Speaking of Beer

Prebeer Preamble: This show is brought to you by the number “2″: two versions of two beers in two cities with two co-drinkers. We continue focusing on breweries what started back in “tha day,” this time enjoying both of the beers at their points of origin.

Beer #1: I’m joined by local friend Matt Brown in sunny Chico, California for an afternoon’s drinking at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Though we have many beers to choose from, we select the flagship beer, the Pale Ale, for close scrutiny. We’re shocked to discover Sierra Nevada brews two different Pale Ale recipes: one for bottling, one for draft. How do these different beers with the same name compare?

Interbeer Interlude: Beer As Folk. “Fritz Maytag” Mr. Maytag fleshes out the tale of how he turned the once-dilapidated Anchor Brewing Co. into the template for the “microbrewery revolution”. Today we find out how and when Anchor’s stable of beers evolved. Let’s just say that when Burt Reynolds was running bootleg Coors cross-country, Fritz was brewing a barleywine in San Francisco. Part 2 of 2.

Beer #2: I suddenly find myself at the Bridgeport Alehouse in Portland, Oregon where I’m joined by my friend Jason for a Bridgeport IPA. In fact, on this day there were two IPA’s, one out of the traditional forced-CO2 tap, and one on “cask”, where the beer is naturally carbonated in the keg and pumped out at cellar temperatures for thisty patrons. We try each, and much talk of tiny bubbles ensues.

Beer Geek Moment: “Does Size Matter?” Bashing large breweries is easy, but is it fair? A special guest voice provides musings on whether beer quality is destined to suffer when a brewery becomes sufficiently large. Food for thought my friends, food for thought…

Postbeer Postscript: In a whiplash scoring binge, we cover four beers and hundreds of miles as Matt, Jason and I report out on our reactions to everything sampled today. I believe it’s here that I need to send a huge thank-you to Michael R. Mennenga for making this show sound soooooo much better than ass.

 

 Show #12: Beers of the Pioneers, Part 2: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1885)

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“?

 

 Show #11: Beers of the Pioneers, Part 1: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1720)

Prebeer Preamble: Look out kids, I’m shaking things up this week. Portland, Oregon’s Tuck’s Brewery is about to go bye-bye, but before it does I’m shining the spotlight on some of its quirky quaffs and its mad-genius brewer, Max Tieger. In order to do this, the usual format is going out the window.

Beers #1&2: I’m joined by Jason Newsom, my Portland pal and local area musician as we tackle a nitro-injected Imperial Stout and a Belgian IPA. Sure, we are enjoying these one-of-a-kind beers, but we’re also working up our courage to talk to Max, who Jason describes in terms of an old Seinfeld character.

Intersegment Interlude: A little skit courtesy of Karen from Kalifornia. Karen totally rocks! And she lives just down the street from the Stone Brewery (he says, with only a hint of jealousy…)

Beer As Folk: “Max Tieger“. Well, turns out Max was happy to talk with us. Between serving customers and filling corny kegs, Max had a lot to say about his beer, his brewery, and his new brewpub where he’ll be taking his whole endeavor to a new level. Best of all, I managed to get through the entire interview without being banned!

Postscript: I come back and wrap things up with a little of what Jack Mangan calls “outrobabble.”

 

 Show #10: Put a Tieger In Your Beer: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1700)

Prebeer Preamble: One of the last defenses for those that argue in favor of Macrobrew goes something like “Well, it’s great after mowing the lawn” OK, but have you tried one of these summer brews post-yardwork?

Beer #1 Hoegaarden White Beer. I’m once more joined by SoB stalwart Eric in the triple-digit temps of my back yard to get an “in-context” experience. Much discussion of Belgian witbier follows. No mention is made of the fact that we didn’t actually mow any lawns.

Interbeer Interlude: Beer As Folk. “Big Brew ‘06″. I dropped by local homebrew supply store Brewer’s Connection this past National Homebrew Day to talk to a bunch of hombrewers all making the same recipe: a kölsch summer ale. How’d it turn out? Tune in and see!

