Beer Busters

With John Wible and Rory McClure at 2nd Story Brewing Company We return to 2nd Story Brewing in Old City Philadelphia to site down with brewer John Wible and Assistant Brewer RoryMcClure. Last time we were at 2nd Story we confidently declared that John was bringing lager back. With that accomplishment firmly in the bag, this time around featured a lineup of brews that focused largely on the masterful manipulation of hops. Dan’s news included Soda Stream getting into the “beer” game and a Mortal Kombat inspired brew. We played new Happy Fun Time Game “Potation Quotations” and Steph taught us how to survive summer beer fests in Know Your Beers.

With Joel Charles and Andrew Rothacker from Lancaster CSB Back home in the Beer Busters Podcast Basement we sat and sipped with return guest Andrew Rothacker and first time guest Joel Charles from Lancaster Community Supported Beer. Modeled after CSA programs, Lancaster CSB is the first and only cross-brewery membership program of its kind in which members get perks and growler discounts at participating Lancaster area breweries. We caught up with what’s been happening with Lancaster CSB since Andrew’s last appearance, got some news, played some games, got some learnin’ and sipped on several brews from CSB participating breweries.

With Ryan DeLutis at The Brewery at Hershey For the first time since Episode 16, we sat down with Brewmaster Ryan DeLutis from the Brewery at Hershey for his own episode. This time, however, we were in his domain at the beautiful Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey for the kick-off of this season’s Decked Out Live series. Every summer, live music and good times are featured out on the deck for Friday nights to remember. With cover tunes wafting through the air we sipped and chatted with Ryan and a cameo appearance by Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey President, Jason L. Reimer. Good tunes, great brews and a gorgeous late spring evening.

At the Little Big Beer Fest for Harrisburg Beer Week Capping off the second annual Harrisburg Beer Week, Appalachian Brewing Company again hosted the Little Big Beer Fest – an intimate beer fest featuring big, boozy brews. We took to the stage we’ve cozied up on several times before an interviewed several of the brewers/owners who came out to share these special brews, many made specifically for the event. Lots of old friends and many new ones sat down at the mic to sip and chat and celebrate the awesomeness that is Central PA beer and Harrisburg Beer Week.

With Evan Fritz from Manayunk Brewing Company We took a trip over to New Jersey once again to join Evan Fritz, head brewer at Manayunk Brewing Company. You may notice that Manayunk is not in New Jersey, but Evan’s home is and he was kind enough to invite us over for some pizza, beer and good conversation. We got caught up on what’s been going on at Manayunk since our last visit and what’s to come. News this time around included another list, in Happy Fun Time we played Years of Beers and Steph taught us about Kölsch in Know Your Beers. And, as always, there was much beer.

With Chelsie Markel, Intern Jimi, Chris Harveyand Kurt Wewer at Grain + Verse Continuing the run up to Harrisburg Beer Week we took a trip to Grain + Verse just outside the city to sit down with Chelsie Markel of Stouts and Stilettos and beer week organizer, HBW Intern Jimi, Homebrew Liaison Chris Harvey, and Grain + Verse Executive Chef Kurt Wewer. Sadly, for the first time ever Steph was absent but we made do with news stories including a distinctly “feminine” beer and a bit of The Rice is White in Happy Fun Time Games, all while sampling brews and food and chatting about the second Harrisburg Beer Week.

With Sara Bozich, Colleen Nguyen & Tierney Pomone of Harrisburg Beer Weekand Gary Huether Jr. & Adam Gray at Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar Kicking off the run-up to Harrisburg Beer Week we sat down at sponsor Arooga’s downtown Harrisburg location with three of the team behind HBW: Sara Bozich (www.sarabozich.com), Colleen Nguyen and Tierney Pomone (www.stoutsandstilettos.com) as well as Arooga’s President and Co-Founder Gary Huether Jr. and Craft Beer Manager Adam Gray. With a table filled to bursting, we skipped the news and Know Your Beers but still played Band or Brewery in Happy Fun Time. Each paired with a select dish from Arooga’s outstanding menu, we sampled an array of mostly local brews.

