Tales From the Cask Craft Beer Podcast

It’s time to put on your helmets and get ready to rumble with our Superb Owl matchup of beers: North Carolina versus Colorado! Our lineup for the big game: Haw River Rusted Plow Farmhouse Saison vs. Crooked Stave Surette Wood Aged Farmhouse Ale, Olde Hickory Death by Hops IPA vs. Ska Modus Hoperandi IPA, and Carolina Brewing Groundhog Imperial Stout vs. Left Hand Wake Up Dead Russian Imperial Stout!

There’s lots of good news, even some for the big game! First up is Wine-Searcher showing us the unstoppable rise of beer, followed by VinePair’s view that if you’re buying large-format craft beer, you’re getting hosed, and then Eater reporting how America is shaking up centuries of German beer tradition. Then we have two stories about the Super Bowl. The New York Times features beer ads that portray women as empowered consumers, not eye candy, and we close with MarketWatch’s opinion about craft beer is getting its first Super Bowl ad.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “what’s your NC vs. Colorado beer matchup and who wins?” and this week we are asking via our friend @mhjell “do you drink with a head cold, and if so what beer do you prefer?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask144.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:07pm EDT

After the mayhem last week with the guys from Blake’s Hard Cider, we decided to clean up the bar and relax with beers from Three Floyds, Sierra Nevada, and Coronado! We sample the amazing Three Floyds Alpha King American Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Five Hop Experimental IPA, and Coronado Stupid Stout Imperial Stout!

The news begins with weather this week! NOAA’s Climate.gov has a cool and scary article about climate & beer, which we follow with Thrillist telling us how to spot a fake beer bar. Next up is Eater announcing that Sam Adams is hopping on the nitrogen-infused beer bandwagon, then Munchies reveals how beer made from leftover bread could help end global food waste, and we wind up Outside and learn why they believe the craft beer can shortage Is actually a great thing.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “what name do you like for the can-growler: crowler, purrowler, ar something else?” and this week we are asking in honor of the Superb Owl “what’s your NC vs. Colorado beer matchup and who wins?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask143.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:18am EDT

It’s time to change things up with incredible ciders from our friends at Blake’s Hard Cider! Founder Andrew Blake and Sales Maestro John Beal drove all the way down from Michigan with some tasty ciders for us to try: Flannel Mouth, El Chavo, Blushing Bourbon, and the spectacular Amshire!

It may be winter, but there’s always news! We start with The Street’s list of 5 beer styles the brewers will want you to drink in 2016, followed by Forbes’ question will Carlsberg ever sell beer in wooden bottles? and then The San Diego Reader telling us where to get a giant can of beer to go. We continue with Paste’s 7 ridiculous, but kind of awesome, beer gadgets, then Engadget revealing the app Untappd is going 'to the next level, and we close with Eater on why farm-to-keg brewing is the next big beer trend.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “do you have a specific routine for tasting varying styles in order?” and this week we are asking “what name do you like for the can-growler: crowler, purrowler, ar something else?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask142.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:32am EDT

Chip is back from his travels and We sit down and catch up with dusty Duclaw Traveler, Glen Selby in episode 141.  Our news bonanza this week includes the familiar topic of Beer Lawsuits and a new beer from our comrades at Iron Maiden. We then tackle Land development, and drone beer delivery, plus announce the news that Yuengling is headed to Mississippi!  And of course we are still forecasting trends for the year ahead in craft beer with the help of Fortune.


We discuss a full rundown of current and upcoming DuClaw offerings and sip on three new seasonals and limiteds including Rye One On, Double Naked Fish and For Pete’s Sake!



Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “Have you ever discovered a forgotten beer in the back of your fridge and how did it taste” and this week we are asking “Do you have a specific routine for tasting varying styles in order?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask141.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:02pm EDT

In continuing conversation with NC classic Foothills Brewing we learn how Kat Dougan rose through the ranks of the East Coast beer scene and ultimately shared her passion with triangle beer lovers at Foothills brewing! Kat tell us tales of the Philly beer scene and helps us sample through some Jade as well as some epic brews from The Lost Abbey and Russian River

 

During our brief holiday break news was running rampant!  We have to include at least one top craft beer list from 2015, see which airlines serve the best craft options, and learn how to detox our systems for the new year with Kefir beer!   Continuing our lists we also discuss the top brewer recommended beers to try in 2016 and make a resolution to drink out of style appropriate glassware.   Rounding out the news we continue the discussion on keg deposits with an interesting new take on the practice in Florida and look at the rising popularity of still ales.