Beer #2: With an actual lawnmower droning in the background, Eric and I now hoist a couple of Alaskan Summer Ales. This kölsch-style brew is an Alaskan interpretation of a German beer. After the effort of sorting all that out, are we refreshed by this light-bodied ale?

Beer Geek Moment: “Wheat and Beer.” Much beer talk swirls around the distinction between wheat beers, witbeers, weisses and weizens. Let’s straighten all of this out, before it comes to actual blows.

Postbeer Postscript: After two blasts of refreshment on a hot summer’s day, are Eric and I freindly with the scores? Or does the mere thought of yardwork turn us grumpy?

 

 Show #9: Alternative Lawnmower Beers: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1795)

Prebeer Preamble: On the brink of America’s 230th, we’re plunging into two beers from the place where all this hoo-ha began. My beer-guide is Jeffrey Nichols, a denizen of the City of Brotherly Love. Light those firecrackers kids, and let’s start drinking!

Beer #1: Jeff and I begin with a history lesson: Yuengling Traditional Lager, from America’s oldest brewery. This brew has been around for over 175 years; how does all that history translate into the drinking experience? And what, exactly, is the deal with Pennsylvania beer laws?

Interbeer Inberlude: Beer As Folk. “We the People…Have Questions About Beer” You guys ask great questions like: “Why aren’t bitters bitter?” “What’s a weisse?” and “What’s up with beer and styrofoam cups?” I answer them. Please submit other beer questions via voicemail or a short mp3 file. I’d like to make this a regular feature!

Beer #2: Risking temporal whiplash, Jeff and I now fast-forward to present-day Philly to try some Victory Hop Devil Ale. These guys are relatively new in the “big bold American microwbrew” arena, dominated mostly by California and Oregon. Will this beery East Coast/West Coast thing end in tragedy, or does the melting pot hold room for all?

Beer Geek Moment: “Prohibition.” America’s Noble Experiment changed the face of the U.S. brewing scene, and its effects are still very much alive and well in the beer most Americans drink every day.

Postbeer Postscript: So when it comes to the scores, which Philly beer do Jeff and I favor: the ancient (by American standards) stalwart, or the flashy young upstart? And are we moved to break into a chorus of “My Country Tis Of Thee”? (Hint: No)

 

 Show #8: Philadelphia Beerdom!: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1669)

Prebeer Preamble: Today it’s all about the hops, baby!

Beer #1: I’m joined by husband-and-wife podcasters Evo Terra and Sheila for the first hop-monster, Samuel Adams Imperial Pilsner (2005 Noble Hop Harvest). My goal was to push renowned hophead Evo to his breaking point. Was 110 IBUs enough?

Interbeer Interlude: Adjunct: “Medicinal Hops”. The other uses for our favorite cannabis-cousin, related by herbalist Evo Terra channeling early 20th century eclectic physician Finley Ellingwood. If you suffer from nocturnal emissions or violent sexual excitement, you’d better listen up.

Beer #2: Evo, Sheila and I now tackle mega-strong-mega-hopped Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA. It soon becomes clear that we’re in over our heads. This. Is. Not. Pretty.

Beer Geek Moment: “Bitterness”. Not the feeling you get after a bad break-up, but rather beer’s big taste sensation. Everything you need to know, explained in a scant three minutes.

Postbeer Postscript: With the barest fingernail grasp on coherence, Evo and I score up these beers. Which beer gets an alcohol-induced “10″ in one category? Tune in and find out!

 

 Show #7: HOP-A-PALOOZA!: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1662)

Prebeer Preamble: Are there brews that will get a beer non-drinker hooked on the juice of the barley? With the help of some listeners, and a brave “pink wine” fan, we tackle this question today.

Beer #1: I’m joined by my neighbor Devona, years away from her last (unpleasant) beer experience, to try some Shiner Bock from the Spoetzl Brewery in Texas. Will this whole show concept prove brilliant, or did you just take a ringside seat for the wreck of the beer train?

Interbeer Interlude: Adjunct. “Beer Butt Chicken”. If you have some cans of the old yellow fizz around the house, don’t be ashamed. Turn them into forces for good with this nifty grilling trick!

