Beer Busters

With Trevor Hayward and Luke Bowen from Evil Genius The Evil Genuises return once again to the Beer Busters Podcast Basement and the usual debauchery ensues. Luke and Trevor got us up to speed on the latest developments at Evil Genius Beer Company, including some new recruits. News included some craft alternatives for certain macro brews, some tasting notes on 170 year old beer and a discussion on a recent change to PA distribution laws. Steph continued giving us some sage advice on hangovers in Know Your Beers, we played What’s in My Glass? in Happy Fun Time and sampled two new Evil Genius offerings as well as a slew of other brews the gents were kind enough to bring along.

With Alexis Irvin and Chip HidenProducers of Blood, Sweat, and BeerPlus John and Andrew Gillespie On the phone from Washingto DC, we chatted with filmmakers Alexis and Chip about their documentary Blood, Sweat, and Beer about the explosive growth of the craft beer industry and the dramatic journeys of two start-up breweries. Also, joining us in the Beer Busters Podcast Basement were Beer Country John Gillespie and his brother Andrew, who came bearing a slew of southern brews. We played a new Happy Fun Time Game all about craft beer on TV and Steph taught us what we need to know about hangovers in Know Your Beers.

With Eric Santostefano and Tim Floros fromLevante Brewing Company Brothers-in-law Eric and Tim homebrewed together for seven years and spent four years putting together Lavante Brewing. We sat down in the just-ready-to-open brewery in West Chester, PA in view of the brand new 15 bbl brew system. While sipping three of their tentpole brews, we chatted about their brewing history and their vision for the company. The news segment featured an actual, for reals, printed newspaper (yes, they still make those). In Happy Fun Time, we played the never-gets-old (I hope) Libation or Fabrication, and Steph taught us how the pros say you should sample beer in Know Your Beers. Plus we shot a quick video tour of the facility after the podcast, so look for that soon on our brand new, super awesome YouTube channel.

With Greg Orth from Craft Tastings Greg Orth returns to the Beer Busters Podcast Basement for the second annual Valentine’s Day Mouthgasmic Extravaganza. Last year, Greg introduced us to the world of chocolate and beer pairing and we never stopped talking about it. Now, he returns to once again take us on a journey of flavor this year. Between the sweet goodness, Dan brought news including sewer beer and another list, Steph followed up her proper glassware series with a dose of knowledge on how to achieve the perfect pour in Know Your Beers and Libation or Fabrication got a little racier than usual in a special innuendo edition in Happy Fun Time.

With Andrew Rothackerfrom Lancaster Community Supported Beer Back in the Beer Busters Podcast Basement, Andrew Rothacker stopped by to talk about innovative new Community Supported Beer program. Dan got us up to speed on brew news involving endangered testicles, we played a Lancaster Breweries-Themed version of Years of Beers in Happy Fun Time, and Steph rounded out her three-part series on proper glassware in Know Your Beers. Our guest Andrew was kind enough to bring along some awesome brews from local Lancaster breweries, including a few special treats donated exclusively for his appearance on the show, and Steph broke out a concoction she procured on her recent visit to Carton Brewing in New Jersey.

With Dain, Jon and Mike from Saint Boniface Brewing Amongst the shiny new brewing equipment at Saint Boniface Craft Brewing Co. in Ephrata, PA, we sat down with Marketing Director/Co-Owner Dain Shirey, Head Brewer/Founder/Co-Owner Jon Northup and Sales Manager/Founder/Co-Owner Mike Price to chat about the company’s history, recent expansion, new canned beer offerings and more. Dan ran down the news, including breweries naming woes, craft beer on Delta Airlines and a new gluten-free brew from Stone. The ever-popular staple of Happy Fun Time, Libation or Fabrication, provided trivia and shennanigans. Steph continued to beerducate us on proper glassware in Know Your Beers. And we sampled an array of fine St. Boniface brews. (No squids were harmed in the making of this episode.)

With Brad Moyer & Steve Nott from Bube’s Brewery On an eerie rainy evening, we took a trip to the historic (and purportedly very haunted) Bube’s Brewery in Mount Joy, PA. While a murder mystery dinner played out on the floor below us we chatted with brewers Brad and Steve about their brewing history, the quirks and long history of Bube’s and the renewed focus on beer that the pair are bringing to the establishment. Dan got a bit spicy and a bit dusty in the news, we played There’s Weird in My Beer in Happy Fun Time and Steph debuted a new series of Know Your Beers segments all about proper glassware. And, of course, we sampled many ethereal Bube’s concoctions.

