BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

In this episode, we sit down with Shane Long, a legend in Irish brewing and the founder of both Franciscan Well Brewery, one of Ireland’s first microbreweries, and the brand-new Changing Times Brewery in Dublin. Shane shares his incredible journey from entering the industry in the 1990s when “craft beer” wasn’t even a term, to building and selling Franciscan Well to Molson Coors, and now launching his latest venture with a consortium of Dublin publicans. We explore the early days of Franciscan Well, including the challenges of convincing the Irish market to embrace craft beer and how international awards helped establish their reputation. Shane also delves into his experience working with a global beer giant, the valuable insights he gained, and why he eventually stepped away to start something new. At Changing Times, Shane is redefining the brewery model by partnering with local pubs, focusing on approachable, sessionable beers designed to adapt to customer preferences. This episode offers a deep dive into the evolution of Ireland’s beer scene, the lessons Shane has learned over 27 years in the industry, and his vision for the future of brewing. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or curious about the Irish beer landscape, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed this episode!

This is a special episode containing and episode of a 2nd podcast I released. I'm lucky enough that, in addition to all the brewers, I've also managed to talk to beer historians, archaeologists, and those with insights into beers place in culture and history. But there are plenty of people who have published interesting documents but who I will never talk to. At the same time I started playing with the various AI tools. Google in particular has one that not only summarises documents but can turn them into a discussion. I was blown away by this and played with it for a number of documents Until finally I thought why not make it a podcast? This is one of those episodes. They're all short (about 10 minutes) and not perfect, but as a way to learn new things about the place of beer in human culture ( and interesting moments in history) I think they're well worth while. If you like this, the podcast can be found by searching for Let's Talk Beer Culture and History or https://beoirfest.com/cultureand history

In this episode, I chat with Jiří Sládek, founder of Métaphore Beer, one of the most unique and thoughtful breweries in the Czech Republic. Jiří, who describes himself as an “esoteric beer artist,” shares his philosophy-driven approach to brewing, emphasizing authenticity, subtlety, and elegance. He discusses how Métaphore, though a small brewery without its own physical brewhouse, focuses on creating spontaneous, wild-fermented beers that reflect a sense of place, time, and personal expression. We dive into the challenges of brewing in the Czech Republic, known for its rich lager culture, and how Jiří’s inspiration comes from a blend of traditional beer styles, Lambics, Saisons, and natural wines. He explains his unique process, which often involves long fermentation periods and the use of organic, local ingredients. We also explore how Métaphore builds community through a subscription-based membership, allowing passionate fans to experience his deeply personal creations. If you’re interested in the intersection of beer, art, and philosophy, this episode offers a deep dive into the mind of one of Europe’s most intriguing brewers. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed this episode!

In this episode, I'm joined by Jonathan Spielberg, founder of Postcard Brewing Company in Dublin, Ireland. Jonathan, originally from New York, takes us through his journey from IT project management to becoming a key player in Ireland's craft beer scene. We delve into the challenges of transitioning from a hobbyist brewer to establishing a fully-fledged brewery, the complexities of contract brewing, and the lessons learned from the successes and failures of various craft beer ventures. Jonathan shares the inspiration behind Postcard Brewing, including how Dublin's iconic landmarks and his love for West Coast IPAs influenced the branding and beer styles. We also discuss the balancing act of catering to local tastes while eyeing the international market, especially the challenges of breaking into the U.S. craft beer scene. Tune in to hear about the creative process behind their unique beer labels, the role of marketing in the craft beer industry, and what lies ahead for Postcard Brewing as they continue to expand both domestically and internationally. Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast or interested in the business side of brewing, this episode is packed with insights and stories from the heart of Ireland's brewing industry.

Beer was a fundamental part of life in Ancient Egypt. But what did it taste like? That's the sort of question most of would briefly ponder and then move on. Not Dylan McDonnell. He set about plans to recreate an ancient beer as accurately as possible. It turned out to be a 3 year project of deciphering ancient documents, finding ingredients that were as authentic as possible - and even finding a yeast that was scraped from 3,000 year old pottery. Dylan is joining me to chat about how he had the idea, what it involved, and most importantly how the beer tasted.

Lambic is synonymous with Brussels. The usual story is that the spontaneously fermented beer has been brewed unchanged since medieval times, a remnant of how all beers were once brewed. The story is more interesting though. Beer Historian Roel Mulder from LostBeers.com joins me to explain how Lambic beers originated in the 18th century and how they went on to be the Brussels 'peoples beer,' declined in popularity in the mid 20th century, and have seen a dramatic revival in the 21st. We discuss the first recorded mention of lambic, the requirements for a beer to be lambic, where it was brewed and why it developed.

Thornbridge Brewing in the UK are an award winning brewery that have a strong emphasis on tradition but like to take chances. They have recently linked with Brooklyn Brewery founder Garrett Oliver to brew a beer with Fonio. This is a staple grain crop in West Africa but it's not widely know outside of the area. It's hardy and grows in dry conditions, but it is hard to harvest and process. Why decide to brew with it?And why take ownership of the world's only remaining Burton Union system? Thornbridge head brewer Rob Lovatt joins me for a brief chat about all the exciting news out of Thornbridge

Wild East was founded in 2019 by Brett Taylor, Tyler March and Lindsay Steen. Based in Brooklyn they have a focus (though by no means exclusive) on mixed fermentation and Brett-based beers. They started with 40 barrels and have since grown that by a further 100. As they say they themselves, they aim to push boundaries and open new doors for anyone who’s remotely interested in beer. We do this by producing a diverse range of lagers & ales with balanced and complex, yet approachable flavors and the utmost dedication to quality control. Join us for a chat to learn how they got started, how it's going, and what the future holds..

Looking at the history of the world through it's 6 favourite drinks might seem a bit unusual. But this lens throws light on changes in culture as well as power throughout the ages. Tom Standage, editor of The Economist, took this approach in his book "A History Of The World In 6 Glasses," in which he traces trends through the history of Beer, Wine, Spirits, Tea, Coffee, and Coke. Tom joins me for a chat focusing on the first three of these (though we'll probably mention the others as well.) How did each influence the civilisations of their times? What do they say about the transfer of power and wealth across the ages? And which is better????

It's a big claim to say any one brewery is the best in its country. But Elias Wicked Ales won the award as The Philippines best two years running at the Asian Beer Championship. Founded by Raoul Masangcay in 2019 Elias Wicked Ales gained prominence quickly. Raoul is the first beer sommelier in The Philippines and built his interest in, and knowledge of, craft beer through his years working in the US. With Elias Wicked Ales he aims to bring a unique Philippines influence to craft beer, exploiting the flavours available throughout the country. Raoul manages the brewery and taproom from Oregon where he works a day job as an Electronic Engineer. Learn more about his story when he joins me live for a chat.