BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer podcast

31:31

In this episode, we sit down with Shane Long, a legend in Irish brewing and the founder of both Franciscan Well Brewery, one of Ireland’s first microbreweries, and the brand-new Changing Times Brewery in Dublin. Shane shares his incredible journey from entering the industry in the 1990s when “craft beer” wasn’t even a term, to building and selling Franciscan Well to Molson Coors, and now launching his latest venture with a consortium of Dublin publicans. We explore the early days of Franciscan Well, including the challenges of convincing the Irish market to embrace craft beer and how international awards helped establish their reputation. Shane also delves into his experience working with a global beer giant, the valuable insights he gained, and why he eventually stepped away to start something new. At Changing Times, Shane is redefining the brewery model by partnering with local pubs, focusing on approachable, sessionable beers designed to adapt to customer preferences. This episode offers a deep dive into the evolution of Ireland’s beer scene, the lessons Shane has learned over 27 years in the industry, and his vision for the future of brewing. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or curious about the Irish beer landscape, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed this episode!…

1
Introducing Culture and History: The London Beer Floods 11:14

23 weeks ago11:14

11:14

This is a special episode containing and episode of a 2nd podcast I released. I'm lucky enough that, in addition to all the brewers, I've also managed to talk to beer historians, archaeologists, and those with insights into beers place in culture and history. But there are plenty of people who have published interesting documents but who I will never talk to. At the same time I started playing with the various AI tools. Google in particular has one that not only summarises documents but can turn them into a discussion. I was blown away by this and played with it for a number of documents Until finally I thought why not make it a podcast? This is one of those episodes. They're all short (about 10 minutes) and not perfect, but as a way to learn new things about the place of beer in human culture ( and interesting moments in history) I think they're well worth while. If you like this, the podcast can be found by searching for Let's Talk Beer Culture and History or https://beoirfest.com/cultureand history…

1
A Chat With Métaphore Beer Owner, Jiří Sládek 1:11:01

28 weeks ago1:11:01

1:11:01

In this episode, I chat with Jiří Sládek, founder of Métaphore Beer, one of the most unique and thoughtful breweries in the Czech Republic. Jiří, who describes himself as an “esoteric beer artist,” shares his philosophy-driven approach to brewing, emphasizing authenticity, subtlety, and elegance. He discusses how Métaphore, though a small brewery without its own physical brewhouse, focuses on creating spontaneous, wild-fermented beers that reflect a sense of place, time, and personal expression. We dive into the challenges of brewing in the Czech Republic, known for its rich lager culture, and how Jiří’s inspiration comes from a blend of traditional beer styles, Lambics, Saisons, and natural wines. He explains his unique process, which often involves long fermentation periods and the use of organic, local ingredients. We also explore how Métaphore builds community through a subscription-based membership, allowing passionate fans to experience his deeply personal creations. If you’re interested in the intersection of beer, art, and philosophy, this episode offers a deep dive into the mind of one of Europe’s most intriguing brewers. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed this episode!…

1
A Chat With Postcard Brewing of Ireland 43:45

37 weeks ago43:45

43:45

In this episode, I'm joined by Jonathan Spielberg, founder of Postcard Brewing Company in Dublin, Ireland. Jonathan, originally from New York, takes us through his journey from IT project management to becoming a key player in Ireland's craft beer scene. We delve into the challenges of transitioning from a hobbyist brewer to establishing a fully-fledged brewery, the complexities of contract brewing, and the lessons learned from the successes and failures of various craft beer ventures. Jonathan shares the inspiration behind Postcard Brewing, including how Dublin's iconic landmarks and his love for West Coast IPAs influenced the branding and beer styles. We also discuss the balancing act of catering to local tastes while eyeing the international market, especially the challenges of breaking into the U.S. craft beer scene. Tune in to hear about the creative process behind their unique beer labels, the role of marketing in the craft beer industry, and what lies ahead for Postcard Brewing as they continue to expand both domestically and internationally. Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast or interested in the business side of brewing, this episode is packed with insights and stories from the heart of Ireland's brewing industry.…

1
Recreating A 3,000 Year Old Egyptian Beer in Utah 48:28

42 weeks ago48:28

48:28

Beer was a fundamental part of life in Ancient Egypt. But what did it taste like? That's the sort of question most of would briefly ponder and then move on. Not Dylan McDonnell. He set about plans to recreate an ancient beer as accurately as possible. It turned out to be a 3 year project of deciphering ancient documents, finding ingredients that were as authentic as possible - and even finding a yeast that was scraped from 3,000 year old pottery. Dylan is joining me to chat about how he had the idea, what it involved, and most importantly how the beer tasted.…

