Beer Busters

With Greg Orth and Mike Reaser from Craft Tastings Master of the “mouthgasm” Greg Orth joined us again for the fourth year in a row to once again guide us through the world of food an beer pairing. His less-than-silent-partner (this time), Mike Reaser also joined in. Mixing it up this time we embarked on a beer pairing free-for-all with several tasty goodies the guys brought along and a veritable king’s ransom in beer. Dan got us up to speed with news, Steph talked about beer in cheese pairings in Know Your Beers (and Cheese) and we played a random pairing game with even more beers and more snacks in Happy Fun Time – and were joined by two of our longest standing patrons from Patreon.com/BeerBusters. It was a night to remember, though some of those memories are a bit fuzzy.

With Gage Siegel, Rex Craft and Alex Yedibalian from BeerMenus.com at Kings County Brewers Collective We ticked another state off of our list of national conquest by heading to Kings County Brewers Collective in Brooklyn, NY to sit down with some of the crew from BeerMenus.com, a website and app that tracks tap lists at bars and restaurants. We learned about the company, its mission and origins and chatted about the New York and Philadelphia beer scenes. Dan reported on Dogfish Head’s new barrel tap system and a review of craft beer in 2016. In Happy Fun Time we played There’s Weird in My Beer and Steph talked about brewing with coffee in Know Your Beers. Plus, we sampled some of KCBC’s offerings a few special treats the guys brought along.

With Alan Miller, Alex Govelovich, Carson Book, Ken Gramlich, Tim Klinger, Andy Enders & Karl Larson at Boneshire Brew Works In this episode we sat down with a rotating panel of guests (and some weaponry) at Boneshire Brew Works in Harrisburg, PA. We chatted about the journey to opening the brewery, the pros and cons of operating with a large roster of owners and more. Dan reported on the latest news including a new Walking Dead beer. In Happy Fun Time we played the old stand by Libation or Fabrication and Steph mixed things up a bit by exploring craft soda in Know Your Beers. All while we sipped on a fine selection of Boneshire brews.

With Pat Devlin, Tony Schneider & Dave Morrow at Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works Venturing to central PA, this time to Tattered Flag in Middletown, we sat down with owner Pat Devlin, head brewer Tony Schneider and assistant brewer Dave Morrow. We talked about the brewery and still works’ beginnings and philosophy, the perks and challenges of crafting beer and spirits under one roof, and much more. Dan reported on the latest happenings in the news, we played a new game entitled Ludicrous Liquor Laws (and Some Lies) in Happy Fun Time, and Steph talked about brewing with peppers (surprisingly for the first “official” time) in Know Your Beers. Plus, we sampled an array of Tattered Flag brews, topped off with a couple sips of whiskey.

With Ryan Krill, Jimmy Valm & Mark Graves at Cape May Brewing Company We’ve crossed state lines once again to follow our good friend Rockin’ Tuna Gravy Sauce (aka Mark Graves) to his new brewing gig at Cape May Brewing in Cape May, NJ. We sat down with Mark as well as Co-Owner and President Ryan Krill and Brewmaster Jimmy Valm to chat about the brewery, New Jersey and Oprah. Dan got us up to speed with some news, in Happy Fun Time, Wayne powered through Libation or Fabrication with a voice chewed up by illness, and Steph gave us the low-down on brewing with herbs in Know Your Beers. And, as always, we sampled a variety of the top-notch Cape May brews.

With Jeremy Myers at Neshaminy Creek Brewing On the road this time in Croydon, PA, we sat down with head brewer and co-owner of Neshaminy Creek Brewing, Jeremy Myers. Our conversation ebbed and flowed across a wide range of topics while other brewers were busy “makin’ the J.A.W.N.” Dan reported on some news, including Stone’s first special release at their Richmond, VA location and a rather unfortunate beer name, and we played The Beer Seller in Happy Fun Time. All while we sampled a wide array of Neshaminy’s top-notch brews.

With Jamie Robinson & Tom Connors at Boxcar Brewing Company We took a trip out to West Chester, PA to hop aboard Boxcar Brewing company with owner Jamie Robinson and brewer Tom Connors. With the annual Christmas parade marching past outside, we chatted on a stage that once was graced by one of Dan’s favorite bands. Amongst our topics of discussion were a bottling machine form the 60s and “hoboglyphs”. Dan got us up to date with some news, we played Top Tappd Brews in Happy Fun Time and Steph taught us about American Pale Ales in Know Your Beers. Plus we sampled an array of Boxcar’s delicious offerings.

