MBR Podcast 12/3/09

Today we taste the newest beer from the New Glarus Unplugged series, Wisconsin Cran-bic.



Here's the mp3.

MBR Podcast 11/24/09

On today's podcast we have news in 60 seconds, including info on the most expensive bottle of beer ever sold.



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MBR Podcast 11/17/09

On the first part of this week's podcast we explore what time does to a pumpkin beer, tasting a five-year-old bottle of Dogfish Head's heavily spiced Punk.



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MBR Podcast 11/12/09

Continuing with this week's sort-of-theme of tasting beers from breweries we've talked about but never tried, we taste Lost Abbey's Avant Garde. Also, some sidetracks about carbonation and food pairings.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 11/5/09

We're back! Now that we've gotten the swine flu out of our systems, we got a chance to sit down and chat about recent craft beer related experiences and to taste a beer by a brewery that has come up many times on the podcast, but whose beer none of us had ever had, Brewdog. Today we get to try Brewdog's Riptide Stout.



Here's the mp3

Bonus clip: Kyle talks about brewing bum wine and his offensive costume choices:

MBR Podcast 10/13/09

On Part one of this week's podcast we get into the fall spirit with a tasting of Avery's The Kaizer Imperial Octoberfest. How is an Imperial Octoberfest different from a Doppelbock? Can a 9.3 % abv lager taste good? Listen in to find out.



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MBR Podcast 10/8/09

Part two of this week's podcast is news in 60 seconds, covering a successful Palestinian brewery, a new chapter of the BrewDog controversy, and the Great American Beer festival results.



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MBR Podcast 10/6/09

On the first part of this weeks podcast, we check in with Aran Madden of Furthermore Beer to talk about their third annual Shitty Barn Party and the release of their fall seasonal Fallen Apple.



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MBR Podcast 9/29/09

In part one of this week's podcast, we taste Goose Island's reserve series Sophie, a Belgian golden ale with a portion aged in wine barrels.



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MBR Podcast 9/24/09

On this weeks podcast, Jon and Matt taste the most sessionable beer made by Minnesota's Surly brewery, Bitter Brewer. Can this beer hold up to all the buzz created by beers like Furious and Darkness?



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 9/17/09

On Part Two of this week's podcast, we continue our talk with Joe Walts of the forthcoming RePublic Brewpub. On part two of this weeks podcast, we get an excited caller asking Joe about homebrewing, a discussion of the merits of organic versus conventional malt, and all about the beers Joe will brew at RePublic.




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MBR Podcast 9/15/09

On the first part of this weeks podcast, we interview Joe Walts, owner and brewmaster at the forthcoming Sun Prairie brewpub RePublic. We talk to Joe about his start as a brewer, brewing at JT Whitneys and Otter Creek, the difficulties of starting a business in a recession, and choosing Sun Prairie over Madison.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 9/10/09

On Part Two of this week's podcast, we continue our end of summer Lawnmower Beer tasting. In this clip, we taste Leinenkugel's Honey Weiss, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Grain Belt Premium, Furthermore Proper, New Glarus Spotted Cow, a second bottle labeled Capital Island Wheat (one of the two we tasted was Capital's "experimental"), and Goose Island 312. Plus our reactions as Kyle reveals what was what.



Here's the mp3

Bonus Clip:
We reflect on the adventure that was our Stout tasting:

MBR Podcast 9/8/09

In this week's episode of Beer Talk Today, we join with Madison Beer Review for an end of summer Lawnmower Beer Tasting. On Part one, we taste Capital Island Wheat, coon Rock Cream Ale, Miller Genuine Draft, Victory Prima Pils, Budweiser, Cheesehead (a Capital beer), Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, an Fat Tire Amber Ale. Then we get in a long conversation about New Belgium and the Wisconsin beer market.



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MBR Podcast 8/20/09

On part two of this weeks podcast, we have our interview with Jeff Shehan, pub brewer for the New Holland brewing company. Does Jeff have the best job in craft beer? We think he just might.



