Life in 16 oz.

This episode we go walking, no climbing, in a winter wonderland and speak with a Mount Shasta rescue Ranger. Next, we break hops with modern day monks who combine scripture and brewing heavenly nectar. Finally, we saddle up with a determined cyclist who peddled coast to coast for a good cause. That and our usual craic on Life in 16 oz.

Mount Shasta Avalanche Center / Mount Shasta Avalanche Center & Home of the Mount Shasta Climbing Rangers on Facebook / Mount Shasta Brewing Co / Brethren Brewing Co / Brethren Brewing Co on Facebook / Michele Across America Blog / Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministries / Bike the US for MS / Ride With GPS / Leave No Trace / Deschutes Brewery / Ninkasi Brewing Company / Uinta Brewing / Shelton Brothers Inc / Ridgeway Brewing Shelton Brothers / St. Bernardus Beer

This month's episode features an assortment of holiday-themed beers. They are, from left to right: 1) Sleighr Winter Ale from Ninkasi Brewing Company; 2) Jubelale, a Deschutes Brewery winter ale; 3) Ridgeway Brewing's Lump of Coal Dark Holiday Stout; 4) St Bernardus Christmas Ale, a quadrupel Belgian abbey brown ale; 5) Rise & Pine, a "hoppy dark ale" aka an American black ale, from Uinta Brewing. (Life in 16 oz./Paul Wade)

Nick Meyers pauses to show the ice and snow conditions while patrolling the east side of Mount Shasta. (Courtesy photo/Nick Meyers)

Nick Meyers and fellow climbing rangers take a picture from their base camp during a multiple day patrol of the mountain. (Courtesy photo/Nick Meyers)

Nick Meyers enjoys "skinning" uphill  on backcountry skis as the ascent and descent are more enjoyable. 'Skinning' requires an adhesive "skin" be affixed to the bottom of each ski to provide better traction for climbing uphill while wearing them. (Courtesy photo/Nick Meyers)

Nick Meyers and a fellow climbing ranger set up camp at the hard stand near Helen Camp in Avalanche Gulch. The stand is a permanent tent foundation used by Forest Service rangers and Boy Scouts of America. (Courtesy photo/Nick Meyers)

Nick Meyers kick steps along a cornice while headed to a launching point to ski down Mount Shasta. (Courtesy photo/Nick Meyers)

Kevin Whitehouse stands ready to serve a pint to churchgoers during their Thursday night service in downtown Manteca, Calif. (Life in 16 oz./Brandon McCarty)

Dan Machado lays down the drinking rules during fellowship with the Brethren Brewing Company outreach church service in Manteca, Calif. (Life in 16 oz./Brandon McCarty)

A crowd gathers for fellowship and beer during a typical Thursday night church meeting with the Brethren Brewing Company in Manteca, Calif. (Life in 16 oz./Brandon McCarty)

Dan Machado shows off the future site of the Brethren Brewing Company in downtown Manteca, Calif. (Life in 16 oz./Brandon McCarty)

Dan Machado shows off the future site of the Brethren Brew Company brewery in downtown Manteca, Calif. (Life in 16 oz./Brandon McCarty)

Michele and one of the dozen comfort dogs she met along the way.

This episode we give thanks to a brewery oasis in the wide open spaces of west Texas. Next, we get smoked by a culinary pit master who helps us pair Thanksgiving meal favorites with beer. And finally, we salute troops, past and present, and speak with a veteran who rose above his own struggles and then summited Mount Kilimanjaro with a band of brothers. That and our usual craic on this episode of Life in 16 oz.

Horny Toad Brewing Co (12:18)

Pitmaster (35:10)

Warrior’s Keep (54:39)

Beer Buzz (1:28:44)

Horny Toad Brewing Company / The Warrior's Keep / Renegade Brewing Supplies / Short's Brewery / Track 7 Brewing Company / BAND / Anchor Brewing / Stella Artois / Samuel Smith's Old Brewery / High Water Brewing /

This episode's featured beers include Stella Artois' Midnight Lager, Anchor Brewing's Anchor Porter, Samuel Smith's 30th Anniversary Winter Welcome Ale, and High Water's Sugaree Maple Pecan Pie Stout. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

Exterior view of the Horny Toad Brewing Company in Rowena, Texas. The company operates out of a converted older than old school gas station and a man cave-like taproom inside, loaded with local and beer-related memorabilia. (Horny Toad Brewing Company/Courtesy photo)

The beer selection and years of collected memorabilia featured behind the counter show the owner's passion and knowledge of the beer industry at Horny Toad Brewery in Rowena, Texas (Runnels County), Oct. 6, 2019.