Beer #2: Newcastle Brown Ale. This wildly popular English ale is our next conversion candidate. It was mentioned by several listeners as a good gateway beer, so it HAS to work for Devona, right? Right?!?

Beer Geek Moment: “Off Flavors.” So your last brew was a little wonky. Is it just style-related quirkiness, or has something gone horribly wrong?

Postbeer Postscript: Devona and I score up these two dark beers. Did either of them trip Ms. White Zinfandel’s trigger?

 

 Show #6: Through a Gateway, Darkly: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1622)

Prebeer Preamble: What’s the most beer-friendly US State? A thorny question if ever there was one, but today we dive into some Oregonian beers, and begin to make a case for the Beaver State.

Beer #1: Full Sail Amber. I’m joined by long-time Portland friends Beth Green and Jason Newsom to quaff this Hood River brew. Will old friends reconnect over this approachable beer, or will I seriously piss off my pals by declaring ambers to be “generally cheesey?”

Interbeer Interlude: Beer As Folk. “Alan Sprints”. The founder, owner, and head brewer of Portland’s Hair of the Dog Brewing Company joins me for a terrific discussion. Topics include his beers, his brewing philosophy, and what it’s like to be a small craft brewer with a deservedly big reputation in one of America’s premier beer cities. You can find Alan’s beers here.

Beer #2:Black Butte Porter from the Deschutes Brewing Company in Bend, Oregon. Armed with some boutique chocolate, Beth, Jason and I plunge into this roasty classic. The conversation eventually runs up against the musical question “How are porters different from stouts, anyway?”

Beer Geek Moment: “Meet the Hop” A whirwind introduction to everyone’s favorite brewing spice, and one of Oregon’s big cash crops. Consider this Part 1 in a series…

Postbeer Postscript: We do that evaluation thing, and find out that living in Portland can seriously skew what one considers to be “middle-of-the-road,” beer-wise.

 

 Show #5: Oregonian Beertacular!: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1628)

Prebeer preamble: What’s the deal with monks and beer?

Beer 1: Orval. Eric and I begin our sampling of monkdom with this Trappist creation. It’s the only beer this particular monestary makes, but does all that devotion create a good brew?

Interbeer Interlude: Beerlosophy essay “Beernumeracy.” I rant about numbers and air travel, then somehow bring it all back to beer. It always comes back to beer…

Beer 2: Tripel Karmeleit. We now crank it up to “three”, with this triple abbey. More malt, more alcohol…more holy?

Beer Geek Moment: “Belgium” Everything you need to know about one of the world’s beer epicenters. Or at least enough to sound like you know what you’re talking about at your next beer gathering.

Postbeer Postscript: Do Eric and I let the potential wrath of God influence our judgement on these two divinely inspired brews?

 

 Show #4: God Beer by the Numbers: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1595)

Prebeer Preamble: Move over you chocolate bunnies and sugary peeps, bock beer is in town to show you what being a spring-related consumable is all about! And while were at it, let’s upgrade to doppelbocks!

Beer 1: Paulaner Salvator. Eric joins me yet again, and our first bock is the orignator of the dopplebock style. Is its reputation hooey, or is it a world renowned beer for a reason?

Interbeer Interlude: Burpin’ Legends: “Bottom of the Barrel” Some say bock beers are made from the dregs scraped out of the fermenters when brewers do their spring cleaning. Getting to the bottom of this legend leads to some very disgusting places indeed.

Beer 2: Urbock 23, from Eggenberg Germany’s Castle Brewery. The birds are twirping, we’ve caught a happy little buzz, and then Eric and I reach for a big gothic freaky beer. Will our afternoon recover?

Beer Geek Moment: “Specific Gravity”. Everything you ever wanted to know about this technical bit of brewspeak, with only a little math.

Postbeer Postscript: Will our ratings favor the old stand-by, or will the beefy Austrian bust in, Ah-noldlike, and win the day?

 

 Show #3: The Big Damn Bock Show: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1485)