Craft Beer Radio

Last week Jeff went to Vintage Estates in Ohio the #2 ranked beer store on Rate Beer. Part of the booty was several beers from Two Brothers Brewing that is not available in Pennsylvania. We thought we sould do a brewery spotlight since we haven't had any of the beers from Two Brothers.

Beers:

• Domaine DuPage
• The Bitter End
• Cane & Ebel
• Northwind

Rankings:

• Jeff: 1. The Bitter End, 2. Domaine DuPage , 3. Northwind, 4. Cane & Ebel
• Greg: 1. Cane & Ebel, 2. Domaine DuPage , 3. The Bitter End, 4. Northwind

• Preshow - Hebrew - Messiah Bold
• Postshow

In this show we taste a handful of fruited beers. If you think that fruit beers are for wussies you need to listen in. We had some seriously good fruit beers on this show.

Beers:

• Abita Harvest Pecan
• Thirsty Dog Raspberry Ale
• Abita Harvest Strawberry Lager
• Founders Cherise
• Abita Satsuma Harvest Wit

Rankings:

• Jeff: 1. Cherise, 2. Strawberry, 3. Satsuma, 4. Raspberry, 5. Pecan
• Greg: 1. Cherise, 2. Strawberry, 3. Pecan, 4. Raspberry, 5. Satsuma

• Preshow - Unibroue Raftman
• Postshow

Just like the first time we crack open some Double IPAs. Bracingly Bitter, Pungent, and of course, Hoppy. Enjoy.

Beers:

• Mendocino Imperial IPA
• Karl Strauss Big Barrel Double IPA
• Great Divide 15th Anniversary Wood Aged
• Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA

Rankings:

• Jeff: 1. Great Divide, 2. Founders, 3. Karl Strauss, 4. Mendocino
• Greg: 1.Great Divide, 2. Karl Strauss, 3. Founders, 4. Mendocino

• Preshow - Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
• Postshow

Last week Shaun O' Sullivan was in Pittsburgh launching 21st Amendment beers. I went out with him to a few bars and we found some time to sit down and have a chat. We talk about Monks Blood, Craft Brewer Milestones, and Partner Brewing.

We taste several IPA's and discover some crazy flavors, Custard, Parmesean Cheese and Mustard Greens.

Beers:

• Rahr & Sons Stormcloud IPA
• Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA
• Saranac Rye IPA
• Victory Yakima Twilight
• Three Floyds Blackheart

Rankings:

• Jeff: 1. Storm Cloud, 2. Saranac, 3. Heavy Handed
• Greg: 1. Saranac, 2. Storm Cloud, 3. Heavy Handed
• The Victory was spoiled, and the Blackheart was too good and too out of style to rank with the others.

• Preshow - Rust Belt Rusted River Irish Red Ale
• Postshow

In this show, we taste some out-of-the ordinary lagers that will perk up your taste buds and perhaps open new eyes to the beauty of the lager style. Also features dick jokes.

Beers:

• Rahr & Sons - Blonde Lager
• Smaltz - Coney Island Albino Python
• Smaltz - Coney Island Sword Swallower
• Port Brewing - Hot Rocks Lager
• Heavy Seas - Prosit!

Rankings:

• Greg: 1. Hot Rocks, 2. Prost, 3. Albino Python, 4. Rahr and Sons, 5. Sword Swallower
• Jeff: 1. Hot Rocks, 2. Prost, 3. Albino Python, 4. Sword Swallower, 5. Rahr and Sons

• Preshow - Jeff's Hard Cider
• Postshow

The second law of CBR rears it's ugly head, The quality of the beers directly effects the hosts perceived quality of the show, and show and show. 76 minutes of pure gold. Oh yeah, we drink hoppy beers.

Beers:

• Karl Strauss To the 9's
• Three Floyds - Apocalypse Cow
• Weyerbacher India
• Troegs Scratch #18 Triple IPA

Rankings:

• Jeff: 1. Weyerbacher, 2. Karl Strauss, 3. Troegs, 4. Three Floyds
• Greg: 1. Weyerbacher, 2. Karl Strauss, 3. Troegs, 4. Three Floyds

• Preshow - Church Brewworks Millennium Trippel
• Postshow

Interview with Jeff Guidos from the now former Red Star Agave Grill

In our amazing 32nd episode of Beer Product Revue we find the best beer products that the internet has to offer.

• Amazing Beer Products

Chilly Twist

Bill from Marzoni's Brick Oven and Brewery took the time out of his day to meet with me. While he was difficult to interview , he's not the talkative type, we had a good talk especially after the recorder was off.

I stopped in State College to check out Otto's Pub and brewery. While there I cornered Charlie Schnabel the owner and brewer as we talk beer and cider too.

