Episode 292 - Brian Strumke, Stillwater Artisanal Ales, checks back in

November 16, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Happy Monday, Thieves! Yet another familiar face…err, voice, joins us this week. We dial up the West Coast to check in with Brian Strumke of Stillwater Artisanal Ales. Brian relocated from the East Coast to Seattle a couple years ago and we haven’t heard much from him in a minute. We talk about how Stillwater is surviving the pandemic, why he had to get out of a hi-rise in downtown Seattle, and what his latest companion, a tiny black dog, means to his life these days. Fun talk that is cut short by some breaking news and partying in Justin’s neighborhood. Tune in and let us know what you think!

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at stealthisbeerpodcast@gmail.com. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!! Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 291 - Mike Fava, Oxbow Brewing, is Back

November 9, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 291 - Mike Fava, Oxbow Brewing, is Back

Happy Monday, Thieves! We’re back this week with an old friend. Mike Fava was first on the show back in 2016 and we decided it was high time to check in with him again to see what’s happening during these times at Oxbow Brewing. We talk about patience and taking time with beer, discuss saisons and lagers, and get into some really cool tasting notes on some hybrid drinks from Mike’s neck of the woods (hint hint: house yeast, peaches, and kombucha). Tune in and let us know what you think!

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Episode 290 - Andrew Schwartz, Modern Times Beer

November 2, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 290 - Andrew Schwartz, Modern Times Beer

Happy Monday, Thieves! It was still early in the morning when we dialed up Andrew Schwartz, the "Commissioner of Flavor" for Modern Times Beer. Despite knowing little about the show, he was a good sport in playing along with the black glass and we quickly got into ingredients, including lactose, something the brewery doesn’t use because it only produces vegan beers.

From his official bio: “As Commissioner of Flavor, Andrew heads up Modern Times’ recipe development and barrel aging. He is intimately involved in the raw ingredient process at Modern Times including malt selection, hop selection and fruit and nut procurement. He has worked with barrels, cider, coffee and spearheads Modern Times' worldwide collaborations. In 2017, Modern Times became the first brewery in California to become employee-owned, with 30% of shares now held in common by the company’s staff, with the eventual goal of 100% employee-ownership. Modern Times is driven by its values of quality, collaboration, dankness, business ethics, and continuous innovation.”

Justin was off this week, but Casse was alive and well playing both engineer and producer roles and is really gunning hard for that employee of the year award.

Listen in and let us know what you think.

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Episode 289 - Zack Adams, Fox Farm Brewery

October 26, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 289 - Zack Adams, Fox Farm Brewery

Happy Monday, Thieves! We fired up the 'ol Zoom machine for another week and brought in Zack Adams the founder and brewer at Fox Farm Brewery in Salem, CT. It's a brewery that over the last four years has garnered acclaim for its variety of beers. One of the features of the family's farm is the coolship he installed at the start, but he's still waiting to release the beers, something we go deep into on this show. From the beers he likes to make to how he knows when they'll be ready, we also talk about the grapes his wife is growing on the farm. As a bonus, Justin picked out some beers and sent them to Zach to taste blind as well. We had some clues as to what they beers might be thanks to can designs and misplaced electrical tape. Still, we had some time to get thoughtful with the contents of the black glass. Also. Rauchbier. Listen in and let us know what you think.

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Episode 288 - Anthony Totten & Basil Lee, Finback Brewery

October 19, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 288 - Anthony Totten & Basil Lee, Finback Brewery

Happy Monday, Thieves! We've talked to a few breweries over the course of covid who are doing open-source, collaborative projects for the greater good. One of the latest is in our very own backyard. Finback Brewery, based in Queens and, as of late, Brooklyn, have a new initiative called BREATHING : CONVERSATIONS. We sit down with Anthony Totten, the impetus behind the series, and Basil Lee, one of the founders of Finback, to discuss the project. We also talk about their recent expansion into Brooklyn and their decision to buy a farm in the middle of a pandemic. Crazy, right?! Listen in and let us know what you think.

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Episode 287 - Amit Ram, Zeus Brewing

October 12, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 287 - Amit Ram, Zeus Brewing

Happy Monday, Thieves! We’ve got our old friend Amit Ram back in the B-Rizzle Mobile Zoom Studios this week talking about his newest venture in the Hudson Valley, Zeus Brewing in the town of Poughkeepsie. Zeus opened just before the pandemic hit and has stayed afloat on Amit’s legit lagers and ales. It’s a gorgeous space that doesn’t look like something you might typically find in Poughkeepsie (especially the rooftop biergarten overlooking the Hudson). It’s always fun catching up with Amit.

