Drinking Partners

Live from Fresh Fest 2019, the Drinking Partners enthusiastically welcome Brooklyn Brewery's brew master, Garrett Oliver, or as Ed calls him, "Mr. Renaissance." With an audience as excited as both Ed and Day watching, Mr. Oliver gets right into what he sees as the recovery of the American food industry, one that was deceptive for decades. He effortlessly teaches history to those listening by exploring the rich, multi-cultural history of American cuisine, one that was replaced by "food facsimiles." The trio then examines how to expand the perimeters of the craft beer scene to allow it to be more inclusive and approachable, a shared goal of everyone on the panel and the purpose behind the Fresh Fest Beer Fest. There's beer drinking, too, to be sure as Ed and Day taste a smooth 9% Belgian strong golden that was heavily influenced by a Belgian brewer who came to New York to teach Mr. Oliver the re-fermentation process. The story also highlights what can happen when people share their keys. In the latter minutes of the podcast, the live audience gets involved during a question and answer session that is filled with relevant queries and compelling answers. A must listen podcast that glows bright with the interesting, ancient history of brewing, one that began in communities of color. "We were all supposed to be in the same damn room in the first place having a good time," Mr. Oliver reminds the crowd in the final moments. To learn more about the James Beard award-winning Garrett Oliver, view his remarkable style, and hear his inspiring philosophies, visit: www.brooklynbrewery.com/about/the-brewmaster

Do you have a Hennessy holster? If so, the Drinking Partners want to marry you, which they admit in the opening minutes of their latest podcast. Soon after, Ed and Day act more wholesome with Fresh Fest sponsor Farm to Table Western PA and Erin Hart who brings a sampling of exciting local finds, including raw milk. When Day chases a beer with the raw milk, Ed draws a very interesting conclusion about what might happen next. Ed doesn't stop going at Day, either, which makes for some entertaining moments! Give Ms. Hart credit for listening and laughing as the two go way off topic! There are moments of importance, especially when Ms. Hart explains how a 10% increase in buying locally can reenergize a local economy. From a beer-based chicken jerky to lamb sausage to Maggie's Farm spiced rum, Ed and Day get to experience a Western Pennsylvania feast. Mixed in with the raucous Drinking Partners antics and wide sampling of food is a collection of extremely useful information and ideas that make buying locally easier and more approachable. To learn more about buying locally and buying fresh, visit: https://farmtotablepa.com. Catch the Drinking Partners August 10th at Fresh Fest!

Beertender Christine Hallenback and Michelle McHugh, quality control manager, for Union Craft Brewing out of Baltimore stop by the studio in the newest Drinking Partners release. After sampling a ginger sour from Union's "Rough Draught" series, Ed and Day tried a double IPA infused with fresh orange (Orange Double Duckpin) and outrageously analyze the decision making that goes into recipe development. In the studio, they try Divine, Union Craft Brewing's newest IPA, one that promises to be as "free spirited and full of character as Charm City itself." They take a break from brewing talk to discuss how to avoid parking tickets (you can't) and for Ed to drop some bars. Listen in as beertender Christine teaches how to order a beer properly and Michelle explains how Union develops their experimental beers and their more traditional ones. And then Ed goes on a loud and lengthy tribute to Rueben sandwiches. And that is how your Drinking Partners roll! To learn more about Union Craft Brewing, visit: https://www.unioncraftbrewing.com.

Dennis Hock, founder of Strange Roots Experimental Ales, joins the Drinking Partners and discusses his approach to brewing "liquid art" and the experimentation his brewery is known for. He explains how his past career as a natural scientist heavily influences his current brewing career as the conversation gets deeply scientific. Listen in as Ed and Day sample a barely legal honey ale, one that was made by pushing "wild yeast as far as it could go." The APV? 17.3%. The effects seem nearly instantaneous as wild laughter spreads across the studio. Once they settle, the conversation returns to a science-based one, as they talk about spontaneous fermentation and how to control their final products. Of course, Ed and Day interrupt to offer their own non-scientific thoughts. The podcast is a unique chance to learn how Strange Roots continues to push the limits of brewing. For more info about their "wild by design" beers, visit: www.strangerootsbeer.com.

