Chris and Tyler tackle the issue of getting into the craft beer scene and the many barriers Black people face even before walking through the doors.

On this episode of the Alternative Blacks podcast, Chris and Tyler discuss the following and more.

Simcoe Hops

• Created by Charles E. Zimmermann, developed by Select Botanicals Group, and released in 2000 by Yakima Chief Ranches.
• Patent was applied for in 1999, making it a trademarked variety of hops.
• Stats:
  • Characteristics: Often compared to Cascade and referred to as “Cascade on steroids”.
    • Aroma: Berry, apricot, passion fruit, and citrus, and pronounced aromas of pine and woodsy earth.
    • Complex and unique.
  • Purpose: Bittering and Aroma
    • Creates a clean, smooth bitterness similar to magnum hops. Has more utility than magnum as it can impart some spicy, fruity and earthy notes through its aroma and by dry hopping it.
  • Oil Composition:
    • Total Oils: 2.0-2.5 mL/100g
      • Alpha Acid: 11.5-15%
      • Beta Acid: 3-4.5%
      • Humulene: 15-20%
  • Substitutes: No real consensus on a proper substitute. Mostly compared to Cascade, but not enough. Most believe there is no substitute for this variety.
    • These are nowhere close but are listed:
      • Magnum - Similar bittering effect.
      • Summit - Similar bittering potential higher cohumulone (not as smooth). Some comparable aroma qualities.
  • Common Beer Styles:
    • IPAs & DIPAs
    • Red IPAs & Black IPAs
    • American Barley Wine
    • American Amber Ales
    • American Porters & Stouts
    • Red Ales, Brown Ales, Pale Ales
    • Wild Ales
    • Lagers
  • Beers with Simcoe Only:
    • Double Simcoe IPA - Weyerbacher
    • Hoppyum IPA - Foothills Brewing
    • Count Hopula - Santan Brewing
    • Kermit the Hop - Bison Brewing
    • Simcoe Spring Ale - Peak Organic
    • IPX Simcoe - Hopworks Urban Brewery
  • Beers with Simcoe and Other Varieties:
    • Ranger IPA - New Belgium (Chinook, Cascade)
    • Stealing Time - Magic Hat (Apollo)
    • Megared - Sebago Brewing (Amarillo, El Dorado, Citra)
    • Drop Top - Widmer Brothers Brewing (Alchemy)
    • Imperial Red - Marble Brewing (Citra, Mosaic, Amarillo, Chinook)
    • Wild Rice Double IPA - Flying Fish (Citra, Columbus, Centennial)
    • Dead Pony Club - BrewDog Brewing (Citra, Mosaic)

Sample Game

Recap Barriers to Entry.

• Last week we discussed why it's important for the inclusion if black ppl in craft beer, as it related to society at large.
  • Economic
  • Thoughts of not belonging
    • Scared or disinterested to step out of comfort zone.
  • Token black person
  • Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of beer.
• This week we discuss what it actually looks like to be in these places as it stands now.

Discuss Our Personal Experiences

How Can We Overcome These

• Touch on how to get into craft beer without going into those spaces.
• Mention how to feel comfortable going into those spaces.
• Accessible craft beer?

Touch on:

• Supporting Local Minority Business
• Overcoming fear of being the only black person
• Tyler's point on black/latinx/"ethnic" foods being so rich and complex in flavor really flashes with the idea of "these people just aren't interested."

Extrapolate to the big picture. Can we draw from our craft beer experience to address inclusion in other fields? 

What do other fields teach us about craft beer?

Bringing Change to the Diversity in Craft Beer

• Four City Brewing, Roger Apollon Jr, Co-Owner
• “Breweries might set up in a city or an urban area, and they think that just because they are there, the local folks wi