Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 90 - Latiesha Cook of Beer Kulture Jun 23, 2021

Show notes

Show notes from John Holl:

"I’m really excited to have Latisha Cook on the show this week. I’ve had the occasion to talk with her in the past and her passion for beer, for sparking conversation, collaborations, and a drive for a more inclusive beer industry and community is infectious.

We’ve talked about the need for diversity and diverse perspectives on the show before and Cook has been at the forefront of several initiatives for several years now. The latest way Beer Kulture is advancing opportunity is through the Sparks Foundation. It will be giving four $5,000 grants to four deserving black men per year, she says.

“The intent is for these grants to give a boost to Black men so they can launch their visions,” Cook said when announcing the initiative. “But it also goes beyond that to help these men build a family legacy. Generational wealth isn’t seen as often in the Black community the way it is in other communities. If access to traditional funding is a problem, it’s hard to create something that can extend beyond one person’s lifetime. Hopefully these grants help Black men begin to create legacies that endure for generations.”

In this episode we talk about the foundation and opportunities, generational wealth, and all the other things Beer Kulture has going on, but first, because not everyone is familiar with the organization, I started off by asking her to give a little background on how the organization started."

For more information on the Sparks Foundation, or to apply for a grant, visit https://www.beerkulture.com/sparksfoundation. Applications will go live June 1st and remain open until July 16th. Beer Kulture will announce the first grantee on August 1st.

This Episode is sponsored by:

NZ Hops
Harvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.

Host: John Holl
Guest: Latiesha Cook of Beer Kulture
Sponsors: NZ Hops, The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Education, Diversity, Beer Kulture,

Ep. 89 - Joel Stickrod of Barrique Brewing & Blending Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

There is a lot happening with Joel Stickrod of Barrique Brewing & Blending these days. He's moved from a modest barrel-storage space into his own taproom in the heart of Nashville and is bringing his beer vision to the people. Originally the brewery was focused on wild ales, usually blended, often fruited, and those remain on offer.

The new space has allowed him to branch out in to lagers and pub ales done in his style and he has plans on the horizon.

In this conversation, recorded over the phone in June 2021, he talks about his journey and house culture, shares his thoughts on blending, his passion for historical styles and local ingredients. There might also be a celebrity stopping by his brewery one of these days. Tune in and find out.

This Episode is sponsored by:

Jack's Abby Craft Lagers
For our next stop on the Lagers of the World tour, we went down under to discuss lagers with Johnny Latta from NOMAD Brewing. We learned a lot about how the climate is a huge influence on what they brew and drink especially when it comes to indigenous crops. So that’s where we honed in to make this beer. We hope you enjoy this one of a kind lager inspired by culture and conversation.

Host: John Holl
Guest: Joel Stickrod of Barrique Brewing & Blending
Sponsors: NZ Hops, Jack's Abby Craft Lagers, The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Nashville, Wild Ale, History, Lager, Pub Ale, Fruit

Ep. 88 - Lee Lord of Narragansett Brewing Company Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

Narragansett is a brewery that has been around since the late 1800s. It was a revered New England lager brand that, after prohibition went on the wain, and eventually closed down. It was revived about 15 years ago by a group of passionate investors, and has seen such tremendous growth since its rebirth that it is now in the top 30 of craft breweries in the United States.

The growth was largely built on the backs of contract production brewing for lager, a coffee stout, shandies, and a few other styles. Over the last few weeks the brewery has opened its first permanent location, that will serve as a Narragansett gathering place and a brewery to showcase innovation.

At the helm of the brewdeck is Lee Lord, she’s been in New England brewing for her entire career, working for storied and well-established brands like Cambridge Brewing Co. (where she brewed at Mystic Brewing Co.), Smuttynose, and the since shuttered Watch City.

There’s an allure to working for well established brands where a culture is already in place, she says, but a challenge that comes with working on a brand new system and being tasked with moving a brewery forward while new history is being written.

She spoke to the podcast via phone in Rhode Island about her career and the last few weeks of getting the system dialed in and beer ready for the people.

This Episode is sponsored by:

Host: John Holl
Guest: Lee Lord of Narragansett Brewing Company
Sponsors: NZ Hops, The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Rhode Island, Cream Ale, History, Lager, Gruit

Ep. 87 - Charles Finkel of Pike Brewing Co. Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

Any beer lover that has been to Seattle over the last three decades has likely stopped into The Pike Brewing Company. Near the iconic market of the same name, the brewery was founded by Charles and Rose Ann Finkel in 1989.

Part brewery, part pub, part museum, this welcoming spot has worked tirelessly to deliver on quality and flavorful pints and pushing forward a local experience.

Charles and Rose Ann helped shape the way beer is perceived herein the United states, starting with their import company, Merchant Du Vin in the 1970s.