With Josh Weikert from Beer: Simple Blog We return this episode to the Beer Busters Podcast Basement to sit down with Josh Weikert of the Beer: Simple blog. Josh is  very accomplished homebrewer, a BJCP Certified Grand Master Judge and writes about brewing and beer culture. Dan brought us some big news from our friends at Evil Genius, we played a brand new game called Sobering Sticker Shock in Happy Fun Time and Steph gave the reins to Josh to talk about judging and evaluating beer in Know Your Beers. Plus we sipped a couple commercial brews and array of impressive homebrews.

With Troy Reynard and Josh Busheyat Two Rivers Brewing Company For this episode we set out for Easton, PA, to sit down with Co-Owner Troy Reynard and Brewer Josh Bushey at Two Rivers Brewing. Among a kingly feast of samples from the renowned kitchen at Two Rivers and the equally impressive brews, we chatted about the brewery, the restaurant, Lehigh Valley Beer Week, loneliness and cats. Dan gave us the news including a new business arrangement between Southern Tier and Victory, we played Libation or Fabrication in Happy Fun Time and Steph taught us about Black IPAs in Know Your Beers.

With John Stemler at Free Will Brewing Companyand Ethan Buckman from Stickman Brews We trekked out once again to Free Will in Perkasie, PA, this time for the celebration of funk that is Sour Sunday. Brewmaster and sage of sours John Stemler sat down to chat and sip and brought along special guest Ethan Buckman, brewer for the up an coming Stickman Brews in Royersford. As usual, Dan got us up to speed with news. We played old standby Libation or Fabrication in Happy Fun Time and Steph relayed the knowledge on the Berliner Weisse in Know Your Beers. And, of course, we sampled an array of brews from Free Will and Stickman.

With Greg Orth from Craft Tastings Continuing our Valentine’s Day tradition once again we invited Greg Orth from Craft Tastings to the Beer Busters Podcast Basement to indulge in some delicious beer and food pairings. Dan brought us an update on beer and Girl Scout cookie pairings and we discussed Budweiser’s latest Super Bowl commercial. Wayne hosted There’s Weid in My Beer in Happy Fun Time and Steph beerducated us on the art of beer pairing in Know Your Beers. Greg delighted us as usual with mouthgasms aplenty, this time branching out beyond chocolate. And, of course, we set an on air pairing challenge with St. Boniface’s Hegemony Anniver5ary Reserve.

With Mark Garber & Greg Snader at Lancaster Homebrew We took a trip to Lancaster for a little something different, setting up shop at Lancaster Homebrew with Mark Garber and Greg Snader. We chatted about the homebrew shop’s history, the upcoming Fourth Annual Lancaster Iron Brewer Homebrew Competition and more. Dan got us up to speed on news about an expansion for Tröegs Independent Brewing and upcoming cans from Hijinx Brewing Company. Wayne hosted a rousing edition of Band or Beer in Happy Fun Time and Steph brought the knowledge about Bock beer in Know Your Beers. All while we sipped on some of the guys homebrews and a couple choice commercial beers as well.

With Donny Abraczinskas and Andrew Nebelat Turkey Hill Brewing Company We took a trek out to Bloomsburg, PA to hit up Turkey Hill Brewing which, besides the top-notch brewery, is home to a bed and breakfast and grille. Brewmaster Donny and General Manager Andrew sat down to chat about the brewery, its history and much more. Dan gave us the news, Wayne hosted another edition of Libation or Fabrication in Happy Fun Time and Steph returned to the wonderful world of unique hangover cures from across the world in Know Your Beers. All amongst samples of some truly excellent brews including an array of bottled euphoria in a very special second tasting segment.