One of the locally-made tables featured at Horny Toad Brewing Company in Rowena, Texas, on Oct. 6, 2019. The furnishings land other memorabilia give the taproom and service station area a comfortable, relaxing feel. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

After cooling down the wort, which is the liquid produced during the brewing process, Horny Toad pumps it into the fermentation room into Bonnie, Clyde or Barrow to keep it below 70 degrees. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

The taproom of Horny Toad Brewery, open once monthly on the first Saturday of the month, in Rowena, Texas, Oct. 6, 2019. The brewery is housed inside a converted old time gas station, where the brewery's owner, Mike McNeill, still has his first home brew kit, a Mr. Beer brew kit, as the tip jar. Friends and family run the operations, and homemade food in crock pots replaces the usual food truck. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

The Horny Toad Brewery's logo as seen in the woodwork of the bar top, Oct. 6, 2019. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

A proud-looking Jan-Michael Valdez shows off his smoked brisket. (Courtesy photo/Jan-Michael Valdez)

Jan-Michael Valdez in his element, brewing tasty beer. (Courtesy photo/Jan-Michael Valdez)

 

Robbie Horne, director of veteran recreation at The Warrior's Keep, poses with his "battle buddies" while atop Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. (The Warrior's Keep/Courtesy Photo)

Robbie Horne, director of veteran recreation at The Warrior's Keep, poses with local children while in Tanzania to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. (Courtesy photo/The Warrior's Keep)

Robbie Horne, director of veteran recreation at The Warrior's Keep, looks out over Tanzania following his ascent to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. (Courtesy photo/The Warrior's Keep)

This episode we renounce our beer beliefs and become heretics. Blasphemy! Next, we don adult diapers and frantically navigate the perils of a haunted house. Finally, we scare the [BLEEP] out of our taste buds by carving through 35% ABV of Halloween-themed beer where we might be chunkin’ pumpkin. THAT and our usual craic on this episode of Life in 16 ounces.

Heretic Brewing Company / Shipyard Brewing Company / Heretic Brewing Company / Epic Brewing Company / Elysian Brewery Company / Belching Beaver Brewery / Ultimate Terror Scream Park

Your hosts Paul and Brandon recording Episode 8 at Brandon’s pub studio while pairing pizza with their five Halloween-themed beers totaling 35 percent ABV. (Photo by Paul Wade/Life in 16 oz.)

The main taproom at Heretic Brewing Company in Fairfield, California. It has a full kitchen, games, bathrooms, offices and an up front and personal view of the brewing process. (Photo by Paul Wade/Life in 16 oz.)

A flight of six four-ounce beers from Heretic Brewing Company are pictured with the brewery's distinct logo etched into the wooden table behind the flight. Information cards are provided for each of the beers.(Photo by Paul Wade/Life in 16 oz.)

Per Heretic Brewing Company's information card, "Shallow Grave robust porter won a silver medal at GABF and a bronze medal at World Beer Cup. On nitro, it is exquisite. We hope you dig it." (Photo by Paul Wade/Life in 16 oz.)

Tucked away near Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Heretic Brewing Company commands the space of a few buildings, consisting of a processing warehouse and distillery. Their money-saving bulk grain mill greets visitors. (Photo by Paul Wade/Life in 16 oz.)

Heretic Brewing Company's selection of beers available during Paul's recent visit to their taproom in Fairfield, California. (Photo by Paul Wade/Life in 16 oz.)

A large selection of beers are stored on-site at Heretic Brewing Company at their facility in Fairfield, California. (Photo by Paul Wade/Life in 16 oz.)

A new set of victims before they go through the Ultimate Terror Scream Park haunted house in Sacramento, California. (Courtesy photo/Ultimate Terror Scream Park)

The make up department prepares for another howling good time at the Ultimate Terror Scream Park in Sacramento, California. (Courtesy photo/Ultimate Terror Scream Park)

Ghouls preparing to scare customers of the Ultimate Terror Scream Park in Sacramento, California. (Courtesy photo/Ultimate Terror Scream Park)

 

This episode Brandon tries to Whip It as a Jammer with the Sintral Valley Roller Derby Girls. Next, Paul trail talks with a Horse Whisperer turned nurse who, with her dog, guides young women to become backcountry savvy. Finally, we speak with a combat veteran who’s coping with PTSD and his own mental health struggles by balancing his life using creative outlets and, of course, drinking beer. A few of our guests brought up that wonderful fall celebration known as Oktoberfest so we don our lederhosen, talk German and American-style festbiers and fill our steins with Firestone Walker’s seasonal release, Oaktoberfest. That and our usual craic on this episode of Life in 16 oz.

