The Weekly Pint

In this episode of The Weekly Pint, we dive into the world of Cincinnati beer, starting with my ongoing Oktoberfest quest, where I taste and rank all the packaged Oktoberfest beers of the season. I also share my thoughts on Third Eye Brewing's Groovy Baby, an English mild that’s become a staple in my fridge.

We then move on to some significant local news. Hearth Brewing has announced its grand opening on September 28th, coinciding with several other beer-related events in the city. On a more somber note, we discuss the sudden closure of Great Crescent Brewery after 16 years. The owners, Dan and Lani, have been planning a retirement, but their plans were changed with a cancer diagnosis. After they deal with their health, they plan to open a small grocery store in Aurora in early 2025. This closure is a poignant reminder of the personal challenges that can impact small businesses.

Lastly, we look ahead to some exciting events, including MadTree's Psych Night on September 20th and Oktoberfest Zinzinnati this weekend. I’ll be attending both, and I encourage everyone to join in the festivities. As always, thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to sharing more beer adventures with you next week. Cheers!

In this week's episode of The Weekly Pint, we dive headfirst into the chaos that makes our happy hour gatherings so special. We kicked off the show with a shoutout to MadTree for their fantastic gift packs and the exciting Psych Night event on September 20th. Then, we shifted gears to a crowd-sourced Oktoberfest beer showdown, pitting High Grain's Meadow against Streetside's Fest Beer. After a tough decision, High Grain emerged victorious, and we celebrated by blending the two beers into a delightful cuvée.

The episode also featured an in-depth discussion about the current state of beer festivals and the challenges faced by local breweries in competing with big chains like Applebee's. We touched on the importance of creating unique, community-focused events and the need to adapt to changing consumer preferences. Marco from Truth Beer and Podsequences called in to share his insights, adding another layer to our conversation about the evolving craft beer landscape.

Finally, we wrapped up with a comprehensive review of recent label approvals, highlighting exciting new releases from local breweries like Rhinegeist, Urban Artifact, and March First. From canned cocktails to innovative new beers, there's plenty to look forward to in the coming months. Stay tuned for more exciting episodes, and don't forget to check out Cincy Beer Week for upcoming events. Cheers!

In this episode of our weekly virtual happy hour, I, the Garly Gnome, share my post-camping exhaustion and the joys of our annual Labor Day camping trip. Despite being dirty and tired, I dive into the heart of our show, which is all about hanging out, having a drink, and discussing whatever's happening in life and the beer industry. This week, I cracked open an Octoberfest beer from Esoteric, which remains a fantastic beer despite being eliminated in our Octoberfest Quest.

We also delve into the ongoing Octoberfest Quest, where local breweries compete head-to-head with their best Octoberfest beers. So far, we've had some exciting matchups, including Sonder vs. Listermann, Alexandria vs. Taft's, and more. I provide updates on the latest showdowns and hint at the upcoming rounds. Additionally, I touch on the return of Cincy Beer Week, emphasizing the importance of supporting local taprooms and the grassroots effort behind this year's events.

Lastly, I reflect on the challenges of balancing life, work, and my passion for beer. From dealing with the aftermath of a busy weekend to planning for a hectic week ahead, it's all part of the journey. I appreciate everyone who tunes in and supports the show, and I encourage you to keep an eye out for exciting Beer Week events and continue enjoying and supporting your local breweries. Cheers!

In this episode of The Weekly Pint, we kick off with a laid-back happy hour vibe, sharing what everyone is drinking and diving into some old beer nostalgia. I crack open a three-year-old can of Rebel Mettle's Mettle Mayhem, an India Style Pale Lager from a brewery that no longer exists, and surprisingly, it holds up well. This sparks a discussion about aging beers and the unique flavors that develop over time, even if they sometimes remind you of "flowery cardboard."

We then shift gears to discuss the latest happenings in the Cincinnati beer scene. 50 West has opened a new location in Deerfield Township, which, while impressive, feels a bit disconnected from their original Route 50 roots. This leads to a broader conversation about the evolution of breweries and how they balance growth with maintaining their original charm. We also touch on the recent news from Bircus, who are selling their current location and moving to a new space, raising questions about the future of this unique brewery.

Finally, we address a recent article about health code violations in brewery kitchens, which I find to be a bit sensationalized and not entirely fair. I share my thoughts on the importance of context when it comes to health inspections and why a few violations shouldn't necessarily deter you from enjoying your favorite local beers. As always, we wrap up with some exciting news about upcoming events, including Cincinnati Beer Week, and a heartfelt thank you to all the listeners and supporters who make this show possible. Cheers!

In this episode of The Weekly Pint, we dive headfirst into the excitement of Oktoberfest season, my absolute favorite time of the year. I share my enthusiasm for Oktoberfest beers and the extensive collection I've amassed, ready for the ultimate showdown. This year, I've introduced a seeding process to the competition, aiming to make it more organized and fair. We also experience some technical difficulties, a common occurrence in our live podcast format, but we roll with the punches and keep the conversation flowing.