1
What's The Real History of Lambic Beer? 59:05

44 weeks ago59:05

59:05

Lambic is synonymous with Brussels. The usual story is that the spontaneously fermented beer has been brewed unchanged since medieval times, a remnant of how all beers were once brewed. The story is more interesting though. Beer Historian Roel Mulder from LostBeers.com joins me to explain how Lambic beers originated in the 18th century and how they went on to be the Brussels 'peoples beer,' declined in popularity in the mid 20th century, and have seen a dramatic revival in the 21st. We discuss the first recorded mention of lambic, the requirements for a beer to be lambic, where it was brewed and why it developed.…

1
Talking Fonio Beer And Burton Union Systems At Thornbridge Brewing. 21:09

45 weeks ago21:09

21:09

Thornbridge Brewing in the UK are an award winning brewery that have a strong emphasis on tradition but like to take chances. They have recently linked with Brooklyn Brewery founder Garrett Oliver to brew a beer with Fonio. This is a staple grain crop in West Africa but it's not widely know outside of the area. It's hardy and grows in dry conditions, but it is hard to harvest and process. Why decide to brew with it?And why take ownership of the world's only remaining Burton Union system? Thornbridge head brewer Rob Lovatt joins me for a brief chat about all the exciting news out of Thornbridge…

1
A Chat With Wild East, Brooklyn's Mixed Fermentation Brewery 43:04

46 weeks ago43:04

43:04

Wild East was founded in 2019 by Brett Taylor, Tyler March and Lindsay Steen. Based in Brooklyn they have a focus (though by no means exclusive) on mixed fermentation and Brett-based beers. They started with 40 barrels and have since grown that by a further 100. As they say they themselves, they aim to push boundaries and open new doors for anyone who’s remotely interested in beer. We do this by producing a diverse range of lagers & ales with balanced and complex, yet approachable flavors and the utmost dedication to quality control. Join us for a chat to learn how they got started, how it's going, and what the future holds..…

1
A Chat With Tom Standage, Author of A History Of The World in 6 Glasses 53:36

47 weeks ago53:36

53:36

Looking at the history of the world through it's 6 favourite drinks might seem a bit unusual. But this lens throws light on changes in culture as well as power throughout the ages. Tom Standage, editor of The Economist, took this approach in his book "A History Of The World In 6 Glasses," in which he traces trends through the history of Beer, Wine, Spirits, Tea, Coffee, and Coke. Tom joins me for a chat focusing on the first three of these (though we'll probably mention the others as well.) How did each influence the civilisations of their times? What do they say about the transfer of power and wealth across the ages? And which is better????…

1
A Chat With Elias Wicked Ales of Manila 42:12

1 year ago42:12

42:12

It's a big claim to say any one brewery is the best in its country. But Elias Wicked Ales won the award as The Philippines best two years running at the Asian Beer Championship. Founded by Raoul Masangcay in 2019 Elias Wicked Ales gained prominence quickly. Raoul is the first beer sommelier in The Philippines and built his interest in, and knowledge of, craft beer through his years working in the US. With Elias Wicked Ales he aims to bring a unique Philippines influence to craft beer, exploiting the flavours available throughout the country. Raoul manages the brewery and taproom from Oregon where he works a day job as an Electronic Engineer. Learn more about his story when he joins me live for a chat.…

1
Vietnam's East West Brewing 47:17

1 year ago47:17

47:17

Vietnamese are among the top ten beer drinkers in the world. The country also has one of the most vibrant beer scenes in Asia. East West is one of the leading craft breweries in Vietnam. Based in Ho Chi Minh City they were founded by a multi-national team (hence the name) with the intention of building a world-class brewery. Their brewery and taproom in the heart of the city ensures that the beer is as fresh as it can be and they made an impact out of the door. Join founder Loc Truong and head brewer Patrick Barnes for live chat about East West Brewing and the whole Vietnamese craft beer scene…

1
Bastet Brewing, Florida's Egypt-Inspired Brewery 1:08:08

1 year ago1:08:08

1:08:08

Huston Lett and Tom Ross founded Bastet Brewing in Tampa Bay, Florida back in 2014 but didn't actually launch until 2019. Inspired by the ancient Egyptian brewing culture they chose the name Bastet after the god who was prevented from destroying mankind when she was fooled into getting drunk. With such a long view of brewing history both Tom and Huston have taken care to brew beers that represent a breadth of vision from across the world. While you'll find IPA's in their line up you are also going to find beers from a variety of styles, backgrounds, and cultures…

1
The Role Of Chicha Beer in The Andean Wari Empire. A Chat With Archeologist Donna Nash. 1:18:50

1 year ago1:18:50

1:18:50

The Wari Empire ruled in Peru from around 600 to 1100. During that time they ruled over much of coastal and highland Peru. Recent excavations have revealed that one of the tools they used to forge alliances was with the local beer, chicha. This was brewed in large state-owned breweries and used both as a way of creating links with neighbouring tribes and also as a way of ensuring stability within the empire itself. Regular festivals and beer-laden social gatherings were an ingrained part of Wari society. Donna Nash of Arizona State University is one of the people whose work has revealed the large role of chicha in Wari society. She joins me for a chat about the Wari and the role chicha played in maintaining their society.…