Sintral Valley Derby Girls pose for a pic after a tough practice. (Courtesy photo/Arnold Chavez)

Coach “Boppin” shows her dedication for the Sintral Valley Derby Girls roller derby team. (Courtesy photo/Arnold Chavez)

Marie Holt pauses along the Mountaineers Route on Mount Whitney, California, about an hour before blizzard conditions set in. (Courtesy photo/Marie Holt)

Marie enjoys a warm day on the Routeburn Track in New Zealand. Soon those snow capped mountains would be closer and change the weather dramatically. (Courtesy photo/Marie Holt)

Marie and her pioneer dog, Otis, on a training hike around Mt. Tamalpais, near San Francisco. (Courtesy photo/Marie Holt)

Nevada Jack Smith and a friend get dressed up like Rick Sanchez, the animated genius scientist from the Rick and Morty animated series, during a cosplay convention. (Courtesy photo/Nevada Jack Smith)

Nevada never passes up the chance to channel his inner nerd and does his best impression of Han Solo being frozen in carbonite. (Courtesy photo/Nevada Jack Smith)

 

Nevada, center, gives the shaka sign with fellow public affairs Soldiers from the Hawaii-based 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment while deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. (Courtesy photo/Nevada Jack Smith)

Nevada and Paul, dressed in traditional lederhosen, stand outside the Hacker-Pschorr fest tent before things got too crazy, which they did. Later that evening we would lose each other in the crowd of thousands and make it to our next destination safely. (Courtesy photo/Nevada Jack Smith)

 

Paul goes Full Monty on us by traveling to his birthplace in Jolly Olde England and drives over 1600 miles in nine days on the wrong side of the road searching for the perfect pint and best fish and chips. Next, he scores a Golden Ticket to tour a brewery held in high regard there - Timothy Taylor's. Finally he meets up with his British cousins and asks them hard hitting questions like, "What is Spotted Dick?" and "If you speak English why can't we understand you?" To make sure we aren't thrown in the Tower of London we savor the liquid gold known as Timothy Taylor's Landlord Pale Ale. That and our usual craic so have a listen while enjoying your next pint with some fish and chips.

Timothy Taylor's / Malham Cove / Ribblehead Viaduct / Skipton Pie and Mash / Alnwick Castle / Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island / Lindisfarne Causeway / The Cottage Inn, Dunstan / Bamburgh Castle / Jervaulx Abbey / Middleham Castle / Woolly Sheep Inn, Skipton / The Yorkshire Hussar, Markington / York Dungeons / Miller's Fish and Chips, Haxby / Rooster's Brewing Company, Harrogate / The Railway, Liverpool / Visit England / Park Bistro, Linlithgow (Scotland) /  Housesteads Roman Fort - Hadrian's Wall, Haydon Bridge /  Doune Castle (Scotland)

This episode's featured beer is Timothy Taylor's Landlord, an award-winning British beer Paul discovered on a previous trip to England. (Life in 16 oz./Paul Wade)

Paul's home away from home in England, also known as Barolin Farm House in Markington. In a previous incarnation, the structure was used to stable horses. The 8 bedroom, 8 bathroom home is located next door to the world famous Yorkshire Riding School. (Courtesy photo/Michelle Halpin)

Paul searched for 1627 miles for the perfect fish and chips and can say that Skipton's Woolly Sheep Inn and Miller's Fish & Chips in Haxby ranked in his top three. Please note that this is pretty close to what fish and chips should lo...

Number 5 is Alive! We Hit the Trail, Explore the Arabian Desert, and Strap on a Kilt. Brandon stumbles along the trail with Dusty Bottoms Trail Runners, a drinking group with a running problem. Then he speaks with a former petroleum engineering manager from Kuwait who now inspires others to get out and see the wonders of the Arabian Peninsula and around the world. Finally, Paul speaks with a Scotsman who tosses cabers in Highland Games, deflects pucks on the ice but can’t deflect the question – What is under his kilt? To get you pumped for our trip to the UK we picked a Scottish Ale from Belhaven called Wee Heavy. That and our usual craic so have a listen while enjoying your next pint. Husaak Adventures / HOKA ONE ONE / VisitScotland / Council of Scottish Clans & Associations / Scottish Highland Games And Gathering Of The Clans / ASICS 

Jeff and Anna Rowe of the Dusty Bottoms Trail Runners. (Courtesy photo/Anna Rowe, Dusty Bottoms Trail Runners)

Dusty Bottoms Trail Runners member Jeff Rowe, in yellow, appears overjoyed during his race as Thomas Lopes, in black, looks on. (Courtesy photo/Gina Lopes, Dusty Bottoms Trail Runners)

A selfie from "The Secret Waterfall" adventure trip with Husaak Adventures 4-6 May, 2017, in Oman. (Courtesy photo/Husaak Adventures)

Hundreds of tents in the middle of nowhere at the Caracal Challenge, November 2016. (Courtesy photo/Haroon Harley, Husaak Adventures)

From left to right, Troy Taylor, Kraig Taylor and Zech Whittington, hold bottles of Scotch whisky and Sportsmanship awards during the Highland Games in Woodland, Calif., April 2019. (Courtesy photo/Tina Taylor)

Host Brandon McCarty, center, poses with John Swisegood, left, and Jeff Rowe.