With John Gillespie, author of Beer Country Author, beer geek and now official Beer Busters contributing writer John Gillespie returns to the Beer Busters Podcast Basement to discuss his book and blog project, Beer Country: A Beer Geek’s Guide to Southeast Pennsylvania as well as a bit about what brought him to the world of craft beer and inspired him to undertake the project. Last time John was on the show we handed him the reins, this time we took them back. Dan did the usual news thing, we played Years of Beers and we sampled some awesome brews. However, we had to do something special so we decided to do a blind tasting of five “macro” brews. We all unanimously agreed on the most palatable and the result might surprise you. (Hint: it must be in our genes.)

With Joe Moran and Matt Kennedy from Outta Hand Brews     Joe and Matt have been homebrewing together since 1994 and produced many award winning beers. We’ve been planning to have them on the podcast since the early days of Beer Busters and finally paid a visit to the Outta Hand barn in October...and then had to delay releasing the episode until now (sorry guys). But, good things come to those who wait. Surrounded by the pair’s enviable brewing setup, Dan ran down some (now a bit outdated but still interesting) news, we played Call My Beer Bluff: Headline Edition in Happy Fun Time, learned about Belgian Quads in Know Your Beers and sampled some sublime Outta Hand concoctions.

“Live” at Brewphoria 12 at Canal Street Pub Brewphoria at the Canal Street Pub in Reading, Pennsylvania is a semi-annual beer fest that’s brought some of the best breweries from the region and beyond to our hometown since 2007. At the suggestion of Beer Busters Besties Luke and Trevor of Evil Genius Beer, we were lucky enough to arrange to set up shop and record at this year’s edition of the event. Canal Street is truly a gem of the city of Reading (and the host of the Berks County Homebrew Club meetings) and the perfect venue for this legendary but not-over-crowded beer fest. After sitting down pre-game with our featured guests, the aforementioned Evil Geniuses, our ever diligent photographer/DD/brand ambassador Rich gathered up the representatives from the majority of the 19 breweries pouring there to sit down, share some beers and chat a while.

“Live” at Brewphoria 12 at Canal Street Pub Brewphoria at the Canal Street Pub in Reading, Pennsylvania is a semi-annual beer fest that’s brought some of the best breweries from the region and beyond to our hometown since 2007. At the suggestion of Beer Busters Besties Luke and Trevor of Evil Genius Beer, we were lucky enough to arrange to set up shop and record at this year’s edition of the event. Canal Street is truly a gem of the city of Reading (and the host of the Berks County Homebrew Club meetings) and the perfect venue for this legendary but not-over-crowded beer fest. After sitting down pre-game with our featured guests, the aforementioned Evil Geniuses, our ever diligent photographer/DD/brand ambassador Rich gathered up the representatives from the majority of the 19 breweries pouring there to sit down, share some beers and chat a while.

With Paul Miller, Bart Kaminski & Kevin Kellerfrom Hop Hedz Gear On this episode of Beer Busters Podcast, Bart, Paul, and Kevin from Hop Hedz Gear joined us to talk about their awesome line of craft beer T-shirts. Thanks to one of our listeners, we enjoyed another list, and Steph talked about brewing with coffee. Dean Pierce of Pierce Brewing Company brought along his Ugly Sweater II beer and discussed the upcoming Ugly Sweater Holiday Party at Batdorf Restaurant benefiting Patty’s Pub: Norlanco Relay for life Team. Oh yeah, and we drank Pliny and Zombie Dust, which led to a riveting discussion about our favorite IPAs.

With Evan Fritz and Mark Graves from Manayunk Brewing Head Brewer Evan Fritz and Assistant Brewer Mark Graves sat down with us upstairs at Manayunk Brewing Company and awesomeness ensued. Dan hit the news like a boss, including two lists, one of which was suggested by a fan. In Happy Fun Time we played the old standby Libation or Fabrication, this time a 2014 GABF edition. Our regular dose of beerducation in Steph’s Know Your Beers focused on Belgian Blondes (the beer style, not women). And, as always, we sampled some brews, including your humble editor’s first taste of a tequila barrel aged concoction.

