Four Brewers: Craft Beer and Homebrew

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[S3/E15] Japanese Beers and Going In Blind Apr 11, 2016

Show notes

Season 3, Episode 15 – Greg was inspired by a recent trip to Total Wine & More to try beers made by Japanese breweries, and he brought them over to share.

This week, we travel to the other side of the globe (actually, Greg just went to the local Total Wine) and try some Japanese beers that are easy to find (presumably) all over the country.

Japanese Beers

The coolest part of import beer is the ability to travel the world’s flavors with a quick trip to the big-box beer store. Since delicious ramen, sushi or okonomiyaki cannot be shipped with relative tentacle porn manga freshness, beer is the next best thing. Two Japanese craft breweries make their way out west, Kiuchi Brewery, brewers of the Hitachino Nest branded beers and YO-HO Brewing, and their takes on world beer styles are interesting, if found fresh.

The issue with import beer is this: oxidation rears its ugly head on the first sip. Faded hops if not gone all together, the lustre gone, and any magic the brewers intended to put in the package died in a warehouse months ago. The price? Also incredibly expensive compared to ultra-fresh local beer. If you make it out to Japan, give these beers a try…and listen in to the show as we attempt look around the age and marvel at what was supposed to be.

We wrap up the show with a round of Going In Blind, hosted by Mr. Nagel.

BREW THE SHIT OUT OF IT.

Beers from this week’s episode:Kiuchi Brewery – Hitachino Nest Ancient NipponiaKiuchi Brewery – Hitachino Nest Red Rice AleYo-Ho Brewing Company – Suiyoubi no NekoYo-Ho Brewing Company – Yona Yona AleKiuchi Brewery – Hitachino Nest WeizenYo-Ho Brewing Company – Tokyo Black PorterKiuchi Brewery – Hitachino Nest Lacto Sweet Stout

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The 4B Flight: Fiddlehead Brewing Company - Second Fiddle Apr 09, 2016

Show notes

The 4B Flight, Episode 6 – Today on the sixth and final day of The 4B Flight, Second Fiddle from Fiddlehead Brewing Company.

We are back with the final episode of this week’s mini-episode-extravaganza that we call The 4B Flight. In case you missed what’s going on here, we’re releasing a new mini-episode of Four Brewers everyday for a week. Why? Because we like you.

Fiddlehead Brewing Company – Second Fiddle

The final beer of the the flight is a great double IPA from a brewery new to us, Vermont’s Fiddlehead Brewing Company. The brewery describes this beer as “big and juicy” (of course!) and we concur that it is, in fact, juicy.

That wraps up The 4B Flight! Thanks for listening, and look forward to another flight in a few months. Cheers!

BREW THE SHIT OUT OF IT.

Beers from this week’s episode:Fiddlehead Brewing Company – Second Fiddle

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The 4B Flight: El Segundo Brewing Company - Hop Tanker Apr 09, 2016

Show notes

The 4B Flight, Episode 5 – Today on The 4B Flight, ultra-fresh Hop Tanker from El Segundo Brewing Company.

We are back with the fifth of six episodes for this week’s mini-episode-extravaganza that we call The 4B Flight. In case you missed what’s going on here, we’re releasing a new mini-episode of Four Brewers everyday for a week. Why? Because we like you.

Hop Tanker DIPA

If you listen to the show regularly, you know that all four of us are big fans of El Segundo Brewing Co. Today’s beer was bottled less than 48 hours before we opened it, in true “Day One Dankness” form. Hop Tanker is ESBC’s double IPA made with Nelson and Citra hops. It’s clean, hoppy AF, and all around delicious.

Tune in tomorrow for the next beer in The 4B Flight!

BREW THE SHIT OUT OF IT.

Beers from this week’s episode:El Segundo Brewing Company – Hop Tanker (2016)

Direct audio: MP3

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The 4B Flight: Goose Island Beer Co. - RARE Bourbon County Brand Stout (2010) Apr 07, 2016

Show notes

The 4B Flight, Episode 4 – Today on The 4B Flight, John’s opening his 2010 Bourbon County Brand Stout, RARE.

We are back with the fourth of six episodes for this week’s mini-episode-extravaganza that we call The 4B Flight. In case you missed what’s going on here, we’re releasing a new mini-episode of Four Brewers everyday for a week. Why? Because we like you.

2010 Rare Bourbon County Brand Stout

If you’re familiar with the very much frowned upon “craft beer black market”, then you know how much moolah this bottle can fetch. It’s a ridiculous amount. This is a beer Johnhas held on to for the last six years, and rather than succumb to greed and unethical activity, he decided to open his ultra-whale, a 2010 Bourbon County Brand Stout Rare.