With Greg Kendig and Francisco Ramirezat Mad Chef Craft Brewing We sat down with founders Greg and Francisco at Mad Chef in East Petersburg, PA to talk about the wonderful food and brews at this fast-growing brewery and restaurant. Two of the most welcoming and enthusiastic guests we’ve had on the show, this pair is brimming with passion. Dan’s news included a new Game of Thrones beer from Ommegang and a Charlotte restaurant chain boycotting Anheuser-Busch. Steph finally got around to beerducating us on the wonderful style of beer that is the Saison. In Happy Fun Time Games, Wayne hosted perennial favorite There’s Weird in My Beer. And, of course, we sampled an array of stellar beers.

With Matt Lindenmuth and Tim Howellsat Saucony Creek Brewing Co. In the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country we sat down in the tap room at Saucony Creek Brewing in Kutztown with founder Matt Lindenmuth and chef Tim Howells. We chatted over brews about many things, including the up and coming gastropub at the brewery. As usual, Dan got us up to speed on news, Steph beerducated us about Doppelbocks in Know Your Beers and Wayne hosted Band or Beer in Happy Fun Time. There was no shortage of great beer and, always a plus, lots of absolutely delicious food courtesy of Tim. Oh - and Merry Christmas!

With Barry Holsten, Mark Graves & Chris Vaughnat Flying Fish Brewing Co. We ventured across the river once again, this time to Flying Fish Brewing Company in Somerdale, NJ to sit down with Head Brewer Barry Holsten and brewers Chris Vaughn and Mark Graves (aka Slimy Sauce). The night began with Tequila early on and spiraled up from there. Dan gets his news on with stories about Cigar City/3 Floyds Florida Man Loses Bet and more. Steph taught us to appreciate those who pour our suds with a Know Your Beers about Tipping for Beer. In Happy Fun Time Wayne hosted another rousing jaunt with Libation or Fabrication. And, of course, there was beer.

“Live” at Brewphoria 13 at Canal Street Pub The thrilling conclusion to this year’s Brewphoria beer fest at Canal Street Pub and Restaurant in Reading, PA. Brewphoria is a semi-annual beer fest that’s brought some of the best breweries from the region and beyond to our hometown since 2007. Some familiar faces (or voices, I guess) return from last year’s event along with some newcomers. Brewphoria is truly one of the area’s best beer events, and a must for beer lovers who prefer their fests a bit more intimate with room to breathe and chat with the brewers, reps and fellow attendees in an awesomely chill atmosphere.

“Live” at Brewphoria 13 at Canal Street Pub We return as podcasters-in-residence once again for this year’s Brewphoria beer fest at Canal Street Pub and Restaurant in Reading, PA. Brewphoria is a semi-annual beer fest that’s brought some of the best breweries from the region and beyond to our hometown since 2007. Some familiar faces (or voices, I guess) return from last year’s event along with some newcomers. Brewphoria is truly one of the area’s best beer events, and a must for beer lovers who prefer their fests a bit more intimate with room to breathe and chat with the brewers, reps and fellow attendees in an awesomely chill atmosphere.

With Vince DesRosiers and Mark Russellat Dock Street Brewery   Philadelphia bound this time around, we hit up Dock Street Brewery in West Philly to chat with brewers Vince and Mark. Still high on the afterglow of their massivley successful release of the Wu-Tang serenaded Dock Street Beer Ain’t Nothin’ to Funk With, the gents talked about their brewing experiences, working at Dock Street and more. Dan’s newsy bits included a change in the makeup of Guiness and a World Series beer bet. In Happy Fun Time we played There’s Weird in My Beer. And Steph gave us some history on Philly beer in the 90’s in Know Your Beers. Plus beer, good beer, yay beer.

With Theo & Brandalynn Armstrong at Zeroday Brewing We’ve been spending a lot of time in Central PA. This time in Harrisburg, we hit up Zeroday Brewing to chat with owners Theo and Brandalynn Armstrong. There was an unusual amount of talk about hot tubs. Dan got us up to speed on some news including an interesting new offering from Sam Adams and a beer protein drink. In Happy Fun Time we tested how well the Zeroday duo and Beer Busters co-hosts really know each other in The Drinking Game and Steph taught us about the world of firkins in Know Your Beers. And, of course, we drank of the delicious Zeroday nectars.