Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl

Gone are the days when a brewery could turn a wire spool on its side, buy some cheap chairs, install some taps and flip on the Taproom Open sign. Today's beer drinkers have become more choosy about where they spend their beer dollar and breweries are finding they have to actually provide an experience to draw customers in. That might mean trivia nights or live music.

Breweries have had to navigate the transition from serving the hospitality industry to being part of the hospitality industry. They have to thread the needle of drawing in their own customers, while not stealing customers from their hospitality accounts.

What does hospitality mean to today's craft breweries? Bill Eye of Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Amy Loebig of Dancing Gnome, and and Mark Babson of River Roost Brewery joined the panel to discuss brewery hospitality.

Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events.

Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry.

This Episode is Sponsored by:

Berkeley Yeast
Our Tropics yeast is based on a London Ale strain, but we added a new gene to its genome that codes for a unique thiol-releasing enzyme. The enzyme converts the precursors in barley to free thiols that smell and taste like passionfruit and grapefruit. It’s super clean. No off-flavors like burnt rubber or other sulfurous notes. Just tropical aromatics. You don’t have to do anything unusual either, like mash hopping. Just pitch dry Tropics and supercharge your hazy IPA.

All About Beer
At All About Beer, we’re honored to share the stories that define the beer community, and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of our underwriting sponsors. Their commitment helps sustain independent beer journalism, allowing us to highlight the people, places, and passion behind every pint. Their partnership ensures these stories continue to inspire, connect, and celebrate the craft we all love. Join our underwriters today and help make an impact on independent journalism covering the beer industry.

Host: Don Tse

Guests: Bill Eye, Amy Loebig, Mark Babson

Sponsors: Berkeley Yeast, All About Beer

Tags: Hospitality
Photo: Matthew Arielly

The Great American Beer festival is this weekend in Denver and for the first time in a long time, it has a new location. That’s just one of many changes coming to the venerable gathering. Tristan Chan, formerly of PorchDrinking, is in the host seat this week. He's joined by Shawnee Adelson the Executive Director of the Colorado Brewers Guild and Jonathan Shikes of the Denver Post. They talk about what to expect, the changes, and what this means for festivals in general.
 

Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events.

Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry.

This Episode is Sponsored by:

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
All About Beer podcast listeners are among the first to know: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company’s famed rare beer Celly Drippins will be released to the public on Friday November 6 at both the Chico California and Mills River North Carolina locations. Learn more about the details of the release events at ​https://sierranevada.com/event/celly-drippins-release-2026 and plan your trip to experience this extra special beer, available only on tap at the brewery for a limited number of days while supplies last.”

Berkeley Yeast
Our Tropics yeast is based on a London Ale strain, but we added a new gene to its genome that codes for a unique thiol-releasing enzyme. The enzyme converts the precursors in barley to free thiols that smell and taste like passionfruit and grapefruit. It’s super clean. No off-flavors like burnt rubber or other sulfurous notes. Just tropical aromatics. You don’t have to do anything unusual either, like mash hopping. Just pitch dry Tropics and supercharge your hazy IPA.

All About Beer
At All About Beer, we’re honored to share the stories that define the beer community, and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of our underwriting sponsors. Their commitment helps sustain independent beer journalism, allowing us to highlight the people, places, and passion behind every pint. Their partnership ensures these stories continue to inspire, connect, and celebrate the craft we all love. Join our underwriters today and help make an impact on independent journalism covering the beer industry.

Host: Tristan Chan

Guests: Shawnee Adelson, Jonathan Shikes

Sponsors: Berkeley Yeast, All About Beer

Tags: GABF, Festivals, Denver
Photo: Brewers Association

On the weekend that Oktoberfest kicked off in Munich the real fun was happening in Brooklyn. Eckhart Beer celebrated its one year anniversary and held a proper celebration of lager. John Holl was there and hosted a panel that covers all the fun of the season, what it means to brew lager in New York City in 2026, and ways to make the most out of hospitality.
 

Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events.

Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry.

This Episode is Sponsored by:

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
This episode is brought to you by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, innovators in craft beer since 1980 and still 100% family owned. Experience the finest quality and purest ingredients in person by visiting the iconic Sierra Nevada breweries in Chico, California – where it all started – or Mills River, North Carolina, the country’s only Platinum LEED certified production brewery. Visit Sierra Nevada dot com to learn more. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Still Family-Owned, Operated & Argued Over.