Things got a little weird on this episode. Feathers were ruffled (just a little bit, though) on both sides of the 4B studio table, but in the end, we all agree that it’s a great beer, but certainly NOT worth selling a kidney for.

Tune in tomorrow for the next beer in The 4B Flight!

BREW THE SHIT OUT OF IT.

Beers from this week’s episode:Goose Island Beer Co. – Rare Bourbon County Brand Stout (2010)

Direct audio: MP3

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The 4B Flight: Prairie and Trve Brewing Co. – Prairie & Friends: Trve Edition Apr 06, 2016

Show notes

The 4B Flight, Episode 3 – Today on The 4B Flight, a collaboration beer from Prairie Ales and Trve Brewing.

We are back with the third of six episodes for this week’s mini-episode-extravaganza that we call The 4B Flight. In case you missed what’s going on here, we’re releasing a new mini-episode of Four Brewers everyday for a week. Why? Because we like you.

Prairie and Trve Collaboration Beer

Today’s beer is a special treat from Prairie Artisan Ales, made with their brothers and sisters in beer and metal (?), Trve Brewing out of Colorado. Coming in at 6.66% ABV (of course), this sour is a red ale made with black salt, peaches, brettanomyces and all kinds of other fun stuff. It’s quite interesting, and we all have differing opinions of the beer, and interesting beer makes for a hopefully interesting show.

Tune in tomorrow for the next beer in The 4B Flight!

BREW THE SHIT OUT OF IT.

Beers from this week’s episode:Prairie Artisan Ales, in collaboration with Trve Brewing Company – Prairie & Friends Trve Edition (Prairie Vs Trve)

Direct audio: MP3

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The 4B Flight: Mammoth Brewing Company – Gooseberry Sour Apr 05, 2016

Show notes

The 4B Flight, Episode 2 – Today on The 4B Flight, we go full Gooseberry with this sour from Mammoth Brewing Company.

We are back with the second of six episodes for this week’s mini-episode-extravaganza that we call The 4B Flight. In case you missed what’s going on here, we’re releasing a new mini-episode of Four Brewers everyday for a week. Why? Because we like you.

Mammoth Brewing Company – Gooseberry Sour

Today’s beer is a favorite of Matt’s and is certainly right up his alley, Mammoth Brewing Company’s Gooseberry Sour. Matt has a cherished relationship with Gooseberries, going all the way back to his days at The Bruery where he was a brewer. Spoiler alert: Gooseberries and sour beer go together quite well…

Mammoth Brewing Company is best known for its annual Bluesapalooza beer festival that’s held in Mammoth Lakes, CA. This year, the fest is August 4-7.

Tune in tomorrow for the next beer in The 4B Flight!

BREW THE SHIT OUT OF IT.

Beers from this week’s episode:Mammoth Brewing Company – Gooseberry Sour

Direct audio: MP3

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Email 4B: feedback@fourbrewers.com

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The 4B Flight: Monkish Brewing Co. – First Things First Apr 04, 2016

Show notes

The 4B Flight, Episode 1 – Today we begin The 4B Flight, a solid week of new Four Brewers episodes! We’re kicking it off with Monkish Brewing Co.’s collaboration IPA with Other Half Brewing, First Things First.

Over the last couple of years, we heard from fans of the show that they wished we could release an episode everyday. While that’s flattering and awesome that these super-fans want to hear us on a daily basis, it’s simply impossible for us to release a full episode everyday.

But, we had a really cool idea. (It’s an experiment, too.) We want to give the fans exactly what they want, but on our terms. So, we are going to release one full-length regular episode on Monday, and 6 mini-episodes everyday for one week. Pretty cool, right? Well, we’re excited about it!

First Things First

The first beer in The 4B Flight is a special one from our friends at Monkish Brewing Co.. Known for their spectacular Belgian-style beers, Monkish vowed early on to never make IPA (well, maybe it wasn’t that dramatic).

But, times change and hops were piling up in the brewery. Henry and Co. decided that they shouldn’t be bound by these artificial rules imposed upon themselves (again, with the drama) and decided to bring their version of an IPA into this world, with some help from Brooklyn’s Other Half Brewing.

The beer went on sale this past weekend and was an instant sell out. Monkish was kind enough to give us the homie hookup with some cans of their new IPA, First Things First. We felt it was appropriate to feature this awesome IPA on the first episode of The 4B Flight.

Tune in tomorrow for the next beer in The 4B Flight!

(…and thanks to Bob Vreeland for naming this series!)

BREW THE SHIT OUT OF IT.