 

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “What are your beer resolutions for 2016?” and this week we are asking “What beer have you found in the back of your fridge and did it still taste ok?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask140.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:59am EDT

In the aftermath of our Holiday Spectacular, we close the bar so we can clean up and unwind before New Year’s with some brew deliciousness! This week we raid the fridge for Blake’s Cider Wassail, Wicked Weed’s Pernicious IPA, and finish up with Stone Brewing’s W00t Stout Collaboration with Drew Curtis and Wil Wheaton!

News stacked up at the end of 2015! We have more MegaMergerMania breaking via The Denver Post announcing that Breckenridge Brewery sold to giant Anheuser-Busch and Zacks (via @sfringer) story that AB InBev is to acquire Four Peaks! We then relax with TechHive’s review of the NitroBrew nitrogen injector, then Beerpulse (also via @sfringer!) on Highland’s set of 12 IPAs for 2016, and Priceonomics’ (via @Beal187) profile of the Guinness brewer who revolutionized statistics. We close with The Toronto Star’s report that beer arrives in Ontario grocery stores (finally!) and Scientific American’s piece on how fermentation gives us beer, wine, cheese—and cancer?

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “for New Year’s Eve: beer or champagne?” and this week we are asking “what beer-related resolutions do you have for 2016?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask139.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 1:26pm EDT

Our Holiday Spectacular is here! We celebrate in style with many of our local faves - Aubrey, Joe, Bryan, Leif and Thomas! Plus, Hoda and cousin make special appearances along with podcasting legend Jay and fifth Beatle Darrell! Everyone had to bring taste treats and we got to try them all: AleSmith Jamaican Blue Coffee Speedway Stout, Olde Rabbit’s Foot 2011, Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin 2014, Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Narwhal, and Crispin 12 Men Cider with Rum and Candi Sugar!

We only had time for quick news this week. Megamergermania continues in The New York Times story that craft brewers have to compete for beer cans and UPI reveals that reindeer deliver beer to UK pubs!

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked“what special beer are you pouring for your Christmas party?” and this week we are asking “For New Year’s Eve: beer or champagne?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask138.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:25am EDT

We are getting ready for our Holiday Spectacular episode next week, so we closed the bar and decided to just relax amongst ourselves! That was made so easy with fabulous beers from Southbound, Olde Hickory, and Oakshire! We tasted the Moondance, Lindley Park & Hellshire 4. All worthy companions to your holiday festivities!

Megamergermania returns this week with three stories! First up is the St. Louis Dispatch quoting Carlos Brito telling Congress that the ABInBev-SABMiller merger will boost competition, followed by Mother Jones revealing that the King of Beers wants to push craft brews out of your supermarket and then Bloomberg’s story on beer drinkers suing to stop the merger. Next up The Wall Street Journal shows that in New York, good times are flow for craft brewers, then the San Jose Mercury News has some ideas on gifts for brewhounds, The New York Times takes a ride from Milan to Rome with bikes and beer, and we close with Motherboard telling us that scientists are genetically modifying their way to new types of beer.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “what beer related gift are you giving or want to get this Chrismukkah?” and this week we are asking “what special beer are you pouring for your Christmas party?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask137.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:18pm EDT

With Tony out on assignment, Jenn and Chip decide to road trip to new brewery Fainting Goat Brewing in Fuquay-Varina NC this week! We talk with owners Tim Reichert & MaryAnn Durborrow about their new brewery, learn how they got started, and try a neat flight of beers: What the Buck Pale Ale, Not So Pale Chocolate Ale, Stiff Leg Tripel, and Horny Honey Pomegranate Witbier!

Another record falls this week as Businesswire reveals that the the U.S. brewery count has reached an all-time high of 4,144! Next The New York Times reports on the close ties between exercise and beer, followed by CBC’s companion pieces on the finding of a beer bottle nearly as old as Canada and the potential that the beer may be seized by the provincial government. The Dieline debuts C10 Architect Beer, then Kickstarter announces the final tally of Pico’s fundraising campaign, and we close with The News and Observer (from Friend of the Show Will Doran!) suggesting gifts for the beer lover in your life.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “what unusual food did you have for your Thanksgiving feast?” and this week we are asking ‘what beer related gift are you giving or want to get this Chrismukkah?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask136.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:42pm EDT

It’s that wonderful turkey time of the year, so of course we had to get food blogger and jet-setter Kristen Baughman on the line via satellite! She regales us with her travel tales, and talks Italian craft beer and food pairings with us. Then we do our own beer-food pairings and try some all-new 12-ounce bottles from AleSmith Brewing: Nut Brown Ale, L’il Devil Belgian-Style Pale Ale and IPA!

