Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 71 - Daniel Kleban of Maine Beer Co. Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

Show notes from host John Holl:

"On every bottle of Maine Beer there are three words: Do What’s Right. This is an easy phrase to say, but incredibly hard to practice. It can’t just be a marketing slogan or something cooked up in a board room, slapped on a label and then forgotten. It has to mean something and what is right isn’t always the same thing for everyone, and so the person spearheading that initiative has to believe it, to practice it, and to have other believe it and practice it.

Dan Kleban is my guest today. He and his brother co-founded Maine Beer Co. with the idea to make the beers that resonated with them, to be good stewards of the community and industry and to do what was right – even if not popular, easy, or inexpensive.

We spend some time talking about how his brewery became part of the 1 percent for the planet initiative and how it has helped guide the brewery and give employees a sense of pride. We’ll talk bottles, hops, and tourism as well. But I wanted to start off by going back in time with Dan to what started him on this beer journey and we’ll eventually circle back to how that can apply to the next generation of brewers.

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
Guests: Dan Kleban of Maine Beer Co.
Sponsor: The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Maine, Hops, IPA, Pale Ale, Charity, Stout.

Ep. 70 - Super Bowl Brewery Bets Feb 03, 2021

Show notes

It's Super Bowl week in America and the attention of the sports world has turned to Tampa, Florida where the hometown team, the Buccaneers will take on the Kansas City Chiefs. For breweries the annual big game has become a chance for some city-to-city rivalries that play out in collaboration beers, tap takeovers, and more, with the brewery from the winning city often getting the better end of the deal, but in reality there are no losers.

This show is in two segments. The first features Khristopher Johnson of Green Bench Brewing in Florida and Nick Mader of Alma Mader Brewery in Missouri. They talk about their bets, their cities, and how they are looking to further their beer making through education.

Our second segment features Karlton Graham of KC Bier Co. in Missouri and Sean Sasscer of Cigar City Brewery talking about brewing outside of their comfort zones, what it's like brewing in cities that want to celebrate but are limited to the pandemic, and post-COVID-19 plans.

Host: John Holl
Guests: Khristopher Johnson, Nick Mater, Karlton Graham, and Sean Sasscer
Sponsor: The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Lager, Florida, IPA, Collaboration Beers, Kansas City, Tampa, Missouri

Ep. 69 - Drew Fox of 18th Street Brewery Jan 27, 2021

Show notes

A decade ago Drew Fox decided to take his homebrewing hobby to the next level and went pro. Since then, as founder and president of 18th Street Brewery in Gary, Indiana, he’s grown the business into multiple locations, into bigger brewing systems and has traveled the country and the world working on collaboration beers and being a force of good will to the beer industry.

From recipe evolution and creation, to what he is choosing to focus on to help the brewery grow in a meaningful way, he gets into it all in this wide-ranging interview.

As a suicide survivor he is also speaking up on the importance of taking about and addressing mental health. His words and perspective are something everyone should listen to.

Host: John Holl
Guest: Drew Fox of 18th Street Brewery
Sponsor: The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Lager, Indiana, IPA, Collaboration Beers, Mental Health, Charity. Sour Ales,

Ep. 68 - Matt Wilson of Zero Gravity Craft Brewery Jan 20, 2021

Show notes

Some thoughts on this episode from host John Holl:

"When I first started drinking beer, one of the breweries that opened my eyes and palate to flavor was Magic Hat. Thanks to its Number 9, the beer was a fruity pale ale with whimsical labels, clever facts and saying under the bottle cap, and at a price point that didn’t make my budget scream.

Of course a lot has changed in 20 years and that brewery doesn’t dominate the conversation or even register too much for folks anymore. So, last year, I wasn’t too surprised when the corporate parent company of Magic Hat announced that it would be winding down operations and moving production to upstate New York.

The brewery, in South Burlington, however, would remain online and Zero Gravity, a popular Vermont brewery, founded in 2004, would be taking over the space.

I had only passing memories of Zero Gravity, having visited once or twice, but not for at least five years. Taking over a well-known spot with a lot of capacity was intriguing and I meant to reach out earlier. But, you know, the pandemic got in the way.

So just after the start of this new year I was able to call and talk with Matt Wilson the CEO and co-founder of the brewery.

In a state that knows and celebrates its IPA, Zero Gravity – which of course makes hop forward ales – has put a lot of focus on lagers. It also takes sustainability and growth seriously and is looking to the non-alcoholic space as well.

