Beer with Strangers Episode 33

This week, Kickstarting the beer revolution. In the first of a Kickstarter two-parter, we discuss a brewery's campaign to begin canning, robots that serve beer and the awesomeness that is winning a home brew competition and brewing your homebrew on a massive scale.
We'll also hit some of this week's highlights in craft and home brewing.

Beer with Strangers Episode 31

This week we discuss the challenges and opportunities in brewing beer from pre-20th century recipes, New Belgium's foray into politics for better or worse, and, finally, the answer to who will be the next brewery to put out a Siracha Pale Ale...

If you're interested in participating in our Hangout on Air or you'd like to come in and share a beer with us, email me here, or message Tony on +State of the Beer. The show's Facebook page is Beer with Strangers and we're "@beerwstrangers" on Twitter.
Finally, and please, consider subscribing on iTunes or on YouTube (if you click the iTunes, your iTunes window will open. Don't be afraid).
If you are or know anyone who is interested in taking a brewing basics class (the class is free and lots of fun) have them reserve a space here. Taking a class is the best way to figure out whether homebrewing is for you. Many people take several before trying on their own at home.

 

Show links:

Episode 25: De-evolvolution

In this week's show we wonder, aloud and at length, about the ups and downs of a return to what used to be called and ordinary, or a tippling house. These were colonial taverns where a person who was willing to brew beer, distill spirits, and take in strangers could make a living. Shawn Hager (my cohost this week, pinch-hitting for Doug), talked about his desire for mid-priced restaurants to get into the craft beer game. A pizza place, for example, that had a house beer, or a diner, maybe. Which craft beer would go best with Salisbury steak is anyone's guess, but we're willing to find out.
The nature of the business means that a brewery often has to continue to grow to have success. Hell, the nature of business is that it has to grow to be successful, and the demand for craft beer is such that it's foolish for a quality brewer to not rise to meet the demand. But a world where, say, a nano brewer works for just one restaurant, isn't only believable and sustainable, but even likely.

Episode 12: Shawn Hager

Yes, Shawn is a bit of a hop head.

Shawn Hager is both guest and host this week. pinch hitting for the vacationing Doug. A regular at Xtreme Brewing, Shawn talks about how he got involved in home brewing and how he came to begin volunteering to help out. What makes Shawn's story particularly interesting is it demonstrates how quickly a committed person can go from noob to teacher. It takes time and practice, for sure, but loving beer doesn't hurt at all.
During the recipe development part of the discussion, Shawn got to brag on one of his new beers, a Citra-IPA, and talk about some of his challenges as a brewer.
There was plenty in the news to discuss, including the possibility, or, rather, likelihood of restaurant house beers. There was a time when pretty much every restaurant had its own house brew. The rise of the hyper-sophisticated home brewer could make that a real possibility. The profit margin on brewing your own beer is outrageously attractive.
On the other side, we spoke about beer apps. Founders produced its own app and announced it this week. For my part, I was suspicious of people having beer specific apps, Shawn felt a little differently. Apps or not, the industry is growing at a rate that won't let talk of bubble and crash die down much. There was a great story in the +Detroit Free Press about beer equilibrium.
If you're interested in being the next call-in guest on the show or you'd like to come in and share a beer with us, email me here, or message me on +State of the Beer. The show's Facebook page is Beer with Strangers and we're "@beerwstrangers" on Twitter.
Finally, and please, consider subscribing on iTunes'cause that way Apple will remind you to listen (your iTunes window will open, don't be afraid).
If you are or know anyone who is interested in taking a brewing basics class (the class is free and lots of fun) have them reserve a space here. Taking a class is the best way to figure out whether homebrewing is for you. Many people take several before trying on their own at home.