We also pay tribute to our good friend Os Cruz, who passed away last week. RIP Os. Your warmth and generosity were one of a kind.

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Episode 286 - Niko Tonks, Fair State Brewing Coop

October 5, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 286 - Niko Tonks, Fair State Brewing Coop

Happy Monday, Thieves! There's a lot of beery ground covered in this week's show. We're joined via phone by Niko Tonks, head brewer and co-founder at Fair State Brewing Coop in Minneapolis. He previously brewed at Live Oak Brewing in Austin under Chip McElroy. He talks about rauchbiers that he has known and loved, we go deep on lobster vending machines and then get into recipe development. Most importantly, however, is the recent change to the company where Tonks and the other co-owners have helped employees unionize. It is just another step in the evolution of the company, he tells us, and he makes the case for how workers can be treated better in the brewing industry and why that's also a good thing for consumers. Listen in and let us know what you think.

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Episode 285 - Matt Brynildson, Firestone Walker Brewing

September 28, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 285 - Matt Brynildson, Firestone Walker Brewing

Happy Monday, Thieves! It's a special episode today as we get deep into hops with Matt Brynildson, the brewmaster of Firestone Walker Brewing Co. He's just back from a year in Belgium where he studied, experimented, and brewed throughout the Duvel Moortgat breweries. In this conversation he talked about how the brewery has grown and changed, what is in store for fan favorites like Luponic Distortion and Mind Haze, and some of the hops he's jazzed about brewing with this fall. Plus, he received beers from Justin's super fancy bodega and tasted along blind with Augie and John. Tune in and let us know what you think!

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Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 284 - Brandon Hernández, San Diego Beer News

September 21, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 284 - Brandon Hernández, San Diego Beer News

Happy Monday, Thieves! San Diego is one of the country's most vibrant, diverse, and exciting beer scenes. It's a beery ecosystem that deserves careful attention and thoughtful news coverage. This week we're talking with Brandon Hernández, the founder and editor of San Diego Beer News, a site he launched earlier this year. He's not new to the beer journalism scene, however. He's been chronicling the city's beer doings for more than a decade. His insight and work ethic are unmatched in the area and we were glad for a chance to find out about brewers he is watching, get updates on old favorites, and to bust out lines from Anchorman. From charitable efforts to his time spent working at breweries, Brandon gives us a great education on southern California. Tune in and let us know what you think!

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Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 283 - September 2020 Mail Bag in Quarantine

September 14, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 283 - September 2020 Mail Bag in Quarantine

Happy Monday, Thieves! We're back on the Zoom this week, but it's just the four of us today. We have a fun time catching up with each other and hearing about some good and not so good things going on in industry these days. For the blind, Justin mined his local bodega for two new-to-NYC classics. Intrigued? Tune in and hear all about it. Also: make sure you send us notes on who you think we should have on the show coming up. Email: StealThisBeerPodcast@gmail.com

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Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 282 - Evan Watson is Back for a Plan Bee Covid Episode

September 7, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 282 - Evan Watson is Back for a Plan Bee Covid Episode

Happy Labor Day, Thieves! These last days of summer have some of us feeling restless. The show is a little different this week with Augie breaking out of his house and headed north to visit our old pal Evan Watson of Plan Bee Farm Brewery. Still, social distancing is important so they stayed apart and called into Zoom from the same location. John Holl and Justin Kennedy needed a break so they sat this one out. Casse was left in control of the Zoom controls and handled the keyboard and high speed internet connection like a pro. We're back into our game of zoom squares from our various locations next week, with a great lineup of guests. But make sure you send us notes on who you think we should have on the show. Email: StealThisBeerPodcast@gmail.com Hope you're enjoying a day of rest and relaxation.

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Episode 281 - John Laffler, Off Color Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

August 31, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 281 - John Laffler, Off Color Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! As we continue doing remote shows during COVID-19 we keep hearing about how the pandemic is impacting different breweries in different ways. This week John Laffler of Off Color Brewing joins the show from Chicago and talks about the last few months.

Things aren't always great he tells us and some of the creative juices he's had in the past are hard to get flowing. Still, there is work to be done and so he soldiers on.

As per usual audio problems abound, Casse is nowhere to be found and Holl is breaking in a new wing on his fourth vacation house. But, we have beers and Laffler is tasting along with us as well. So, all in all it's a winner of a show.

