Ep. 158 - Oktoberfest 2026

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!One of the best times of the year for beer lovers is right around the corner! This week Brian hops on the mic with John Barley, founder and brewer of Solemn Oath Brewing Company. Together they discuss/preview all things Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer (FoBAB)!  In their 24th year, FoBAB is the premier festival celebrating the art of wood and barrel-aged brewing. John is a seasoned veteran, having won several times over in the competition, and being a perennial provider of their beer for fest goers to enjoy!  Listen in as Brian and John dive into the world of wood, barrels, and preview this years Festival! Lastly, for my Milwaukee listeners, make sure you catch a key update on Solemn Oaths highly anticipated Bay View opening. Now, grab a beer and pour one of your own!Thanks, and as always… Cheers Beers!After you consume the content of this episode, please write a review, follow Buzzed with Brian on social media, and hit that subscribe button. Brian would think you’re pretty neat if you did!https://linktr.ee/buzzed_with_brianhttps://www.fobab.com/https://www.solemnoathbrewery.com/Host & Producer: Brian HansonChief Editor & Engineer: Matt SchabelPodcast Art Director: Amber SchabelMusical Score: North Breese, trying aged beer since 2013https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jSw7NOndAf9I85UaN2dL7?si=uoK6J0TmQua8ztaiF6ceOAEpisode Sponsor: https://www.thirdlakesausageshop.com/

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!Wisconsin, you’ve got some hardware! This episode Brian is raising a glass to the Badger State and recapping the Wisconsin breweries that brought home medals at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival! One of the biggest stages in the craft beer world, GABF brings together breweries from across the country to compete for some of the most coveted awards in the industry. Listen in as Brian breaks down the local breweries that made their mark, celebrates their award-winning beers, and features a barrel aged version of an award winning beer from Madison's own, Giant Jones Brewing Company! Shout out and congrats to Erika and Jessica Jones!Thanks, and as always… Cheers Beers!After you consume the content of this episode, please write a review, follow Buzzed with Brian on social media, and hit that subscribe button. Brian would think you’re pretty neat if you did!https://linktr.ee/buzzed_with_brianhttps://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/2026-winners/https://giantjones.com/Host & Producer: Brian HansonChief Editor & Engineer: Matt SchabelPodcast Art Director: Amber SchabelMusical Score: North Breese, creating an award winning standardhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/1jSw7NOndAf9I85UaN2dL7?si=uoK6J0TmQua8ztaiF6ceOABeer Consumed: Barrel Aged Doppelsticke Altbier by Giant Jones Brewing (Madison, WI)

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian! The People’s Pint is back! This episode Brian is joined by a beer from one of the most prestigious and sought after breweries in the country: Hill Farmstead Brewery. A pick as divine as such is courtesy of friend-of-the-pod, Bryan (yes with a Y…), who was kind enough to get this beer into Brian’s hands. Hailing from the hills of Vermont, Hill Farmstead has built a reputation for making some of the most revered beers in the craft beer world, so naturally Brian had to give this one the People’s Pint treatment! Listen in as Brian cracks it open, dives into the beer, and gives his thoughts on this latest pick from the people!Thanks, and as always… Cheers Beers!  After you consume the content of this episode, please write a review, follow Buzzed with Brian on social media, and hit that subscribe button. Brian would think you’re pretty neat if you did!https://linktr.ee/buzzed_with_brianhttps://hillfarmstead.com/ Host & Producer: Brian HansonChief Editor & Engineer: Matt SchabelPodcast Art Director: Amber SchabelMusical Score: North Breese, blew all the leaves off the trees into stick seasonhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/1jSw7NOndAf9I85UaN2dL7?si=uoK6J0TmQua8ztaiF6ceOA Beer Consumed: Three Magic Letters by Hill Farmstead Brewery (Greensboro, VT)

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!  It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing, the lederhosen are coming out, and Brian is back with his annual history lesson on Oktoberfest! This time around Brian discusses how Oktoberfest got started, how the beer served at the festival has evolved over the years, and how the Märzen style has transitioned to the Festbier style. Of course, no history lesson would be complete without something to drink, so a Wisconsin made Festbier made its way onto Brian’s drinking stein to help highlight the style. Listen in for a little Oktoberfest history, a little beer education, and a review of a proper fall crusher. Now, grab a beer and pour one of your own! Thanks, and as always… Cheers Beers!  After you consume the content of this episode, please write a review, follow Buzzed with Brian on social media, and hit that subscribe button. Brian would think you’re pretty neat if you did!https://linktr.ee/buzzed_with_brianhttps://www.swaybeer.com/ Host & Producer: Brian HansonChief Editor & Engineer: Matt SchabelPodcast Art Director: Amber SchabelMusical Score: North Breese, uplifting us to Oktoberfesthttps://open.spotify.com/artist/1jSw7NOndAf9I85UaN2dL7?si=uoK6J0TmQua8ztaiF6ceOA Beer Consumed: At the End of Every Road by Sway Brewing & Blending (Bailey’s Harbor, WI)

