Brewing History Of…

Discover the story behind Portland's Ex Novo Brewing Company! Ex Novo is one of a handful of breweries in the country that was founded as a non-profit and decided to donate their net profits to charity. While that status has since changed, the company has still given away nearly $75,000 since its opening and has even grander plans for a better tomorrow.

Information for this episode comes from October and HopStories.

Welcome to the brewing history of the Brooklyn of the Berkshires!

The Berkshire Brewing Association thrived at the turn of the 20th century and distributed beer from Maine to the Carolinas. Production was halted when the Wartime Prohibition Act was passed in 1918 and legal brewing ceased for 78 years. Arrowhead Brewing started at 34 Depot Street, which was followed by Old Saddleback Brewing Company and Pittsfield Brew Works. Currently, Wandering Star Craft Brewery is continuing the small town's proud brewing history.

Suggested beer when visiting: Loopy Juice IPA.

Information for this episode comes from the Berkshire Eagle and iBerkshires.

Discover the brewing history of the Smile Capital of America!

The small town of Pocatello is creating a craft beer destination in the middle of southeastern Idaho. The movement started with Penny Pink and Portneuf Valley Brewing in 1996 and has recently added a trio of new brewhouses: Jim Dandy Brewing, Off the Rails Brewing, and Star Route Brewery. They are all building upon the legacy that American Brewing Company and East Idaho Brewing Company (makers of Idallo beer) started over a century ago.

Suggested beers when visiting: Next to Nutty Peanut Butter Milk Stout (Jim Dandy) and Hauptbanhof Helles (Off the Rails).

Information for this episode comes from the Brewery Collectibles Club of America and the Idaho State Journal.

Discover the brewing history of the Elm City!

Known as the Milwaukee of the East Coast in the 19th century, New Haven has been home to dozens of breweries and brewers since the 1600s. While not all of them will be discussed in detail, the episode highlights the historical Fresenius and Sons Brewing Company, Rock Brewery, and Hull Brewing Company. Currently, Erector Brewing Collective and East Rock Brewing Company are continuing the tradition of welcoming visitors to their Connecticut taprooms, while the resurrected Hull's brand and the progressive Rhythm Brewing Company are also producing beer in town.

Suggested beers when visiting: American Flyer Electric Thunderbolt IPA (Erector), Hull's Export Lager (Hull), and Unfiltered Lager (Rhythm).

Information for this episode comes from the Hartford Courant, New Haven Register, and New York Times.

Discover the brewing history of the Mother of the Dakotas!

The small South Dakota town does not have a vast brewing history, but has been home to a number of successful breweries. Schwenk-Barth Brewing Company lead the way before Prohibition, while Backspace Brewing Company now operates out of part of their old building. They joined Ben's Brewing Company to give locals and travelers a couple of delectable options.

Suggested beers when visiting: White Wall Session (Ben's) and In the Clouds (Backspace).

Information for this episode comes from the Sioux City Journal and Yankton Daily.

Discover the brewing history of the Two Mile High City!

Leadville began as a mountainous mining community and was home to number of different brewhouses, few of which lasted more than a couple of years in Colorado. After the town nearly disappeared when the mines closed, locals reinvented the area as an outdoor paradise for adventure lovers. Brewing picked up again in the 21st century even though the elevation causes some major challenges. Home to Periodic Brewery until its closure in 2020, Two Mile Brewing Company is now the only local beer in town and holds the title of America's highest elevated brewery.

Suggested beers when visiting: Those Who Wheat (Two Mile).

Information for this episode comes from the Leadville Herald and Westword.

Discover the brewing history of the Holy City!

There can be no debate that Charleston has one of the best craft beer scenes in the country. Beer was commercially produced as early as the 1720s on the islands and formalized with Palmetto Brewing Company after the Civil War. The name has carried on to modern day and inspired dozens of brewers to make the South Carolina city their home base, with many of those being in the neighborhood tokened the Brewery District.

Suggested beers when visiting: Who's Brett IPA (Revelry) and Paradise IPA (Holy City).

Information for this episode comes from Charleston Beer by Timmons Pettigrew, Charleston City Paper, and the New York Times.

Discover the brewing history of Junction City!

The boom of commercial beer in Utah began in Ogden with the emergence of Becker Brewing in 1892. Even in a state that was not known for consuming alcohol, the brewery thrived until the 1960s. The Beckers made great beer, but, more importantly, set a brewing standard for the area. Roosters Brewing Company continued that legacy (with multiple locations), and newcomers Talisman Brewing Company, UTOG Brewing Company, Zolupez Beer Company, and Ogden River Brewing are making their mark.

Suggested beers when visiting: Hazards IIIPA (Talisman) and Union Station Amber Ale (Ogden River).

Information for this episode comes from Indie Ogden and Utah State University.

Discover the brewing history of Lake Tahoe! Well, at least the northwest corner of it.

Truckee was a quiet stop on the Transcontinental Railroad, but housed one of the most well-known breweries of the late 19th century. Boca Brewery won awards from California to Europe and could ship their product around the country by packing train cars with the ample amount of ice in the area. The town has recently become a popular skiing destination and is home to a thriving craft beer scene, most notably the exciting Fifty Fifty Brewing Company.

Suggested beers when visiting: Eclipse Stout (Fifty Fifty) and Neon Rainbow IPA (Good Wolf).

Information for this episode comes from Cap Radio, Sierra Sun, Tahoe Daily Tribune, and the Truckee Donner Historical Society.

Discover the brewing history of the Gateway to the West!

Omaha's brewing history is as deep as any in the Midwest. Led by the big three (Krug Brewing Company, Metz Brothers Brewing Company, and Storz Brewing Company) in the late 19th century, production soared until Prohibition. The trio of Nebraska breweries made a comeback into the 1970s, but ultimately succumbed to the big beer brands. Today, Upstream Brewing Company, Infusion Brewing Company, and Farnam House Brewing are leading the way in a competitive craft beer scene.

Suggested beers when visiting: Metz Jubilee (Infusion) and Monk's Chalice (Vis Major).

Information for this episode comes from the North Omaha History and the Omaha World Herald.