1
Vine Street Brewing: Missouri's First Black-Owned Brewery 46:26

1 year ago46:26

46:26

Black owned breweries are just 1% of breweries in the US. Recently opened Vine Street in Kansas City is the only one in Missouri. Join founders Kemet Coleman and Woodie Bonds for a chat about the brewery and the challenges and expectations of being minority owned. As the first black-owned brewery in Missouri, Vine Street not only crafts exceptional beers but also actively contributes to the cultivation of a community that celebrates diversity and unity.…

1
How Alcohol Created Civilization With Edward Slingerland 1:03:36

1 year ago1:03:36

1:03:36

Alcohol has been used by humans since the beginning of time. Why do we still injest what is a poison? Edward Slingerland addressed this question in his book "Drunk. How we sipped, danced, and stumbled our way to civilization." Edward is the Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia and his book looks at the alcohol from an evolutionary and religious viewpoint. His conclusion is that alcohol has been essential in helping humans be creative and build civilizations.…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Birth Of A Brewery Part 3 48:13

1 year ago48:13

48:13

We've been following the birth of Checkerhead Brewery on Vancouver Island for a while. Street Juggles David Aiken is creating a lifestyle micro-brewery that will allow him to meet his financial needs and also have a great quality of life. It's been almost a year since we last spoke. How is the project getting on?…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Father Mathew and 19th Century Irish Temperance Movement 55:58

1 year ago55:58

55:58

The caricature of the Irish involves a lot of alcohol and drunkenness. It often comes as a surprise when people discover just how widespread and culturally ingrained temperance and teetotalism is in the country. Father Theobald Mathew's temperance crusade was the single most extraordinary social movement in pre-famine Ireland, enlisting millions of Irish men and women to give up drink for life. This coincided with, and arguably enabled, a national identity which coincided with Daniel O'Connell, and the mass-meetings he organised. Professor Paul Townend of University of North Carolina, Wilmington wrote the book "Father Mathew, Temperance, and Irish Identity" and is an expert on Father Mathew and the temperance movement. He joined me for a fascinating chat.…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Brouwerij Kestemont, Belgium's Newest Lambic Brewery 41:50

1 year ago41:50

41:50

Lambic brewing around Brussels has a long tradition. After many years of decline it has in recent times gone through a revival. Existign breweries have grown and a handful of new breweries have opened. Brewery Kestemont is a family-owned brewery located in another Lambic brewery that closed in 1968. Run by brothers-in-law Lias Kestemont and Wim Krieckemans the brewery produced its first beers in 2020. They use the traditional spontaneous fermentation and local organic products, and have just been accepted as the newest member of the Lambic Brewers Association, HORAL. Join us for a live beer chat to learn all about lambic traditions and the challenges of opening a new lambic brewery.…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Lass Haüs Ales, Austins Only All-Female Brewery 49:21

1 year ago49:21

49:21

Austin has a big and exciting craft beer scene. But surpringly there is only one female-owned brewery where the owners do all the brewing. That is Lass Haüs Ales. Founded by Amber McCullough and Kris Carpenter the brewery specialises in Belgian-style ales. They've experienced their share of ups and downs in trying to bring a brewery to life and they'll be sharing their experiences during our live beer chat.…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Hop & Clover of Mudgee, New South Wales. 53:46

1 year ago53:46

53:46

Not everyone iopens a brewery by mistake. Or gets national publicity before they do. But Dave Henderson from Northern Ireland did just that when he bought a brewing system off Gumtree in Australia. When that happened himself and his wife felt that had to go ahead. Join Dave for a chat about his experiences and be amazed at the accuracy of his Australian accent!…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela, Africa's Brewing Pioneer 47:02

1 year ago47:02

47:02

Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela is one the the driving forces behind craft beer across Africa. She's the founder of Tolokazi Beer in South Africa, the first brewery to be owned by a black woman in the continent. She's holds Master Brewer qualification from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling in the UK and was the first black woman to be accredited as a trainer with them. Apiwe is not only a force in South Africa but has helped breweries through the continent, most recently helping Kweza get their brewery set up in Rwanda. You'll remember Apiwe from our series of chats on traditional African brewing, something she's passionate about. I'm thrilled to be able to chat to her about her own experiences and projects, especially the release of her beers in the UK.…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Jump Ship, Scotlands Non-Alcoholic Brewery 42:04

