Beers with Nigel

It may not have been the smartest idea they've ever had, but Nigel and Nick stepped up to the challenge and recored two episodes during a Sunday Funday run through a few of their favorite local breweries. Starting the day with Kansas City's Strange Days Brewing (Act 87 if you missed it), the day ended back in the vault for a video interview with Kelvin Kolheim and Memphis' first black-owned brewery, Beale Street Brewery.

Just like Ernie Banks, Nigel and Nick decided to play two last weekend. In the first stop for their Sunday Funday tour, the dynamic duo headed to Kansas City's River Market area and Strange Days Brewing for a conversation with Co-owner Chris Beier and head brewer Trevor Schlam. Many beers were consumed during the day and we may or may not tell Junior the names of said beers. But he, and the rest of you, will have to come back next week for the Sunday nightcap interview with Memphis' Beale Street Brewing.

Nigel and Nick are back on the road and enjoying some spring weather on the deck at River Bluff Brewing in St. Joseph, Mo. In between some questionable burp judging, the two get a little history on River Bluff Brewing from guests Vinny Weille and Billy Campbell, as well as the low down on the upcoming Ales West beer festival happening in June... Oh, and Junior, we let you down again. Totally forgot to write down the beer list. You'll just have to listen to the entire show!

Nigel and Nick first met Drew and Jasmine Dill at Barrel & Flow Fest 2021. After experience the festival in 2019, Drew decided he wanted to start brewing his own beer and when the in-person festival resumed in 2021 he was infiltrating the brewers' bottle share to show off his home brew skills and get some feedback from the pros. Not only did he get positive feedback, he received a challenge to hit the professional ranks and return in 2022 as one of the brewers. Mission accomplished. Steve "Big Jax" Jackson also joins the show as Drew and Jasmine tell their story of launching Liquid Intrusion and their plans for the future.

What we're drinking: Rainbow Sherbet, Prairie Artisan Ales; African Queen, Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company; Yabba Dabba Brew, Nothing's Left Brewing Co.; Schwarzbier, Pipeworks Brewing Co.; South D.C. Cream Ale, Liquid Intrusion Brewing Company; Hoppy Refresher, Lagunitas Brewing Co.; and Paddy Stash, Main & Mill Brewing Co.

Back on the road, Nigel and Nick stop by Jazzy B's, a great little BBQ joint in Lee's Summit, Mo. Owner Brandon Simpson joins the show to talk about his growing restaurant and his path from football championships, to piano sales to successful restauranteur... And Junior, I don't remember what we drank, but there four wonderful beers provided to us by that Superhero named Brad at Grains & Taps. Oh, and a Tank 7 from Boulevard Brewing, too.

Monday was Nigel's birthday (we won't tell you which number) and this weekend is the second anniversary for Goat Brewing in Lee's Summit. What better way to celebrate than with beers — and some whiskey because Whiskey Wednesday? Goat Brewing owner Jeremy Kneeland joins the celebration, as does Counter Clockwise KC's Sean Harris joins in for some big news.

Woodie Bonds really wants to be the third member of our band! Bonds, along with co-owner Elliot Ivory and Director of Operations Annie McGinnis invited Nigel and Nick out for a sneak peak at the soon-to-be-opened Vine Street Brewing located in the historic east side of Kansas City. Also joining the show is Jerry Richard, host of the Modern Brews + Beats podcast. In this special episode we talk about Jerry's entry into the world of craft beer and catch up on one of the midwest's most anticipated brewery opening. 

Just for you, Junior, here's this act's mystery beers: Hibiscus Milkshake IPA, Grains & Taps; Beer Karma - chocolate mint, Transparent Brewing & Beers with Nigel collab; and Tezcatlipoca, Diametric Brewing.

We get to meet a lot of people in this "job." But we're sure we've met many with a better job title than Macadoodles' Aaron Plaskett — Beer & Bourbon Manager. So, how does Aaron describe his job at the newly-opened store in Lee's Summit, Mo.? He says he's a curator and a personal shopper helping customers find what they need for their palette. Basically, he gets you the best beers and bourbons you know you need. What we’re drinking: JEFF, The Iowa Project; Hibiscus Milkshake IPA, Grains 7 Taps; Liquid Spiritual Delight, 2nd Shift Brewing; and Cocoa Bites Triple Chocolate Milk Stout, 4 Hands Brewing.

John Gales, from Brew View magazine, joins Nigel and Nick all the way from his home in Vermont. Gales talks about using the magazine to tell good beer stories and spread the word about the constantly-growing craft beer industry. Brew View currently has two magazines covering the beer scenes in Vermont and Missouri. Nigel and Nick's beers for this episode were: Smoked Lime Gose, Windshift Brewing; Axis IPA, Real Ale Brewing; Denim Tux, Bow & Arrow Brewing; Cherry Lemon Sherbet, Grains & Taps; and P.O.G. Champ Cider, home brew.

Hennessy Ninja, a shawdowy flight into the craft beer world of a legend who may or may not exist. Aubrey Perry, a recovering IT professional on a crusade to champion the cause of craft brewers in a world of drinkers operating without an app to guide them... Nigel and Nick welcome Crackem founder and developer Aubrey Perry to show to talk about his craft-beer focused mobile app, his journey into the beer scene, a shared love of Barrel & Flow Fest and, well, other things. What were the boys drinking this time: Germans Love Jazz, KC Bier Co and Vine Street Brewing collab; Pina Colada Oat Cream Ale, Windshift Brewing; Yuengling Oktoberfest; Yuengling; We Belong, Big Rip Brewing and Vine Street Brewing collab.