Brewphoria 14 at Canal Street Pub & Restaurant Behold, part 2 of this year's Brewphoria: We return once again as podcasters-in-residence at one of our favorite beer fests of the year. This year, we were joined by a long list of old friends as well as some newcomers. Brewphoria is a limited attendance beer fest that allows for an intimate and up close experience with the many top-notch breweries that pour their offerings, the taps often manned by the brewers themselves. Unlike the crowded, rushed and assembly-line proceedings of bigger beer fests, Canal Street ensures that this annual event is a must for true beer lovers that appreciate the opportunity the enjoy and talk about beer in a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere. As always, Brewphoria was a blast and we’re already looking forward to next year!

Episode 103, Release Date: 12/2/16 Brewphoria 14 at Canal Street Pub & Restaurant We return once again as podcasters-in-residence at one of our favorite beer fests of the year, Brewphoria at Canal Street in our hometown of Reading, PA. This year, we were joined by a long list of old friends as well as some newcomers. Brewphoria is a limited attendance beer fest that allows for an intimate and up close experience with the many top-notch breweries that pour their offerings, the taps often manned by the brewers themselves. Unlike the crowded, rushed and assembly-line proceedings of bigger beer fests, Canal Street ensures that this annual event is a must for true beer lovers that appreciate the opportunity the enjoy and talk about beer in a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere. As always, Brewphoria was a blast and we’re already looking forward to next year!

With Scott Rudich, Chris Noone, and Marc Armstrong at Round Guys Brewing Company Our beerventuring took us to Lansdale, PA for this episode where we sat down with the crew at Round Guys Brewing. The welcome was warm and we had a blast chatting about sundry topics and sipping brew. Dan presented some news including Dogfish Head’s new Beer for Breakfast and Rogue’s new entry in their Voodoo Doughnut series. In Happy Fun Time we played a Canadian themed version of Libation or Fabrication and Steph talked about Thanksgiving beer pairings in Know Your Beers. Plus we drank some delicious, delicious beer.

With Paul Lahm, Jay Grosse and Righteous Jolly at Broken Goblet Brewing For Beer Busters 101, we took a trip out to Broken Goblet Brewing in Bristol, PA. We were joined by returning podcast guest, Paul Lahm, whose become a bit of a resident mad-scientist brewer at Broken Goblet. Co-owner Jay Grosee and Bar Manager Righteous Jolly also took turns on the mic as we chatted about the the brewery, its history and array of goings-on. Dan gave us the scoop in news, we played Band or Beer (with a gothic theme) in Happy Fun Time and Steph talked about brewing with tea in Know Your Beers. And, as usual, we sampled an array of delicious libations, some of which are not listed here because, frankly, we went off script and this episode was recorded about a month before I am writing this. So, give me a break, huh? You’ll just have to listen.

100th Episode Extravaganza at Canal Street Pub We made it to 100 Episodes! To celebrate this Beer Busters milestone we held a live podcast celebration at Canal Street Pub and invited a slew of past podcast guests to come out and share in the festivities. We have been overwhelmed by the support of the craft beer community in the years since we first launched Beer Busters, and this event only served to solidify how awesome so many of the friends we’ve made along the way truly are. Words cannot express our gratitude for the generosity our fans and friends showed on this momentous occasion, and throughout the life of Beer Busters. We want to truly and deeply thank all of you, everyone who has been on the show, everyone who has supported us and, especially, to all of our fans who have taken this journey with us. There would never have been 100 episodes without all of you. And here’s to 100 more!

At the 10th Annual Wine & Dinosaurs Fest at The Delaware Museum of Natural History For our first podcast in the First State we set up at the 10th Annual Wine and Dinosaurs Festival at the Delaware Museum of Natural History. The annual festival boasts beer, wine, food, live music and a silent auction with all proceeds benefitting the museum and the incredible work they do in their community. This was definitely one of our favorite venues we’ve had the privilege of podcasting in. Surrounded by dino skeletons sporting fedoras and leis, we chatted with several people from local breweries, many of which have never been represented on Beer Busters before. We’d like to extend our thanks to the museum staff, festival volunteers and all of our guests and we would definitely come back next year!

