The DC Beer Show

In this episode of the DC Beer Show, Jake, Mike, and Brandy welcome guests Peeter Keek and Martin Vahtra from Pohjala Brewery in Estonia. They discuss the rich history of Baltic Porters, the brewery's production techniques, and the unique flavors achieved through barrel aging. The conversation also touches on the craft beer culture in Estonia, the challenges of educating consumers about craft beer, and the impact of tariffs on beer exports. The episode concludes with a celebration of Pohjala's seventh anniversary and an invitation for listeners to visit the brewery.

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The hosts discuss their current beer selections, upcoming events in the local beer community, and the beer of the month. They delve into industry news, including recent (failed) mergers and acquisitions, and explore the dynamics of local breweries and their community engagement. The conversation also touches on the future of craft beer, market trends, and the significance of Baltic Porter Day, with a special guest appearance planned.

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In this episode of the DC Beer Show, the hosts engage in conversation with Randy Mills from Burnish Brewing, discussing a range of topics, including unique beer choices, the brewing process, seasonal beers, and the importance of community support in the brewing industry. Randy shares insights about his brewing philosophy, the challenges of running a brewery, and the significance of collaboration in creating new beers. The conversation also explores regional differences in beer preferences and strategies for attracting foot traffic in a competitive market.

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Welcome back to The DC Beer Show! This episode brings some extra sparkle as our hosts sit down with special guest Dave Infante, the freshly crowned 2025 North American Guild of Beer Writers best business writing category winner.

Our hosts ditch their usual "What's in your glass?" opener in favor of a midday roundup of recent brews, like Dave Infante's nonalcoholic Hoplark hop water (scored from a rare local drop), and Brandy Holder's cute little Sierra Nevada craft lager—plus plenty of shoutouts to delicious pale ales and lagers from spots like Right Proper, Eebee's, and Lost Generation, setting the stage for their much-anticipated beer share at Denizens.

But the true heart of the episode is a deep dive into beer journalism, cultural critique, and some righteous ranting about The New York Times' recent craft beer op-ed. Dave Infante deconstructs the misunderstood perceptions that plague craft beer coverage, especially the tired narrative that wacky labels and IPA dominance are "killing" the scene. Instead, he brings the receipts: IPAs remain 50% of the market, breweries are constantly reinventing lagers, and American beer is arguably better than ever. The conversation is equal parts spicy and insightful, with hosts and guest alike poking fun at bygone trends (remember palate-wrecking IPAs?) and celebrating the wild diversity pouring from local taps these days.

There's a strong sense of camaraderie throughout, as the group chats about women-owned breweries like Denizens and Right Proper, upcoming events for beer lovers (including the Women’s Brew Culture Club), and the joys of unstructured beer shares where community and conversation rule.

As the episode wraps, Dave Infante shares where to keep up with his writing on Fingers and VinePair—and both DC Beer and Dave encourage you to support good beer, honest journalism, and local community wherever you find it.

Grab a cold one, celebrate the golden age of American beer, and join us for another rollicking session of The DC Beer Show—where facts, flavors, and fun go hand-in-hand!

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In this episode of the DC Beer Show, the hosts engage in a lively discussion about various craft beers, focusing on the unique offerings from Blindhouse Beer Company in Roanoke. Tyler Wert, the brewer, shares insights into the mixed-culture fermentation process, the importance of balancing acidity in beer, and the challenges of maintaining flavor consistency across batches. 

The conversation also touches on the growing beer tourism in Roanoke, the influence of Virginia's wine industry on craft brewing, and the community's response to innovative beer styles. 

Overall, the episode highlights the vibrant craft beer culture and the dedication of brewers to create exceptional flavors while educating consumers.

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In this episode of the DC Beer Show, the hosts discuss the upcoming Wanderland event organized by the Brewers Association of Maryland, emphasizing the importance of supporting local breweries and fostering a family-friendly environment. They examine the changing trends in craft beer consumption, the role of music and entertainment at events, and the legislative hurdles faced by Maryland breweries. The discussion also includes personal beer preferences and the excitement around local craft alcohol initiatives.https://wanderlandmd.com

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In this conversation, Greg Engert discusses the upcoming Snallygaster festival, its significance for local breweries, and the evolving landscape of import beers. He highlights the importance of local food sourcing, the training of veteran farmers, and the festival's role as a major fundraiser for Arcadia Farm. Engert also shares insights on the feedback from previous festivals, the diverse serving formats expected at Snallygaster, and the growing popularity of cider. The conversation touches on the challenges breweries face, especially during the summer, and the strategies employed to keep the festival fresh and engaging for attendees.

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Join us as we return from our summer break with Episode 216 of the DC Beer Show! We're live from Casa de Brandy, diving into the world of craft beer with a special focus on Oktoberfest and the inspiring women in the brewing community.

Highlights:

Beer Tasting: Jake, Brandy, and the team share their current favorites, including a double dry hop pilsner and a Vienna lager. 

Spotlight on Women: Celebrating gender equity in brewing, with a shoutout to Jasmine Dill of Liquid Intrusion and her ongoing health journey. 

Upcoming Events: Get ready for a packed September with Oktoberfest celebrations, MegaFest, and the DC Rape Crisis Center fundraiser. 

Special Guests: Lauren Carey from Women's Brew Culture Club joins us to discuss the Pink Boots Society's relaunch. 

