BeerMenus Blog

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 100

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:36:07 -0500

Beer Sessions has done it! 100 Episodes! On this milestone episode of Beer Sessions Radio (TM) host Jimmy Carbone welcomes a huge gang to the Roberta’s studio. From the trio of Joe, Eric, and Vaughan of the new Montauk Brewing Co. to Patrick Donagher of GetRealNY, to Lina Kulchinsky of the delicious Sigmund’s Pretzels, and show regular Chris Cuzme, this episode is literally packed with good beer and good food. Tune in for talks and tastes from around New York, the city where the show started started, test your beer IQ with some GreatBrewers trivia, and learn about the basics for pairing your beers (pretzels are an excellent choice!). Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 99

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:23:35 -0500

This week Beer Sessions Radio (TM) takes a trip to the North Pole, or at least Alaska, with Jason Bullen of 49th State Brewing who describes what it’s like running a super small brewery way up north. Next, Tony Forder of Ale Street News and Andrea Stanley of Valley Malt join the conversation to talk about malt varieties, the importance of water in beer, and beer trends. Is Belgian beer over the hill? How big of a production system should beer startups use? How in the heck do you ship beer supplies to Alaska? All this and more are answered on this episode of Beer Sessions Radio. Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 98

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:17:46 -0500

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy Carbone welcomes back co-host Jen Schwertman and sits down to chat with Kelly Taylor of Heartland Brewery. They talk about the current state of brew pubs and what’s going on right now with Heartland Brewery. Later in the show, Chad Roberts from Snipes Mountain Brewery in Sunnyside, Washington calls in to join the conversation and tell listeners about brewing in the Yakima Valley. Finally, Anderson Hill of 508 Gastropub talks about his establishment and what it takes to run a small brew pub in New York. Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 97

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:20:55 -0500

This week on Beer Sessions Radio (TM) get ready to take a walk down Homebrew Alley and learn all about the great homebrew clubs in New York. Then listen in as Jason Baldacci of Bluebird calls in to fill us in on beer trends in Chicago. Later on, Emily Garland of Tapped Craft Brewing Events and Sonya Giacobbe of Kelso Brewery talk about how they are trying to get more women inpsired into the craft brewing scene with their Women In Beer event. Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 96

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:24:41 -0500

This week on Beer Sessions Radio (TM) host Jimmy Carbone brings you the guys who are making craft beer big in the Bronx: Chris Gallant and Damien Brown of Bronx Brewery. Along with Tony Forder of Ale Street News and Jeff Cioletti of Beverage World Magazine, the gang talks about the importance of malt and malt profile— from Breiss to Weyermann— and why the malt blend in beer is so essential, especially in these times when people are favoring hop-heavy beers. Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 95

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:24:14 -0500

This week on Beer Sessions Radio it’s all about Vermont beers. Joining host Jimmy Carbone in the studio is Jay Steinhauer of American Beer and Todd Hardie of Caledonia Spirits. They talk about the rise of Vermont as a state that has become dominant in the craft beer world by being home to breweries such as Lawson’s Finest, Shelton Brothers, Captain Lawrence, and McNeill’s, all of whom are putting out award winning beers. Tune in as the Vermont brewmaster himself, Sam McNeill, calls in to talk about his very careful research and development in crafting his beers as well as enlightening us to what exactly a decoction mash is. Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 94

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:23:00 -0500

This week on Beer Sessions Radio (TM) there’s a battle going on between Belgian beers made in the homeland and American-style Belgians. Tune in as guests B.R. Rolya from Shelton Brothers as well as Greg Curley and Chris Genua from Double Windsor debate what are some of the best brews coming from both areas. Later on Scotland’s own Bruce Williams of Williams Brother’s Brewery talks all about Scottish beer and why he wants a cask-beer accreditation system in place in the US for bars. Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 93

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:07:24 -0500

This week on Beer Session Radio, Jimmy & Jen are joined by the guys of Peekskill Brewery in the Hudson Valley. Jeff “The Chief” O’Neil, Sean Corcoran & Keith Berardi. Learn more about their American craft brewery and some of the interesting beers they have introduced to the market including the popular Zeitgeist Berliner Weisse. Also hear from Chuck Silva of Green Flash Brewing in San Diego as he explains the story of his brewery. What does it take to be a professional brewer? Tune in and find out! Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 92

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:34:38 -0500

This week on Beer Sessions Radio it’s all about Japanese beers and sakes. Joined by a venerable panel of Japanese culture and sake experts, including importer George Kao, Philip Gilmour of Momo Sushi Shack, and Kaori Eda, this episode uncovers the rich history of this Japanese rice spirit, from the traditional brewing and fermenting techniques, the different types rice species, and some of the best sake breweries and bars. Learn what exactly makes a premium sake “premium”, how to properly serve a warm sake, and how developing a sake palate is like developing a musical palate— if you don’t like it at first, you probably just haven’t tried the right one! Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 91

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:36:38 -0500

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Garret Oliver returns and he’s got Italian beers on his mind. Tune in to learn about the beer scene in Italy and find out how their food friendly beers fare against their global counterparts. Later on the show, Gabe Fletcher of Anchorage Brewing Company calls in to talk about his hard-to find beers and Alaska based brewery. Also hear from Seth Wright, of Beer Nation Show. Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 90

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:58:16 -0500

Beer Sessions gets into the holiday spirit by breaking into some vintage beers, including beers from friend and late co-host, Ray Deter’s collection. Joined by Tom Peters (Monk’s Cafe), Mike Battaglia (Total Beverage Solutions), and Ed Berestecki (Mugs Ale House), Jimmy Carbone breaks into old school Thomas Hardy, Traquarhouse and George Gale beers. Later on the show, a friend from across the pond calls in; Jon Bexon, head brewer at Green King Brewers in Suffolk, England whose “Old Crafty Hen” won the 2010 Grande Monde Medal. The group talks vintaging techniques, blending and aging, and the criteria for a good session beer. Listen to the show here

8 Beers To Drink This Thanksgiving Weekend

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:52:29 -0500

Many thanks to Andrew Shen, of Business Insider, for this article: Beers That Are Perfect For Your Thanksgiving Weekend. Happy holidays!