With Kyle Neuheimer at Oakbrook Brewing Company On this episode we had the rare privilege of visiting a brewery in our hometown of Reading, PA. We set up shop at Oakbrook Brewing, Reading’s first brewery in over six years, and sat down with owner and brewer Kyle Neuheimer. Located in a renovated historic firehouse, decorated with a 1930s era motif and a collection of items from the building’s history, Oakbrook is truly a gem. Dan reported on some news stories, including a breakfast cereal beer and an internet financed beer fund. We played Libation or Fabrication in Happy Fun Time and Steph taught us about British Brown Ales in Know Your Beers. All the while sipping on flights of Oakbrook’s outstanding selection.

With Natalie DeChico from Founders Brewing & Laura Wallover from Weyerbacher at the Hulmeville Inn On this episode we set out for the Hulmeville Inn to welcome back Natalie DeChico, now with Founders Brewing. We were also joined by Laura Wallover from Weyerbacher for the second half of the episode. Dan brought us up to speed with some news, including the expansion of Molly Pitcher Brewing. We played The Beer Seller in Happy Fun Time and Steph taught us all about bitterness in Know Your Beers. All while sampling an array of brews from Founders and one from Weyerbacher.

With Eric Santostefano, Tim Floros, Jim Adams & Eric Gilliard at Levante Brewing Company We return to Levante Brewing in West Chester, PA, one year after our first visit. Along with returning guests Eric Santostefano, Tim Floros and Jim Adams, we welcomed Eric Gilliard to the show. Shennanigans ensued immediately. Since our first visit to Levante, the day before the grand opening, the brewery has grown immensely, with a packed tap room, a huge array of offerings and an ever growing staff. Dan got us up to speed on some news, we played Happy Fun Time staple Libation or Fabrication and Steph related some barrel aging tips in Know Your Beers. Plus, we sampled a long list of brews from Levante’s Anniversary HOP Party.

With Rod Smith, Chad Rieker and Bill Collister at Columbia Kettle Works In this episode we set out for Columbia, PA to sit down with owners Rod Smith and Bill Collister and brewer Chad Rieker at Columbia Kettle Works. We talked about the history of CKW and upcoming plans for expansion, Chad’s long family history of brewing and how he got to brew an over one hundred yeard old family recipe, and much more. Dan got us up to speed with news including an update on the ever expanding number of craft breweries in the US. We played Band or Beer in Happy Fun Time and Steph taught us about the techniques of dry hopping in Know Your Beers. Plus, we sampled Chad’s family-recipe Schwartzbier, an Iron Brewer competition winning DIPA concocted by friend of the show Chris Harvey and a heavenly bourbon barrel aged stout.

With Ethan Buckman at Stickman Brews Ethan Buckman from Stickman Brews makes a second appearance on the podcast, this time on his home turf at Stickman in Royersford, PA. Ethan last joined us at Sour Sunday at Free Will Brewing. We sat down to chat about the relatively new brewery and all the awesomeness contained therein. Dan broke some news including computers writing beer recipes and a very special Beer Busters announcement. Wayne challenged his fellows to sniff out the truth in beer news headlines in Happy Fun Time and Steph educated us on the wonder of Brett in Know Your Beers. And, of course, we sampled some of the American Farmhouse goodness that Ethan’s been brewing up at Stickman (including a special treat.)

With Martin Virga at Gunpowder Falls Brewing We took a trip out to Gunpowder Falls in New Freedom, PA to partake in the traditional German deliciousness brewed by owner Martin Virga, who trained in the art of brewing in Germany at one of the oldest brewing schools in the world. Plus, Dan and Wayne chatted with Tim Hennessey, the event organizer behind Pottstown Brewfest, coming up on October 22. We played Band or Beer: Metal Edition in Happy Fun Time and Steph taught us about the Dunkel style in Know Your Beers. And we sipped pints of the expertly crafted traditional Pilsner and Dunkel on tap at Gunpowder Falls.

With Doug Reeser and Kevin Margitich at Hidden River Brewing Company We spent a beautiful evening out on the deck with Doug Reeser and Kevin Margitich at Hidden River Brewing Company in Douglassville, PA. Basking in the cozy atmosphere and rustic brews we chatted about the trials and triumphs of Hidden River’s first year. Dan reported on some news including some changes in PA liquor laws, we played a new game, Top Tappd Brews, in Happy Fun Time and Steph talked about brewing with spices in Know Your Beers. And we all went home with “meowers” for the road.