Extraspecialbrews

Episode 14 with Slag Heap Brewing Company in Trussville, AL. Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode fourteen. Awesome episode with owner/founder/hype man Joe Meadows of the first brewery in Trussville. We discuss their new pilsner made with the freshest water in the South, why Trussville is the perfect spot for a brewery and how 20 years of homebrewing prepared him for a business. Intro and Outro music is "Birmingham" by Ryan Sobb, grab his music here -> www.ryansobb.com Find us online at www.extraspecialbrews.com and on social media @extraspecialbrews

Episode 13 with Good People/Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham, AL. Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode thirteen. Big episode getting to sit down with the good people at Good People, Sales Manager Stefano Daneri and Graphic Designer Andrew Thompson to discuss being the first and biggest brewery in Alabama and the story of how it came to be, the acquisition and rebranding of Avondale Brewing, and possible live elephants. Intro and Outro music is "Birmingham" by Ryan Sobb, grab his music here -> www.ryansobb.com Find us online at www.extraspecialbrews.com and on social media @extraspecialbrews

Episode 12 with Cross-Eyed Owl (XEO) Brewing Company in Decatur, AL. Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode twelve. We celebrate 10 episodes briefly, then talk with Founder Trey Atwood about being the first brewery in Decatur, what the heck "Cross-Eyed Owl" means, how to make time for date night with your co-worker/wife and much more. Intro and Outro music is "Birmingham" by Ryan Sobb, grab his music here -> www.ryansobb.com Find us online at www.extraspecialbrews.com and on social media @extraspecialbrews

Episode 11 with Birmingham District Brewing Company in Birmingham, AL Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode eleven. We celebrate 10 episodes briefly, then talk with Co-Founder Cale Sellers and Head Brewer Jimi Sumpter about what obstacles they overcame to open, revitalizing Birmingham with breweries, cupholders in the bathroom, and much more. Intro and Outro music is "Birmingham" by Ryan Sobb, grab his music here -> www.ryansobb.com Find us online at www.extraspecialbrews.com and on social media @extraspecialbrews

Episode 10 with Goat Island Brewing in Cullman, AL Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode ten. We get the full Goat Island welcome party and sit down with the four founders as well as head brewer to discuss old German recipes, dating your boss' daughter, award winning beer they're putting out and more. Intro and Outro music is "Birmingham" by Ryan Sobb, grab his music here -> www.ryansobb.com Find us online at www.extraspecialbrews.com and on social media @extraspecialbrews

Episode 9 with Cahaba Brewing Company in Birmingham, AL Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode nine! We catch up with Managing Partner and Brewmaster Eric Meyer to talk building a Birmingham brand on great beer, Bandersnatch, Rotation Nation, brewing in an old cotton gin factory and much more. Intro and Outro music is "Birmingham" by Ryan Sobb, grab his music here -> www.ryansobb.com Find us online at www.extraspecialbrews.com and on social media @extraspecialbrews

Episode 8 with Siluria Brewing Company in Alabaster, AL Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode eight, we're sure of this time. We catch up with owners Danny and Tammy Sample, as well as Brewmaster Tim English and talk renovating post offices, stouts making people cry, their approach to bringing great craft beer to Alabaster and much more. Intro and Outro music is "Birmingham" by Ryan Sobb, grab his music here -> www.ryansobb.com Find us online at extraspecialbrews.com and on social media @extraspecialbrews

Episode 7 with Fairhope Brewing Company in Fairhope, AL Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode seven we believe. Due to some inopportune timing, only Steven was able to make the trip, but we had a great time with Brian Kane, co-founder of Fairhope Brewing. We talk living in Alaska, how you decide on a pelican and the letter "F" to be your brand, getting lost in Mountain Brook and much more. Intro and Outro music is "Birmingham" by Ryan Sobb, grab his music here -> www.ryansobb.com Find us online at extraspecialbrews.com and on social media @extraspecialbrews

Episode 6 with Common Bond Brewers in Montgomery, AL Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode six. We head to the state capital to reminisce with Andrew McNally, co-founder of Common Bond Brewers. We talk about Andrew's previous career with Major League Baseball, legendary beer runs in college, the pros/cons of being the first production brewery in Montgomery, and more. Intro and Outro music is "Birmingham" by Ryan Sobb, grab his music here -> www.ryansobb.com Find us online at extraspecialbrews.com and on social media @extraspecialbrews

Episode 5 with Black Warrior Brewing Company in Tuscaloosa, AL Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode five. We take it east to find out the details on Nick Saban's drinking habits in Tuscaloosa, AL with Eric Hull of Black Warrior. We talk what it's like being on the business side of a brewery, best beer for mountain biking, what a 60 year old abandoned barber shop looks like, how they're ingrained in the Tuscaloosa history and community and more. Intro and Outro music is "Birmingham" by Ryan Sobb, grab his music here -> www.ryansobb.com Find us online at extraspecialbrews.com and on social media @extraspecialbrews

Episode 4 with Interstellar Ginger Beer and Exploration Company, Alabaster, AL Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode four, The Fate of the Breweries, the podcast where you get to experience the folks behind your favorite local breweries in a relaxed, candid and real light. We take it south down I-65 to Shelby County, AL for our first dive into ginger beer with Shane Kelly of Interstellar. We talk what ginger beer really is, microbiology jokes, how to make glow in the dark beer, Matthew McConaughey films and more. Intro and Outro music is "Birmingham" by Ryan Sobb, grab his music here -> www.ryansobb.com Find us on social media @extraspecialbrews

Episode 3 with Straight To Ale, Huntsville, AL Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode three, Return of the ESB, the podcast where you get to experience the folks behind your favorite local breweries in a relaxed, candid and real light. We take a jog up to Hunstville, AL AGAIN to meet with Dan and Matt of Straight To Ale. We talk interviewing to become a distiller, secret speakeasy's, rocket engineer homebrewers, axe throwing, and more. Intro and Outro music is "Birmingham" by Ryan Sobb, grab his music here -> http://www.ryansobb.com Find us on social media @extraspecialbrews

Episode 2: Yellowhammer Brewing, Hunstville, AL Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's episode two, ESB Strikes Back, the podcast where you get to experience the folks behind your favorite local breweries in a relaxed, candid and real light. We take a jog up to Hunstville, AL to meet with Don Milligan and Ethan Couch, two of the four founders of Yellowhammer Brewing. The conversation includes how they transitioned from brewing beer in the garage on the weekends to running one of the largest outfits in the state, how they're impacting the community, their plan to get their beer in space, and much more. Find us on social media @extraspecialbrews

Extra Special Brews - Episode 1: Red Hills Brewing Hosted by Steven Spears and Wil Cushman, it's the inaugural episode of ESB, the podcast where you get to experience the folks behind your favorite local breweries in a relaxed, candid and real light. We kick back on the office futon with Eric Baumann and Joe Pilleteri, head brewer and owner respectively, of Red Hills Brewing in Homewood, AL. The conversation leads to how they came to make the leap to open a brewery and why they chose Homewood, their thoughts on the current state of the beer industry, the origin of the beer names, the disappearance and reemergence of Wil, how they stay motivated, and much more. Find us on social media @extraspecialbrews