Show #11: Beers of the Pioneers, Part 1
Prebeer Preamble: Well, we’re about 30 years down the pike from the origins of the “microbrewery revolution.” Time to check in and see how some of the early entries are holding up…
Beer #1: I’m joined by my friend Robert Short to try some ESB from Seattle’s Redhook Brewery. It’s a friendly style from a very successful older micro. Do Rob and I hold its success against it?
Interbeer Interlude. Beer As Folk: “Fritz Maytag.” OK, just shoot me now. My short list of beer-related experiences to have before I die just got a big ol’ checkmark on it. I talked with the legendary brewer and entrepreneur about his history with the Anchor Brewing Co., his struggles to stay small, and what it was like to be a craft brewer decades before the term was even invented. Here’s an analogy: Adam Curry::podcasting, Fritz Maytag::craft brewing. Part 1 of 2.
Beer #2: Rob and I now try some Red Tail Ale from California’s Mendocino Brewing Company. In the glass it looks nearly identical to Red Hook. Do the similarities continue into the tasting, or are there surprises in store for your two thirsty commentators?
Beer Geek Moment: “What is a Microbrewery?” It’s a term that’s in its twilight years, but it’s still instructive to try and wrap your head around what it once meant.
Postbeer Postscript: Time to score these puppies up! Do Rob and I show any respect for these once-groundbreaking brews, or is this a case of “meet the new boss, same as the old boss“?
August 9th, 2006 at 7:51 am
Another awesome episode, and I agree with your assesments. The RedHook is a decent beer, but not very memorable. The Red Tail is much, much better.
This also makes me wonder… I’ve gone back and had some of the beers you’ve previously reviewed, but I don’t remember how you’ve rated them. Is there anyway you can post the score cards?
August 9th, 2006 at 2:49 pm
Nice interview with Fritz I am looking forward to part two.
August 9th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
fyi Charlie…on your sidebar the image of Wingin it goes to Dragon Page still.
August 9th, 2006 at 6:42 pm
Thanks, Thomas & ditto…this was a fun show. Yeah Thomas, it’s a “vintage” Wingin It logo. At some point it’ll change. Promise.
August 10th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
Oh and ditto, I’m thinking posting the scores might be fun….keep your eyes peeled for a data page coming sometime. Not sometime soon, but sometime
August 11th, 2006 at 6:57 pm
Even if I never find a beer to enjoy, this episode is typical of exactly why I enjoy this show, Charlie. A couple of entertaining reviews of beers and a fantastic interview.
I must confess, when I saw “Beers of the Pioneers” show up in my Ipod, I was expecting to hear about some beers from the 1800’s
Keep ‘em coming, Charlie!
August 15th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
Terrific show, as always. I really liked the interview with Fritz and am looking forward to part two.
The beer geek moment was great. I have always been a little confused on the exact definition of a microbrewery. This helped to clear it up a bit. I also agree that getting too anal about the quantity being produced versus the quality takes away from beer enjoyment time.
In a way, all the the craft brewers that make beers we enjoy are just homebrewers…just with bigger and better equipment. The quality of the beer is the first consideration. As Charlie Papazian said, “Relax, have a homebrew.” Life is too short to get all up tight about number of barrels produced each year, not when there is good beer to be imbibed.