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian! Line extension? Brand extension? What exactly may that be you ask? Brian hops on the mic with “Professor Beer”, aka Tim Virnig, to have yet another great discussion on this industry trend. If you have noticed your favorite craft brewery taping into other types of craft beverages, that would be an example of brand extension. If you have seen them creating new variants of an established core/flagship beer, that would be an example of line extension. As more of this is in the market a most wonderful four pack of beer from Phase Three Brewing slid across Brian’s drinking hearth! Listen in on the episode to hear the reviews and learn a thing or two. Now, grab a beer and pour one of your own! Thanks, and as always… Cheers Beers!  After you consume the content of this episode, please write a review, follow Buzzed with Brian on social media, and hit that subscribe button. Brian would think you’re pretty neat if you did!https://linktr.ee/buzzed_with_brianhttps://www.phasethreebrewing.com/Host & Producer: Brian HansonChief Editor & Engineer: Matt SchabelPodcast Art Director: Amber SchabelMusical Score: North Breese, expanding their brand to always fit the listeners needhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/1jSw7NOndAf9I85UaN2dL7?si=uoK6J0TmQua8ztaiF6ceOABeer Consumed: Pixel by Phase Three Brewing (Lake Zurich, IL)Pixel Populus by Phase Three collab with Brujos Brewing (Portland, OR)Pixel in the Machine by Phase Three collab with Parish Brewing (Broussard, LA)Pixel Demoliri by Phase Three collab with Messorem (Montreal, Canada)

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian! Sometimes, you have to hop on a long flight to experience beer at its freshest.  At the very least, enjoy it in a completely novel way! This summer, Brian did just that. Brian and his wife accepted the jet lag and flew to Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore for their honeymoon. This episode has it all, from Bia Hoi on the city streets, to Thai beer in an alleyway, from bespoke speakeasys to cocktails atop sky scrapers and everything in between!  Listen in as Brian & Aryn recap their trip and share yet another big beer from Giant Jones Brewing!  Now, grab a local beer of your own choosing and enjoy this week's episode!Thanks, and as always… Cheers Beers!  After you consume the content of this episode, please write a review, follow Buzzed with Brian on social media, and hit that subscribe button. Brian would think you’re pretty neat if you did!https://linktr.ee/buzzed_with_brianhttps://giantjones.com/Host & Producer: Brian HansonChief Editor & Engineer: Matt SchabelPodcast Art Director: Amber SchabelMusical Score: North Breese, setting sail to the South China Sea and beyond!https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jSw7NOndAf9I85UaN2dL7?si=uoK6J0TmQua8ztaiF6ceOABeer Consumed: Someone to Someone by Giant Jones Brewing Co (Madison, WI)

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!Schlitz! “The beer that Made Milwaukee Famous!” This weeks episode pays homage to one of the historical Milwaukee beers that has officially come to an end. Months ago Pabst announced its discontinuation of the Schlitz label and at present day almost all of the taplines in the wild have run dry. Brian recaps a brief history of Schlitz, the rise, the fall, the rebirth, and the closing! Accompanying the history is a Schlitz from the last batch brewed by Wisconsin Brewing Company in Verona, WI. Now, sit back, relax, grab a beer of your own and enjoy the show! Thanks, and as always… Cheers Beers!   After you consume the content of this episode, please write a review, follow Buzzed with Brian on social media, and hit that subscribe button.https://linktr.ee/buzzed_with_brianSchlitz BeerWisconsin Brewing CompanyHost & Producer: Brian HansonChief Editor & Engineer: Matt SchabelPodcast Art Director: Amber SchabelMusical Score: North Breese, setting its sales on the beer that made Milwaukee famous https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jSw7NOndAf9I85UaN2dL7?si=uoK6J0TmQua8ztaiF6ceOABeer Consumed: Schlitz by Wisconsin Brewing Company officially licensed by Pabst Brewing Company 