With Jeff Herb and Mike Ross from Tröegs Brewing Media & Communications Coordinator Jeff Herb and Tour Guide Mike Ross joined us in the Barrel Room at Tröegs Brewing Company in Hershey, PA. Dan brought the newsiness including why beer is good for your brain and, of course, a list. Happy Fun Time saw the debut of a variation of Libation or Fabrication that is succinctly titled, One of These Beers is Fake and the Other is Real and You Have to Guess Which is Real and, Oh Yeah They’re All Halloween Themed and Steph gave us the skinny on Belgian Dubbels in Know Your Beers. The lads from Tröegs we’re awesome to chat with and, of course, we sampled many excellent brews.

With Natalie DeChico and Christian Mosebach from Weyerbacher Brewing   We took a trip to Easton, PA to sit down with two previous podcast guests at Weyerbacher Brewing Company. Natalie DeChico is Weyerbacher’s New Jersey Sales Rep, 2011 Philly Beer Geek and President of the ALEiens Homebrew Club. Christian Mosebach, who joined us last time as brewer for Golden Avalanche, is now beersmithing at Weyerbacher. Another brewer, Zane Miller, also joined us toward the end of the episode. After a tour of this awesome brewery, we got down to business. Dan ran down the news, Wayne debuted a new flavor of Happy Fun Time Games and Steph beerducated us on…well, beerducation. And, of course, we sampled and array of the always fantastic Weyerbacher brews.

In this episode we welcomed John Gillespie, author of Beer Country: A Beer Geeks Guide to Southeast Pennsylvania and all-around beer enthusiast, to the Beer Busters Podcast Basement. After a brief intro we turned the tables and gave John the reins to host the show. He interviewed us about our love of beer and how we got involved in this podcastiness. John even brought his own take of Happy Fun Time Games to the show (though we did play some mad-libs, too, just for fun) and brought along a slew of incredible beers to share with us. This, the first (and only?) episode of Beer Country Podcast Radio, was an absolute blast.  Be sure to check out John’s Beer Country project by following his blog, his Twitter and giving him a like on Facebook!

We took a ride down to Huntingdon Valley, PA to stop by Naked Brewing where we sat down with co-owners Jim Crossland and Brian Sucevic, Queen Goddess of the Brewery (and Philly Beer Geek) Jess Streeter, and production assistant Colin Rahn. Over many, many beers we chatted and joked with this awesome group of beersmiths. Dan gave us our dose of news including a beer from a Norwegian Brewery so malodorous it had to be pulled from shelves and a list of the perfect brew for every NFL team from Thrillist.com. After an early tasting segment, Wayne stumbled through the return of Beer Busters Brain-Bending Brew Trivian in  Happy Fun Time and Steph got with the knowledge all about American Pale Ales in Know Your Beers.

In this special edition of Beer Busters, we set up at the 17th Annual Capital City Invitational Beer Fest at Appalachian Brewing Company. The event featured dozens of breweries and upwards of 70 beers poured. We were fortunate enough to speak with attendees and people from breweries such as Appalachian Brewing Company, Tröegs, Market Cross Pub, Old Forge Brewing, Dog Tag Brewing, Blue Canoe Brewery, ReHAB, Ruhlman Brewery, and Marzoni's Brick Oven & Brewing Company. Lots of fun was had, lots of German food was eaten, and even more beers were consumed. Cheers!

We set up on-location at Conshohocken Brewing along the Schuylkill River Bike Trail in Conshohocken, PA and sat down with Founder Ken Buonocore, Head Brewer Andrew Horne and Brewer Charlie Tarloski. After Dan ran down the news (including the story of a 99 Pack of Beer), we got to know the guys behind the brewery. In Happy Fun Time we played perennial favorite Libation or Fabrication, Steph beerducated us on Cascadian Dark Ales in Know Your Beers and then, the most important bit, we sampled a selection of Conshohocken brews.

Tom Scoglio, brewer at Golden Avalanche in Kutztown, PA, left a long brew day to drop by the Beer Busters Podcast Basement. We kicked off this episode by cracking open a bottle of w00tstout 2.0, which, at 13.5% ABV, set the stage for an evening full of shennanigans. Amongst the tom-foolery (pun intended) we chatted about the brewery, how Tom got his start there, their 15th anniversary beer and plans to head to GABF this year. Dan gave us a news run-down, There’s Weird in My Beer returned in Happy Fun Time, Steph gave us the deets (or ‘tails, for the cool kids) on IPLs in Know Your Beers and we sampled some Golden Avalanche brews.