In the latest Drinking Partners podcast, there are "So many syllables in the introduction" that Ed starts sweating as he welcomes Bill Flanagan and Jeff Broadhurst, the Chief Corporate Relations Officer and the Co-Chairman, respectively, of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development's Our Next 75 summit. What follows is an in-depth conversation about the economic development of the Pittsburgh region and an explanation of the Our Next 75 summit, which brought over 1000 leaders from across a 10-county region together to strategize on how to move the area forward. Mr. Flanagan and Mr. Broadhurst patiently explain, despite Ed and Day's interruptions, the scope and reach of the Allegheny Conference, although the Drinking Partners add their own, humor-centered touches on everything from transportation issues to the best icebreakers. As always, the Drinking Partners mix the serious with the absurd. This latest release offers an important and entertaining glimpse into what the future of the Allegheny region looks like. For more information about the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, visit: https://www.alleghenyconference.org

The latest Drinking Partners podcast is an enthusiastic free for all as members of the Pittsburgh Craft Beer Society stop by the studio for a beer exchange and interview. Adam and Aaron join Ed and Day for the interview portion, which is quite wild and loud as the men sip on "whales." Adam explains the naming history behind how rare beers earned the "whale" nickname, ones that Ed and Day immediately jump on. Their first is Dad's Nuts from Fury Brewing, which seems a fitting first choice given the energy in the studio, although Ed finds sipping that particularly named beer hard to drink. Next up is Berry Berry, a double-fruited sour and a discussion on how the Pittsburgh Craft Beer Society operates. The beer continues to flow; a double hopped hazy from Other Half Brewing and Black Magic Panther, a scotch-barreled imperial stout from Westbrook Brewing Company. With each beer sampled, the laughs multiply, and Adam and Aaron explain how to become whale hunters. This latest release is one to remember and a fantastic and fun listen. To learn more about the Pittsburgh Craft Beer Society and to join, visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pittsburghcraftbeersociety/

John Lasher from Cellar Works Brewing joins the Drinking Partners and starts the boys off with an American Dubbel style stout with a rustic taste. Mr. Lasher talks about his start as a home brewer and the decision to leave his job in the nuclear engineering field to open Cellar Works in the opening segment. From bottle and can design to dumping bad beer, Mr. Lasher details how Cellar Works thrives, especially with a focus on locally sourcing and maintaining their "farmhouse philosophy." Midway through, the conversation turns science and brewing-specific, leaving Ed to conclude that if he opened a brewery, it would fail. Throughout the podcast, the discussion is so in-depth and detailed that listeners will believe themselves able to get started brewing. And then the drunken wheels come off as Ed and Day let loose. An episode that true beer aficionados will love. Learn more about Cellar Works here: https://cellarworksbrewing.com.

Steve Sloan, owner and brewer for Roundabout Brewery, and Hootie (Justin Blakey) from Blowfish BBQ, join the Drinking Partners for a beer and barbeque feast in this latest release. After a brief interruption from Ed and Day as they discuss lawn maintenance, the men get down to business as both Steve and Hootie talk food and beer. The group pairs smoked brisket with a Roundabout Pilsner, which Ed and Day both admire for its clarity and taste as Steve explains the New Zealand influences behind Roundabout. Next up is a Marama IPA as Hootie gives his tips on what is essential for a BBQ starter kit and why he thinks Pittsburgh is finally ready for barbeque. The next course is a Ginga wheat accompanied by beef ribs, one of Blowfish's specialty items. This newest Drinking Partners highlights two of Pittsburgh's bests in beer and food, and listeners will want to visit both Roundabout Brewery and Blowfish BBQ after tuning in.

Special episode, special beer, and special guests abound in the latest Drinking Partners release. Podcasting live from Brew Gentlemen to celebrate their 5th anniversary, Ed and Day welcome the brewery's co-owner Matt Katase and Braddock's new mayor Chardae Jones. Ed promises to be politically correct, and Day promises to be himself as they learn about Mayor Jones's rise to become part of the "millennial mayor" association. Matt jumps into the conversation to speak on the connection between business and community and how the two must rely on each other before he expands on how Brew Gentlemen got its start during his college years. Keep listening to learn the meaning (and vibe) behind Akamai, a double IPA offering with Hawaiian history and discover how Brew Gentlemen uses a mixed culture fermentation approach for their Mise En Rose series. In the latter minutes of the podcast, the conversation remains beer-specific with Matt detailing their new offerings brewed specially for their outdoor expansion. A fun and engaging listen. Learn what is currently on tap at www.brewgentlemen.com.

To celebrate their fifth anniversary and current fundraising efforts, DS Kinsel and Thomas Agnew from Boom Conepts join the Drinking Partners. Puppet karaoke? It's a thing, and you can check it out at Boom Concepts at 6 pm on June 5. Thomas and DS explain how Boom is looking for "new spins of traditional sh*t." The interview expands to a finance-focused one midway through as the men discuss how to expand income sources before they smoothly shift to art and culture and the importance of inspiration, support, and vibe. But it isn't all serious contemplation; Ed explains why he doesn't dance. The closing segment is NSFW, Drinking Partners-style and does not need to be/cannot be described with words. Follow along with what is happening with Boom Concepts at https://www.facebook.com/boomconcepts/.