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 89

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:22:47 -0500

Today marks Belgium’s King’s Day holiday and Beer Sessions Radio celebrates the country and it’s beer accordingly with it a Coast 2 Coast Toast with Wendy Littlefield and Don Feinberg of Vanberg & DeWulf, the premier Belgian importers. They talk about bringing Belgium beer, such as the Saison, back from near extinction as well importing Duvel, lambics, and trappist beers But first, the couple behind Brooklyn Brew Shop, Erica Shea and Stephen Valand, join in at the studio to explain how they came up with their book The Beer Making Book, which contains over 52 different varieties of DIY small batch brews anyone can make in the comfort of their home or even small apartment. Tune in later as Lew Bryson calls in to share his Belgian beer stories from back in the day. Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 88

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:51:57 -0500

This week on Beer Sessions Radio (TM) the studio is packed with Blind Tiger regulars Dave Brodrick and Jen Schwertman. The gang welcomes the British Invasion of Alex Hall and Chris Post who hail from England but are owners and brewmasters of the Western Massachussetts brewery, Wandering Star Brewing. Chris Cuzme, also of Wandering Star, who is the head of the New York City Homebrewers Guild joins the conversation as well. Learn about the beginnings of both institutions as well as leveling up your beer geek cred as the gang comes of up with beer words that you’ve probably never heard of (hint: think zymurgy and Pediococcus). Learn about how one moves from the world of home to craft brewing and how sometimes starting your own outfit is as easy as buying it off eBay! Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 87

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:00:05 -0400

This week on Beer Sessions Radio (TM), Jimmy is joined by co-host Jen Schwerman and a lively group of guests including Eric Steen, Joshua M Bernstein, Kenny Landin, Janine Bennett & Brandon Moore. Tune in for a discussion on everything from pub culture to home brewing and learn more about how art and beer are connected, what to expect from Crossroads Brewing, why you should buy Brewed Awakening, and how American Beer Distribution helps bring you your favorite craft beers. Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 86

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:42:29 -0400

This week on Beer Sessions Radio (TM) the gang starts off strong with guests Emily and Matt Garland of Tapped Craft Beer Events and John Kleinchester of Beertography join Jimmy and special co-host Dave Brodrick. From spreading the gospel of craft brewing to beer photographs, this episode will have you reaching for another one. Tune later for tastings from Clown Shoes Beer as well as the lowdown on Massachussets beer seen from Gregg Berman. Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 85

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:55:02 -0400

his week on Beer Sessions Radio (TM), Jimmy Carbone celebrates Cider Week! Tune in as he talks to cider expert Christian Drouin , Greg Hall of Virtue Cider and Steve Wood of Farnum Hill Ciders. Learn more about varieties, production and what it takes to turn apples to delicious cider. Fall is the perfect season for cider, so tune in and learn everything you need to know to appreciate one of the best beverages on the market right now! Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 84

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:54:05 -0400

This week Beer Sessions Radio host it’s very fist beer tasting Tweetup. Join Jimmy Carbone and returning guest Tony Fordner of Ale Street News as well as Tim Besecker of PrivateTap.com, and Paul Dlugokencky of Blind Bat Brewery. Tony fills us in on the goings on at the Great American Beer Festival while Paul tells us how he managed to get a commercial beer license to run a brewery out of his garage. Later on in the show Jimmy and Joey Redner, founder, and Wayne Wambles, head brewer, of Cigar City Brewing take your questions on Twitter from hop profiles to cigar-beer pairings. Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 83

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:45:38 -0400

This week on Beer Sessions Radio Jimmy and company, homebrewer John LaPolla and Mary Izett of Ale Street News, get to the heart of homebrewing. From the best places to get homebrew supplies, to beer-making classes, to communal places to ferment your brews, they’ve got you covered. Tune in as Ben Brenlin and Elliot Ryan of Latona Pub in Seattle call in to talk about how they’ve kept fire for over 25 years and the beer renaissance that is happening not only there but across the country. Later on Rosemary Raposo of The Village Voice gives you the scoop on the 1st annual Brooklyn Pour craft beer event. Listen to the show here

Beer Sessions Radio (TM): Episode 82

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:37:22 -0400

This week on Beer Sessions Radio (TM) marks a special landmark in beer literature: the launch of Garret Oliver’s Oxford Companion to Beer. To supplement the celebration Horst Dornbusch, also a contributor to The Companion, Jen Schwertman (Blind Tiger), Peter Kennedy (SimplyBeer.com), and Christian DeBenedetti (beer author) join the conversation. They talk about other essential beer reads, from homebrewing classics such as Charlie Papazian and Michael Jackson to Christian’s new book The Great American Ale Trail. Later on in the shows Rob Tod from Allagash Brewery calls in to join the revelry and to about how craft brewers deal with expansion and the science behind beer microbes. Tune for a special listing of NYC Craft Beer Events and where you can catch all your favorite brewers! Listen to the show here