Steal This Beer

Episode 272 - Bob Kunz, Highland Park Brewery (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! A Saturday afternoon had is back in our usual hangouts. Augie was in the yard with Casse up against the property line (for a few minutes anyway), Justin was in Brooklyn, and John Holl was in the basement home office. We're inching closer to returning to the same bar and are eager to do so. In the meantime, these remote shows have been a lot of fun because we're able to bring on guests that might not otherwise be in New York.  To wit: this week's accomplice is Bob Kunz of Highland Park Brewery in Los Angeles. We spoke to Bob minutes before he began re-opening his brewery after COVID-19 so we got a little taste of what other breweries might be going though in the coming weeks.  He also brews an Italian pilsner so... yeah. We talk about that as well.  Bob also got to join in the Justin-provided blind tasting beers. Was one of them the greatest beer ever poured? Holl wouldn't know. Listen in to find out why. 

**Want to support us? We have launched a PATREON Page. Click here to let us know you care!**

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 271 - Chip McElroy, Live Oak Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

via Austin Business Journal

Happy Monday, Thieves! We’ve got a fun show for you today, talking pilsners and lagers with one of the best in the business. Chip McElroy is the owner and founder of Live Oak Brewing in Austin, Texas. Live Oak is the older craft brewery in Austin and Chip is somewhat of a legend in the industry. We had a great chat about some of our favorite styles of beer. Tune in and let us know what you think!

**Want to support us? We have launched a PATREON Page. Click here to let us know you care!**

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 270 - Marcus Baskerville, Weathered Souls Brewing (Black is Beautiful Beer Collab)

Happy Monday, Thieves! This week we’re chatting with Marcus Baskerville of San Antonio’s Weathered Souls Brewing. Marcus started the Black is Beautiful beer collaboration in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. Carton got on board so we decided to ask Marcus to call in and discuss the inspiration behind the worldwide collaboration and what goes into the recipe. To quote from Marcus’s Black is Beautiful Beer site:

“The Black is Beautiful initiative is a collaborative effort amongst the brewing community and its customers, in an attempt to bring awareness to the injustices that many people of color face daily. Our mission is to bridge the gap that's been around for ages and provide a platform to show that the brewing community is an inclusive place for everyone of any color. We are asking for all breweries and brewers far and wide to raise a glass with us in unison and participate in this collaboration.”

Tune in and let us know what you think!

**Want to support us? We have launched a PATREON Page. Click here to let us know you care!**

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 269 - John Kimmich, The Alchemist (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! Have you heard of this beer called Heady Topper? It's an IPA and is brewed in Vermont. It recently arrived on shelves in Jersey and so Augie and John wanted to learn a little more about it, so they had Justin ring up the brewer who readily agreed to come on the show.  Turns out his name is John Kimmich and along with his wife Jen founded the Alchemist, a brewery in Stowe, Vermont that has been around for quite some time. They talk about hop character, freshness, specialty drops, and Florida weed. It's one to listen to fresh, and right from your ear buds. 

**Want to support us? We have launched a PATREON Page. Click here to let us know you care!**

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 268 - Andy Parker, Avery Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

courtesy of Avery Brewing

Happy Monday, Thieves! Our audio quality for these quarantine shows is much improved thanks to Zoom. We're pretty excited about that because we get to hear every single word from today's accomplice.  Andy Parker is the chief barrel herder at Avery Brewing Co. in Boulder, Colorado and, as you'll hear time and time again, a big influence on Augie. 

From talking about the early days of the brewery to the big changes that have come its way in recent years, Andy shares some of the science that goes into his beers, drops some knowledge on sales and marketing, and takes the time to talk about how he's spending his days in isolation. 

Plus, the blind tasting is back thanks to Justin Kennedy. He sent Augie and John beers in the mail, wrapped in foil and did a damn fine job stumping them both. It's good to be back in the swing of things. 

**Want to support us? We have launched a PATREON Page. Click here to let us know you care!**

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 267 - Jen Blair, New Realm Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! This week we're trying out some new audio options and recording the show from Zoom. We think it sounds a little bit better but let us know what you think. We're also bringing back the concept of the black glass. 

Executive Producer Justin Kennedy picked up some beers locally and sent to John and Augie. They were wrapped in foil (and even a bottle cap was covered) and the guy's spouses poured into black glasses. It brought some fun back to the show. 