I stopped into check out a newer place called the Elk Creek Cafe and Ale Works in Millheim PA. The Brewer Tim Yarrington and I had a great talk about. I think Tim might be one of the most accomplished brewers that you have never heard of. I'm sad that I couldn't stay till the kitchen opened to try the local food. This place is tops on places I need to get back to.

Next stop on the PA brewery tour was Selinsgrove Brewing Company where I met with Heather McNabb. We chat about running a small brewery in an even smaller place. we also talk about local cheese and food.

Ok, so we weren't really in Belgium. Hell, most of the beers weren't even from Belgium. But it is spring time so we are 1 for 2. Cheers.

Beers:

• La Chouffe
• Troegs Scratch #22
• Unibroue Quatre-centième
• Flying Dog Raging Bitch
• Trippel de Ripple

Rankings:

• Jeff: 1. Troegs, 2. Unibroue, 3. Trippel, 4. La Chouffe, 5. Flying Dog
• Greg: 1. Unibroue, 2. La Chouffe, 3. Flying Dog, 4. Troegs, 5. Trippel

• Preshow
• Postshow

Last month Jeff toured Weyerbacher Brewing Company. Dan, Chris, and Chris were great hosts. It's a long show, we start off with an audio tour, followed by an interview and wrap up with a beer tasting. buckle up.

When you think spring you think Barley Wine right? So do we, join us while we try to stay sober and professional. The post show ohh ohh the post show.

Beers:

• Dock Street Barley Wine
• Williamsburg Grand Illumination
• Santa Fe Chicken Killer Barley Wine
• Nøgne Ø #100
• Sierra Nevada Bigfoot 2007

Rankings:

• Jeff: Illumination, Dock Street, Chicken Killer, Big Foot, Nøgne Ø
• Greg: Illumination, Dock Street. Big Foot, Chicken Killer, Nøgne Ø

• Preshow
• Postshow

Four Limited Edition Imperial Stouts. Will they live up to our expectations? Film at 11.

Beers:

• Boulevard Dark Truth Stout
• Sierra Nevada XXX Anniversary: Fritz and Ken's Ale
• Brooklyn Black Ops
• Hoppin Frog Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S.

Rankings:

• Greg: Black Ops. Sierra Nevada, Dark Truth, Hoppin Frog.
• Jeff: Hoppin Frog, Black Ops, Dark Truth, Sierra Nevada

• Preshow
• Postshow

Coriander, Cardamom, Caraway, Grains of Paradise; Brewers have added many seeds to their beers over the years. But perhaps none are as distinctive as the seeds (or "beans") of the Coffea family of trees. Hulled and roasted, these beans form the foundation for one of other most widely drunk beverages in the world. Today we taste five coffee beers and see, once again, what the humble coffee bean has to offer.

Beers:

• Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout [BA]
• Peak Organic Espresso Amber Ale [BA]
• Ballast Point Victory at Sea [BA]
• Williamsburg Alewerks Coffeehouse Stout [BA]
• Troegs JavaHead Stout [BA]

Rankings:

• jeff - lagunitias, peak, ballast, coffehouse, javahead
• greg - coffeehouse, ballast, peak, lagunitias, javahead

• Preshow - homebrew pale ale
• Postshow

We received a package from Clown Shoes Beer out of Ipswitch Massachusetts. Jeff didn't want the funny names and lables to effect Greg's reviews so we did the blind to him. Turns out, Greg likes their labels. As for the beer? Tune and and find out.

Beers:

• Clown Shoes Clementine
• Clown Shoes Brown Angel
• Clown Shoes Black IPA

Rankings:

• Greg - Clementine, Brown Angel, Black IPA
• Jeff - Clementine, Brown Angel, Black IPA

Joining us from Beervana (also known as Oregon) is Full Sail’s Executive Brewmaster Jamie Emmerson and CEO & Founder Irene Firmat who will offer a rare chance to sample two of their favorite beers: the dark and robust 2006 Black Gold Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout (from the brewmaster’s private cellar) and the golden and delicate LTD#2 (a Pale Bock). Taste the broad spectrum between these two exemplary Oregon craft beers paired with chocolate covered cherries and some Oregon artisan cheese from Pholia Farm’s. One lucky Salon attendee will take home a selection of 3 vintage bourbon aged beers hand selected and signed by the brewmaster himself.

Ro Guenzel, of Left Hand Brewing Company and Brian Buckowski, of at Terrapin Brewing team up with Red Apron Butchery, part of The Neighborhood Restaurant Group in D.C., to present a selection of local cured meats paired with their beers. Chef Nathan Anda of Red Apron, gave Ro the idea for the smoker used for making the malt that goes into Left Hand’s famous Smokejumper and other beers. Two beers from each brewery will be paired with or used to make four different cured meats from Red Apron. Sure to be a hot ticket!

