Graining In

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#99: Jason Bosch | Red Stallion Media May 10, 2021

Show notes

Serendipity sang its sweet song this week, and after getting footage for a small video project, we kept the good times rollin' with the man who shot it - Jason Bosch of Red Stallion Media. In addition to his highly-respected brand, Jason's been doing an increasing amount of video work for the brewery, so naturally we go deep on his path into videography, discuss the "ideal" relationship of video with both breweries and podcasts, and the ever-frequent paradigm shifts the field continues to experience.
In addition to a lively discussion of Jnco Jeans, Soap Shoes, and interpersonal nuances within the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we also take a healthy dunk into the world of stand-up comedy. As the first (second?) guest on the podcast to have gotten on a stage in front of strangers with the explicit purpose of telling jokes - there is A LOT to talk about. This is particularly true with Jason, a dude who worked alone so much that any social interaction became an anxiety bomb, and his relationship with comedy was surprisingly inspiring.
This was a true flash dance of a conversation, and the joy it shot into the guys was a warmly-received reminder that some of the best things happen with the least amount of planning...... ............. ................ Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

#98: Greatest Hits Vol. 1 May 06, 2021

Show notes

Having now done this podcast for nearly two full years, the idea of a “highlight” episode has come up here and there, if nothing else to celebrate the plethora of interesting, inspiring, and funny conversations we’ve been privileged to have over that span. Well, the procrastination finally wore down, and after many, many, many hours of slapping it all together — here is, available NOW on all platforms... GRAINING IN GREATEST: HITS vol. #1.
In seriousness, thank you so much for coming on this ride with us. Wouldn’t be doing it without the #GrainGang in the co-pilots chair. But just know - there’s a lot of road left ahead. ONWARD!
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Music: “Mountain Climb” by Jake Hill

#97: Jamaal Lemon | Writer Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

Thanks to a serendipitous crossing of paths, this week the podcast welcomes writer Jamaal Lemon! Matty heard Jamaal speaking in a a Clubhouse chat a few months back and his vibe sense immediate started tingling. After doing a little digging, it became clear the man was a lot more than a natural speaker; in addition to being a contributor to multiple beer-focused media (Good Beer Hunting, CraftBeer.com), Jamaal also wrote the award-winning piece, "Mutated Axieties - Living and Parenting While Black in the Face of Law Enforcement and COVID-19".
Despite his increasingly-weighty presence in the beer industry, Jamaal maintains a refreshingly simple approach to being a minority in the industry he's fallen in love with. By the end of our wide-ranging conversation, you'll be hard pressed to not have a renewed faith in the notion that most of the world's problems can be solved over a few pints. .............
..................... ..................................................................... ........................................................................................................ Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

#96: Late Night Hype Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

Let's get it out of the way - this is an episode for the ages; an MP3 file you one day will very likely tell your grandchildren about hearing; 66 minutes that we would absolutely turn into an NFT if we knew how.
We talk about Noah's current ride on the "his own beer" train, single hopped IPAs, Substance variants (including one that will see oak), and a handful of other juicy topics. But MOST importantly, we talk about oaths, word being bond, and the beautiful auditory by-products that come from that kind of commitment if you name happens to be Matt Robinson and the Grain Gang is involved.
In short, listen to this chunk of audio history before it gets scooped up and locked away by the Library of Congress. You'll be glad you did. .............................. ............................... ...................................................... Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

#95: Ben Hulse | Northern Monk Apr 12, 2021

Show notes

Graining In has finally gone (virtually) international with the guys catching up with Ben Hulse, production manager at Northern Monk Brew Co. in Leeds, ENGLAND!
Noah first met Ben when the Northern Monk crew played the role of boundlessly patient tour guide for BBB on their first trip to the UK. A year-and-a-half later, when Bissell Brothers had the true privilege of hosting Ben (as well as putting him to work) for three weeks via NMBCo's brewery "exchange" program. We get into the goals behind that concept and why BBB still needs to uphold their end of the deal; How the COVID-19 experience has been for breweries in the UK and why a proposed "Pandemic Vacation" had to be scrapped; The dualistic nature that currently defines the country's beer culture as the staunch tradition of Real Ale and the new wave of heavily American-influenced beer figure out their respective roles; Northern Monk's aggressively measured expansions, fancy new BrauKon, and presence in grocery chains, PLUS a helluva lot more.
OH! - and Liverpool FC (both Ben and Noah's favorite soccer/football team) FINALLY makes its far overdue debut on the podcast.
Bissell Brothers felt an immense kinship with Northern Monk since first contact, and that relationship has only grown since. People like Ben are exactly why their brewery is so adored by BBB and is a great reminder (for Noah, anyway) that sometimes this industry ain't so bad after all ;-) ........ .................................... ............................................ ........... Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

#94: James Massey | Two Tides Brewing Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

