare Beer Tasting, The Craft Brewery Cookbook, All About Beer
• Tags: Beer, Brewing, Homebrewing, Recipes, Growth, Washington, Wild, Lager

"A few weeks ago I spent some time in Vermont, touring around breweries, catching up with old friends, and doing a little promotion for The Craft Brewery Cookbook – which is available now where books are sold. 

At two of my stops I teamed up with Brad Ring, he’s a long-time friend and colleague and the publisher of Brew Your Own Magazine. 

BYO has a long and storied history and is the best resource for anyone looking to get into homebrewing or looking to add on knowledge. 

I’m not just saying this because I host a monthly podcast for BYO about nano brewing, or because I’ve written for the magazine over the years. It’s true because it is smart and detailed a publication run by dedicated homebrewers who appreciate history and where things are headed. 

Much like professional brewing, homebrewing has evolved and Ring and his team constantly keep their finger on the pulse. In keeping up with the times BYO has recently released an updated version of the Big Book Of Homebrewing. You can find it where good books are sold and on the BYO website. 

I sat down with Ring in his office, just before a book signing. He opened some cans of a Lawson’s finest liquid pale ale and we talked about the new book and homebrewing in general."

-John Holl

This Episode is Sponsored By:

Harpoon Brewery
Did you know that Harpoon IPA is New England’s Original IPA?

Brewed in Boston and Vermont for decades by their Employee Owners.

Hoppy, crisp, perfectly balanced.

Harpoon IPA: New England’s Original IPA.

Denver Rare Beer Tasting
Heading to Colorado for GABF? You should check out the Denver Rare Beer Tasting on October 7th. It's an incredible afternoon of beer passion featuring America's top craft breweries pouring rare, exotic and vintage brews to benefit the Pints for Prostates campaign. This is truly a bucket list event for a great cause where you get to try beers you won't find elsewhere, and meet the men and women who brewed them. More information at pintsforprostates.org.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and visit All About Beer.

• Host: John Holl
• Guest: Brad Ring
• Sponsors: Harpoon Brewery, Denver Rare Beer Tasting, The Craft Brewery Cookbook, All About Beer
• Tags: Beer, Brewing, Homebrewing, Recipes, Growth, Vermont