All About Beer
At All About Beer, we’re honored to share the stories that define the beer community, and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of our underwriting sponsors. Their commitment helps sustain independent beer journalism, allowing us to highlight the people, places, and passion behind every pint. Their partnership ensures these stories continue to inspire, connect, and celebrate the craft we all love. Join our underwriters today and help make an impact on independent journalism covering the beer industry.

Host: John Holl

Guests: Nick Meyer, LaTreace Harris, Adam Wolfe

Sponsors: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., All About Beer

Tags: Hops, Oktoberfest, Lager, NYC, Business
Photo: By John Holl

As Western North Carolina marks two years since Hurricane Helene, we have a guest episode from On the Blue Ridge, a podcast by former All About Beer Managing Editor Jon Page. He recently sat down with Chris and Jessica Whaley of Whaley Farm Brewery in Old Fort, a town of fewer than 1,000 people about 25 miles east of Asheville, just off Interstate 40. The brewery was severely damaged by the storm, and their conversation looks back at what happened, the long road to rebuilding, the support they received from their community, and what it took to finally return to brewing. 

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Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events.

Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry.

This Episode is Sponsored by:

All About Beer
At All About Beer, we’re honored to share the stories that define the beer community, and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of our underwriting sponsors. Their commitment helps sustain independent beer journalism, allowing us to highlight the people, places, and passion behind every pint. Their partnership ensures these stories continue to inspire, connect, and celebrate the craft we all love. Join our underwriters today and help make an impact on independent journalism covering the beer industry.

Host: Jon Page

Guests: Chris Whaley, Jessica Whaley

Sponsors:  All About Beer

Tags: On the Blue Ridge
Photo: by Jon Page

A conversation with Shelley and Eric Desmarais of CLS Farms in Moxee, Washington about the 2026 hop harvest and what life is like for families during the regions busiest time of the year.

Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events.

Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry.

This Episode is Sponsored by:

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
This episode is brought to you by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, innovators in craft beer since 1980 and still 100% family owned. Experience the finest quality and purest ingredients in person by visiting the iconic Sierra Nevada breweries in Chico, California – where it all started – or Mills River, North Carolina, the country’s only Platinum LEED certified production brewery. Visit Sierra Nevada dot com to learn more. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Still Family-Owned, Operated & Argued Over.

All About Beer
At All About Beer, we’re honored to share the stories that define the beer community, and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of our underwriting sponsors. Their commitment helps sustain independent beer journalism, allowing us to highlight the people, places, and passion behind every pint. Their partnership ensures these stories continue to inspire, connect, and celebrate the craft we all love. Join our underwriters today and help make an impact on independent journalism covering the beer industry.

Host: John Holl

Guests: Shelley and Eric Desmarais

Sponsors: Berkeley Yeast, All About Beer

Tags: Hops, Harvest, Family, Farming, Business
Photo: By John Holl

 Back in Yakima for a second week and visiting another brewery. This time it’s Bale Breaker, the famed Washington brewery with its very own hop fields. Don Tse is again in the host seat and sitting down with brewmaster Kevin "Smitty" Smith. 

Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events.

Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry.

This Episode is Sponsored by:

Berkeley Yeast
Our Tropics yeast is based on a London Ale strain, but we added a new gene to its genome that codes for a unique thiol-releasing enzyme. The enzyme converts the precursors in barley to free thiols that smell and taste like passionfruit and grapefruit. It’s super clean. No off-flavors like burnt rubber or other sulfurous notes. Just tropical aromatics. You don’t have to do anything unusual either, like mash hopping. Just pitch dry Tropics and supercharge your hazy IPA.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
This episode is brought to you by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, innovators in craft beer since 1980 and still 100% family owned. Experience the finest quality and purest ingredients in person by visiting the iconic Sierra Nevada breweries in Chico, California – where it all started – or Mills River, North Carolina, the country’s only Platinum LEED certified production brewery. Visit Sierra Nevada dot com to learn more. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Still Family-Owned, Operated & Argued Over.