Beers from this week’s episode:Monkish Brewing Co., in collaboration with Other Half Brewing – First Things First

Direct audio: MP3

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[S3/E14] The Secret Origins of Four Brewers Apr 04, 2016

Show notes

Season 3, Episode 14 – This week, we drink our craft “gateway” beers.

Craft beer is awesome, isn’t it? Today, we’re drinking and talking about the beers that converted us from fizzy yellow lager drinkers to the beer geeks we are today.

Our Gateway Beers

Most of us have been there: you decide that you want to try something different, or a friend offers you their favorite craft beer to try, or maybe you didn’t even know what you were ordering from that pushy bartender with an bad attitude and…BAM!

“What’s this? This is great!”

It’s a magical moment. You’ll soon find out that your taste buds will never be the same, and you’re now part of the mystical and wondrous world of craft beer…or…you just really liked that IPA you just had and want another pint.

We all have our own stories. We all love beer. Keep on drinkin’!

BREW THE SHIT OUT OF IT.

Beers from this week’s episode:Anchor Brewing Company – Anchor Steam BeerJohn Smiths – Newcastle Brown AleLost Coast Brewery – Great WhiteLost Coast Brewery – SharkinatorStone Brewing Co. – Enjoy By: 05.04.16

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[S3/E13] Cellar Diving with John, Port Brewing, and The Lost Abbey Mar 27, 2016

Show notes

Season 3, Episode 13 – We didn’t really have a show planned out for this week, so we decided to raid John’s cellar.

Sometimes, you just want to head into your beer cellar, dust off some bottles, and see what happens. This week, that’s exactly what we did. If you’re a long time listener of Four Brewers, you’ve heard about John’s bloated cellar and the black hole of beers within. Since we didn’t really have anything planned for this week’s episode, John and Greg decided to brave the closet, no, uh, “cellar” and see what they could find.

Port Brewing and Lost Abbey

So, what did they find? Turns out that John has a lot of brews from Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey. The beers they chose are among some of the best whalez out there, even for our beloved “new-money” craft beer drinkers.

The thing is, when you cellar a beer, you take a monetary risk. While most breweries would agree that beers are packaged to be consumed fresh (unless you’re Deschutes), beer geeks can’t resist laying a beer down for a while to see how it changes and develops. It becomes a monetary loss when the beer is cellared for a bit too long and takes on the qualities of an over-cellared beer. This week’s episode shows that with great power comes great responsibility. When cellaring beers, it’s important to monitor them in order to drink them when they’re at their prime. If they sit too long, well, they could turn into a hot mess. The beers on this week’s episode are a testament to both scenarios.

Nagel comes through in the end with a stellar barrel-aged cider that he made. Seriously, guys…it’s the best thing he’s ever brewed. Hit him up for the recipe because holy shit…

BREW THE SHIT OUT OF IT.

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[S3/E12] Tired Hands Brewing Company Mar 20, 2016

Show notes

Season 3, Episode 12 – This week, we try to figure out exactly why Tired Hands Brewing Company’s hands are so tired. Spoiler: we still don’t know, but you should still listen to the episode.

This week on the show, we’re drinking beers from the whalez-bro-brewery outta Pennsylvania known as Tired Hands Brewing Company. Their beers are difficult to get in SoCal (they don’t distribute here), but our good friend, Dr. Zack, came up on a massive shipment and was kind enough to share some cans with us. SWEET.

Their Hands are Tired AF, Apparently.

Before we get into the beers, we open up the 4B Mailbag and answer some questions about dry-hopping and where to acquire some good beer in Cleveland, Ohio. Want to send us a question? Hit us up at feedback@fourbrewers.com.

First up is Hop Hands. Without giving too much away, this beer was the best of the bunch. It should be said that all three beers that we sampled were murkier than potato soup, which was to be expected, I guess. They were all served from cans (ICYMI above) and were all consumed within about three weeks of the canning date. Just remember that while you’re listening to the episode.

Next up is Pineal. Matt explains to us exactly what the word “Pineal” means on the show, so don’t bother to Google the definition or anything. Just listen to the show, because that’s why were here, right? Sure! This beer was, um, well…it was good, but had its flaws, to say the least.

We end the show with Alien Church, and I’m not going to say anything more about that beer.

Also, Matt takes a potty break during the show. Yay!

BREW THE SHIT OUT OF IT.

Beers from this week’s episode:Tired Hands Brewing Company – Hop HandsTired Hands Brewing Company – PinealTired Hands Brewing Company – Alien Church

Direct audio: MP3

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Email 4B: feedback@fourbrewers.com