Beervana Podcast

In today's pod, we discuss the hop harvest season, a major acquisition in Europe, and unexpected acquisition in America, and an expected acquisition that didn't happen. All that plus the announcement of a new sponsor--pFriem Family Brewers.

Gigantic Brewing's Van Havig joins Patrick and Jeff in episode 84. Van is one of the most transparent brewers in beer, and he offers his unvarnished opinions about Vienna malt, brewing kölsch, running a business, hoppy beers and more. Warning: salty language herein! PHOTO: Jon Urch/Drinking Classes

In this episode, we are joined by Japanese beer expert Red Gillen and cidermaker Nat West to discuss the blossoming world of craft beer and cider in Japan. We discuss the history and development of these beverages, explore Japanese drinking culture, and taste some of the beer and cider Nat brought back from a festival he attended.

Pity the poor pale ale, once the king of craft styles. Since IPAs supplanted pales in 2011, they have fallen further and further from the center of the beery discussion--but they remain one of the very best expressions of American brewing. In today's episode, we explore the history, brewing techniques, and evolution of the humble pale ale. Long live the king! Photo source: Kegerator.com

Over the past month, Patrick and Jeff have been rambling around the country on a vacation. In today's episode, they tell us about the delights they found, including a secluded little brewery in the Maine woods that should be on every beer fan's bucket list.

We conclude our tour with one of the most interesting people in beer: Paul Arney of Ale Apothecary. Paul's approach is incredibly hands-on, with a focus on wood (even the mash tun is wooden!). Paul tells his story, from how he got from Deschutes Brewery to a garage in the Deschutes National Forest.

In part four of our visit to Bend, Oregon, we talk to one of the more interesting and unique characters in Bend brewing, Tony Lawrence of Boneyard. Tony has a long history in brewing but got his start in the kitchen at Deschutes decades ago. From his hands on approach to building a brewery from the discarded parts of others (from their 'boneyards'), to the relatively unique situation of selling almost all their been in kegs, Tony's story and brewery is a must listen.

In part three of our visit to Bend, Oregon, we talk to a living legend in Brewing--Larry Sidor. Larry has been brewing beer since 1973 (!), when he worked for Olympia Brewing. He has had an incredible career, but far from resting on his laurels, he's in the midst of his latest project at Crux Fermentation Project, where he's doing some very interesting things. We taste one product of his experiments on the pod.

In the first of our spotlight interviews, we speak with the OG of Bend beer, Gary Fish--founder of Deschutes Brewery back in 1988. Gary talks about what it was like to get started, how the brewing industry has changed, and where things are headed. Lots of fantastic anecdotes, including the one rule employees couldn't break back in the early days.

Patrick and Jeff recently made a trip to Bend, Oregon on one of their periodic explorations to beery cities. With a population of just 100,000, Bend punches way above its weight with two dozen breweries. Patrick and Jeff give an overview of this small city and what makes it tick.

When Firestone Walker started out more than two decades ago, it had an uber-traditional English brewing system and a slate of English-style ales. Over the years, it has changed, becoming one of the most decorated--and successful--American craft breweries. In this episode, we speak to founder David Walker about what makes the brewery tick. Photo: Firestone Walker

Jeff recently traveled to Paso Robles, CA to attend the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest, one of the country's premier events. While he was there, Jeff interviewed six brewers in attendance. He wanted to hear their thoughts on the evolving nature of the beer festival. We have those interviews, and our own thoughts.

Today on the pod we have Alex Ganum in studio. Alex is the founder of Upright, which earlier this year celebrated its 10th anniversary. The brewery, known for its fidelity to European styles as well as mixed-fermentation, barrel-aged beers, is routinely cited as one of Oregon's best. We speak to Alex about his approach and taste some of his beer. PHOTO: Willamette Week

Dick Cantwell has been brewing for around three decades, and was one of three co-founders of Elysian Brewing in 1995. He was the lone dissenter when AB InBev offered to buy the company, and left thereafter. Recently he was part of a deal by New Belgium to buy San Francisco's Magnolia Brewing, where he plans to do spontaneous and barrel-aged beers, along with the cask ales the brewery has always made. In our podcast, Dick describes his time in craft brewing, and the lessons he's learned at his various stops. The interview is packed with the kind of wisdom only experience brings. Photo: Brewers Publications

As the weather starts to warm, our interests turn to summery offerings. One type that has gained popularity are lightly acidic sour beers, many times made with fruit. These beers are made from a particular method called kettle-souring. Today we’ll explore the technique and some of the beers. Photo: Breakside Brewery

We are in the midst of a haze craze in beer. But for Pacific Northwesterners, it's not the first. Starting in the 1980s and continuing for a decade, one style dominated brewing with pervasiveness not seen since. The style has almost entirely vanished, but Patrick and Jeff return to their youth to revisit hefeweizen's salad days. Photo credit: Oregon Hops and Brewing Archive (OSU)

Pod 69 - Mexican Lagers by Jeff Alworth & Patrick Emerson

In episode 68 we discuss Jeff's new book, The Widmer Way, with a little help from a very special guest--one of the brothers that was the subject of the book.

In the time since our last episode, four major events happened. Patrick and Jeff talk about these news items and discuss the ways they interact and inform one another. Plus, they reveal something new about the pod.

Jeff and Patrick interview J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham, a professor recently named the Brewers Associations Diversity Ambassador. Dr. J has been thinking about the intersection of power and beer since her dissertation, and brings rare insight and clarity the subject.