June 2019 — Like Forrest, we are RUNNING. Paul leads Dustin Sudweeks, a trail scorching mountain biker who wants to get into mountaineering, up to the summit of Castle Peak to bag his first real winter mountain ascent. Brandon taps into the minds behind Tapped Apple Cider and quickly learns the cider house rules about drinking 16 ounces while working for this Salida-based company. Yes, we said cider. Finally, Paul trades travel stories with Ciara Torres, a wanderlust soul whose passport pages looks like a colorful fireworks display. She talks about traveling alone, volunteering in South America, her passion for photography and what country stamp will be next. To honor some of our guests' love of IPAs, and clear the air of why Brandon is drinking cider, we are choosing a Hazy IPA from Blaker Brewing called Pineapple Milkshake.

Paul gives the functionality of his snow-carved table a thumbs up during a well-deserved break before he ascends Castle Peak in the Tahoe National Forest. Again.

Paul poses atop Castle Peak. Did he lose Dustin along the way? Did Paul just use the self timer on his camera and race up the hill for this photo?

Dustin and Paul capture their ascent of Castle Peak because, if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around ...? And some people are just addicted to taking selfies.

Brandon, sporting the blue gloves and letting his goofiness take over, hangs with a more reserved, yet laid back-looking Corey Martin of Tapped Apple Cider in Salida, Calif. The city is located just north of Modesto on CA-99.

The Tapped Apple Cider crew pose proudly while a distracted Brandon oggles "Frank" with his costume envy. Left to right: "Dr. Emmett Brown," "Frankenstein," Corey Martin, Life in 16 oz. host Brandon McCarty, and Wells Mounday.

Ciara has an incurable case of wanderlust.

April/May 2019 — Okay, we think we got this. After 29 years Paul’s childhood team, Liverpool, is making a historic run to win the English Premier League and we scream with Francisco Hernandez, one of the organizers of the Liverpool Football Club Supporters of Sacramento, during a telly match at de Vere’s Irish Pub. The Mad Hatter, aka, Brandon, goes nuts for Big Wheels at the 19th Bring Your Own Big Wheel event on the curvy streets of San Francisco with our videographer, Arnold Chavez, in the driver seat. Then Paul meets up with the Booze Cruise Captain, also Brandon (see a theme here?), for four-alarm fun at the 8th Annual Sacramento Beer and Chili Festival where we clear the air on which hot stuff pairs best with which hop stuff. To help Liverpool, known as the Reds, raise a Cup we score a Kölsch. Why not a Red? Listen to find out. In the meantime we enjoy this time-tested beer from Cölner Hofbräu. (PUB STUDIO, MODESTO, Calif.)

Mar 2019 — The second album is always tough we heard. Paul attends a beer making class in Napa and meets James Rubin, an all-grain homebrewer who, through trials and tribulations, is learning to perfect his concoctions. We learn from Colin Kaminski, a master brewer and chemical super freak, about a fountain of all things beer knowledge. Beer fountain! Mmm. Finally, Brandon dusts off his leprechaun outfit for our annual St. Paddy’s Day celebrations. This year we chose Modesto’s P. Wexford’s Irish Pub to test the knowledge of the crowd and speak to a Dublin-native. To honor St. Patrick and the Emerald Isle we pour some celebratory Guinness 200th Anniversary Export Stout until we are kissing the Blarney Stone. (GARAGE STUDIO, FAIRFIELD, Calif.)

Feb 2019 — What?! We finally did it and in our first episode we sing-along with Adam, Daniel, Dave and Justin from the The Undercovers, of Modesto, a full-spectrum, fan-favorite, cover band. We meet Monte Hand, an accomplished snowboarder turned SkiByker, who is carving up the slopes at Sierra-at-Tahoe. Finally, we take two friends, Martha and Vince, on an overnight, below zero, snowshoe trip near Boreal Ski Park. It’s February, so during the show we dish out a little Tough Love, a Russian Imperial Stout from Crux Fermentation Project, a brewery out of Bend, Oregon. (PUB STUDIO, MODESTO, Calif.)