Category: Interviews

Written by Slouch Sixpack

THE ALEHEADS PODCAST: FAL ALLEN, ANDERSON VALLEY BREWING CO.

After a summer hiatus, we proudly welcome Anderson Valley brewmaster Fal Allen to the show in the wake of their recently announced Wild Turkey partnership. We discuss Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout in bourbon barrels, new AVBC brews on the horizon, Fal’s time as a brewer in Singapore, their foray into cans, the challenges of starting a sour program, and much more.

Written by Slouch Sixpack

THE ALEHEADS PODCAST: JACOB MCKEAN, MODERN TIMES BEER

An über-beer geek and writer is looking to raise funds for a 30-BBL brewhouse in San Diego? Yeah, that’s somebody I need to talk to… Jacob McKean is in the midst of fundraising for Modern Times Beer and we talk about his experiences working as a social media specialist at Stone Brewing, his Beerpulse Op-ed piece, bringing on famed homebrew blogger the Mad Fermantationist as a consultant, their projected beer line-up (including a homage to Nugget Nectar), and much more.

If you’ve thought about taking your homebrew hobby to the next level, listen to this and understand what you’re getting into.

Written by Slouch Sixpack

THE ALEHEADS PODCAST: NEW BELGIUM COMING TO NORTH CAROLINA W/ WIN BASSETT

North Carolina Brewers Guild Direct and honorary Alehead Win Bassett checks in to discuss the announcement that New Belgium is building a new production facility in Asheville. We talk about differences from the Sierra Nevada plans, proposed LEED certification, and reactions from NC brewers and drinkers as their state becomes a focal point for craft beer in the eastern United States.

Written by Slouch Sixpack

THE ALEHEADS PODCAST: THE FUTURE OF BEER MEDIA W/ BEERPULSE’S ADAM NASON

Adam Nason is the founder and operator of Beerpulse, the world’s leading beer news website. We discuss how a nighttime hobby transformed into a business with the explosion of the craft beer industry, the challenges of monetizing publishing in the digital age, the debate over ethics in blogging, the death of embargoes, the future of beer media, and much more. For anyone with an interest in the writers and the technological tools they use to narrate the craft beer movement in America, this episode is a must-listen conversation with one of the most quietly influential individuals in the industry.

Written by Slouch Sixpack

THE ALEHEADS PODCAST: NORTH CAROLINA BREWERS GUILD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WIN BASSETT

When last we spoke with Win Bassett, he was but a simple beer blogger like any other Alehead… now he’s the new Director of the North Carolina Brewers Guild with a mandate to spread NC craft beer across our great nation. We talk about how he plans to accomplish this, some exciting new breweries opening in his state like Mystery Brewing and Haw River Farmhouse Ales, and updates to some current beer news events like the impending Sierra Nevada expansion to the greater Asheville area.

Written by Slouch Sixpack

THE ALEHEADS PODCAST: ALL BEERS CONSIDERED #28- BEER GEEK IS TWO FOUR LETTER WORDS

Brother Barley and Slouch Sixpack are back taking on the week’s top beer news stories*. Topics include:

Sam C to helm the Brewers Association; doesn’t miss opportunity to crap on beer geeks
Schlafly Brewmaster: “Please end distinction between beer and craft beer so this AB/Inbev thug releases me and my family…”
Check your calendars; almost time for pumpkin beer!
You’re cut off! Alpine ends growler fills after seeing Exponential Hoppiness on eBay
2nd place in the Sierra Nevada sweepstakes wins you= Jack Shit
And our favorite beer news site has a new url

Written by Slouch Sixpack

THE ALEHEADS PODCAST: NUGGET NECTAR MANIA! W/ TRÖEGS GM ED YASHINSKY

Troegs Craft Brewery General Manager Ed Yashinsky is our guest to talk about the release of their vaunted Nugget Nectar Imperial Amber Ale, the challenges and joys of moving into their state-of-the-art new T2 brewing facility in Hershey, updates on favorite upcoming Troegs seasonals like Perpetual IPA and Mad Elf, some info on their Scratch and Splinter programs, and a whole lot more. In true Troegs fashion, Ed is an open book as to their plans and reveals a bunch of information for fans of the brewery in this episode of the podcast.

Written by Slouch Sixpack

THE ALEHEADS PODCAST: JAY BROOKS RECAPS SF BEER WEEK 2012

Acclaimed beer writer Jay Brooks is on the line to breakdown another epic SF Beer Week. Featuring 300-some events and 65 breweries in attendance, this celebration of beer will make your Alehead spin…

Jay takes us through some of the highlights of the week, from haute dogs at the circus with the Homebrew Chef Sean Paxton to the Double (and Triple!) IPA Festival. He also dispenses some advice for other cities across the country planning their own beer weeks.

Written by Slouch Sixpack

THE ALEHEADS PODCAST: VIRTUE CIDER’S GREG HALL

Former Goose Island brewmaster and craft beer pioneer Greg Hall stops by to discuss Virtue Cider- his latest venture to produce heirloom apple ciders with modern craft fermentation and aging techniques. We talk about similarities with the craft cider movement to craft beer in the early 90’s, the development of Virtue’s first offering dubbed “RedStreak”, the way cider is viewed in the US and Europe, Big Beer dollars getting into craft cider, and much more. A great conversation with one of the most important and knowledgeable beer and cider makers in the world…

Written by Slouch Sixpack

THE ALEHEADS PODCAST: BRIDGE BREW WORKS

We welcome Ken Linch and Nathan Herrold to the show, founders of and brewers at Bridge Brew Works in Fayettville, WV. Topics include: opening and operating a production brewery in a state with extremely restrictive alcohol laws, capitalizing on visitors that come seeking whitewater rafting and other outdoor activities with fresh, local craft beer, and plans to expand without losing their hands-on approach.