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MBR Podcast 8/18/09

Part one of this weeks podcast is our coverage of the Great Taste of the Midwest 2009. We scoured the festival to find out what the best brewers in the Midwest are up to. What breweries are brewing sour beers? Who has a beer called "Brett Farve?" Who's beer did a Belgian brewing professor claim could not have been made outside of Belgium? Who did we call "the Bobby Flay of craft beer" and what was he doing at the festival? You must listen in to find out.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 8/11/09

On Part one of this weeks podcast, we taste the new New Glarus R&D Golden Ale, the first in their R&D series. Stay tuned Thursday and next week for our coverage of the Great Taste of the Midwest 2009, including more on this beer!



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 8/6/09

On the second part of this week's podcast, we check out Beer on the Twit-o-sphere, and in news in 60 seconds we discuss Brew Dog's "irresponsible" high alcohol beer, and Sierra Nevada's new Estate Ale made with 100% hops and malt grown on their own estate. Is Sierra Nevada on it's way to a $700 bottle? Does Kyle know what terrior is? Listen in.



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MBR Podcast 8/4/09

Although this is already a bit out of date, as it was recorded just before the new infamous White House Beer Summit, today's podcast has our opinion on the Obama-Gates-Crowley beer, as well as a tasting of Old Dominion Brewery's Dominion Pale Ale.



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MBR Podcast 7/30/09

Part two of this weeks podcast features news in 60 seconds, with stories on Lost Cost's label controversy, a new beer magazine, and the closure of the Monroe Street Bistro. Plus, we talk about the 2009 US Open Beer Championships, where one Wisconsin brewery fared very well.



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MBR Podcast 2/28/09

On the first part of this week's podcast, Jon and I talk about the beer on our trips to Minnesota and South Dakota, respectively, and we talk a bit about the effect of image on beer sales.



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MBR Podcast 7/23/09

On today's podcast we have Jon's least favorite new segment, Beer Talk Today Twitter Tracker, where we scour the tweet-o-sphere for tweets on beer. There's even a haiku involved.



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MBR Podcast 7/9/09

On part two of this weeks podcast, Kyle has a bone to pick with Budweiser, and tries to pronounce "de-alcoholize."



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MBR Podcast 7/7/09

In part one of this weeks podcast, we review our lost interview with Lake Louie's Tommy Porter. Plus in News in 60 Seconds we cover Oregon Beer Week, drinking on the job, Kirin's new Yebisu Stout Creamy Top, and Stone's hoppiest beer ever. Plus, a confused caller.



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MBR Podcast 6/25/09

On part two of this week's podcast we continue our discussion with Randy Thiel, the Director of Quality Control for the New Glarus Brewing Company and former Brewery Ommegang brewmaster. We discuss brewing with sugar, the New Glarus grand opening, the new R & D series of beers, the Knights of the Brewers Mashing Fork, some Brussels history, and his go to cheap beer.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 6/23/09

On this week's podcast we interview Randy Thiel, Director of Quality Control for the New Glarus Brewing Company and former Brewery Ommegang Brewmaster. In part one we discuss his beginnings as a homebrewer right here in Madison, his beginnings with Ommegang, the "slightly pornographic" Three Philosopher's essay contest, what his job and New Glarus entails, his favorite New Glarus beer, and the New Glarus Unplugged Imperial Saison.



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On the first part of this weeks podcast, Jon and Kyle do some house keeping, plus news in 60 seconds, including Molson retiree's anger over reduced beer pensions, plus a study finds beer is better at re-hydration than water.



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MBR Podcast 6/11/09

On part two of this week's podcast we continue our discussion of craft distilleries with Nick Quint from Yahara Bay distillery. We ask Nick about the connection between craft brewing and distilling, what distinguishes distilleries like his from the big guys, and details about the various products made at Yahara Bay.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 6/9/09

We at Beer Talk Today have started to notice more and more breweries moving into distilling, as well as more small "craft distilleries" opening up. So this week, we focus on distilling, including an interview with Nick Quint, owner/distiller at Madison's own distillery Yahara Bay. On part one, we talk to Nick about the name Yahara Bay, how he got started distilling, the distilling process, vodka with fewer hangovers, the distribution process, and changing laws for distillers.