All About Beer
At All About Beer, we’re honored to share the stories that define the beer community, and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of our underwriting sponsors. Their commitment helps sustain independent beer journalism, allowing us to highlight the people, places, and passion behind every pint. Their partnership ensures these stories continue to inspire, connect, and celebrate the craft we all love. Join our underwriters today and help make an impact on independent journalism covering the beer industry.

Host: Don Tse

Guests: Kevin Smith

Sponsors: Berkeley Yeast, All About Beer

Tags: Hop Harvest, Washington, Brewing, Farming
Photo: By John Holl

This episode was recorded in Yakima, Washington where the 2026 hop harvest is just getting under way. Lots of brewers and beer fans will be making their way through this city for selection and to taste fresh hop ales, and nearly everyone will come through Single Hill Brewery for pints. 

Zach Turner the Head Brewer and general manager of Single Hill joins guest host Don Tse for a conversation.

Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events.

Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry.

This Episode is Sponsored by:

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
This episode is brought to you by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, innovators in craft beer since 1980 and still 100% family owned. Experience the finest quality and purest ingredients in person by visiting the iconic Sierra Nevada breweries in Chico, California – where it all started – or Mills River, North Carolina, the country’s only Platinum LEED certified production brewery. Visit Sierra Nevada dot com to learn more. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Still Family-Owned, Operated & Argued Over.

John I. Haas
You don’t have to travel to Yakima to make hop selection part of your harvest. With RemoteSelection from John I. Haas, your brewing team can evaluate hop samples right at the brewery and select the sensory profiles that best fit your beers. And through Next Gen Selection, minimum commitments start at just 220 pounds per variety, making meaningful hop selection accessible to more breweries. This harvest, make your hops your choice. Contact your Haas Sales Representative or visit JohnIHaas.com/Harvest for more information.

All About Beer
At All About Beer, we’re honored to share the stories that define the beer community, and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of our underwriting sponsors. Their commitment helps sustain independent beer journalism, allowing us to highlight the people, places, and passion behind every pint. Their partnership ensures these stories continue to inspire, connect, and celebrate the craft we all love. Join our underwriters today and help make an impact on independent journalism covering the beer industry.

Host: Don Tse

Guests: Zach Turner

Sponsors: Sierra Nevada, John I. Haas, All About Beer

Tags: fresh hops, IPA, harvest, Yakima,
Photo: By John Holl

A conversation with Jeff Erway of La Cumbre Brewing on quality, not folding to trends, and being true to the brewer's core mission.

Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events.

Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry.

This Episode is Sponsored by:

Berkeley Yeast
Our Tropics yeast is based on a London Ale strain, but we added a new gene to its genome that codes for a unique thiol-releasing enzyme. The enzyme converts the precursors in barley to free thiols that smell and taste like passionfruit and grapefruit. It’s super clean. No off-flavors like burnt rubber or other sulfurous notes. Just tropical aromatics. You don’t have to do anything unusual either, like mash hopping. Just pitch dry Tropics and supercharge your hazy IPA.

Barrel One Collective
In a landmark merger between two pioneers of New England’s craft beer industry, Mass. Bay Brewing Company and Finestkind Brewing LLC proudly announce the formation of Barrel One Collective. The Collective will house 14 total brands, operate eight brewery-taprooms across four states (MA, NH, NY, VT) and have a combined production volume of nearly 165,000 barrels, positioning it as the largest craft producer in New England and 14th largest in the country according to Brewer’s Association 2023 Production Data.

All About Beer
At All About Beer, we’re honored to share the stories that define the beer community, and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of our underwriting sponsors. Their commitment helps sustain independent beer journalism, allowing us to highlight the people, places, and passion behind every pint. Their partnership ensures these stories continue to inspire, connect, and celebrate the craft we all love. Join our underwriters today and help make an impact on independent journalism covering the beer industry.

Host: John Holl

Guest: Jeff Erway

Sponsors: Berkeley Yeast, Barrel One Collective, All About Beer

Tags: Brewing, Quality, AppleTV, New Mexico
Photo: by John Holl

Beer is soaked into the fabric of American history. There are important and timeless brands that have become a part of communities and can tell the story of a place and a people.  The importance of Lone Star extends well beyond Texas and author Jeremy Banas captures the people, recipes, and essence of this iconic brand in this well-researched book. He shares the story of this iconic brewery in his new book and joins the podcast to talk about the brand history. 

Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events.

Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry.

This Episode is Sponsored by:

John I. Haas
When every pound of hops matters, brewers need products that work harder in the brewhouse. LupoMAX® was engineered to deliver concentrated lupulin, intense aroma expression, and reduced process loss, helping breweries improve yields while maintaining true-to-type hop character. Available in standout varieties like Citra®, Mosaic®, Krush®, and more, LupoMAX gives brewers a smarter path to bold flavor and operational efficiency. Talk with your Haas Sales Representative or visit lupohops.com for details.

Berkeley Yeast
Our Tropics yeast is based on a London Ale strain, but we added a new gene to its genome that codes for a unique thiol-releasing enzyme. The enzyme converts the precursors in barley to free thiols that smell and taste like passionfruit and grapefruit. It’s super clean. No off-flavors like burnt rubber or other sulfurous notes. Just tropical aromatics. You don’t have to do anything unusual either, like mash hopping. Just pitch dry Tropics and supercharge your hazy IPA.

All About Beer
At All About Beer, we’re honored to share the stories that define the beer community, and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of our underwriting sponsors. Their commitment helps sustain independent beer journalism, allowing us to highlight the people, places, and passion behind every pint. Their partnership ensures these stories continue to inspire, connect, and celebrate the craft we all love. Join our underwriters today and help make an impact on independent journalism covering the beer industry.

Host: John Holl

Guest: Jeremy Banas

Sponsors: Berkeley Yeast, John I. Haas, All About Beer

Tags: Texas, Country Music, Lager, History
Photo: by John Holl

On this episode, you'll hear the remarkable story of Bass Pale Ale. This story begins at the dawn of the industrial age, and charts Bass’s rise as one of the first global brewing brands. Over the course of two centuries, its pale ales evolved to meet the times, and today we know Bass as one of Britain’s classic cask ales—a beer enjoying a current renaissance among the country’s pubs.
 

In many ways, in telling the story of Bass, we’re recounting the history of brewing in Britain over the past two centuries: its technological and industrial rise, the collapse that befell the giants over the past generation, and, perhaps, an encouraging revival.
 

You'll hear from Harry White, who started at Bass in the research and development department in 1977. He would become Director of Quality Assurance in 1989, and stayed with the company until 2007. Today he is the chairman of the National Brewery Heritage Trust in Burton Upon Trent. You'll also hear from Pete Brown, one of the most celebrated beer writers in the world and the author of over a dozen books, including his most recent, Tasting Notes – The Art and Science of Pairing Beer and Music.

It’s an amazing brewery and an amazing story, all befitting one of the world’s most iconic beers.

Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events.

Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry.

This episode is sponsored by:

RahrBSG
This episode of the One Iconic Beer podcast is supported by RahrBSG – trusted supplier to brewers, distillers, and beverage makers across North America.  From the barley field to your brewhouse, we’re proud to support the people behind great beer with the ingredients, expertise, and service they depend on.  Whether you’re brewing the next great American Double IPA or crafting an award-winning continental lager, RahrbSG provides the industry’s finest quality, selection, and support. Behind every great – or even iconic – pint, there is a partner who knows what it takes to make it happen. RahrBSG is proud to keep the beer flowing with you. 

Escarpment Labs
Tired of inconsistent fermentations and off-flavors in your beer? It’s time to strike back with Yeast Lightning Nutrient from Escarpment Labs. Unlike generic nutrients, Yeast Lightning is a balanced blend containing bioavailable zinc, magnesium, and B vitamins designed specifically for beer yeast. It’s been proven to shorten fermentation times and improve final beer flavor. Plus, it helps you get more generations out of your yeast, saving you money on every batch. Whether it's a dry-hopped IPA or a crisp lager, give your yeast the fuel they actually need. Order your first pack today by emailing [email protected]. Mention the All About Beer podcast to get free shipping on your first order.

• Host: Jeff Alworth
• Guests: Harry White, Pete Brown
• Sponsor:  Escarpment Labratories, RahrBSG, All About Beer
• Tags: Bass Ale
• Logo Design: Jeff Quinn

The following music was used for this media project:

Lounge R&B Piano
By Music_for_videos

https://pixabay.com/music/rnb-lounge-rampb-piano-166431/