After all the MegaMergerMania of the past few weeks, things have quieted down on that front. Other news is out there though! CNBC reports on beer's new frontier: Nitro, followed by Greenville Online announcing that Sierra Nevada is starting a rare beer club, and War on the Rocks presents a noble idea of beer without hops. Next up is Crain’s Chicago Business revealing that Chicago is the craft-brew capital of the U.S. by one measure, then DNAInfo shows us that a 'Flux Capacitor’ can make a perfect brew, The USA Today shows us a craft beer icon plunging into magazines, and we end with WNCN’s story that the ACC will allow beer sales at its basketball tournament and football championship.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “are you bummed out by the MegaMergerMania?” and this week we are asking “what unusual food did you have for your Thanksgiving feast?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask135.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 3:56pm EDT

Everyone loves Aubrey, so we got Ms. Herbert back to the bar to talk about Sierra Nevada Brewing and all the latest from Chico and Mills River! She also brings us a terrific lineup of beers: Sierra Nevada Stout, Celebration Ale and Estate Homegrown IPA!

You thought you would have a week off from MegaMergerMania? Hah! The San Diego Union-Tribune starts off with the shocking news that Ballast Point is selling to be sold to N.Y. corporation Constellation for $1 billion! We follow that with The LA Times’ in-depth analysis of the deal, and commiserate with Paste on the 5 stages of craft beer grief when your favorite brewery sells out. Moving on from M&A, Outside introduces the ultimate beer recommendation app, then Muchies/Vice reports on why women are leading Korea’s craft beer movement, Food & Wine (via @TheDA_Powell) gives us the ultimate American brewery tour, and Vinepair (via @BEAL187) believes that the Pilgrims would’ve landed in Virginia but didn’t because they ran out of beer.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “what international craft beer have you tried?” and this week we are asking “are you bummed out by the MegaMergerMania?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask134.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 5:04pm EDT

We love us some draft beer, and Joe Linquist from draft system maker Micro Matic joins us for a pint! Joe gives us the ins and outs of how draft beer works, issues that can come up, and how important cleaning draft equipment is. Then we reach into the secret beer vault for some new faves: Lost Abbey Witch’s Wit, Bull & Bush’s Miso Hoppy, and the astounding Oakshire Hellshire 5!

We introduce a new segment in the news given all the purchases etc. happening right now! It’s MegaMergerMania and it leads off with The BBC reporting beer giants AB-InBev and SABMiller have agreed to their mega-merger, and we have an in-depth companion piece from The New York Times. Leaving that deal, Forbes has a cool infographic showing the countries with the most craft breweries, followed by Reuters revealing that Britain has inked a $150 million barley deal with China's craft breweries, and we close with Eater asking is the craft beer and spirits movement threatening big brands?

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “would you ever put a kegerator or some kind of draft system in your home bar?” and this week we are asking “what international craft beer have you tried?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask133.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:03am EDT

There is no more storied beer company in America than its oldest, Yuengling Brewery, and we have 6th generation brewer Jennifer Yuengling joining us! Jennifer talks to us about the deep history of Yuengling, which has been brewing since 1829, shares some fun stories about growing up and working in the business, and tastes the classic Traditional Lager and the outstanding all-new IPL!

Beer news abounds this week! First up Forbes indicates that there is trouble brewing for craft beer as the aluminum can supply tightens, followed by Consumerist revealing that Guinness is tweaking its recipe so vegans can enjoy a pint, and Eater shows us that wild-fermented beer is the best way to drink pond water. Next we follow up from last week with Crowdfund Insider reporting that PicoBrew’s brewing appliance “Pico” surpassed $700,000 in its first week on Kickstarter, and we close with War on the Rocks talking about craft beer beyond IPAs.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “what is a craft beer?” and this week we are asking “would you ever put a kegerator or some kind of draft system in your home bar?

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask132.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:49am EDT

Beer is booming in Durham, NC and Bull City Burger & Brewery is a big part of the scene! Seth Gross, Grande Burger Flipper and Beer Tester joins us to talk about the history of the brewery and brings along some super brews to taste: Bryant Bridge Gateway Golden Ale, Pro Bono Publica Porter, and Harvest Ale 2015.