We get into it quick and he shares insights on what the future holds for Zero Gravity."

Host: John Holl
Guest: Matt Wilson of Zero Gravity
Sponsor: The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Lager, Vermont, IPA, Magic Hat, Non-alcoholic beer, sustainability, charity

Ep. 67 - Jake Miller of Heirloom Rustic Ales Jan 13, 2021

Show notes

Before launching Heirloom Rustic Ales in Tulsa, Oklahoma a few years ago Jake Miller cut his teeth at breweries like Prairie Artisan Ales, Wolves and People, and Saint Somewhere. Along the way he picked up different brewing techniques and a sense for the aesthetics that make for a good brewery and channeled it into his own place.

Today he's determined to follow a brewing path that excites him and is interesting. This means ditching his mixed fermentation program and putting a lot of focus on lagers. From avoiding burn out in the brewing industry, to offering up a customer experience that is an extension of his colleagues, Miller talks about what he hopes to achieve as a brewer in the modern age.

Host: John Holl
Guest: Jake Miller of Heirloom Rustic Ales
Sponsor: The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Lager, Tulsa, Mixed Fermentation, Brewing

Ep. 66 - Lisa and Brandon Boldt of Primitive Beer Jan 06, 2021

Show notes

Lisa and Brandon Boldt are the owners of Primitive Beer in Colorado.

They bill themselves as Colorado's first exclusively spontaneous, barrel-fermented beer blendery. And in a state that has claimed its fair share of firsts, that’s a pretty big deal, especially after you taste their beer. You kinda wonder why we had to wait so long.

When they opened their doors in 2018 the made a splash on the local scene for their Méthode Traditionnelle ales, as well as the packaging – maybe you’ve seen their beer in a box. But even their bottled offerings are starting to pop up around the country and would certainly be coveted at bottle shares – if those were still a thing.

And one to look out for is a collaboration they did with Beer Kulture, called Peach On A Beach. It’s a blend of two and three-year aged spontaneous beer matured on Colorado-grown Allstar Peaches and Tahitian-grown vanilla beans in two freshly emptied Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrels.

Get ready to listen in. Here come the Lambic Police.

Host: John Holl
Guest: Lisa and Brandon Boldt of Primitive Beer
Sponsor: The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Lambic, Gueuze, Colorado, Tradition, Beer in a box

Ep. 65 - The State of Bars with Polly Watts, Michael Roper, and Chris Black Dec 30, 2020

Show notes

Show notes from host John Holl:

“I’ve been thinking a lot about pints and specifically what I missed as I spent time at home and away from normal beer related things in 2020. I’ve really missed draft beer. I’ve missed settling into favorite tables or stools at familiar bars, scanning a list and ordering something new and exciting or flavorful and reliable.

Over the course of this past year, I’ve talked with a lot of brewery owners and brewers about how COVID-19 has impacted them and changed the brewing industry, but today I want to talk about bars and what the pandemic has done to them.

As I got to writing this there was an article in the Wall Street Journal that chronicled the plight of bars and restaurants across the country amid restrictions and shutdowns.

There was one quote in particular that stuck out to me, from Aaron Gregory Smith, the executive director of the United States’ Bartender’s guild:

"This is the worst crisis to hit the industry since Prohibition," he said.

Like you, I miss travel and I miss going to bars that feel familiar even if I visit only once or twice a year or every few years. A good feeling and well-appointed bar is an extension of the publican and today on the show I’m honored to be joined by three of the very best in the country:

Polly Watts of the Avenue Pub in New Orleans, Michael Roper of Hop Leaf in Chicago, and Chris Black of Falling Rock Tap House in Denver.

All three are thoughtful, passionate, and knowledgeable and each have been kicked while down this year but are doing their best to stick it out.

We spoke shortly before Christmas, with Chris in Denver, Michael in Chicago and Polly in London, where she was visiting her daughter. I had some questions in mind before we started, but quickly realized that since all three were friends and had a lot on their minds and so I just hit record and let them at it.”

Host: John Holl
Guest: Chris Black, Michael Roper, Polly Watts
Sponsor: The Beer Edge
Tags: Beer, Bars, Craft Beer, Travel, Kegs, Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, Staffing, 2021

Ep. 64 - A Holiday Roundtable featuring Melissa Cole, Christopher Shepard, and Greg Avola Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

Show notes from Host John Holl:

"As this year limps to a close I was thinking of what usually brings me joy in and around the beer space and It’s getting together with good friends over pints for general business chat as well as a proper bullshit session.