The company has been through a lot in its 30 plus years, and while looking forward, Charles also uses history as a guide. In this interview, recorded over zoom, he talks about the evolution of the brewery, how he approaches beer and food pairings, the importance of local, and shares insight into being an owner, and what the future holds for this iconic brand.

Covid impacted the brewery, of course, and this episode starts there, but this year also was his first without Rose Ann, who died nearly a year ago. The two were inseparatable and a constant presence, side by side at the brewery, at tastings, events, conferences and more. Her presence is felt in his words in his conversation.

This Episode is sponsored by:

Athletic Brewing Co.
At Athletic Brewing Company their innovative process allows them to brew great-tasting craft beer without the alcohol. From IPAs to stouts to golden ales and more, they offer a full selection of beers starting at only 50 calories. Now you can keep your head clear and enjoy the refreshing taste of beer anytime, anywhere. Place an order today at athleticbrewing.com and get free shipping on two six-packs or more.

Host: John Holl
Guest: Charles Finkel of Pike Brewing.
Sponsors: NZ Hops, Athletic Brewing Co., The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Seattle, Pale Ale, History, Stout, Museum, Writing, Food, Legacy

Ep. 86 - Laura Dierks of Interboro Spirits & Ales May 26, 2021

Show notes

As mentioned briefly last week, Brienne Allen of Notch Brewing has been sharing stories of women in the beer industry. So far hundreds of women have come forward with stories of abuse, harassment, and worse by men in and around the brewing industry.

Among the news and the announcement was a statement from Laura Dierks the founder of Interboro Spirits & Ales in Brooklyn, New York. In a signed note she said the brewery was postponing their upcoming Pils City festival because two breweries that have come under fire had been invited to participate.

“We cannot stand aside when some colleagues are physically or emotionally unsafe, feel unsafe or not respected for their intellectual contributions in our community, regardless of who they are externally," she wrote.

Dierks and Jesse Furguson founded the brewery in 2016, and have turned into one of the most respected and inventive breweries in New York. Known for their beers, the company’s spirits program is also known for great recipes as well, including a canned gin and tonic cocktail. A whisky will soon be released.

Dierks has been speaking out on social media about the treatment of women in the industry. This is a difficult subject that can’t be ignored and she offers up her own experiences and how the brewery is looking to be a leader in the space going forward.

She spoke to the show via Zoom from Brooklyn.

This Episode is sponsored by:

Host: John Holl
Guest: Laura Dierks of Interboro Spirits & Ales
Sponsors: Briess Malt and Ingredient Co., NZ Hops, The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, New York, Harassment, Women, Craft Beer, Assault, Pilsner

Ep. 85 - Emily Vides and Mike Patterson of Small Change Brewing May 19, 2021

Show notes

Mike Patterson and Emily Vides are the couple behind of Small Change brewing in Massachusetts. The contract brewery turned three earlier this month and in the time it has been distributing beer it has gained a strong reputation for reliable and flavorful ales, including styles that are often overlooked, like milds.

It's a story of a homebrewer who went pro, but also of collaboration, artistic expression, communication, music, and harmony. From navigating the pandemic and customer interaction over zoom, to thinking about how can labels are really like album cover art, spend some time with this Massachusetts-based brewery that is doing its part to add to the beer industry.

This Episode is sponsored by:

Host: John Holl
Guest: Emily Vides and Mike Patterson of Small Change Brewing
Sponsors: Briess Malt and Ingredient Co., NZ Hops, Athletic Brewing Co., The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Contract Brewing, Mild, Pale Ale, Massachusetts, Art, Music

Ep. 84- Michael Karnowski of Zebulon Artisan Ales May 12, 2021

Show notes

Notes from host John Holl:

"A few weeks ago I headed down to Asheville, North Carolina for a few days to help out with photography on a new book I’ve been working on. I didn’t have a lot of time for social or other visits, but I made it a point to make my first stop in the state at Zebulon Artisan Ales.

Mike Karnowski is the man in and behind the brewery, it’s a small haven he started after a career brewing for others, and that started out running a homebrewing shop. Here at the brewery he does things his way, but also with historical accuracy and reverence.

Over the years he’s worked with beer historians to release period-accurate beers that really offer a snapshot in time and reveal long forgotten flavors and how beer has evolved.

A few weeks ago on the show with Em Sauter and Don Tse we were talking about date coding beer styles, and that’s something Mike is doing. You’ll even had a chance to try them for yourself soon enough.

We sat down at his taproom bar on a day when he’s usually closed. It was a brew day, and he’d already been at it for hours."

This Episode is sponsored by:

Briess
Briess is the original craft maltster, and currently offers the broadest product line in the industry. Briess’ barley is grown in the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming and Montana, where warm days, cool nights, and floodwater irrigation yield some of the highest quality barley in the U.S.

