Steal This Beer

Episode 292 - Brian Strumke, Stillwater Artisanal Ales, checks back in

Happy Monday, Thieves! Yet another familiar face…err, voice, joins us this week. We dial up the West Coast to check in with Brian Strumke of Stillwater Artisanal Ales. Brian relocated from the East Coast to Seattle a couple years ago and we haven’t heard much from him in a minute. We talk about how Stillwater is surviving the pandemic, why he had to get out of a hi-rise in downtown Seattle, and what his latest companion, a tiny black dog, means to his life these days. Fun talk that is cut short by some breaking news and partying in Justin’s neighborhood. Tune in and let us know what you think!

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!! Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 291 - Mike Fava, Oxbow Brewing, is Back

Happy Monday, Thieves! We’re back this week with an old friend. Mike Fava was first on the show back in 2016 and we decided it was high time to check in with him again to see what’s happening during these times at Oxbow Brewing. We talk about patience and taking time with beer, discuss saisons and lagers, and get into some really cool tasting notes on some hybrid drinks from Mike’s neck of the woods (hint hint: house yeast, peaches, and kombucha). Tune in and let us know what you think!

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!! Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 290 - Andrew Schwartz, Modern Times Beer

Happy Monday, Thieves! It was still early in the morning when we dialed up Andrew Schwartz, the "Commissioner of Flavor" for  Modern Times Beer. Despite knowing little about the show, he was a good sport in playing along with the black glass and we quickly got into ingredients, including lactose, something the brewery doesn’t use because it only produces vegan beers.

From his official bio: “As Commissioner of Flavor, Andrew heads up Modern Times’ recipe development and barrel aging. He is intimately involved in the raw ingredient process at Modern Times including malt selection, hop selection and fruit and nut procurement. He has worked with barrels, cider, coffee and spearheads Modern Times' worldwide collaborations. In 2017, Modern Times became the first brewery in California to become employee-owned, with 30% of shares now held in common by the company’s staff, with the eventual goal of 100% employee-ownership. Modern Times is driven by its values of quality, collaboration, dankness, business ethics, and continuous innovation.”

Justin was off this week, but Casse was alive and well playing both engineer and producer roles and is really gunning hard for that employee of the year award.

Listen in and let us know what you think.

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!! Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 289 - Zack Adams, Fox Farm Brewery

via Fox Farm Brewery

Happy Monday, Thieves! We fired up the 'ol Zoom machine for another week and brought in Zack Adams the founder and brewer at Fox Farm Brewery in Salem, CT. It's a brewery that over the last four years has garnered acclaim for its variety of beers.  One of the features of the family's farm is the coolship he installed at the start, but he's still waiting to release the beers, something we go deep into on this show. From the beers he likes to make to how he knows when they'll be ready, we also talk about the grapes his wife is growing on the farm.  As a bonus, Justin picked out some beers and sent them to Zach to taste blind as well. We had some clues as to what they beers might be thanks to can designs and misplaced electrical tape. Still, we had some time to get thoughtful with the contents of the black glass.  Also. Rauchbier.  Listen in and let us know what you think. 

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!! Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 288 - Anthony Totten & Basil Lee, Finback Brewery

Happy Monday, Thieves! We've talked to a few breweries over the course of covid who are doing open-source, collaborative projects for the greater good. One of the latest is in our very own backyard. Finback Brewery, based in Queens and, as of late, Brooklyn, have a new initiative called BREATHING : CONVERSATIONS. We sit down with Anthony Totten, the impetus behind the series, and Basil Lee, one of the founders of Finback, to discuss the project. We also talk about their recent expansion into Brooklyn and their decision to buy a farm in the middle of a pandemic. Crazy, right?! Listen in and let us know what you think.

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!! Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 287 - Amit Ram, Zeus Brewing

Happy Monday, Thieves! We’ve got our old friend Amit Ram back in the B-Rizzle Mobile Zoom Studios this week talking about his newest venture in the Hudson Valley, Zeus Brewing in the town of Poughkeepsie. Zeus opened just before the pandemic hit and has stayed afloat on Amit’s legit lagers and ales. It’s a gorgeous space that doesn’t look like something you might typically find in Poughkeepsie (especially the rooftop biergarten overlooking the Hudson). It’s always fun catching up with Amit.

We also pay tribute to our good friend Os Cruz, who passed away last week. RIP Os. Your warmth and generosity were one of a kind.

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!! Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 286 - Niko Tonks, Fair State Brewing Coop

Happy Monday, Thieves! There's a lot of beery ground covered in this week's show. We're joined via phone by Niko Tonks, head brewer and co-founder at Fair State Brewing Coop in Minneapolis. He previously brewed at Live Oak Brewing in Austin under Chip McElroy.  He talks about rauchbiers that he has known and loved, we go deep on lobster vending machines and then get into recipe development.  Most importantly, however, is the recent change to the company where Tonks and the other co-owners have helped employees unionize. It is just another step in the evolution of the company, he tells us, and he makes the case for how workers can be treated better in the brewing industry and why that's also a good thing for consumers.  Listen in and let us know what you think. 

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!! Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 285 - Matt Brynildson, Firestone Walker Brewing

Happy Monday, Thieves! It's a special episode today as we get deep into hops with Matt Brynildson, the brewmaster of Firestone Walker Brewing Co. He's just back from a year in Belgium where he studied, experimented, and brewed throughout the Duvel Moortgat breweries.  In this conversation he talked about how the brewery has grown and changed, what is in store for fan favorites like Luponic Distortion and Mind Haze, and some of the hops he's jazzed about brewing with this fall.  Plus, he received beers from Justin's super fancy bodega and tasted along blind with Augie and John.  Tune in and let us know what you think!

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 284 - Brandon Hernández, San Diego Beer News

Happy Monday, Thieves! San Diego is one of the country's most vibrant, diverse, and exciting beer scenes. It's a beery ecosystem that deserves careful attention and thoughtful news coverage. This week we're talking with Brandon Hernández, the founder and editor of San Diego Beer News, a site he launched earlier this year. He's not new to the beer journalism scene, however. He's been chronicling the city's beer doings for more than a decade. His insight and work ethic are unmatched in the area and we were glad for a chance to find out about brewers he is watching, get updates on old favorites, and to bust out lines from Anchorman.  From charitable efforts to his time spent working at breweries, Brandon gives us a great education on southern California. Tune in and let us know what you think!

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 283 - September 2020 Mail Bag in Quarantine

Happy Monday, Thieves! We're back on the Zoom this week, but it's just the four of us today. We have a fun time catching up with each other and hearing about some good and not so good things going on in industry these days. For the blind, Justin mined his local bodega for two new-to-NYC classics. Intrigued? Tune in and hear all about it.  Also: make sure you send us notes on who you think we should have on the show coming up. Email: [email protected] 

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.