When has beer been in the mainstream news so much? It’s hard to pick which stories to share! We do anyway beginning with Consumerist asking will the mega beer merger lead to higher prices & fewer choices for consumers?, followed by Courthouse News revealing that MillerCoors has dodged a Blue Moon Craft-Brew War, and then The USA Today lists 5 schools where you can turn your taste for beer into a career. Next up is Forbes demonstrating that with Pico, the Keurig for beer is finally here, and we conclude with War on the Rocks offering craft beer beyond IPAs.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “what’s your take on the ABInBev-SABMiller deal?” and this week we want to know “what is a craft beer?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask131.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:19am EDT

Robert Owen from Duck Rabbit Brewery has been on the show, and now it's his first time in our bar! He has returned to talk about the latest from the Farmville NC brewery, and he brought along some of their finest brews: Amber Ale, Brown Ale, and Wee Heavy Scotch Ale!

We school you on the news this week! What better education to begin than with a story from The Harvard Business Review showing A a simple graph that explains the logic of the ABInBev-SABMiller merger, followed by (thanks to listener and stringer @sfringer) Wired’s opinion that the potential merger could threaten real craft brews, and then The New York Times reeports that Beck’s Beer is offering a cash settlement to buyers over misleading packaging. Next up we have Shape asking beer with Superfoods: do or don’t?, then Beverage Daily looks at what creates consumers’ responses to beer, and we close on The Hill revealing an overnight regulation linking bees and beer.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked for your holiday beer recommendations and this week we want to know “what’s your take on the ABInBev-SABMiller deal?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask130.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:38am EDT

In our first conversation with Southbound Brewing Company we learn how Carly Wiggins and her childhood friend started out and the stories behind their unique labels and beer names!  She also brings us samples all the way from Georgia including Scattered Sun Wit, Hopl’in IPA, Loving Cup and Black Circle!

During the news segment we discuss the breaking news from CNN Money regarding the ABInbev buyout of SABMiller, the Yakima Herald has us following a British brewer and four lucky consumers on their trip to Yakima valley, and get the latest beer app that delivers growlers to your doorstep!  We also get the latest from the source on the ever changing beer scene in San Diego from the Tribune.  

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “What collaboration would you like to see between a European Brewery and an american craft brewery?” and this week we are asking you to send us your questions on holiday food and beer pairings!”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask129.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:14pm EDT

We are thrilled to have a very special visit from superstar brewer Rudi Ghequire from Rodenbach, the legendary Belgian brewery! He first visited us via satellite in Episode 101 on April 01, 2015 and this week he joins us at our bar! We talk about the history of Rodenbach, the differing taste preferences in areas of Belgium and the U.S., and we sample the delicious Rodenbach Session and Caractère Rouge!

We have a lot of fun news items for you this week! The Chicago Tribune reveals that Modelo is collaborating with restauranteur Rick Bayless on a craft beer, while The Washington Post shows us how to find out which beer is made closest to you, and Techdirt reports that LMFAO the beer survives LMFAO the band's lawyers to keep its name. We follow with Vice letting us know that ‘Salmon-Safe’ beer is a thing now and we wind up with Quartz’s list of the most beautiful beer bottles on the planet.

Last week for our #caskquiz Audra Gaiziunas asked the questions “if you are a homebrewer, what’s your fave hop? And for beer enthusiasts what is your fave brand in terms of image?” and this week we want to know “what collaboration would you like to see between a foreign brewery and an American craft brewery?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask128.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:53am EDT

We are so psyched this week because our good friend Audra Gaiziunas from Brewed for Her Ledger is in the bar! She fills us in on the latest in the world of craftbeer finance and lets us know what she’s been up to. And in a special twist, friend of the show Dan T. from Oakshire Brewing, who we met through Audra, sent us some extraordinary beers: Gose to 11, Hopollo 7 Northwest IPA and the stupendous Brewer’s Reserve 8th Anniversary Ale!

Is there any more deal news? You betcha! We begin with Business Insider revealing another beloved craft beer has found a deep-pocketed backer, and Fortune tells us that there are big changes coming for Samuel Adams beer. Next we get into Shape with a beer-protein shake for weightlifters, then Vice reports that women who drink beer regularly run a lower risk of heart attack, Live Science visits our buddy John Sheppard at NC State and learns that wild yeast could yield new kinds of beer, and we wrap up with The USA Today and a love boat for beer!

