The Beer Hour with Johnathan Wakefield

It's a deep dive into craft beer culture this week on The Beer Hour! Forest & Main Brewing Co.'s Daniel Endicott speaks to us first about growing their brewery in a Victorian house in Ambler, PA. Hear how he got his start with home brew kits, and what makes a great English pub.
Then Thirsty Bastard curator Craig Gunderson talks the art of beer labels, and his work exploring and cataloging them. What's on your Mount Rushmore of craft beer labels? And what makes a label that catches the eye?

It's a July 4th special on The Beer Hour this week! Celebrate the holiday weekend with some historical ales. Two titans of Philadelphia join the show to celebrate the history of food and drink in the Revolutionary era. Chef Walter Staib of City Tavern details the cuisine of the time, and why they drank more beer than water. Yards Brewing's Tom Kehoe also joins for the full hour to talk about brewing from the recipes of the Founding Fathers, and share Yards Brewing's story.

It's a North Carolina show on the Beer Hour this week!
First we speak with Salud Beer Shop co-owner Jason Glunt about his award-winning Charlotte beer shop, micro-brewery and coffee shop. Hear how he worked towards creating not just a business but a local community spot.
Then Tom Haberstroh joins the show to talk about his career as a sports analyst, the fun of stats, and his Count The Dings podcasts. Do stats matter? Is a win a win? Listen in and find out!

This week on the Beer Hour we speak with Vitalli Karvyha, owner of the award-winning Ukrainian meadery and cidery Berryland to hear how the war in Ukraine has affected him and the Ukrainian people. Vitalli shares the history of Berryland, how he's recovering from its destruction and his message to people around the world. Miami New Times food and spirits editor Laine Doss also joins the show to tell how she first learned of Vitalli's story.

We're coast to coast on The Beer Hour this week! First up is Derek Gallanosa, head brewer at Moksa Brewing Co. in Rocklin, California. With a legendary career and innovative brewing style, Derek tells us about his time in the San Diego craft beer world and making the most of small brewing spaces.
Then author Anne Fitten Glenn joins to give a tour of the brewing scene in Asheville, North Carolina. Anne is one of the foremost authorities on the history of brewing in Asheville, and will convince you to book your next vacation to the city ASAP.

From sour brews to orchestral compositions, we're covering a lot of ground on The Beer Hour this week! First up is Kings County Brewers Collectives' Zack Kinney talking craft brewing in Brooklyn, NY, the history of Bushwick breweries and even revealing a surprising connection to Johnathan.
Then singer, composer and designer Radmila Lolly joins the show to discuss her career and the rigorous training it takes to be an opera singer. She also discusses her Miami Heat dress that went viral when she wore it courtside during the playoffs, and gives her predictions for Heat-Celtics!

First up this week, Boneflower Craft Mead Co.'s Aaron Schavey talks starting a member's-only mead business, detailing their beginnings and what sets it apart from Ren Faire fare. We'll also explore how inflation and the pandemic has affected the bottling and brewing industry.
Then, Amanda and Legend Tarver of the 300 Letters organization tell us about their important work to help incarcerated individuals. They share their story of incarceration, including her pregnancy while in prison, and what the experience taught them about the importance of family bonds and the lack of support for families affected by incarceration.

It's a first for the Beer Hour this week as we're joined by our first Olympians! Mast Landing Brewing Co.'s Parker Olen and Weston Shepherd start the show with their story of opening up a brewery in Maine, eventually winning World Beer Cup gold medals and making Maine fashion statements.
Then Team USA Bobsledders Josh Williamson and Carlo Valdes tell us what it's like to compete at the highest level, and the unbelievable training regimen it takes to be in shape for the Olympics. Beer is part of the diet!

Des Moines joins Miami on the Beer Hour this week! Lua Brewing co-founder Zack Dunbar joins the show to talk opening a specialty beer and food spot in Iowa, the origin of the name, and the perfect cacio e pepe.
Later, the Beer Hour crew does a roundtable recap of Wakefest in Miami. Learn the history of their festival, what it's like to put on such a large event, and all about the craft beer community.

We go from harbor towns to Rocky Mountain mojitos on this week's Beer Hour! Johnathan and Maria first speak with Sand City Brewing Co.'s Kevin Sihler and Bill Kiernan about the beginnings of their craft beer career, and what it's like to be a teacher and a brewer simultaneously.
Later they're joined by Kristy Soccarás Bigelow, owner of Cuba Cuba Cafe & Bar in Denver, discussing bringing Cuban cuisine and culture to Colorado and the key to a killer tres leches.