Beer and Bullsh*t

Ben welcomes back Graeme Kobayashi, owner of Counterpoint Brewing, along with Front of The House Manager, Kayla Jager (aka instagram's KaylaLikesBeer), to talk about their new location, hot dog rollers, ice machines, social media, beer cocktails, and keeping your chickens safe from mink; plus Ben flip flops on Beertown and confesses to having Olympic fever. 

Ben chats with Brittany Ribalkin about her craft beer journey from studying genetics, to graduating Niagara College’s Brewing Program, to brewing beer at Muskoka Brewery, and becoming the head brewer at Bellwoods Brewery. Plus Shane’s great hair, transparent job postings, the Pink Boots Society and the fate of that long-forgotten third Bellwoods location. 

Ben welcomes Stephen Rich to the show to talk about his broad experience in beer from contract brewers, to big beer, and helping build a modest lil' brewery in Blythe. We also talk about his gigs consulting, applying finance guy skills to beer, and the punk rock myth of craft beer. 

This week, two old beer-scented ink-slingers chop it up as Jordan St. John returns and joins Ben to reflect on his days as a nationally-syndicated beer columnist, editor of the beer magazine The Growler, and beer instructor at George Brown. They dig into just how incestuous big beer in Canada is, BJCP certification for the dreaded Ontario Pale Ale,  and why no one cares about anything any more. Plus: Jordan mentions upstart Bickford Brewing so many times it seems like he might be on the payroll. 

Ben welcomes back Shehan Da Silva of Lost Craft Brewery to talk about the evolution of his brewery from a contract operation to one with two tap rooms, RTDs, spirits, and more. They dive into the LCBO system, fostering a sense of community around your business, and trying to ignore Reddit. 

Ben chats with Steve Hukari, co-founder of the Southern Ontario Beer Boys, about his work turning a beer-enthusiast social media presence into a charitable enterprise that has raised $100K. Plus "desert island beers," the logistics of returning thousands of empties, softball, learning to love IPAs, Jurassic Park, and Dave Coulier. 

Ben welcomes back  Matt Tweedy of Tooth and Nail Brewery to talk about  Ottawa's beer scene, why chasing hype is a fool’s game, and the stubborn joy of making classic styles well. They dig into Ontario’s latest distribution shake-ups, what it means for small breweries trying to stay afloat, and why Matt would rather perfect a pilsner than cram another gimmick into a fermenter. 

Ben welcomes Mare Keefe back to the show to talk about her extensive involvement in female-centred brewing initiatives, Ales for ALS, and the sad fate of The Granite as Toronto desperately searches for somewhere to put some condos. Plus, sour beer, open fermentation, and Oasis.

Scott Simmons, President of the Ontario Craft Brewers, returns to the show to talk to Ben about the evolution of the industry, taxation, codes of conduct, convenience store beer and where it's gone wrong, and the upcoming OCB conference. And why he still wants you to call him to snitch. 

Ben rants about the Canadian Brewing Awards, April fools, and the closure of Shacklands Brewing in Toronto. Plus Katy Perry, boner metrics, and curly fries.