Beer Me!

A filmmaker, professor, journalist, and brewer walk into a bar...or rather, a panel, hosted by Theresa McCulla on October 22nd. This virtual event is in collaboration with the National Museum of American History and will discuss beer in the US, the past and present. Aside from this exciting event, Theresa shares how her work as the curator of the American Brewing History Initiative has morphed over the past year to capture the ongoing evolution of the craft beer community. If you are in the DC area, check out the American Brewing Exhibit at the National Museum of American History! 

This past May, Brienne Allan kicked off a reckoning within the craft beer community in regards to sexual harassment and discrimination. Brienne joins the show along with LeBaron Meyers, President of NotMe Solutions. #Notme is a reporting platform for those who have experienced or witnessed racism, harassment, discrimination and misconduct. “Craft beer is in a liminal phase…an in-between” said Bart Watson of the BA during last week’s Craft Brewers Conference. There has been a call to action, and the industry is certainly responding. 

Brewery Ardennes: Opening a brewery in a pandemic, it's all in the details

Nestled in the banks of Seneca Lake in Geneva, New York is newly opened, Brewery Ardennes. Derek and Stacy Edinger opened the brewery in May 2021, but have this stunning, Belgium-inspired brewery producing and operating like a veteran brewery. With backgrounds in aerospace engineering and hospitality, Derek and Stacy have a deep understanding of attention to detail, which shines through in the beer and the brewery. Listen in to hear tips for opening a new brewery and the challenges they faced opening during a pandemic. 

In 2013, Annie Johnson won the American Homebrewer Associations' Homebrewer of the year award. She is now a brewmaster, a certified beer judge (BJCP), a chapter leader in the Seattle Pink Boots Society Chapter, and a member of the Governing Committee for the American Homebrewers Association. She shares her story and some tips along the way for homebrewers everywhere.

Craft beer continues to grow in popularity throughout Asia. For the 6th year, Seabrew, an annual conference, and trade fair for the brewing community will commence in Taipei this November. Charles Guerrier, Director of Seabrew, takes us through the importance of this conference and what has been the most impactful for brewers who come from all over Asia.  

Matias Vera Cruz Dutrenit, founder of Monstruo de Agua Cerveceria in Mexico City, joins us on the show to discuss how his brewery (part of the Colectivo Axolote) embraces Mexican terroir and seeks to support sustainable practices in beer production. We dive into the importance of agroecological-regenerative practices and how impactful they can be. 

Jon Lundbom, Division manager from Importer, B.United joins us on the show. We dive into creative shipping solutions and how exciting international breweries are breaking into the U.S. market. Jon is also the jazz guitarist for the band "Big Five Cord"...we recommend sipping your favorite brew while listening to some of their albums. 

This week we welcome back to the show Julia Herz, Founder and CEO of HerzMuses Enterprises LLC. As the keynote speaker for The Women's International Beer Summit in April, we dive into proactive ways women can use their voices and how we (collectively) should never shy away from tougher conversations. Julia also shares one of her new projects: Gray for Good - For all Womanhood (I grayed, I saved, I gave). And of course, we get to talk about love for cask ale.  

After a difficult pandemic season, Beer Me is back! Katie Marisic, the Federal Affairs Director for the Brewers Association joins the for this special relaunch. Katie shares how the Brewers Association responded to the major revenue losses their members experienced in the midst of the pandemic. We also dive into the recent @RatMagnet stories that revealed the mistreatment of people in the beer industry and discuss the question: is there actually progress being made in this area? Katie also shares the resources provided by the Brewers Association to address the mentioned issues in this episode.