Christmas is knocking at the door, and I'm refusing to answer it until we get through Thanksgiving... but I'll be darned if I'm not excited for it to get here. I love drinking this time of the year!

In this episode, I share with you a unique and somewhat regrettable tasting experience with Twisted Tea Sweet Tea Whiskey. I share my initial excitement and subsequent disappointment as I discover its less-than-appealing taste, even attempting to salvage it with various mixers. Spoiler alert: it didn't get much better.

We also touch on the recent 6th anniversary celebration at Sonder Brewing, where I had the pleasure of trying some fantastic beers, including a standout Peach Brandy Barrel-aged Stout and a surprisingly delightful Blackberry You Betcha. These experiences highlighted the contrast between well-crafted beers and the unfortunate Twisted Tea Whiskey.

Additionally, I reflect on a recent incident involving Jason Kelce, discussing the importance of maintaining composure and a thick skin, especially when representing a brand in the public eye.

In this episode of The Weekly Pint, we dive into the heart of what makes our weekly hangout special—sharing drinks and discussing the latest happenings in our lives and the booze industry. I kick things off by introducing a unique drink, melon Soju, and walk you through its history, how to drink it, and my personal tasting experience. We also explore the fun and quirky rituals associated with Soju, making it a delightful segment for anyone curious about trying something new.

The main topic of the night is the surprising news about Fibonacci Brewing Company being up for sale. I share my thoughts on the potential impact of this change, the emotional attachment we have to our local breweries, and the importance of staying positive about the future. We discuss the details of the sale, the legacy of owners Betty and Bob, and the hope that the right buyer will continue their vision. This segment is a heartfelt reflection on the challenges and opportunities that come with such transitions in the craft beer community.

To lighten the mood, we wrap up with a look at the latest label approvals from the TTB, featuring new and exciting releases from local breweries and distilleries. From Brazen Oak's straight rye whiskey to MadTree's Let's Grow Local Avondale, there's plenty to get excited about. We also touch on some fun upcoming beers from Rhinegeist, Streetside, and Third Eye, ensuring there's something for every beer lover to look forward to. Join me as we navigate the ever-evolving world of craft beverages and celebrate the community that makes it all so special. Cheers!

In this episode of the podcast, we dive into the delightful chaos that is our live happy hour. We kick things off with a discussion about the technical hiccups that always seem to accompany our live sessions, but hey, that's part of the charm, right? We then move on to the main event: a tasting of Wooden Cask's Maple Corruption, one of the six variants being released at the upcoming Corruption Fest. I share my thoughts on this boozy, bourbon-forward stout and give you a sneak peek into the other exciting variants that will be available at the festival.

We also take a deep dive into the jam-packed schedule for Cincy Beer Week, highlighting some of the must-attend events like the Heritage Bar Crawl, Fresh Hop Festival at High Grain, and the Women in Beer panel at Woodburn. I encourage everyone to get out there and support our local breweries, especially during this celebratory week.

Lastly, we touch on some bittersweet news: the closing of DogBerry Brewing. I share some personal memories and the impact DogBerry had on the local beer scene. On a brighter note, we also discuss the opening of Hearth Brewing and my first impressions of their offerings. As always, thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to sharing more beer adventures with you next week!

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!