As things just keep evolving – we’re now faced with a big moment, breweries are going to be allowed to let their customers back onto patios, and soon enough in taprooms to have a beer – but are we ready for that to happen? Our local breweries are faced with that decision right now, and they’re all handling it very differently – This week, I’m solo and working my way though all of this (plus a couple of beers!)

While part of this week’s episode might not be what I thought it was going to be – It’s a really great one. I got Bobby Slattery from Fifty West on the line to chat about how they are dealing with all of this, while also opening up their burger restaurant, and putting the finishing touches on their big expansion at the same time (read more about that here). The brewery is just another example in the long line of Cincinnati breweries that are managing to show us their ability to bring a bit of joy to their customers in the middle of the chaos that breaks out around us.

This week was pretty jam packed full of chaos – but as the world around us attempts to find their place in this new normal… so am I in my life. I’ll get there, we’ll get there – hang in there Cincy.

It’s no secret. Urban Artifact is an absolute treasure and we are so, so lucky to have a place like them here in Cincinnati. Much like all of their peers, though – things have been really “strange” to say the least with all of this Corona Virus stuff happening. The brewery has been forced to quickly adapt and change how they do things, and these guys have nailed it. From dialing back production (obviously) to launching an online store and delivery across the country to every state where they are able to… they’re working their butts off.

I “sat down” (virtually) with owner and Chief of Brewing Operations, Bret Kollmann Baker to talk about this transition, and how they’re adapting as well as to drink a couple of beers and talk about what they’ve got going on.

It’s always a blast to talk to Bret, and in this case it’s a breath of fresh air to connect over a virtual beer and remember what makes all of this so much fun!

I was worried about a place like Madtree when all this… “stuff” hit the fan. I wasn’t sure how a brewery their size with a taproom that is as busy as it is would weather a storm in which their taproom doesn’t exist. This show made me feel good, and I hope it brings some of that to your podcast player this week, too.

We all need a smile, we need to remember that our breweries are still out there… they’re getting scrappy and they’re fighting to not only stay a live during this, but they’re looking to get creative and get better at what they do and who they are. Kenny and Brady have created a place where ideas like this thrive… and this show is a brilliant reminder of just that.

From how they dealt with things from an operational standpoint, to what you do when an old beer blogger leaves a 16oz can of warm beer on your conference table… this one is fun.

This week’s show is… well… it’s the same as the last couple shows have been. But it’s still a Brewcast, and we still need to explore how everyone is doing through it all. I was joined (socially distanced of course) by some of my good friends in the community to talk not just about what this means for the community, but what it means for us as beer drinkers. This is all weird… it’s all uncomfortable and yet we keep going.

We’re not done yet, Cincy – stay tuned.

Things are weird… that’s the obvious thing that needs to be said. We’re all holed up in our homes, ordering beer to-go or to be delivered from our local taprooms, we’re all worried about how our beloved breweries will weather the storm, it’s strange times for craft beer fans. Today’s episode is the first of my not-so-experimental-anymore socially distanced studio shows. Craft Beer Joe joins me via the interwebs, to talk about what’s been going on.

We crack open a few beers, talk about how we’re coping, and bring a little light into this weird time.

I love getting the chance to sit down with a brewery that I don’t know very well. There are not that many chances to listen to someone’s story in their own words, and to help provide that opportunity for everyone is one of my true pleasures in having this podcast.

For this week’s episode I was joined in studio by the folks from NEW Ales in Middletown. It was at the start of all of this Coronavirus craziness, but we hadn’t gone down the full rabbit hole yet… It was a great opportunity to grab a drink and get to know what they’re all about (as well as try a couple of their beers for the first time!)

This one’s a great one. As the world attempts to socially distance themselves from the global Covid-19 pandemic, it’s a breath of fresh air to listen to this show that we recorded last month. Sitting around a table, sharing some beers and getting a little nerdy… it’s exactly what I wish I could be doing right now.

I was joined by Shawn Carson from Hopped Farms, Eric Baumann from Karrikin and Nick Wayne from ATavola. We gathered to talk about fresh hops, and especially the collaboration between the group with Campo, fresh hopped Saison, but as things usually go – we talked about a few other things as well. From the journey of a hop, to the state of beer in Cincinnati it’s a big show… and was an experience that if I could figure out how to bottle it… would make me a rich man.

It’s insane that this is how we start our sixth ‘Volume’ of the show… it’s all shut down for now, Every bar and restaurant. I started putting this episode together not knowing that we’d be here by the weekend… but here we are. An interview with the amazing folks at Brewgooder has transitioned into a show where a couple places talked about what they’re doing about this virus… and what it means. This is as real, and as raw as it gets… and scratches the surface – there’s a lot to be said about it in the coming weeks.

Almost all of us collect something, whether we know it or not. These guys collect A LOT and are part of a group of like-minded folks who do the same thing. The BCCA is getting ready to host their big ‘Luck O The Irish’ show on St. Patrick’s day weekend.

I took the chance to grab Beer Dave Gausephol and Doug Groth and get them in the studio to talk all things collecting Breweriana as well as to just chat about local beer (while having a couple to drink along the way!)