The Beer Hour with Johnathan Wakefield

Grab your mead and donuts because we're eating well on The Beer Hour this week! First up we've got John Hoolihan from Oakland Park's Brewlihan meadery. He'll take us through his journey from the classroom to the mead hall, and give an education in honey.  Learn how mead brewing is similar to winemaking, and what pairs best with a good glass.
 Then Amanda and Andy Rodriguez from The Salty detail what makes a great donut, and how they've expanded to multiple states and locations across the country. From one late-night truck to a fleet of brick and mortar stores, they've been bringing guava donuts, maple bacon bars and more to deliciously delight donut fans around the world. 

It's the perfect meal, tacos and lagers on The Beer Hour this week! We'll hear from Knoxville's Xul Beer Co. about where the name comes from and their plans for the future. Cofounder Brad West takes us through the history of the brewery and what the Knoxville craft beer scene is like. 
Then Eduardo Lara of "The Wolf of Tacos" shares the story of his popup restaurant that's turning heads in Miami. What makes a perfect taco? And how does a popup restaurant survive during the pandemic? Grab a taco and listen in!

The Beer Hour is back! After a little winter hiatus we return to sunny Miami for the Wakefest Brewers Party. We'll speak with an assortment of brewers featured at this year's Wakefest, and go through a lightning round of questions with each. Featured in the hour are: Sam Richardson of Other Half Brewing, Jayson Pizarro of GOAL. Brewing, Zach Page of Belleflower Brewing, Mitch Grittman of Zony Mash Beer, Alex Gonzales of Honey Pot Meadery, James Massey of Two Tides Brewing, and Aaron Schavey of Boneflower Mead. 
Grab a beer and listen in! 

Breckenridge Brewery & HireSanta.com

It's the holiday season on The Beer Hour this week! First up we'll speak with Rogue Ales & Spirits' Danny Connors to learn about Oregon's booming beer industry, and what exactly a "Senior Innovation Manager" does.  What inspired them to put tahini in a beer? And what goes into the process of making mash and runoff?
Then we've got Collin Street Bakery partner Hayden Crawford joining the show to teach us all about the history of fruitcake, how Collin Street became so popular and survived so long, and why pecans are so important to the process.  Operating out of Corsicana, Texas since 1896, they ship out hundreds of thousands of fruitcakes each year, and the holidays are their busiest season.  Happy holidays!

It's an all art week on The Beer Hour! First up we've got James and Liz Massey from Two Tides Brewing in Savannah, Georgia. They'll tell us all about how they got their start (and how they met!) and what inspired the artsy style of their brewery. What's the brewing scene in Savannah like? And when did fruity sours and hazy IPA's become popular?
Then Colombian-born artist Gonzalo Fuenmayor joins to talk about his renowned charcoal drawings, how he became an artist, and what he sees for the future of the art world.   Learn about Art Week in Miami, the "World Cup for art".  And how did Gonzalo make the transition from a business background into the art world? Listen in!

Evil Twin Brewing's Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø joins The Beer Hour for the full show this week! We'll take a deep dive into his career, going from teaching in university to brewing, bottling, and even owning a Michelin star restaurant.  Learn all about the beer scene in Denmark, and what the early beer trading scene was like. Plus, what's the brewery scene like in New York these days? Listen in and find out!

It's a Thanksgiving primer on The Beer Hour this week! First up we've got Equilibrium Brewery's Brand Director Michelle DeLuca to talk inspiration in brewing and selling beer, and being a woman in the craft brew industry. Hear how she went from being a dental hygienist beer nerd to getting fully on board at a brewery.  Then Aaron Brooks, Executive Chef for EDGE Steak & Bar in Miami returns to the show to give all his tips and tricks for the perfect Thanksgiving feast.  Pumpkin pie or pecan? What is "frog eye salad"? And what beers pair well with your Thanksgiving feast, even if you're not making turkey? Listen in and find out! 

We get extra spooky and scary on The Beer Hour this week! First we'll catch up with Bottle Logic's Lindsay Langton about their annual pumpkin beers and how they celebrate the season. What makes something a "dessert beer"? And what new ingredients and experiments might they try with next year's batch? 
 Then Damien Leone, director of the surprise horror hit 'Terrifier 2' joins the show to talk killer clowns, the directors that influenced him, and where the series might go next.  From the origins of Art the Clown to the challenges of starting a career in filmmaking, Damien tells his story and gives an expert's view on the current horror landscape. Happy Halloween! 

We've got the legendary Matt Tarpey from The Veil Brewing Co. for the full hour this week! We'll dive into his start in the craft beer scene, trading bottles and traveling abroad to study with the masters, before eventually opening up shop in Virginia.  How did he go from never even home-brewing to being the head brewer of one of the premier craft breweries in the country? What inspires his signature style of experimental flavors and unique ingredients? Listen in and find out!