Host: John Holl
Guest: Michael Karnowski of Zebulon Artisan Ales
Sponsors: Briess Malt and Ingredient Co., NZ Hops, The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Hops, Bottles, History, IPA, North Carolina

Ep. 83 - John Parks of Zillicoah Brewing May 05, 2021

Show notes

This week on the show the head brewer, co-founder, and co-owner of Zillicoah Brewing in North Carolina talks about lagers, homebrewing and how the brewery survived COVID-19.

John Parks talks about brewing the kind of beer he likes to drink, how the brewery fits into the greater Asheville brewing scene, and their transition into bottles.

This episode was recorded on location.

Briess
Briess is the original craft maltster, and currently offers the broadest product line in the industry. Briess’ barley is grown in the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming and Montana, where warm days, cool nights, and floodwater irrigation yield some of the highest quality barley in the U.S.

NZ Hops
In a little country far down in the Pacific, you’ll find a cooperative of Master Growers, whose legend and cultivars have been crafted for over 150 years, with creativity and passion, to produce some of the world’s finest hops.

This is NZ Hops. The industry originated in 1843 not long after the early settlers arrived from England. Years of partnership with a dedicated hop breeding program, and farming knowledge handed down through the generations, sees the current day Master Growers proudly providing 18 unique New Zealand hop varieties to the world.

Host: John Holl
Guest: John Parks
Sponsors: Briess Malt and Ingredient Co., NZ Hops, Athletic Brewing Co., The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Hops, Bottles, Lager, Covid-19, Barrels, North Carolina

Ep. 82 - Em Sauter and Don Tse Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

Should beer styles be date coded?

What did Europeans of the 1800s really dress like?

Is there an excellent whisky we should be drinking?

This week host John Holl finished the first draft of a manuscript for his next book and his mental state is... fried. So, he called up two friends to help get back into the world. Em Sauter of Pints and Panels and Don Tse, a malt enthusiast, Zoom into the show for support, laughs, and to tackle the important questions in beer today.

This episode is sponsored by:

Source Brewing Co.
Source Brewing is looking to award a diversity and inclusion scholarship to a candidate from a diverse background who may otherwise underrepresented in the craft brewing industry. The recipient of the scholarship will have the opportunity to take the Siebel Concise Course in Brewing Technology and possibly receive a paid internship at the brewery. Send an email expressing your interest in the scholarship to Info@sourcebrewing.com or to seek additional information.

NZ Hops
In a little country far down in the Pacific, you’ll find a cooperative of Master Growers, whose legend and cultivars have been crafted for over 150 years, with creativity and passion, to produce some of the world’s finest hops.

This is NZ Hops. The industry originated in 1843 not long after the early settlers arrived from England. Years of partnership with a dedicated hop breeding programme, and farming knowledge handed down through the generations, sees the current day Master Growers proudly providing 18 unique New Zealand hop varieties to the world.

Host: John Holl
Guest: Em Sauter and Don Tse
Sponsors: NZ Hops, Source Brewing, The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Hops, Lager, Pale Ale, Pilsner, Glassware, Beer Garden, COVID-19, Canada, Books, Art

Ep. 81 - Geoffrey Barker & Andrew Pogue of Fair Isle Brewing Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

Show notes from host John Holl:

"There are some remarkable beers coming out of Fair Isle in Seattle, delightful farmhouse inspired ales that play heavy into culinary inspiration, time in wood or stainless, and a house culture that brings some wonderful characteristics to each beer.

Andrew Pogue and Geoffrey Barker co-founded the brewery a few years ago and have worked to bring some of the niche beers that speak to them as drinkers, creators, and artists, to the local beer scene. Judging by the following they’ve amassed, I’d say it’s working.

In many of their creations there is a deft use of local fruits or foraged ingredients. They rely on specialty malts from artisanal farms, and an in-house and creative streak to bring familiar yet distinct flavors to each bottle.

Because there are three of us we recorded over zoom, so there’s the usual technology bothers that come up now and again. Apologies.

Bonus: be listening for a smoky beer shower."

This episode is sponsored by:

Rare Beer Club
Unlike any other beer club, The Rare Beer Club often works with breweries like Lost Abbey, The Bruery, and American Solera to create craft beers made exclusively for members. They also bring in hard to find and exclusively imported selections such as Fantome’s Magic Ghost and Westvleteren XII. Their Personalized shipment program allow members to customize each shipment and skip beers you don’t want to get. Get 50% off your first shipment when you sign up for an open-ended ongoing membership at beermonthclub.com and use promo code: DrinkRareBeer. (2 shipment minimum).

Host: John Holl
Guests: Geoffrey Barker & Andrew Pogue
Sponsors: Athletic Brewing Co., NZ Hops, The Rare Beer Club The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Hops, Saison, Farmhouse, Fruit, Barrels,

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