Cincy Brewcast

Despite his better judgement, Gamal Nagi from Rivertown Brewing joins us again in a whirlwind, madcap hour where Cincy Brewcast asks two age-old questions: "What's the best tasting 'Lite' beer?", and "Is a Hot Dog a sandwich?". We come to a conclusion, if not a consensus on the first, and make no ground or convincing arguments on the second. The only thing we found out was that The Gnarly Gnome really is passionate about hot dogs! All on the next edgy, controversial edition of Cincy Brewcast.

In one of the most fortuitous guest bookings in the histroy of Cincy Brewcast, we are joined this week by Gamal Nagi, Director of Relationships and Ideation at Rivertown Brewing Co., hot on the heels of the announcement of Rivertown's major expansion to Monroe, Ohio. Gamal brings two of Rivertown's flagship beers, Soulless and Divergent, and Gnome brings Rivertown's fine collab with Embrace the Funk-Yazoo Brewing (Nashville, TN), Oro Agrio. Gnome also brings us the debut of Urban Artifact's "KickSled" Winter Beer! We also discuss the goings on in Cincy Craft in "This Week in Beer" and talk about the most "kid- and pet-friendly" tap room's in this week's "Asked and Answered".

This week, Cincy Brewcast invades Jeff Graff's Paradise Brewing and Supply on Beechmont Ave in Anderson Township. We are also joined by Chef Antonio of Cincy Beer Brats who brings his delicious food to share and a special surprise guest--Ben Ramsey, Head Brewer for Old Firehouse Brewing in Williamsburg. We talk with Jeff about his unique "try before you buy" method of brewing beer that is available in over 20 kits that you can take home to brew yourself! Jeff is also looking to jump in with both feet with his brewing and taproom operation and we discuss his expansion plans. We drink 5 great beers from his taproom in "From the Beer Fridge; "The Waffler" Belgian Saison, "Angry Jack" Pumpkin Ale (all grain and extract recipes, both fermented in real pumpkins!!), "Ol' Nutcracker" Winter Ale brewed with brown sugar and maple syrup and the World-Class "Wrath of the Tsar" Russian Imperial Stout (an homage to North Coast's "Old Rasputin"). We also caught up with Ben Ramsey from Old Firehouse (on his off-night!) and picked his brain about the goings-on in Williamsburg. We talk Madtree, Moerlein, and Mt. Carmel in "This Week in Beer" and much more on this week's jam-packed Cincy Brewcast-The LIVE voice of Cincy Craft!

Cincy Brewcast goes Clubbin' with representatives of two popular home brewing clubs, NKY Homebrewers Guild and Bloatarians Brewers League with reps Eddie and Jon from NKY and 'Hark Johnny' from Bloatarians. We talk why it's good for home brewers to join a club. Also, we talk equipment and the brewing process in "Beer School with Miss Tina", upcoming events in "This Week in Beer" and some pertinent questions in "Asked and Answered"! All on this brand new edition of Cincy Brewcast, "The Voice of Cincy Craft">

"Judge not, lest ye be judged." Not to be sacrilegious, but though Christ turned water into wine, he wasn't a Home Brewer. We meet two of the best in the beer judging business tonight--Evan Rouse, who's day job just happens to be as Head Brewer at Covington's Braxton Brewing and Jody Grenert, award winning home brewer and organizer of the annual Ohio Brew Week home brew competition. We talk styles, how competitions are organized and how we all can be better beer consumers by using beer judging criteria to understand what we are tasting. Evan also brought a great surprise; a pre-release preview of Braxton's new "Level" Belgain Saison. This dry, spicy and crisp saison goes on tap Friday, October 23 at Braxton, but you can find out what we think of it on this program. Plus a lot of goings on in "This Week In Beer" including our participation in "Fresh Fest 2015" where CIncy's "Craft Beer Media" spike kegs of Madtree "Lift" with strange flavors, and stand around feeling self-important!

Cincy Brewcast gets a little horticulture, and a lot of “Wild Culture” as we welcome Ohio Valley Hops co-founders Dave and Nina Volkmann and the brewing masterminds of Cincy Craft’s most unique brewery, Bret Kollman-Baker and Josh Elliott from Urban Artifact. They have teamed together to create a “Blessid Union of Hops”, namely, Calliope, UA’s all-new “Grand Cru” style wild ale, fresh-hopped with cones from OVH. We get to preview this wonderful “Belgianesque” brew before it’s release to the public in the taproom. We also get to try the Chariot Wild Sour Cherry Gose, Maize Kentucky Common and Hearth Wild Dark Ale. We also discuss Ohio hop farming and the “hop local” movement with Dave and Nina, and we get political with a discussion of Ohio House Bill 68, the move to increase the ABV of beers from the current 12% cap to 21%.