Here's the mp3.

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MBR Podcast 6/4/09

A few weeks back we reported on some new projects the Jolly Pumpkin brewery in Michigan is working on, but unable to find enough information we decided to go to brewmaster and owner Ron Jeffries himself and find out exactly what he's up to. Are you ready for a Jolly Pumpkin pub or two? Non-sour Jolly Pumpkin beers? How about Jolly Pumpkin wine, spirits or coffee? Ron tell us about all his new projects and when we might start seeing some new things here in Wisconsin.



Here's the mp3.

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MBR Podcast 6/2/09

On this week's podcast we discuss the results of our listener poll on what out of town brewery we should interview at the Great Taste of the Midwest this year. Then news in 60 seconds discusses a lambic tragedy in Belgium, a lambic being brewed in New Glarus, and whether the newest Great Dane in Wausau is a sign that they seek to create a brewpub empire.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 5/28/09

On part two of this week's podcast, we drink Mission Street Pale Ale, last year's Great American Beer Festival gold medal winning Pale Ale, and the new Imperial Saison from New Glarus. One of these beers ranks among the most interesting we've ever had. Which one? Listen to find out.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 5/26/09

In part one of this week's podcast we talk about Alabama possibly getting rid of their 6% abv limit, a crazy man with a chainsaw, and Labatt suing for beer label infringement. Also, UW chancelor Biddy Martin tells us what her favorite beer is.



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MBR Podcast 5/21/09

On the second part of this weeks podcast we discuss the beer-geek forum controversy surrounding The Lost Abbey's Angel's Share beers, which many consumers found to be uncarbonated. At $30 a bottle, there were some pissed off people, and brewmaster Tomme Arthur himself responded with a post on Beer Advocate addressing the issue. Listen for our take on the anger and response.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 5/19/09

On part one of this weeks podcast, we have news in 60 seconds, discussing some new projects from Jolly Pumpkin and Michigan's banning bottles of Point Nude Beach Wheat because of their racy labels. Also, Kyle talks about the very wide variety of beers at the Delafield Brewhaus and Great Taste of the Midwest ticket pleas on Craigslist.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 5/14/09

Today's podcast has news in 60 seconds, with talk about some upcoming beer events at Fromagination, and Bell's Michigan distributor lawsuit.



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MBR Podcast 5/12/09

In honor of Cinco De Mayo last week, we decided to do a tasting of Mexican beers. Little did we know what awaited us. What is the best Mexican light lager? What is the worst? How does a Mexican "craft beer' stand up to the macros? To find out, you must listen.



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MBR Podcast 5/7/09

Last Sunday was the big Great Taste of the Midwest ticket sales day, an annual ritual for Madison beer lovers, and the Beer Talk Today crew was on the scene.



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MBR Podcast 5/5/09

Today we have a short tasting of some home made brew, then a full tasting of New Holland's Pilgrim's Dole Wheatwine. Then we talk about Wheatwine as a style, New Holland as a brewery, and following craft brew trends.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 4/30/09

On part two of this weeks show we discuss Capital's new experimental beer and the recently released lists of the 50 largest breweries and 50 largest craft breweries in the US.



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MBR Podcast 4-28-09

In Part One of this weeks podcast we have news in 60 seconds, covering New York's new UPC law proposal which Yuengling says would cause them to leave the state, a new beer from Summit, a new formula and packaging for Miller Chill, and an update on New Belgium's introduction in Wisconsin.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 4/23/09

On part two of this weeks podcast we continue our talk with Paul Graham, president of Central Waters Brewery. We talk some more about bourbon barrel beers, his new IPA, his experience with the "hop shortage," and why he's just as obsessed with stout as we are.



here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 4/21/09

This week we speak with Paul Graham, President and Brewmaster at Central Waters Brewing Company. In part one, we talk with Paul about Central Water's origins, his start as a brewer, a bit about the business, and begin discussing the bourbon barrel aged beers. Where do they get their bourbon barrels? How do they use them? Where is Amherst Wisconsin? How did they get 25% of the taps at the Church Key? Listen to find out.