Almost exactly a year later, we once again found our way into a Zoom conversation with a Georgia brewer. This time around, it was former accountant James Massey who, with his wife Liz, has owned and operated Savannah's Two Tides. We were introduced to Two Tides through the fandom of BBB employee Nate Travis, who used to live in Savannah and frequent the brewery. So we begin the conversation by separating rosy second-hand memories from reality (turns out they're one in the same) and getting into Two Tides location - a 100-year old house, the downstairs of which is now occupied by the brewery's production equipment while the second floor contains their tasting room. We also learn about Georgia's EXTREMELY prohibitive and antiquated brewing laws, which explain why Savannah (somehow) is home to only six breweries while Charleston, SC - a comparative coastal city merely two hours away - claims about thirty. We also get into Two Tide's beers, particularly two styles that has never before been broached on the podcast: BEER SLUSHIES and MULLED STOUT. Finally, the old and new combine for James in yet another genre-expanding edition of The Three Bay.

#93: Trevor Stone | Mentation Cannabis Mar 28, 2021

Show notes

This week finds the us in the nicest basement in Maine to talk to the a fantastic strain of human, Trevor Stone! We know Trevor through his role as head of catering/events at High Roller Lobster Co., but this conversation is far more land-based than sea, as Trevor is on the cusp of entering Maine's medical marijuana retail world with his brand, Mentation Cannabis. Growing as a fully-registered caregiver for the last decade, Trevor sherpas us through a dive hard into the hop cone's most formidable cousin. We get into Trevor's start as a grower; the (literally) endless factors that foster success or failure in a growing cycle; Maine's current location within the country's legalization spectrum; the wild world of concentrates; and why you should be rooting for the mom and pops in the cannabis industry, whether you smoke or not. A number of similarities became apparent between home brewing and home growing in our conversation, and Trevor's passion and knowledge was nothing short of infectious. But if a globe-trotting lobster roll slinger with a golden green thumb isn't enough from you, maybe a former touring hardcore drummer is. LISTEN NOW! ....... .............................. ................................................ ................................. ......................Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

#92: Alex Kidd | Don’t Drink Beers (REPOSTED) Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Even amidst the utopian fields of golden barley the #GrainGang calls home, life still happens and the recording schedge sadly didn’t work out this week. SO, we combed through the annals and dusted off one of our all-favorites - a conversation with comedian, wordsmith, barrister, TikTok megastar, and small dog enthusiast, Alex Kidd of DontDrinkBeers and Malt Couture! Recorded almost exactly a year ago, when the country was merely in the courting stage of both Zoom and COVID, the laughs are still just as loud today. Do yourself the favor of (re)listening to the smartest man in beer seriously lower himself to the Grain Gang level. Best case, you’ve got a good laugh; worst case, you’ll end up as “that guy” in a local improv class. ...... ........... ........... ............. Music: “Mountain Climb” by Jake Hill

#91: Where Were We? Mar 14, 2021

Show notes

With no Grain Guest(s), Matty and Noah are left to enjoy each other's company. Updates on the 2021 Podcast Review Campaign are provided, with Noah making a shameful confession while Matty doubles down for the cause (and possibly begins looking for a humble entry back into the rap game). With COVID vaccines flyin' off the shelf and a plan in place for Maine's transition back to "normalcy", Matty is chomping at the bit to be back in the taproom and discusses the momentum he hopes to ride right to the draft lines. Noah's Spring is much more focused on BBB's Portland expansion and discusses what those changes will bring, from clean foeder beer to packaged pilots to a single hop program. The high vibes are capped off with a *traditional* Three Bay revolving around what is arguably the season's greatest gift of all: Spring Training.

#90: Zach Page & Nick Bonadies | Belleflower Beer Mar 07, 2021

Show notes

The Apology Tour merges with Parts Unknown as we talk with former guest/victim Zach Page and his partner Nick Bonadies, co-owners of Portland's newest brewery, Belleflower! After getting to know each other during the genesis stages of Trillium, a brewery both went on to mold impressive careers within. Nearly a decade and a few jobs later, Nick got wind of a turnkey brewery for sale, immediately called Zach to make a life-altering proposition, and here we are.
We get into their formative experiences at Trillium; opening during a pandemic; the roles the guys' wives (and co-owners) have at the Belleflower and the company's intrinsic ties to family; the challenges and opportunities of opening. a brewery within a city, state, and even country with such high breweries-per-capita; Belleflower's approach to beer, why there's so much room left in to explore in IPA, and how Porter can be made cool again; and why Nick once told he and Zach's boss (and former guest) JC Tetreault to go "Fuck yourself".
Lastly, we chart new territory with a SIX Bay about what Belleflower could have been called, and Zach and Nick simply shatter even the wildest of expectations. This conversation just has it all - nostalgia, intrigue, speculation, folklore - and it was an absolute pleasure to catch up with two righteous dudes on the very precipice of doing what every single homebrewer has dreamed of achieving. .............................. ..................................................... ........................................................................................... ............. Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

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