Sneak Peek: A preview of our next episode featuring Greg Engert, the mastermind behind Snallygaster.

Support Jasmine Dill by purchasing a "Genetically Unapologetic" shirt through our social media links. Join us at upcoming events and stay tuned for more exciting episodes!

Hashtags: #DCBeer #Oktoberfest #WomenInBrewing #SupportLocalBreweries

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Welcome back to The DC Beer Show, your hub for all things craft beer across DC, Maryland, and Virginia! This episode, we welcome Tasha Dixon from Ardent Craft Ales in Richmond, Virginia, for a lively conversation packed with brewing insights, local flavor, and community celebrations.

The show kicks off with the crew sharing what’s in their glasses—expect shout-outs to Trillium’s foeder-aged lager, Ardent’s Bohemian Pilsner and IPA 14, and a juicy Kolsch from Bearchase. 

Tasha dives into Ardent’s brewing philosophy, revealing the story behind their flagship IPA 14 (it’s all about that 14th, all-Citra batch!) and the magic of scaling up their canning operations with a lean, cross-trained team. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to juggle 12- and 16-ounce cans or wrangle small-batch innovation into a flagship core lineup, this behind-the-scenes peek is for you!

Get ready for some hop talk as Tasha explains the role of Yakima Chief’s Cryo Pop hops in Ardent’s vibrant “Pop!” pale ale, and dishes on tweaking recipes for maximum aroma on a budget. The episode takes a fun detour into cannabis-inspired brewing, with Tasha describing her forays into terpene beers—think Pineapple Express and Winner Winner. While there’s no THC or CBD involved (yet, Virginia law!), these botanic brews deliver big “wow” factor and bring curious crowds into the taproom.

The conversation also digs into the resilience and evolution of the Richmond beer scene. Tasha speaks candidly about recent brewery closures in the area, the pressures of leases, and the importance of community support—plus what makes Richmond’s Scott’s Addition neighborhood such a vibrant, collaborative hotspot for breweries, cideries, and distilleries.

With Pride Month upon us, Tasha shares how Ardent and their Scotts Addition neighbors are teaming up for a Pride Bar Crawl, with special releases (including a berry seltzer called “Berry Proud”), passports, and proceeds benefiting Richmond Habitat for Humanity’s Pride Build. Expect plenty of events throughout June and again for Virginia Pride in September, all designed to foster inclusion and celebration across the community.

As always, our hosts shout out coming events in DC and the broader DMV, including Womxn’s Brew Culture Club meetups at Denizens, a members-only beer share at Sovereign, and the Wheatland Spring Land Beer Fest (hello, Tre Fontane!). They also salute longtime Richmond beer fans—special birthday cheers to Frank Chang!—and encourage everyone to experience Richmond’s hospitality, food, and ever-evolving beer scene.

The episode wraps up with a heartfelt toast to closed and closing breweries, the promise of more openings ahead, and the enduring truth: Beer always helps. So grab your favorite brew and join us for another round with The DC Beer Show—where the spirit of craft, community, and creativity never stops flowing!

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Welcome back to The DC Beer Show, your hop-forward source for all things craft beer in the DMV! This episode finds our dynamic crew—Jake, Mike, Brandy, and Jordan—diving headfirst into the fascinating world of hops and modern brewing with special guest Shana Solarte, Marketing Communications Manager at John I. Haas.

Kicking off with the usual “what’s in your glass?” roundtable, the hosts compare notes on a fresh selection of IPAs (with more than one nod to Other Half), a Peabody Heights pilsner, and shout-outs to local beer reps. Brandy brings a little Cinco de Mayo energy, complete with margaritas and hopes for more info on her beer can labels!

The heart of the show belongs to Shana, who joins from Chicago—but don’t worry, her reach into the DC beer scene runs deep. She shares the inside scoop on John I. Haas’ partnership with the Michael James Jackson Foundation (MJF), an organization supporting scholarships for brewers and distillers of color. Shana explains the creative process behind MJF’s exclusive hop blend, involving sensory panels, blind tastings, and even a bit of Garrett Oliver Jedi mind-trickery. We hear about how the blend gives back—$5 per pound sold goes straight to MJF, supporting the next wave of brewing talent.

The episode shifts gears to demystify the buzz around “flowable hop products.” Shana breaks down what they are (think super-concentrated hop flavor minus the leafy waste), the benefits for brewers (better efficiency, more beer to pour), and how products like Incognito are changing the IPA game—especially with Mosaic fans in the house.

Throughout the show, Shana’s passion for beer education and inclusivity shines. From her Cicerone roots to her time at Dovetail and Omega Yeast, she emphasizes continual learning and translating geeky hop science into language every beer enthusiast can dig.

As always, there’s plenty of DC Beer community spirit. Brandy highlights upcoming local events: the Maryland Craft Beer Festival in Frederick (shoutout to female and non-binary brewers!), a DC Brau beer share, and a full calendar for beer lovers all summer long. Mike gives a special mention to the Arlington Brew Shop beer of the month, a Czech pale lager brewed by Bluejacket, and Jacob reminds us that beer is for everyone (moms very much included).

Grab a hoppy IPA (or your favorite local lager), settle in, and let The DC Beer Show guide you through innovative hop science, the importance of diversity in brewing, and all that’s brewing in our vibrant local beer scene. Cheers!

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