Artificial intelligence (AI) is seemingly everywhere these days, including in the brewing industry. To get a better idea of how it can be a tool for good in brewing we sit down with Beau Warren, the mastermind behind Species X Beer Project. Beau’s blend of interests in artificial intelligence and craft brewing is truly unparalleled.... Continue Rea…

In it's 5 year history Gemüt Biergarten has done much to distinguish itself from the pack. Their location in Columbus' Olde Town East neighborhood is a gorgeous, inviting location with sturdy communal tables, stained glass windows that tell the story of their core beers, and one of the city's best beer gardens. In a world... Continue Reading →…

In this episode three repeat guests - Dan Eaton, Madeleine Bogard, and Chris Mercehill - compete in a game show based on bizarre beers. The show alternates between rounds of Wait Wait... Don’t Beer Me! and ReinheitsgeWHAT? In the former we share the origin stories of three beers featuring highly unusual ingredients, even by modern... Continue Readi…

As the craft beer industry matures, brewers are facing a number of economic challenges. In this episode we discuss those challenges with longtime Columbus Business First writer, Dan Eaton, who has covered the beer industry since the aughts as a reporter for Columbus Business First. After reviewing some of the stats that highlight the current... Con…

In this episode, loosely based on the format of the Great British Baking Show, seven homebrewers square off to see who can design and brew the best English, Irish or Scottish Ale. After we meet the brewers and hear about their beers, professional brewers Angelo Signorino (Barley's) and Ryan Torres (Brew Brothers) judge the entries.... Continue Read…

There was a time when Belgian-style beers were widely brewed in America, but these days the yeast-forward, elegant beers of Belgium seem to be relegated to a small niche of the American market. You can still find Trappist ales in better beer stores, but try searching for American-brewed interpretations of those styles is a challenging... Continue R…

Nick Dekker has been writing about food, travel, and occasionally beer, for nearly two decades. His blog site, Breakfast with Nick, is a wealth of knowledge and the definitive guide to the best breakfast spots in Central Ohio. He is also a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, home of Founders Brewing, so it comes as... Continue Reading →…

We recently recorded our 50th episode, a feat that took just over 8 years. It seemed like a milestone worth celebrating, as getting to 100 episodes is by no means a sure thing. That idea led to a wonderful collaboration with Angelo Signorino of Barley's Brewing. The first task was to decide what style to... Continue Reading →…

Pizza and beer is the perfect pairing. Both beer and the crust are products of yeast fermentation. The crisp bitterness of the beer cuts through the fattiness of the cheese. The herbal and spicy hop notes pair nicely with the Italian herbs in the sauce, and the spritzy carbonation scrubs it all away, resetting your... Continue Reading →…

No one has written more extensively and authoritatively on craft beer in the Buckeye state than Rick Armon. A journalist by trade, Rick has published two books on the beers of Ohio - Ohio Breweries in 2011 and 50 Must Try Beers of Ohio in 2017 - in addition to his influential Ohio Beer Blog... Continue Reading →…

Nothing is more British than enjoying a glass of creamy cask ale, dispensed from a beer engine, in a cozy wood paneled pub, but good luck finding that experience once you leave the British Isles. Here in Central Ohio finding a traditional cask ale is as rare as finding a hen’s tooth, and this episode... Continue Reading →…

This is the time of year when people roll out their best of the year lists. Here in Columbus, the online magazine Columbus Underground does top 10 lists of many types, including breweries. As it usually does this year's list sparked some debates amongst us and our beer loving friends, which ultimately led us to... Continue Reading →…

Ohio is not the only place that celebrates Christmas with an outpouring of strong, spiced beers. The Belgians have been doing this for this many decades, albeit with a more restrained hand on the spice additions. Land Grant’s Dan Shaffer and Columbus Beer Adventures guide Ralph Wolfe join us once again for some potent, seasonally... Continue Readin…

Brewed once per year on St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) and aged for 10 months before packaging, the Triplebock Samichlaus can rightfully be called the OG of extreme beers. In this episode, Dan Shaffer, head brewer at Land Grant, and Ralph Wolfe join us by the fireside for a warming tipple of a beer that... Continue Reading →…

Whether you call them Scotch Ales or Wee Heavies, who can resist the charms of one of Scotland’s best exports. These silky smooth, decadent ales are the more potent siblings of the Scottish Ales we reviewed in the last episode. Brian Kimmel, a veteran of several hikes across the Scottish Highlands, joins of for an... Continue Reading →…

In this episode, we remain in the UK but cross over Hadrian’s Wall and turn our attention to the malt-forward, yet sessionable family of Scottish Ales. We are joined by the dean of Ohio brewers, Barley’s brewmaster Angelo Signorino, who has been making his unique interpretation of a Scottish Ale for thirty years. Inspired by... Continue Reading →…

Dark milds are far from flashy. After all how can you get excited about a beer style with such a pedestrian name? Yet, when done properly this dark, malty, pub ale packs a surprising amount of flavor into a low abv package. Dark milds are not only unassuming, they are elusive. Good luck trying to... Continue Reading →…

Bitters, whether they be ordinary, best, strong, or extra special - are a staple of the British pub, but not one of the easiest styles to find here in the USA. Fortunately here in Ohio there are a few breweries brewing them with pride in the English tradition. In this episode we turn a spotlight... Continue Reading →…

After a lengthy hiatus the podcast is back with a new episode, a blind tasting featuring eight different saisons. In our quest to find the one saison to rule them all, we are joined by BJCP beer judge (and recently crowned SODZ brewer of the year) Bill Koeppen and number one All Things Beer fan... Continue Reading →…

Not only have nonalcoholic (NA) beers have become increasingly common in recent years, the variety on offer has expanded dramatically. So much so that today you can find more than 50 different NA beers in Columbus market. With the excesses of the holiday season in the near past, many are trying to adopt healthier lifestyles... Continue Reading →…