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian!Special Announcement! If you have not already done so, do not forget to cast your vote to make Buzzed with Brian Madison's Best Podcast of 2026. Click the link, select Arts & Entertainment, and scroll down until you see Podcasts: https://madisonmagazine.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Madison-2026/This week, Brian steps outside the usual beer-focused format to welcome two cocktail-forward guests who, if you know, you know, are staples of Madison's mixology community.  Brian is joined by Martin and Jen, the hosts behind The Gin Pennant, an invite-only passion project that transforms their home into a cozy, speakeasy-style cocktail lounge. Over a couple of beers, they talk about the inspiration behind their unique gatherings, the joy of creating memorable experiences, and their love of classic cocktails (and jazz vinyl). Along the way, Martin mixes up two Gin Pennant favorites, the “Juste Le Bout” and the “Irish Setter” making this a fun conversation for beer lovers, cocktail enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates good drinks and great hospitality. Thanks, and as always… Cheers Beers!   After you consume the content of this episode, please write a review, follow Buzzed with Brian on social media, and hit that subscribe button. Brian would think you’re pretty neat if you did! Make sure you also follow @theginpennant on social! https://linktr.ee/buzzed_with_brianhttps://www.russianriverbrewing.com/https://radixfermentation.com/ Host & Producer: Brian HansonChief Editor & Engineer: Matt SchabelPodcast Art Director: Amber SchabelMusical Score: North Breese, so classy you will be drinking cocktails toohttps://open.spotify.com/artist/1jSw7NOndAf9I85UaN2dL7?si=uoK6J0TmQua8ztaiF6ceOABeer Consumed: Pliny the Elder by Russian River Brewing Co. (Santa Rosa, CA)Sticks & Stones by Radix Fermentation (Milwaukee, WI)Cocktails Consumed: Juste Le Bout by The Gin Pennant (A Ramos Gin Fizz Rif)Irish Setter by The Gin Pennant (Think St. Paddy’s Day in Chicago)  

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian! Special Announcement! If you have not already done so, do not forget to cast your vote to make Buzzed with Brian Madison's Best Podcast of 2026. Click the link, select Arts & Entertainment, and scroll down until you see Podcasts: https://madisonmagazine.secondstreetapp.com/Best-of-Madison-2026/Now onto today’s show… Brian was finding inspiration by perusing his beer fridge (as he typically does). He stumbled upon an unmarked bottle of homebrew that for the life of him he could not recall what it was. Naturally, he opened it and decided to record a podcast about it. Then he released he had a fairly comparable commercial brew, and two beers is always better than one! So pour yourself something, or a couple somethings, sit back, relax, and enjoy the tales of the Session IPA!Thanks, and as always… Cheers Beers!   After you consume the content of this episode, please write a review, follow Buzzed with Brian on social media, and hit that subscribe button. Brian would think you’re pretty neat if you did!https://linktr.ee/buzzed_with_brianHost & Producer: Brian HansonChief Editor & Engineer: Matt SchabelPodcast Art Director: Amber SchabelMusical Score: North Breese, they too enjoy a random brew https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jSw7NOndAf9I85UaN2dL7?si=uoK6J0TmQua8ztaiF6ceOABeer Consumed: A Mysterious HomebrewBarrel Berry by Mobcraft Beer (Milwaukee, WI)

Welcome to Buzzed with Brian! The storied epic of India Pale Ale continues on today’s episode with the little sibling but ever growing in popularity, Session IPA. Weak beer. Mild beer. Session beer. Whatever you want to call it has been around in one format or another for quite some time. Brian is here to discuss something a little less bold in alcohol, but in no way less bold in flavor! So pour yourself something, or a couple somethings, sit back, relax, and enjoy the tales of the Session IPA!Thanks, and as always… Cheers Beers!   After you consume the content of this episode, please write a review, follow Buzzed with Brian on social media, and hit that subscribe button. Brian would think you’re pretty neat if you did!https://linktr.ee/buzzed_with_brianhttps://stillmankbrewing.com/Host & Producer: Brian HansonChief Editor & Engineer: Matt SchabelPodcast Art Director: Amber SchabelMusical Score: North Breese, So sessionable you will want to hit play again and again https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jSw7NOndAf9I85UaN2dL7?si=uoK6J0TmQua8ztaiF6ceOAhttps://www.hopculture.com/best-session-ipas-available-in-most-stores-right-now/https://www.brewersassociation.org/edu/brewers-association-beer-style-guidelines/ Beer Consumed: Citra Juiced IPA by Stillmank Brewing Company (Green Bay, WI)