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You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 280 - Jeremy Danner, 4 Hands Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

August 24, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 280 - Jeremy Danner, 4 Hands Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! We have a fun show for you today with Jeremy Danner of 4 Hands Brewing. Jeremy’s a big fan of Kansas City (where he lives) and is known to get in Twitter scuffles from time to time. He also loves drinking beer and hard seltzer in his driveway pool (pictured here). Needless to say, he’s a fun time. Tune in and let us know what you think!

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You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 279 - Jude La Rose, Hop Butcher for the World (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

August 17, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 278 - Jude La Rose, Hop Butcher for the World (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday Thieves! We’v got a great show with you today with our pal Jude from Hop Butcher for the World. a hop-centric nomadic brewery in suburban Chicago. We have a great chat about—what else?—hops and Augie and Jude put together a hypothetical collaboration beer that sounds a little…. bizarro? (Smoked Italo Pils, anyone?) We had a blast chatting with Jude and hope you enjoy listening to it, too.

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You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 278 - Chris Lohring, Notch Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

August 10, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 278 - Chris Lohring, Notch Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! Our writer streak comes to an end this week as we welcome Chris Lohring of Salem, Mass.'s Notch Brewing to the B-Rizzle Virtual Zoom Studios. It's no secret that we're all big fans of lagers and low-abv beers, and that happens to be exactly what Chris does. We dive deep into the labor-intensive work of brewing lagerbier and doing things the hard way, which eventually leads to a half-hour discussion of pitch beers. Don't know what "pitch" is? Tune in and we'll clarify it for you. We're drooling just thinking about it...

For the black glasses, the USPS let us down again once more and Augie's beer shipment was delayed by a day. So Holl's drinking solo yet again this week. He didn’t seem to mind.

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You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 277 - Carla Jean Lauter, beer writer (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

August 3, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 277 - Carla Jean Lauter, beer writer (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! Our writer streak continues this week as we head to Maine and talk with Carla Jean Lauter, a blogger and newspaper columnist who covers the Pine Tree State. In her writing, Carla profiles craft beer being brewed in Maine, as well as looks into the people, places and stories behind the beer that makes the Maine craft beer community so vibrant. A tireless advocate for the beer industry, Carla provides thoughtful observations and commentary aim to build an inclusive beer culture and help breweries identify gaps in reaching more customers. From filling us in on the latest news, how the scene has evolved, and showing off what is to come, we went deep on this episode. Carla also picked the beers this week and because of a postal snafu only Holl was able to taste in real time. Things quickly, delightfully, go out of hand. Tune in and let us know what you think!

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You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 276 - Tom Acitelli, author of PILSNER

July 27, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 276 - Tom Acitelli, author of PILSNER

Happy Monday, Thieves! We have our friend Tom Acitelli joining us this week in the B-Rizzle Mobile Studios to talk about his upcoming book, PILSNER. If you know us, you know we’re terribly excited about lagers these days, and pilsners in particular. So it was a pleasure to welcome Tom to talk about the history of one of our favorite beer styles. Justin once again supplied the blind beers this week, one of which was a major hit and the other… not so much. (Spoiler Alert: neither were pils.) Tune in now and let us know what you think!

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You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 275 - Don Tse, Beer Writer (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

July 20, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 275 - Don Tse, Beer Writer (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! We have a fun show for you today with our friend, the beer writer Don Tse. Don lives in Alberta, Canada, and recently joined us in the B-Rizzle Zoom Studios for a good chat about malt, Canadian beers, and surviving Covid in a very different country. Don even got to join us in tasting the second blind beer on the show…. sort of. Tune in and you’ll see what we mean. Do it up and let us know what you think!

You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 274 - Noah Bissell, Bissell Brothers Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

July 13, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 274 - Noah Bissell, Bissell Brothers Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

**Want to support us? We have launched a PATREON Page. Click here to let us know you care!**

You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 273 - Jonathan Moxey, Rockwell Beer Co. (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

July 6, 2020 Justin Kennedy

Episode 273 - Jonathan Moxey, Rockwell Beer Co. (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! John Holl is still angry. Augie Carton is exhausted from a bike ride. Brian Casse is (likely, your honor, stoned) and Justin Kennedy is just happy to watch this world burn. Thankfully we have Jonathan Moxey here to calm our nerves, massage our muscles, offer a DD ride home, and to offer some fatherly sage advice. Moxey is a veteran of the NYC beer scene who moved back home to the midwest and worked for a few well-known breweries before starting up Rockwell Beer Co., which is doing it's level best to make the most of a pandemic through IPAs, lagers, and more. He helped us get back into our groove and we're forever grateful. Tune in and let us know what you think!

**Want to support us? We have launched a PATREON Page. Click here to let us know you care!**

You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.