Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl

We’re not quite in the dead of winter, but it feels like it – at least from the home office – so I wanted to think about warmer weather, growth, life, and green. So I’m excited to have Darren Gamache of Virgil Gamache Farms in Washington’s Yakima Valley here on the show. We talk about 2025 hops, what 2026 might bring, and the farm’s hop water – which could be a good fit for your drinking even if you’re not doing Dry January.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

Sponsors

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Calling all hop heads! Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA is a fantastically hoppy India Pale Ale that’s beautifully balanced thanks to their unique continual hopping method. Delivering a pungent hop flavor that isn’t crushingly bitter, 60 Minute is continually hopped throughout the boil for a full 60 minutes … starting to see where the name comes from?! Check out dogfish.com to learn more and to find some 60 Minute near you! Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE. Please drink responsibly.

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: Darren Gamache

Sponsors: Dogfish Head, All About Beer

Tags: 2026, Hops, Yakima, Farming, Hop Water
Photo:  Virgil Gamache Farms

This episode drops on the last day of 2025 so I’ve invited my colleague and All About Beer  co-owner Andy Crouch on to talk about the year that was for our media company and what we have planned for the year ahead.  Journalism, like the beer industry, is in a difficult spot. We know you rely on good news and information just like you do a quality pint. Supporting your local brewery is important, so is supporting the sites and shows you believe in and trust.  From podcasts to articles to events, this was an eventful year for All About Beer. We were honored by both the British Guild of Beer Writers and the North American Guild of Beer Writers. And were able to pay writers, editors, photographers, and illustrators for great original work. AllAboutBeer.com/support is where you can check out ways to keep us rolling through 2026 and beyond. We know times are tough for a lot of people, so I appreciate your willingness to help. 

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

Sponsors

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Calling all hop heads! Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA is a fantastically hoppy India Pale Ale that’s beautifully balanced thanks to their unique continual hopping method. Delivering a pungent hop flavor that isn’t crushingly bitter, 60 Minute is continually hopped throughout the boil for a full 60 minutes … starting to see where the name comes from?! Check out dogfish.com to learn more and to find some 60 Minute near you! Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE. Please drink responsibly.

Stomp Stickers
Stomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer
labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code FIRSTRUN for 15% off your first order.

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: Andy Crouch

Sponsors: All About Beer

Tags: 2026, 2025, Beer, Journalism, Drinking
Photo: Andy Crouch

Alex Kidd recites the words of poet Clement Clarke Moore and A Visit from St. Nicholas.

 
Read more about Alex Kidd here.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

Sponsors

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Calling all hop heads! Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA is a fantastically hoppy India Pale Ale that’s beautifully balanced thanks to their unique continual hopping method. Delivering a pungent hop flavor that isn’t crushingly bitter, 60 Minute is continually hopped throughout the boil for a full 60 minutes … starting to see where the name comes from?! Check out dogfish.com to learn more and to find some 60 Minute near you! Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE. Please drink responsibly.

Stomp Stickers
Stomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer
labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code FIRSTRUN for 15% off your first order.

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: Alex Kidd

Sponsors: All About Beer

Tags: Poems, Holiday, High Gravity

Music: polar-christmas-by-sascha-ende-from-filmmusic-io (1) and merry-christmas-short-instrumental-by-sascha-ende-from-filmmusic-io

It's our annual year in beer show with a panel of writers who share insight after countless interviews, pints, trips, and brewery visits. Listen in as Christopher Shepard, Melissa Cole, and Matt Kirkegaard break down the highs and lows of the 2025 brewing industry.
 

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

Sponsors

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Calling all hop heads! Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA is a fantastically hoppy India Pale Ale that’s beautifully balanced thanks to their unique continual hopping method. Delivering a pungent hop flavor that isn’t crushingly bitter, 60 Minute is continually hopped throughout the boil for a full 60 minutes … starting to see where the name comes from?! Check out dogfish.com to learn more and to find some 60 Minute near you! Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE. Please drink responsibly.

Stomp Stickers
Stomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer
labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code FIRSTRUN for 15% off your first order.

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: Christopher Shepard, Melissa Cole, and Matt Kirkegaard

Sponsors: Dogfish Head, Stomp Stickers, All About Beer

Tags: Celebration

Photo: John holl

This week it’s a conversation with David Lin of Comrade Brewing in Colorado. From adapting the brewery over the years, to dialing in IPAs through hop selection, you’ll hear why the brewery is well respected among its peers and why it’s a must visit when in the Denver area.

Listen to full episodes of Drink Beer, Think Beer and read original articles by visiting the All About Beer website.

Sponsors

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Calling all hop heads! Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA is a fantastically hoppy India Pale Ale that’s beautifully balanced thanks to their unique continual hopping method. Delivering a pungent hop flavor that isn’t crushingly bitter, 60 Minute is continually hopped throughout the boil for a full 60 minutes … starting to see where the name comes from?! Check out dogfish.com to learn more and to find some 60 Minute near you! Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE. Please drink responsibly.

Stomp Stickers
Stomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer
labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code FIRSTRUN for 15% off your first order.