We discuss the intricacies of the Oktoberfest Quest, where I pit every packaged Oktoberfest beer in Cincinnati against each other in a March Madness-style bracket. This year, I'm focusing on local beers and excluding what I call "invasive species" from outside the area. Except of course for this week's head-to-head tasting between Highwire's Zirkusfest and West Sixth's Donca Chain, with Highwire emerging as the clear winner. Additionally, we touch on some upcoming beer projects, including the exciting news about Mellotone Beer Project taking over the former Taft's Ale House location.

Throughout the episode, we also field calls from listeners, discussing their favorite Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers, and sharing tips on where to find the best beers. We wrap up with a reminder to check out the Cincy Beer Week website for upcoming events and to support local breweries. As always, it's a lively and engaging episode filled with beer talk, technical hiccups, and a shared love for craft beer. Cheers!

In this episode of The Weekly Pint, I kick things off with a bit of a grumpy start due to some family-related delays, but we quickly dive into the heart of the show: the beginning of Oktoberfest season. We discuss various beers that listeners are enjoying, and I introduce the first showdown of the Oktoberfest Quest 2024. Last year's winner, Sonder Oktoberfest, goes head-to-head with a previous champion, Listermann Festbier. After a close and tough decision, Sonder Oktoberfest narrowly takes the win, setting the stage for an exciting season of beer showdowns.

We also touch on the logistics and seeding process for this year's Oktoberfest Quest, aiming to make the competition as fair and exciting as possible. I share some behind-the-scenes updates about my ongoing efforts to streamline my extensive beer can collection and the installation of a new can crusher in my basement. This leads to a broader discussion about the challenges and joys of maintaining a beer-related website and the potential future expansion to include guest posts.

Finally, we wrap up with some personal updates, including the brewing of Big Cis at Darkness Brewing and a teaser for upcoming content on the blog and podcast. Despite the late start and a few technical hiccups, it's a packed episode full of beer talk, personal anecdotes, and a look ahead at what's to come in the world of The Weekly Pint. Cheers to a great Oktoberfest season!

In this episode of The Weekly Pint, we dive into a variety of topics, starting with the usual chaos of my home life and the joys of trying to wrangle the family while recording. We kick things off with a delicious beer from Urban Artifact's Small Batch Society, Operation Plowshare, a coffee and donut fruit tart that truly hits the spot. As always, we share what we're drinking and pretend we're all hanging out at a bar together.

The main focus of this episode is the "Dog Days of Summer Bar Roundup," where I highlight a different bar every day throughout August. This initiative aims to bring attention to the diverse bar scene in Cincinnati and encourage more participation in Cincy Beer Week. I also discuss some recent bar news, including the sad closure of York Street Cafe in Newport and the controversial remodel of The Drinkery by 4EG. Additionally, I share my disappointing experience at the new By Golly's location in Milford, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a bar's soul and character.

We wrap up with updates on Cincy Beer Week, which is shaping up to be an exciting event with a variety of activities and venues participating. I encourage listeners to share their event ideas and spread the word about Cincy Beer Week. As always, thank you for your support, and let's continue to celebrate and enjoy our local bar and beer scene together. Cheers!

In this episode of The Weekly Pint, we dive into a variety of topics, starting with a candid discussion about the unpredictability of live shows and the looming threat of a tornado watch. Despite the chaotic start, the focus quickly shifts to the heart of the show: craft beer. I share a little bit of my excitement for Oktoberfest season, discussing the arrival of Oktoberfest beers on shelves and even give some hints at the upcoming bracket showdown. I also touch on the importance of Urban Artifact's legal actions against the state of Pennsylvania and the need for fairness in the beer industry.

The episode also delves into the latest developments at Bad Tom Smith Brewing, which is planning a new location in Union Township. We speculate a little on whether this will be a relocation or an additional spot, and what its potential impact on the local craft beer scene might be. Additionally, the show addresses the temporary closure of Listermann's kitchen due to staffing issues, sparking a conversation about the challenges faced by breweries in maintaining operations.

Finally, I share some personal anecdotes from my recent vacation, lamenting the lack of quality local beer options compared to Cincinnati's vibrant craft beer scene. We wrap up with a teaser about the upcoming Lager Fest at Northern Row, and why you need to attend and celebrate the rich history and culture of lagers. Despite technical hiccups and a few unexpected interruptions, it's a great episode!

We kick this week's episode off with a discussion about Humble Monk's recent GoFundMe plea for help in moving their brewery down the street, and the possible legality of the rewards that they were offering.

The episode then gets extremely derailed as I take a stab at discussing old beer on local shelves (and who's fault it actually is when it happens).

From there I quickly started to talk about the price of flights in your local taproom before getting side tracked again about old beer.

Fittingly enough... we ended things by talking (or shouting) about the Bengals. Who Dey!

We're kicking things off by talking about the new food program at Swine City in Fairfield. To celebrate their hot dog restaurant, we're going to drink a six-pack of their hot dog-themed beers.

This will be interesting.

We'll also talk about some label approvals that came through over the last month.