1 year ago42:04

42:04

Sonja Mitchell had the same experience many of us have, we want a beer but have to be up early the next morning. And like us she was not happy with the non-alcoholic beers available to her. Unlike the rest of us she decided that she should brew her own. And so she started Jump ShipBrewing, Scotland's only exclusively non-alcoholic brewery.…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Recreating a 16th Century Irish Beer With Dr. Susan Flavin & Marc Meltonville 1:07:37

1 year ago1:07:37

1:07:37

There is much we still don’t know about beer in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Historians of food and drink have produced a huge amount of research that explores its deep and complex importance to everyday life. But what did that beer look and taste like? How much alcohol did it contain? How nutritious was it? Though some researchers have tried to answer these questions using the written records left behind by brewers, they have typically made assumptions based on modern ingredients, equipment and techniques. Dr. Susan Flavin set out with a small team to answer those questions. Armed with a 15th Century Irish recipe her team at FoodCult.eu gathered ingredients that match as closely as possible to the originals, and even went as far as building a brewhouse of the time. Susan is joined by food historian Marc Meltonville who had responsibility for recreating the brewery itself for a chat about the project and its findings. You can learn more about the project at https://foodcult.eu/exhibition/brewing-historical-beer/…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Meet Banange Brewing of Uganda 40:58

1 year ago40:58

40:58

Commercial Craft Beer is relatively new to Uganda. One of the pioneers in the scene is Banange Brewing in Kampala. Founded by friends Adam and Pall, who met through their mutual passion for freestyle kayaking on the Nile the brewery has established a strong place for itself in the Ugandan Craft Beer Scene. Co-founder Adam Cameron joined me to tell me the story of how a Canadian and Icelander built Uganda's third largest brewery.…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Ireland's National Centre For Brewing And Distilling 37:40

2 years ago37:40

37:40

The National Centre For Brewing and Distilling is based in Carlow, as part of Teagasc. It's a new initiative that aims among other things to focus on the testing of raw materials for malting and the production of small batches of specialised malts for the craft beer sector, and of test batches for the malting and distilling companies. As the Irish drinks industries continue to thrive, the country has seen significant growth in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink sales. Manager Lisa Ryan joins me for a chat about heritage grains, the potential for Irish grains in Irish beer and whiskey and lots more.…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Mad River Brewing: America's Only Tribally-Owned Brewery 46:34

2 years ago46:34

46:34

The American craft beer scene is pretty white and male. Only something like 4% of breweries are owned by minorities. This makes Mad River Brewing very unique. The brewery got its start 30 years ago at the beginnings of the craft beer revolution in California. But in 2019 it was bought by the Yurok tribe, making it perhaps the only tribally-owned brewery in the country. The mandate is for the brewery to promote Yurok culture, generate employment and income, and act as an example to Yurok and other tribes. It is also women-led, with all its senior management being female. Mad River CEO Linda Cooley (also part-Irish) took time to tell me how she manages these demands while still brewing great beer. We covered a lot of ground in what was a really enjoyable and informative conversation.…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Wild Dog: Zambia's Independent Craft Brewery 50:58

2 years ago50:58

50:58

Velten Tiemann was born in Zambia but spent most of his career working in the wine industry in Germany and Australia. On returning to Zambia and realising he wanted to ferment something, Velten and his wife started Wild Dog. The decision was driven by the fast turnover, no waiting a year between projects. Since brewing that first 100-litre batch Wild Dog has grown and won many awards. Velten joined me for a chat about the potential and the difficulties of brewing inn Zambia.…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Ragnarock Brewery Newfoundland: Brewing At The Worlds End 48:57

2 years ago48:57

48:57

In St. Anthony on the Northern tip of Newfoundland, 3 friends decided to create a community focused brewery. Despite having no experience they opened their brewery and taproom at the end of the world in November 2019 - just in time to be shut down by Covid a few months later. Nevertheless they persevered and their taproom is a higlioght of the local community and they also sell their beers farther than St. Anthony's. Join founder Brad Simms to learn what it's like brewing in so remote a location and the lessons learned…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Cool Cousin: Brewing A "Raw" Unmalted Beer Commercially 55:16

2 years ago55:16

55:16

Ask anyone and 90% of the time you will be told that beer consists of malt, yeast, water, and hops. John Midgley of Cool Cousin Brewing in New York is brewing without malting, just using enzymes and grain. He says it uses less water and energy. Many cultures around the brew beer without malting and have done so for millenia. So in principle this is nothing new, though the exact method might be. John joined me for a chat about his method, how it came about, the potential upsides and downsides and how his first beer using this process won awards. We talked about the environmental savings when using enzymes, the history of exogenous enzymes, and how other brewers can brew this way.…

BeoirFest: Let's Talk Beer

1
Maison Kaloa of Senegal, Brewer of Fonio Beers 36:48

2 years ago36:48