And Justin was got an assist from the beer selection from today's guest: Jen Blair of New Realm Brewing Co. 

She sums up what's she's doing and where she has been:
 "Currently, I’m training approximately 30 New Realm employees to take their Level 2 Cicerone exam in April at both our Atlanta and Virginia Beach locations, while studying for my Master Cicerone exam as well as the next level of my BJCP certification. I also co-host a podcast called False Bottomed Girls that’s focused on beer education for all, but women in particular. My newest project is a plant-based food and beer pairing series with my friend and fellow Advanced Cicerone and beer educator, Asa Stone. Our goal is to provide beer lovers who follow plant-based diets with their own version of The Brewmasters Table. I started both projects because I saw a lack of women educators in both the podcasting and beer pairing areas.

Prior to joining New Realm, I was the Executive Director for the North American Craft Maltsters Guild, which is an international trade organization dedicated to promoting craft malt and providing resources and education for small-scale craft maltsters. I not only provided members with education and support but also traveled throughout the US and internationally to present about craft malt and malt sensory. Beer is an agricultural product and I continue to advocate support for local farmers and businesses throughout the beer supply chain."

We had a lot of fun talking with her about recipes, brewery growth, and education. Hope you enjoy listening. 

Wishing you a calm, peaceful, and reflective Memorial Day. 

**Want to support us? We have launched a PATREON Page. Click here to let us know you care!**

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 266 - Steve Luke, Cloudburst Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! How are y’all hanging in there? We’re keeping on truckin’ with the quarantine episodes, and this week we’re welcoming back Steve Luke from Cloudburst Brewing in Seattle. Steve tells us all about how his company has pivoted and adapted during these times and what he plans to do moving forward. It’s a great conversation and we hope you enjoy it. Apologies in advance for the subpar audio quality. We’re still working on getting it dialed in and have a new approaching coming next week. Tune in and let us know what you think!

**Want to support us? We have launched a PATREON Page. Click here to let us know you care!**

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 265 - Lee McComb, Half Acre Beer Co. (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! We’re come back at you this week from the B-Rizzle mobile Zencastr studios with our old friend Lee McComb of Chicago’s Half Acre Beer Co. We first met Lee a few years ago at Extreme Beer Festival and quickly became fast friends. Lee’s the type of thoughtful, laid back dude that we love running into in this industry. He’s recently transitioned to the head of the barrel program at Half Acre’s Wyld Cove branch and called in to talk to us about how the company is dealing with the pandemic and what he’s interested in drinking lately. As always, we had a great conversation and look forward to sharing a beer in person with him sometime in the not too distant future, hopefully.

Tune in and let us know what you think!

**Want to support us? We have launched a PATREON Page. Click here to let us know you care!**

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 264 - Khris Johnson, Green Bench Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! We have another quarantine episodes for you today. (The norm for the foreseeable future.) This week we’re welcoming Khris Johnson of St. Petersburg, Florida’s Green Bench Brewing. We’ve known Khris for many years but every time we’re down in his neck of the woods, he’s been busy throwing the annual Foedre for Thought Festival which is traditionally held the night before Hunahpu’s Day. We finally got a chance to have Khris call in and talk to us about what’s going on down there and how his company’s adapting to the new reality we’re all facing. But fear not, we also found plenty of time to talk about non-Covid related stuff, like smoked beers and saisons. Tune in and let us know what you think!

**Want to support us? We have launched a PATREON Page. Click here to let us know you care!**

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 264 - Khris Johnson, Green Bench Brewing (COVID-19 Quarantine Edition)

Happy Monday, Thieves! We have another quarantine episodes for you today. (The norm for the foreseeable future.) This week we’re welcoming Khris Johnson of St. Petersburg, Florida’s Green Bench Brewing. We’ve known Khris for many years but every time we’re down in his neck of the woods, he’s been busy throwing the annual Foedre for Thought Festival which is traditionally held the night before Hunahpu’s Day. We finally got a chance to have Khris call in and talk to us about what’s going on down there and how his company’s adapting to the new reality we’re all facing. But fear not, we also found plenty of time to talk about non-Covid related stuff, like smoked beers and saisons. Tune in and let us know what you think!

**Want to support us? We have launched a PATREON Page. Click here to let us know you care!**

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.