The State of the National Black Brewers Association

Myths are everywhere in beer. We don't know when certain breweries were actually created, when some brewing styles were invented, or we have preconceived notions of how certain things should be. In reality, they are not true at all. Beer writer Jeff Alworth has a phrase for some of these: romantic facts. Some are semi-accurate but the truth is stretched slightly, which hurts no one and helps create legend and lore either around a specific brewery or a brewing process. Alworth lays out a list of these romantic facts for this episode of the All About Beer podcast to dig through in a fun and engaging interview about what is the "truth" of beer and does it really matter?This Episode is Sponsored by:Estrella GaliciaEstrella Galicia is an independent, family-owned brewery  in northwest Spain, founded in 1906.Estrella Galicia Cerveza Especial is a world class lager, brewed using the finest Spanish malts, locally  cultivated Galician hops and the best brewing practices, in a state-of-the-art facility in La Coruña . Recognized around the world for quality and exceptional character. Estrella Galicia is “A beer like no other.”Hosts: Em Sauter and Don TseGuest: Jeff AlworthSponsors: Estrella Galicia, All About BeerTags: Myths, Beer, Lager, AlePhoto: By John Holl

In Pub for All Seasons: A Yearlong Journey in Search of the Perfect British Local (Headline, 2024) Adrian Tierney-Jones  deftly unpacks what makes these locations so special, while also sharing details of his own life. The result is a page and calendar turner that helps reveal how different times of year bring out different experiences. It will inspire readers to get out of the traditional comfort zones and experience the Pub in all kinds of weather. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Adrian Tierney-JonesSponsors: All About Beer, Denver Rare Beer TastingTags: Britian, Drinking, Bars, Pubs, Travel

There is no shortage of excellent places to drink in New York City, and on this episode, we're talking with Karla and James Murray, the photographers behind a new book Great Bars of New York City: 30 of Manhattan’s Favorite Storied Drinking Establishments (Prestel).  For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Karla Murray and James MurraySponsors: All About BeerTags: New York, Drinking, Bars, Photography

Author Josh Noel talks about his new book Malort: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit. It's a story of stubbornness and luck, determination, underground appreciation, and mainstream popularity. The wormwood liquor is easy to hate but should be wonderfully appreciated. It is a uniquely Chicago story, and there is no one better than Noel to tell the story. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Josh NoelSponsors: All About BeerTags: Chicago, Malort, Bars, DrinkingPhoto by John Holl

There’s some really fun beers happening inside of a small Rhode Island brewery. This week, it’s a conversation with Cheyne Tessier of Origin Beer Project about low abv beers, art, and establishing a home base. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Cheyne Tessier Sponsors: All About BeerTags: Rhode Island, ABV, Lager, IPA, Hop Water, BusinessPhoto by John Holl

A conversation recorded in Providence, Rhode Island with longtime brewmaster John Mallett, formerly of Bells Brewery who is currently happily retired. It’s a chat about brewery safety, building recipes, and insight from a career that impacted so many. Last week I was in Rhode Island to help judge the inaugural Rhode Worthy Beer Cup. It was happening along side the state brewer’s guild conference. John Mallett, the long-time Bells Brewery brewer and production manager was giving the keynote. He’s an Ocean State Native, and was kind enough to take some time to cross the road after his talk and sit down with me for a conversation at the newly opened Buttonwoods Brewery location.  If you don’t know Mallett, maybe you’ve been living under a rock.  In addition to his work at Bells, which spanned more than 20 years, helping develop and shepherd many of the brands beloved beers to market, he’s also the author of Malt: A Practical Guide from Field to Brewhouse (released by the Brewers Publications in  2014). He served on many boards and technical committees, including the Master Brewers Association of the Americas, Brewers Association, Hop Quality Group – of which he was a founder -  and American Malting Barley Association.Mallett retired a few years ago but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have anything left to share or teach. He is passionate about brewery safety, and finding ways to bring creativy, knowledge, and passion to an industry that he has loved for so long. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: John MallettSponsors: All About BeerTags: Rhode Island, Bells, Safety, Hop Quality GroupPhoto by John Holl

It’s a conversation about both history and modern beer with Alan Pugsley, the long-time brewery consultant who helped launch so many beers in the early days of the craft movement and more recently has gotten into the gluten-free beer space.  For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Alan PugsleySponsors: All About BeerTags: Maine, Brewing, Gluten-freePhoto by Dave Delsonno 

As it continues to do important work, reach milestones, and look towards the future, the National Black Brewers Association has put out a report detailing its accomplishments. Kevin Asato, the executive director is here for a conversation. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Kevin AsatoSponsors: All About BeerTags: Lager, Brewing, Associations, Membership, Growth, NB2APhoto by NB2A.ORG

Shaun O'Sullivan of 21st Amendment Brewery interviews Chuck Silva of Silva Brewing on this bonus episode of Brewer to Brewer.This Episode is Sponsored by:Firsd TeaFirsd Tea is a proud sponsor of the Brewer to Brewer podcast. Firsd Tea has been working with brewers on a wide range of teas and botanicals in popular and successful beers. Firsd Tea combines flexible order sizes with the experience you need to create innovative and successful craft brews. They get you the most direct-to-farm tea selection so you are working with flavorful and consistent products. You can find out more about Firsd Tea’s collaborations with brewers and tea ingredients by visiting firsdtea.com or email [email protected]: Shaun O'SullivanGuest: Chuck SilvaSponsor: Firsd Tea, All About BeerTags: Brewing, IPA, California, IngredientsThe following music was used for this media project:Music: Hip Hop Intro 06 by TaigaSoundProdFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/9533-hip-hop-intro-06License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://linktr.ee/taigasoundprod

A few weeks back Dave Haydysch of Lone Rider Beer began posting shots of himself on social media in the hospital after being admitted for breathing problems. It turns out it was exposure to malt dust that landed him there.  He’s been part of the North Carolina Craft Beer Industry since 2010 when he got his start at Fullsteam Brewery in Durham, NC. In 2016 Dave was brought on to develop and lead brewing operations at Mason Jar Lager Company.  He is now leading brewing ops at Lonerider Brewing in Raleigh and co-brewing with the team at Fortnight Brewing in Cary. Dave is an active member of the NC Brewers Guild and sits on the Education Committee for the Guild. On this episode he walks us through his career and the last several scary weeks.For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuests: Dave HaydyschSponsors: All About BeerTags: Lager, Brewing, Safety, Malt, BrewingPhoto by John Holl