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: David Lin

Sponsors: All About Beer, Stomp Stickers, Dogfish Head, 

Tags: Beer, IPA, Pizza, Colorado

Photo: by John Holl

After nearly 30 years at New Belgium Brewing Co., where she had a hand in creating some of the most important wood-aged beers in the country, Lauren Woods Limbach announced that she would be retiring from the company in the new year. She’s here for a conversation about patience, wood, saison, creativity, and the future.

Listen to full episodes of Drink Beer, Think Beer and read original articles by visiting the All About Beer website.

Sponsors

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Calling all hop heads! Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA is a fantastically hoppy India Pale Ale that’s beautifully balanced thanks to their unique continual hopping method. Delivering a pungent hop flavor that isn’t crushingly bitter, 60 Minute is continually hopped throughout the boil for a full 60 minutes … starting to see where the name comes from?! Check out dogfish.com to learn more and to find some 60 Minute near you! Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE. Please drink responsibly.

Stomp Stickers
Stomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer
labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code FIRSTRUN for 15% off your first order.

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:  Lauren Limbach

Sponsors: All About Beer, Stomp Stickers, Dogfish Head, 

Tags: Beer, Wood, Barrels, Colorado

Photo: by John Holl

Late last week the Siebel Institute, the venerable brewing school in Chicago announced that it would be leaving the city and re-opening in Montreal. The announcement by the school’s owner send shockwaves and sadness throughout the brewing community. 

This week, Professor Randy Mosher is here to talk about the school’s impact and legacy, and to give an update on his latest book project tiled Your Tasting Brain.

Listen to full episodes of Drink Beer, Think Beer and read original articles by visiting the All About Beer website.

Sponsors

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Calling all hop heads! Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA is a fantastically hoppy India Pale Ale that’s beautifully balanced thanks to their unique continual hopping method. Delivering a pungent hop flavor that isn’t crushingly bitter, 60 Minute is continually hopped throughout the boil for a full 60 minutes … starting to see where the name comes from?! Check out dogfish.com to learn more and to find some 60 Minute near you! Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE. Please drink responsibly.

Stomp Stickers
Stomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer
labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code FIRSTRUN for 15% off your first order.

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:  Randy Mosher

Sponsors: All About Beer, Stomp Stickers, Dogfish Head

Tags: Beer, Education, Tasting, Chicago, Siebel, Gravy

Photo: Courtesy of Siebel Institute of Technology

When Brian Grossman started working for the brewery his father co-founded he expected to be making beer right away. Instead he was put to work scrubbing out fermenters. Over the years at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. he has held a number of jobs in both the original Chico, California location and in the Mills River, North Carolina brewery.

Today he goes by chief brewer and is increasingly becoming the public face of the venerable beer brand that just celebrated its 45th anniversary. Earlier today, shortly before the North Carolina brewery opened its doors to the public for pours of Celly Drippins, he sat down for a conversation about generations, responsibility, brewing and hops.

Listen to full episodes of Drink Beer, Think Beer and read original articles by visiting the All About Beer website.

Sponsors

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:  Brian Grossman

Sponsors: All About Beer

Tags: Hops, History, IPA, North Carolina, Generations

Photo: by Jon Page

This week, it’s a conversation with Betsy Lay of Lady Justice Brewing in Denver. We talk about the evolution of ESB including some thoughts on Sierra Nevada winning gold in that category at the World Beer Cup with Pale Ale.

She also discusses brewing with intention, what it truly means to be a community hub, and how the Mile High City is changing – and staying the same- with its beer scene.

Sponsors

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Calling all hop heads! Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA is a fantastically hoppy India Pale Ale that’s beautifully balanced thanks to their unique continual hopping method. Delivering a pungent hop flavor that isn’t crushingly bitter, 60 Minute is continually hopped throughout the boil for a full 60 minutes … starting to see where the name comes from?! Check out dogfish.com to learn more and to find some 60 Minute near you! Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE. Please drink responsibly.

Stomp Stickers
Stomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer
labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code FIRSTRUN for 15% off your first order.

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:  Betsy Lay

Sponsors: All About Beer, Stomp Stickers, Dogfish Head

Tags: Denver, ESB, Pale Ale, Judging, Community

Photo:  Courtesy of Betsy Lay

Mike Pallen of Mikerphone Brewing talks about brewing stouts, barrel-aging, and festival season in Chicago.

Sponsors

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Calling all hop heads! Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA is a fantastically hoppy India Pale Ale that’s beautifully balanced thanks to their unique continual hopping method. Delivering a pungent hop flavor that isn’t crushingly bitter, 60 Minute is continually hopped throughout the boil for a full 60 minutes … starting to see where the name comes from?! Check out dogfish.com to learn more and to find some 60 Minute near you! Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE. Please drink responsibly.

Stomp Stickers
Stomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer
labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code FIRSTRUN for 15% off your first order.

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:  Mike Pallen

Sponsors: All About Beer, Stomp Stickers, Dogfish Head

Tags: FoBAB, Wood, Stout, Chicago, Goose Island, Marshmallow 

Photo:  John Holl