Since we can’t get together in I thought that this could be a good format to bring together some of my favorite people for a chat about the year that was and to share some stories.

So on the show this week is author Melissa Cole, her new book is called “The Little Book of Lager” and it’s available now where books are sold.

Christopher Shepard is the senior editor of Craft Brew News, published by Beer Marketers Insights.

And Greg Avola is one of the founders of Untapped.

I wanted to talk a little business, have a little fun, and generally see where their heads were as this year comes to a close.
So, get a beer, get comfortable and let’s have some fun."

Host: John Holl
Guest: Melissa Cole, Christopher Shepard, and Greg Avola
Sponsor: Cigar City Brewing
Tags: beer, craft beer, Untappd, Lager, London, Hard Seltzer, Trends, Glassware,

This episode is sponsored by:

Cigar City Brewing
Maduro Brown Ale: Among the darkest colored and most complex cigars made in Tampa’s Ybor City is the maduro, made with an overripe wrapper and exhibiting chocolatey and earthy flavors. We draw inspiration from these sophisticated cigars and from Tampa’s cigar-making history with Maduro Brown Ale, a Northern English Brown Ale brewed with flaked oats. Full in body and silky on the palate, Maduro Brown Ale’s chocolate and espresso notes are rounded out by toffee-like qualities and a light woody hop presence. Enjoy Maduro Brown Ale with chicharrones, ropa vieja, or a fine hand-rolled cigar.

Ep. 63 - Mitch Steele of New Realm Brewing Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

Mitch Steele is a brewmaster that everyone looks up to. He’s had a storied career in beer, worked at prominent breweries, developed some of the beers we all still know and drink today, today he is the brewmaster at New Realm Brewing, a company he helped found that operates a brewery in Georgia and one in Virginia.

He is a teacher that many in the brewing industry turn to for advice and inspiration, but Mitch – he’s earned his place in the first name club of brewers – is still very much a student. He’s curious, a relentless tinkerer, and on the hunt for new flavors, new ideas, and ways to make his beers the very best they can be.

There’s a lot to learn from him and he always seems happy to share.

Host: John Holl
Guest: Mitch Steele of New Realm Brewing
Sponsor: Cigar City Brewing
Tags: beer, craft beer, California, Stone, IPA, Experimental Brewing, Stout, Georgia, Virginia, New Realm, Tripel, Quad, Hazy IPA

This episode is sponsored by:

Cigar City Brewing
Fancy Papers IPA: Just as handsome designs printed on fancy papers and applied to cigar boxes are used to entice cigar lovers, we use Strata, Sabro, and Idaho 7 hops to draw in lovers of fruit-forward Hazy IPAs.

Ep. 62- Laura Ulrich of Stone Brewing Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

Laura Ulrich is the small batch brewer at Stone Brewing Co. and is our guest today.

Yes, Stone Brewing is one of the larger craft breweries in America, and has succeeded over the years with in-your-face marketing and a fondness for West Coast IPA. But like most breweries their size, there is a smaller component, experimental batches that might one day become larger releases, but that serve the pubs or speciality accounts.

What’s it like, warts and all, to have a job where the beer carries a familiar brand name, but the liquid might not be what some customers expect? We’ll get into it.

Then we’re talking about Pink Boots, where Laura serves as president of the organization. From how she came be involved from the start, to its evolution, and where she would like to see it go.

Education is key to elevating the whole segment, something the organization has put front and center.

Get a beer and listen along. This is a fun conversation.

Host: John Holl
Guest: Laura Ulrich of Stone Brewing
Sponsor: Cigar City Brewing
Tags: beer, craft beer, California, Stone, IPA, Experimental Brewing, Stout, Pink Boots Society

This episode is sponsored by:

Cigar City Brewing
Central to Mayan mythology is the story of twin brothers named Xbalanque and Hunahpu, the Hero Twins. After the Twins’ father was murdered by evil deities from Xibalba, his corpse became a cacao tree that spawned our two Heroes. Epic adventures followed, culminating in a journey to Xibalba to avenge their father’s death. Vanquishing their enemies handily, the Heroes then ascended unto the heavens where they became the sun and the moon

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