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MBR Podcast 4/16/09

Part two of this weeks podcast continues our interview with Mark Duchow of the Grumpy Troll Brewpub in Mount Horeb, including audio from the brewing of Mark's Stein Beer.



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MBR Podcast 4/14/09

On this weeks podcast, those crazy cats over at Miller Coors just won't stop with their "triple hops brewed" Miller Lite campaign, which Kyle explores further. Then, we discuss historical brewing techniques and move on to part one of our interview with Mark Duchow, Brewmaster at the Grumpy Troll Brewpub in Mount Horeb.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 4/2/09

We continue our 2/3 blind Stout tasting. In this clip we drink Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, August Schell Stout, Beamish Stout, Three Floyds Black Sun Stout, Central Waters Peruvian Morning Stout, Youngs Double Chocolate Stout, Guinness Draft Stout, and Central Waters Satin Solstice Imperial Stout.



Here's the mp3.

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MBR Podcast 3/31/09

On part one of this weeks podcast we discuss Scottish brewery Brewdog's attempt at making an "authentic" India Pale Ale by putting their beer in casks on a boat. Then part one of our spontaneous stout tasting, where Kyle and I are blind and Jon is not. In this segment we taste Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, New Glarus Coffee Stout, Dogfish Head Chicory Stout and Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout. Stay tuned for the rest of the tasting in part two.



Here's the mp3.

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MBR Podcast 3/26/09

On part two of this weeks podcast, we continue our discussion with the folks from Brocach Irish Pub, talking about stout and St.Patrick's Day.



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MBR Podcast 3/24/09

On this weeks podcast we get to our series on Stouts by interviewing the owner and bar manager at the restaurant that probably puts more pints of stout into people's bellies than any other in Madison, Brocach Irish Pub on capital square. In part one we talk about the roots of Brocach, what makes it special, the importance of clean beer lines, and the Madison beer culture.
Stay tuned for part two on Thursday where we talk about how they handle the crowds on St. Patrick's Day.



Here's the mp3

MBR Podcast 3/19/09

On the second part of this week's podcast we review two beers from the Grumpy Troll pub and brewery, their Stein Beer (yes, a real Stein Beer made with superheated rocks) and their Belgian style India Pale Ale.



Here's the mp3

MBR Podcast 3/17/09

On the first part of this weeks podcast, we have news in 60 seconds, covering the expansion of New Belgium, the sale of Labatt USA, and Samuel Adams raising their prices. Also, we discuss the pro's and con's of tap beer.




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MBR Podcast 3/12/09

On part two of this weeks broadcast we continue our conversation with Randy Mosher, author of Radical Brewing and Tasting Beer: An Insider's Guide to the World's Greatest Drink, about historical beers. What beers have been made with animals as ingredients? How about eggs? Molasses and bran? You must listen to find out.



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MBR Podcast 3/10/09

On the first part of this weeks podcast we test intro music for our newish segment "Kyle's Editorial," and the editorial this week involves Miller Lite's new "triple hops brewed" ad campaign. Then we move on to part one of our interview with Randy Mosher, author of Radical Brewing and the new book Tasting Beer: An Insider's Guide to the World's Greatest Drink. We ask him about the new book, his beer and food pairing recommendations, and his thoughts on triple hops brewed Miller Light. Stay tuned for part two this week, when we talk with Randy about brewing historical beer styles.



Here's the mp3.

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MBR Podcast 3/3/09

This weeks show was full of technical difficulties, but throughout all of the nonsense we were able to get at least one good clip, Kyle's editorial and our discussion on beer glassware. Also, Jon discovers the word "opine."




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MBR Podcast 2/26/09

In part two of this weeks podcast, we debate our five favorite beers and discuss the pros and cons of best beer lists.

