Drinking Partners

Fellow podcaster Nick Jones, host of Beer League Talk – a podcast devoted to beer-fueled adult recreation hockey ¬– joins the Drinking Partners in the studio as the men welcome Dancing Gnome’s Andrew Witchey. Newly open in Pittsburgh, Dancing Gnome styles itself as a hop-centric brewery, and Andrew opens the podcast by explaining the Dancing Gnome fermentation process and the meaning behind the brewery’s offbeat moniker. Not to be outdone, Ed and Day get wildly inventive with language and laughs and engage in a frolic-filled, swerving exchange that will surely amuse listeners. Nick helps bring the podcast back to center with interviewing expertise until the Drinking Partners emerge with outlandish gusto and outrageous, admittedly misogynistic interjections. In a perfectly definitive Drinking Partners moment, the group considers what beer would pair best with Burger King’s Mac and Cheetos. Stay tuned until the closing minutes when Mr. Witchey offers advice on the hidden hurdles of opening a brewery, and Ed attempts to sing some New Edition. A wayward and whimsical podcast with moments of learning and moments of delinquency. For more information on Beer League Talk, find them at www.beerleaguetalk.com. To sip on Dancing Gnome’s well-defined beers, visit them at their Sharpsburg location or at www.dancinggnomebeer.com.

With Love Child by Voodoo Brewery on tap, the Drinking Partners ready themselves for an electric, mighty conversation with Pittsburgh-based Damon Young, cofounder of Very Smart Brothas, an online magazine featuring stories and articles centered around race, sex, pop culture, and current events. With a rapidly growing audience, Very Smart Brothas, and Mr. Young himself, has elevated itself to become a significant and essential media source, one that has found itself on top because of a combination of humor, intelligence, and relevancy. From the opening questions, the men examine issues with thoughtful depth and irreverent wit. Nothing is off limits, from Day’s issues with Steve Harvey to how Mr. Young maintains his own truth while speaking to a national audience. Midway through, the men lighten the gravity to discuss dating and relationships, sharing tales that will have listeners laughing and reminiscing. No Drinking Partners podcast would be complete without a detour through the unusual and off-topic; and this one is no different as the trio argues over how best to make grits before transitioning into an analysis on religion. Stay tuned to hear a classic Drinking Partners exchange as Day remarks, “Jesus is actually a cool ass dude who wore sandals,” and Ed argues, “I don’t think wearing sandals make you cool. That’s a negative mark on Jesus.” To learn more about Damon Young, visit www.verysmartbrothas.com. To see the Drinking Partners live and drink free local brews, purchase tickets for their next downtown show on July 15 at 8:30pm: www.purplepass.com/byob1.

Lips loosened with bourbon, the Drinking Partners and guest Sarah Huny Young – creative developer and photographer – click and rumble from the opening seconds, laughing as much as listeners will in the latest podcast release. Joining Ed and Day to promote her latest project, American Woman, a multimedia documentary about Black American women, Ms. Young matches the pace and spirit of the Drinking Partners with ease, enthusiasm, and enchantment. A lively discussion centers around how Ms. Young seeks to redefine and reshape the archetypal image of who an American woman is. From there, the conversation swells and peaks with amusing stories, grandiose confessions, and cultivated theories; all of which are delivered and analyzed with a zesty banter unique to the Drinking Partners experience. The latter half is definitely NSFW, but is full of fun, flirtation, and friskiness. To learn more about and to support Ms. Young’s American Woman project, visit https://www.patreon.com/americanwoman and https://www.facebook.com/americanwomanproject/.

In an extraordinary live event from Boom Concepts in Pittsburgh, the Drinking Partners are joined by Brian Burley – author of the newly released YNGBLKPGH, a book featuring black professionals from the community – and Thomas Agnew, owner and co-founder of Boom Concepts and Jenisis Magazine. The event celebrated the conclusion of a gallery showing with a brunch provided by Sweet Little Eats and Wine & Words Pittsburgh before the Drinking Partners chatted with Mr. Burley and Mr. Agnew. What follows is a comprehensive conversation centered on community and success, and how interwoven the two must be, which is an integral element in YNGBLKPGH. A question and answer session is highlighted toward the latter half, with an active and engaged examination ensuing. In the closing minutes, an impassioned discussion allows listeners to laugh and consider, from the importance of networking and supporting new concepts and ventures to the salmon shade of Day’s pants. To learn more about YNGBLKPGH and Brian Burley, visit www.yngblkpgh.com and Boom Concepts at www.boomconcepts.com.

One of Pittsburgh’s up and coming rappers, PK Delay, and Jacob Finch, freelance creator and manager, join Ed for a music-centric conversation in the latest Drinking Partners release. In the opening minutes, an introspective discussion centers around the evolving approach of rap artists, with a focus on how new, young rappers are redefining the game and making their own rules. From forming a closer connection to their fans to developing their own images, PK Delay explains how he and other young rappers are exploring new roads and paving their own ways to success. A deeply held belief in bringing a positive aspect to his music and to his fans motivates PK and drives the interview, which is highlighted by an in-depth back and forth between Ed and PK that examines every aspect of the Pittsburgh rap scene. To hear more from PK Delay, visit https://soundcloud.com/pk-delay.

