Beer Busters

We have a full lineup of longtime friends of the show to talk about new and exciting things happening in the PA beer world. From Pour Man’s Brewing and now Saint Boniface Craft Brewing too are Ryan Foltz, Sam Son, and James Stauffer. After some unfortunate events that don’t warrant recounting here, the future of St. Boniface was in serious doubt. Which was a real shame considering the amazing quality of beers they had always produced. But no more! The St. Boniface brand is back and better than ever with the crew behind the wildly successful Pour Man’s at the helm, here all about that and future plans in this episode. Plus! Podcast pal and patron Brian Mills sits in to talk about more new beer news – he’s taken over the old Pour Man’s space to launch his own brewery, Inspiration Brewing. If you’ve ever met Brian, or tried his beer, you know this is something to get jazzed about. We also played Libation or Fabrication makes a left turn at Albuquerque again in Happy Fun Time.

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From another amazing Lancaster brewery, joining us this episode is Chris Rommel, co-founder – along with his brother Jim – of BierHall Brewing. With a tap list focused on German and lager style beer (but always including a range of seasonal and classic styles) and a full menu of German and American pub grub, BierHall is a place to gather, a hall that welcomes all. We hit the usual notes, discussing what brought the brothers to opening BierHall, including Chris’ experience learning brewing in Germany. Plus, in Happy Fun Time, we return to a game we’ve only played once before: Untappd Word Count (or, How Many Beer Results Do You Get If You Search These Words on Untappd?) Which is pretty self-explanatory.

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Joining us this episode is Dave Timblin, co-owner and founder of Truth Beer Co. along with his childhood friend Ryan White.TBC opened in 2022 in Akron after the pair spent nearly a decade of home brewing together and planning. In January of 2024, TBC opened its new taproom on N. Prince Street in Lancaster. We chat about all of this, plus Truth’s history and connection to our good friends and Pour Man’s Brewing, Dave’s past homebrewing and professional brewing experience, and more. Plus, a round of the rarely appearing Libation of Fabrication variant that is Brewery or Forgery.

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Philadelphia is the best beer drinking city in America. And, for closing in on 20 years, Philly Beer Week has been the beer celebration to be at. This episode we sit down with Rich Colli, the current Main Man behind Philly Beer Week and Philly Loves Beer, the organization behind it. Rich is also the owner of the well-known Varga Bar in Philadelphia. We chat about the changes that have come to Beer Week, and the beer world in general, in the years since the pandemic. Hear all about this year’s awesome 10-day celebration, some of the amazing events throughout the city, and general conversation about great beer events and the people behind them. In Happy Fun Time, we play a round of Libation or Fabrication Makes a Left Turn at Albuquerque, that ends with a special surprise for our top-level patrons…

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This episode, we’re down one Beer Buster due to unforeseen, but not dire, circumstances. Wayne steps into the hosting shoes as Dan tends to important business and we welcome back Adam Chamberland, Brewer and Founder at Cartel Brewing. Adam joins us from Cartel’s new(ish) location at 920 Landis Avenue in the Lancaster West End, where they’ve been headquartered since outgrowing their home in downtown Lancaster since 2019. We talk food, beer, the new spot, and a whole lot more, plus – in Happy Fun Time, we play a round of There’s Weird in My Beer – with a subtle dash of controversy.

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The band is all here in the original lineup once again and we’re chatting with non-alcoholic beer enthusiast and internet person, NA Brewskey. We talk about the history and origins of NA beer, different methods of production, how the beer community has reacted to NA beer, and events around Philly and options beyond. Plus, in Happy Fun Time, we play a round of Libation or Fabrication: Non Alcoholic Variety. So, kick back, crack a beverage of whatever alcohol content you desire, and listen in as Wayne discovers that he likes hop water.

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Joining us this episode from all-lager brewery Birdsmouth Beer in Oceanport, NJ is Andy Gioia. Not joining us this episode, unfortunately, is Wayne. Fortunately, in his place, our longtime friend from the earliest days of Beer Busters, Slimy Sauce himself, Mark Graves. Topics of discussion include lagers, of course, and why only lagers. Plus, the never-ending quest to educate consumers on the finer points of beer flavored beer. But, what about Happy Fun Time, you say? Fear not! Though Wayne was absent he was present in spirit as Dan took the reins to host a round of Libation or Fabrication: Lager-fied Edition.

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Just in time for dry (or at least a little less damp) January, we are joined by Jamie Fay, the Founder and CEO of the fastest-velocity brand in the non-alcoholic craft beer category, RationAle Brewing. We learn about the uniquely personal origin story of RationAle, nerd out quite a bit about the NA brewing process, talk about the many and varied reasons for the increasing popularity of the non-alcoholic category, and a whole bunch more things. In Happy Fun Time, we play a round of Libation or Fabrication featuring all NA beers. Join us as newly minted mavericks for this awesome brand, and fans of its enthusiastic and amiable founder, with a cool quaff with or without the heat, as we venture into this fascinating space.

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For nearly a decade, almost as long as we’ve been doing this podcast, Stickman Brews has been the unequivocal purveyor of the finest beers in Southeastern Pennsylvania. As of October 2023, this, like all good things, has come to an end. In all seriousness, Ethan Buckman – the inimitable proprietor and brewer for Stickman – along with partners Jim Buckman and Kate Sorrento, and many other fine folks who worked to make Stickman the unique endeavor that it was, have joined the ranks of our most loved and appreciated friends in the industry. We sit down this episode with Ethan for his “exit interview” to discuss the factors and decisions that lead to the closing, the state of the beer industry (and food and beverage generally) and where it may be headed, and of course some ruminations on what the future may hold for Ethan. While we are sad to see the end of Stickman Brews, the friendships we made along the way will endure, and we are certain there are great things coming from everyone who was a part of the Stickman team.

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After a three-year hiatus, the Wine & Dinosaurs fest at the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science returned for 2023 and we were once again on-location doing the pod thing. Presented by M&T Bank, all proceeds from the event featuring wine, food, and of course great beer, go to supporting the museum and its mission. We catch up with a few old friends from some of the state’s awesome breweries, and meet some new ones as well. This is one fest we’ve always enjoyed for its laid back feel, top-notch food, and – best of all – being surrounded by all the funducational wonders this incredible museum has to offer.

Do you love Beer Busters? Of course you do!Why not leave us a rating and review on your podcast platform of choice and consider supporting us on Patreon.