Guests This Episode

* Bret Kollmann Baker – Urban Artifact* Josh Elliot – Urban Artifact* Dave Volkman – Ohio Valley Hops* Nina Volkman – Ohio Valley Hops

From The Beer Fridge

* Urban Artifact – Calliope* Urban Artifact – Chariot* Urban Artifact – Maize* Urban Artifact – Hearth

Tonight the Cincy Brewcast team returns to the “friendly confines” of the studio and is joined by two outstanding local home brewers, Shayne Brammer who brews under the “Blue Hen Brewing” banner and Adam Stone, flying the flag for “Big Slam Brewing”. They relate the real-life stores of the triumph and tribulations of home brewing, why they do it and why they love it. We pull some of their beers (all delicious, by the way) “From The Beer Fridge” and then we try one of the “big hitters” of the craft beer world, Russian River’s Pliny The Elder (courtesy of Shayne). Along with the Pliny, we also try two big beers from Mike’s recent Florida trip, American Wild BA Barleywine with Brett and Son of Yam Spiced Yam Ale from JDubs Brewing in Sarasota. Plus an extra huge edition of “This Week In Beer” with major developments from 50 West, Mt. Carmel, Rhinegeist, Madtree, Fibonacci, Urban Artifact and more, all on this week’s edition of Cincy Brewcast

Guests This Episode

* Shayne Brammer* Adam Stone

From The Beer Fridge

* Big Slam Brewing – Two Pug Ale* Big Slam Brewing – Spontaneous SLAM* Blue Hen Brewing – YouDee* Brewer X – Pumpkin Ale* Russian River – Pliny The Elder* J Dubs – Son of Yam* J Dubs – American Wild

The Kroger Company jumps into the Cincy craft beer growler scene with their new craft beer growler bar at their fabulous new flagship store at Oakley Station in Cincinnati. We are joined by Cincinnati-Nashville Craft Brands Manager Nate Wolejsza and “Adult Beverage Steward” Ryan Brock as we discuss Kroger’s commitment to craft beer in general, what the plans are for the Oakley Station growler bar and also discuss their commitment to fine wines and craft ciders. We taste seasonal beers from Madtree, 50 West, Sam Adams and Kroger’s own Tap Room No. 21 and discuss the impact Kroger has on Cincinnati’s craft brewers–and vice versa.

Guests This Episode

* Nate Wolejsza – Kroger* Ryan Brock – Kroger

From The Beer Fridge

* Taproom 21 – Pumpkin Ale* Sam Adams – Fat Jack* MadTree – The Great PumpCan* Fifty West – Blaketoberfest

Mike and The Gnome invade Bad Tom Smith Brewing Co. in Cincinnati’s East End to get their fair share of “Bad Ass in a Glass”! We’re joined in the Bad Tom taproom by Head Brewer Eric Napier and Taproom Manager Kevin Lay, and on the all-new Cincy Brewcast “Hop-Line” by new owner John Vojtush. John talks about the changes to the overall experience at the sometimes star-crossed Brewery from a refocus on brewing quality to a refinement of their taproom experience. Eric gives us a rundown of the beers and his experience with both the past of Bad Tom Smith, and what’s coming up in the future. And, both John and Eric set forth their reasons why, if you haven’t been to Bad Tom you should go and why, if you’ve been in the past and were disappointed, you should give them another shot.

Guests This Episode

* John Vojtush – Bad Tom Smith* Eric Napier – Bad Tom Smith* Kevin Lay – Bad Tom Smith

From The Beer Fridge

* Bad Tom Smith – Breathitt County Blonde* Bad Tom Smith – Bad Tom American Brown* Bad Tom Smith – Fink Red Rye* Bad Tom Smith – All American IPA* Bad Tom Smith – Black Kettle Oatmeal Stout

Episode 26 saw The Gnarly Gnome, Tina and Angie left alone in the studio as Mike headed south for warmer weather. Rest assured, he sent in an interview that he did down at JDub’s brewing, and called in to make sure the studio was still in working order. We tried some fantastic Oktoberfest beers, and one from Mt. Carmel that’s perfect for the cooling weather, and listened to what sounded like a fantastic flight from Mike! Shane Brammer joined us in the studio to make sure all hell didn’t break loose. It’s a great show and a great Oktoberfest kick off! PROST!

Guests This Week

* Shayne Brammer

From The Beer Fridge

* Christian Moerlein – Fifth And Vine* Sierra Nevada – Oktoberfest* Mt. Carmel – Harvest Ale