John Dannerbeck of Anchor Brewing will taste and de-construct O.B.A. (Our Barrel Ale). Plan to taste the OBA, the rye whiskey that had aged in the barrel previous and the various beers that made up the final blend. This will be a real treat.

Gary Fish, Founder of Deschutes Brewery partners with a local renowned DC chef from the Think Food Group to present a fun and educational salon focused on food pairings with several of the Deschutes line up of craft beers.

Join Greg Engert, Beer Director of Neighborhood Restaurant Group, as he
discusses the exciting craft of pairing real food and real beer. Engert will draw upon his experience presiding over the tasting menus of Rustico Restaurant & Bar, and—more recently—Birch & Barley/ChurchKey, (where he is also a Managing Partner) to pair four rare American Artisanal brews with a four course-tasting menu designed by Birch & Barley’s Executive Chef, Kyle Bailey. This is your opportunity to see how the appreciation of craft beer has been elevated to the next level in our nation’s capital, and has found itself perfectly placed at the tables of this white-hot restaurant.

Ron Lindenbusch of Lagunitas Brewing Co in Petaluma CA shows the contrast between Lagunitas IPA and their current version of the ‘evolved’ IPA…the super sought after Hop Stoopid. Head Brewer Todd Charbonneau, of Harpoon Brewery Boston pours Harpoon IPA and Harpoon’s Leviathan IPA to show how Harpoon is pushing the IPA limits on the east coast. Cheeses from each coast will be paired with each beer. Learn about the differences in the recipes, coastal drinking and brewing trends, and brewing styles. Hopheads won’t want to miss this one.

Join Doug Odell, Founder of Odell Brewing Company and Patrick Rue, CEO/Founder of The Bruery for a tasting of some of their rare barrel aged beers. Patrick will share Oude Tart, a Flemish Red aged in red wine barrels and Black Tuesday, a 100% bourbon barrel aged Imperial Stout – 19.5% ABV. The Bruery is quickly gaining a loyal following and is already considered an influential force in the craft brewing community. Odell Brewing Company is renowned for pioneering innovative brewing techniques and beer styles, including a growing variety of Barrel Aged beers. Join Doug Odell, as he pours Saboteur, Brett Barrel Brown Ale and a surprise beer TBD. You won’t want to miss this!

Mike McManus of Brewery Ommegang teams up with Bobby Flay-conquering chef Teddy Folkman for Savor 2010. Teddy is the well-known executive chef and co-owner of Granville Moore’s Belgian Beers and Gastropub. Chef Teddy will prepare his special fare with one Ommegang ale and pair it with yet another. Sit back and enjoy as Mike and Chef Teddy infect the crowd with the tasty art of pairing of Belgian-style food and ales. Finally, Ommegang will cap the beer and food pairing with a special comparison tasting of a brand-new Ommegang exclusive beer; a beer unavailable anywhere except the brewery.

Kick back for an enjoyable time with Brian Dunn, Owner of Great Divide Brewing Co and Brett Joyce, President of Rogue Ales as they pour some favorite specialty releases and pair them with artisan cheeses. Expect to be wowed by these balanced yet assertive beers that are revolutionizing the craft beer world.

We realize with just a few minutes left in the show that this is our 5th anniversary. It continues like it started, with a wimper ;) Thanks to super listener Mike for supplying the beers. To Greg for making the drive to my place 160 times over the past 5 years. To Heather for letting me do this silly thing. And finally to all of you for listening. I appreciate it. Jeff.

Beers:

• Alesmith Anvil ESB
• The Bruery - Rugbrød
• El Camino (Un)Real Black Ale - Stone / 21st Amendment / Firestone Walker
• Black Lightning Porter

Rankings:

• Greg - Black Lightening, RugBrod, El Camino, Ale Smith
• Jeff - RugBrod, El Camino, Black Lightening, Ale Smith

• Preshow - St. Arnold's Root Beer
• Postshow

To make up for almost forgetting our anniversary last time we break out a quartet of tasty beers. one of which is older than the show.

Beers:

• Karl Strauss 21st Anniversary
• JW Lees Harvest aged in Calcados Barrels
• Williamsburg Ale Works Wolfe's Trap Ale
• Allagash Odyssey

Rankings:

• Greg - JWLees, Odessy, Karl Strauss, Williamsburg
• Jeff - JWLees, Karl Strauss, Odessy, Williamsburg

• Preshow -
• Postshow

In this CBR Quickie we taste two beers from Sun King Brewery. From Indianapolis, Indiana.

• Sunlight Cream Ale
• Osiris Pale Ale