With the studio to himself, Ed reflects on his headlining experience at the Pittsburgh Improv before welcoming North Country Brewing owner Bob McCafferty and marketing head JD Longo. Open since 2005, North Country serves as a veteran voice for listeners, home brewers, and entrepreneurs. With a focus on farm to table and beer-inclusive dining, Mr. McCafferty explains the business model in detail, which makes for an interesting and enlightening podcast. Of course, Ed pops in with amusing asides and funny anecdotes as the men talk shop; and his Make-a-Wish analysis is both hilarious and very Drinking Partners-like, as is his description of his first pedicure. Sipping on the Stinky Hippie, a Pale Ale with 5.5% ABV, the men jump back and forth between personal admissions and professional brewing, with a relaxed and enjoyable vibe. Also of note is the Stationhouse 33 Firehouse Red, a malty ale brewed for the Slippery Rock Fire Department; a percentage of sales is donated back to the department. For information about North Country Brewing Company, visit http://www.northcountrybrewpub.com/. To see the Drinking Partners live at Bricolage on Saturday, June 17 at 8:00 PM, buy tickets at www.purplepass.com/byob.

Small batch masters Ryan Slicker and Tom Jenkins of the newly opened Fury Brewing stop by the studio and join the Drinking Partners for a lesson in beer making, which was broadcasted live on Facebook. The men sip on the caramel flavored Nuts of Fury brown ale to open the podcast as Ryan and Tom speak on what goes into opening a brewery. With beers created for “taste, smoothness, and quality,” Fury Brewing enjoys brewing a variety of offerings and plans to continue to expand. Listeners will enjoy learning how much goes into all sides of brewing, from crafting beer to developing a business model. To close the podcast, the men sample Sid’s 1K IPA, a centennial hop based beer named in honor of Sydney Crosby’s 1000th point. To learn more about Fury Brewing, visit furybrewingcompany.com. To catch the Drinking Partners live at Bricolage Theater (downtown Pittsburgh), buy tickets now: www.purplepass/byob.

In the latest Drinking Partners release, a theme emerges early as Day and guest host Daniel Dongilli explore the idea of learning from one’s mistakes with Tom Klingensmith, owner of Klingensmith Metal, which specializes in custom steel projects. From there, the men discuss a variety of topics – commutes, craft beer, and country living. But the trio also takes some time to analyze the podcast industry and chat about their favorites. A relaxed and refreshing listen that spans across ideas with ease and interest. To learn more about Klingensmith Metal visit Tom’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/klingensmithmetal/

From the opening segment, the latest Drinking Partners release is high on energy and action, with non-stop chatter and festivity as guest Walter Aguirre, owner of LA Taco food truck – which aims to introduce Latin American food into local communities – visits the studio. With moonshine and Hennessy in hand, Mr. Aguirre, who is also a digital marketer, shares tales and insight as he describes his experiences as a California transplant to suburban Pittsburgh. Ed provides the voice of abstinence while Day, Daniel (guest host from Grownup Human Comic People), and Walter sip boldly in true Drinking Partners fashion. The conversation swings like an out of control pendulum, from an analysis of Kanye West and the Kardashian curse to the neuroscience-based effects of watching World Star videos; each topic is scrutinized with a mix of hilarity and testosterone. In the waning moments of the podcast, the men contemplate on the universal subjects of life, work, and family, with a seriousness and sharpness that will make listeners pause. As Ed suggests, “You can live a lavish lifestyle, or you can have lavish relationships.” Of course, the discussion ends on a fantastically fun note as trap music gets analyzed, with Daniel offering an epic takedown. The latest podcast is a wild, weaving ride. Find where LA Taco truck will be next at lataco412.com 

With Daniel Dongilli of Human Grownup Comic People as a guest host, the Drinking Partners get back to their roots and welcome Brixton Brewing’s head brewer Zack Ruskin. One of his offering, the Belgium & Hobbs ¬– a 14% quad barley wine that takes a year to ferment ¬– has Dan “attending to every sip” and feeling “infused with love” and Day dubbing it the “broken marriage brew,” for its warming nature. In the early half of the podcast, the men discuss the combination of art and science, two seemingly unconnected aspects of successful brewing before the high alcohol content of the beer kicks in and causes conversational havoc and plenty of laughs. The second offering from Brixton Brewing is the Matthew, an English Mild with a distinctive biscuit flavor that pairs well with everything. Halfway through, Ed trades places with Day and wastes no time cracking jokes and attempting to name a future beer for Brixton. In the latter minutes, the free flowing talk shifts from dating apps to airplanes to the authenticity of micro brewing. Sip on Zack’s creations at Hollywood Gardens in Rochester, PA and find more information on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hollywoodgardens