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MBR Podcast 2/24/09

On the first part of this week's podcast we do news in 60 seconds, including new costco beer, Kid Rock's new beer, and Oregon's big new tax proposal. Also, our new segment "Kyle's Editorial" is about soda this week.

The embed html function doesn't seem to be working, so here is the mp3.

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MBR Podcast 2/19/09

A short podcast this week because of last weeks technical difficulties, we taste New Belgium's Tripel Belgian Style Ale. Was it a memorable drinking experience? What are the finer distinctions between Tripel and Triple? Listen to see:



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MBR Podcast 2/12/09 BOCK!

February is the traditional time to release seasonal Bock beer in the US, so we decided to do some Bock tastings. Leinenkugel's new 1888 Bock and Viking brewery's Invader Dopplebock get the Beer Talk Today treatment. Did the dopplebock inspire us to pillage cities? Were artificial flavoring syrups invented in 1888? Listen in to find out.




Cheers!
Here's the mp3

MBR Podcast 2/10/09

Part one of this weeks podcast has beer news, including Sierra Nevada's ethanol plan, good bye to born on dates (some of them), and mile high advertising by Budweiser. Also, Kyle has a cool beer shirt.



Here's the mp3

Stay tuned for Thursday's podcast, when we look at springtime Bocks.

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MBR Podcast 2/5/09

Part two of this weeks show on contract brewing, we elaborate on the Capital Brewery situation and have a talk with Furthermore Head Brewer Aran Madden giving us his thoughts on the perceptions surrounding contract breweries.



Here's the mp3.

Any thoughts? Give us a comment.

Cheers!

Beeriodic Table T Shirt

As discussed on last night's show, here's Kyle's Beeriodic Table T-Shirt. Whaddaya think? Stay tuned for the podcast next week, and have a look at the new poll, won't you?

Part one of our big show on contract brewing, discussing the perceptions and myths surrounding contract brewed beers, the pros and cons of a contract set up and who contract brews, including a favorite local brewery who, unbeknownst to the general public, is contract brewing a large portion of their beer elsewhere. More on that brewery in part two of this weeks podcast.



Here's the mp3

MBR Podcast 1/27/09

The final installment of our aged beer tasting with David Sanborn. As the alcohol consumption increased, our level of intelligible conversation decreased, but hopefully we found some clips that are interesting. In this segment we taste Brouwerij 't IJ Zatte, Regenboog 't Smisje Tripel, Great Divide Old Ruffian Barleywine, and J.W. Lees Vintage Harvest Ale 1998. What Barleywine is best? Is "silage" a positive adjective when describing a beer's aroma? Only those that listen shall know.



Here's the mp3

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MBR Podcast 1/22/09

The second part of our aged beer tasting. In this clip we drink Bell's Wheat Love Ale, New Glarus Unplugged Eisbock, New Glarus Unplugged Tripel, Central Waters Satin Solstice Imperial Stout, Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout, and Central Waters Cosmic Charlie Barleywine.
Which beers aged well? Which did not? Which beer has the aftertaste of Riesin, the chocolatey chew? Listen to find out.



Here's the mp3

Cheers!

MBR Podcast 1/20/09

We're back! The first Beer Talk Today of 2009 and we got off to a great start, sitting down with Bariques beer purchaser David Sanborn. David let us (Kyle, Jon, Matt and our Madison Beer Review associate Jeff Glazer) raid his amazing aged beer collection, and pick his brain about aging beer. Part one of the aged beer tasting includes tastings of Boon Oude Kriek Mariage Parfait, Drie Fonteinen Kriek, Cuvee De Koninck, and Fuller's 1845.
What beers get better with age? What beers get worse? What beer tastes like Pez? How about "rustic barn"? You must listen to find out.



Here's the mp3.

But wait, there's more. Outtakes! These clips were not particularly relevant to our discussion of aged beer, but are too entertaining to be ignored.

On David Sanborn's Introduction to Craft Beer:

A discussion of cappers and cheap beer:

Excitement over Surly and Summit:


Cheers!