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “where do you see craftbeer in 2020?” and this week Audra asks the questions “if you are a homebrewer, what’s your fave hop? And for beer enthusiasts what is your fave brand in terms of image?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask127.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:18am EDT

We are all back this week as Chip returns from the beach tanned, rested and ready to podcast! To celebrate 2 birthdays this week, we keep the bar to ourselves and open some major-league beer goodness: Short’s Brewing’s Good Humans Dry Hopped Double Brown Ale and ControversiALE, and the breathtakingly awesome AleSmith & Mikkeller collaboration Beer Geek Speedway Imperial Oatmeal Stout with Kopi Luwak Coffee!

After a fine job by Tony & Jenn last week, Chip retakes the newsdesk with the latest on the ABInBev-SABMiller merger rumblings! We start with The Independent’s opinion piece that the merger makes sense when lager is in the last chance saloon followed by Main Street’s belief that it's time to say goodbye to craft beer as you know it. Next up is Bloomberg noting that beer cans are giving the Wall Street derivatives regulator a headache, then The Denver Post warning us to beware the kettle sour beer, and Tech Times offering to help us drink like an ancient Sumerian with the oldest beer recipe ever discovered. We close out with VinePair revealing the price of a beer at every NFL football stadium, Fortune’s coverage of the Super Bowl of craft beer, and CNNMoney showing us that Pope 'Phrancis' dolls, beer and cheese are for sale in Philly!

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “what beer do you want to see pumpkinized?” and this week we are asking “where do you see craftbeer in 2020?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask126.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:18am EDT

We venture over the river and through the woods to the Starpoint Brewery Garage in scenic Carrboro, NC!  Jenn and Tony get the latest scoop from owner and brewer Tim Harper on his expansion plans and what’s in the tanks.  Tim does not disappoint and we get to sample some extra special brews.  Our own estate hops are used in the “I know a guy” Cream Ale, we sneak a taste of Barrel Aged DUH! with Peppers, AND we get a nip of some Whiskeytown hiding in the cooler!

There’s plenty of news to report on as well, we cover the scene at the first California Craft Beer Summit, get one writer’s opinion of Flavored Beers that shouldn’t have been made, and continue our breakfast discussions with Beer Flavored Syrup!   On a more serious note, we  learn that the first brewery to brew Miller Genuine Draft  is closing partially due to the increase in the craft beer market.  We are excited to visit the Denver Airport as they will be bringing back the Beer Flights Fest just in time for the Great American Beer Festival and hear how the Pope’s first US visit is commemorated in a beer by Cape May Brewing!

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “what is your take on the Lagunitas-Heineken deal?” and this week we are asking “which style of beer would you like to see pumpkinized?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask125.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 7:59pm EDT

San Diego returns to the bar this week with our friend Johnny O, the Sales & Marketing Ambassador from Coronado! We talk to him about his brewing past and sales present, and we try some outstanding beers: For Days Session IPA, Islander IPA and Punk’In Drublic!

Major breaking news in the craft beer world as Lagunitas sold half the brewery to Heineken! We bring you the latest beginning with Buzzfeed’s story Lagunitas Is Now Half Owned By Heineken, Will Go Global, followed by Business Insider’s opinion that the craft beer wars are heating up. Next in a similar vein is Forbes on Anheuser-Busch InBev and its craft beer, The Denver Post telling us love it or not, pumpkin beer is the most American beer you can drink, then CBS on the hype for hops helping farmers break into beer business, and we close with a cool gadget on c|net that turns beer cans into open-top drinking cups.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “what retro beer do you wish you had access to for your tailgating?” and this week we are asking “what do you think about the Lagunitas-Heineken news?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask124.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:22pm EDT

We go old-school radio this week with our special guest Joe Ovies from 99.9 The Fan and WRAL Sportsfan. Plus he is also part of the 919 Beer podcast crew! Joe talks radio and beer, and tries some great new beers with us: D9Hakuna Matata International IPA, Olde HickoryOktoberfest, and Sierra Nevada Vienna Lager!

We travel all the way to Japan to bring you news this week with our first story via Asahi Shinbum reporting that Japan plans to lower the tax on beer and increase the rate for 'happoshu'. Next up is Thrillist’s beer ranking of every state in the USA, followed by Fortune asking is organic craft beer really worth drinking, and we close with The Washington Post’s admonition to stop ‘aging’ that hoppy beer. It’s only getting worse.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “what breakfast food should be infused in the next hot beer?” and this week we are asking “what retro beer do you wish you had access to for your tailgating?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask123.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 3:47pm EDT

Internet blogging sensation Bryan D. Roth is back in the bar this week! He regales us with his latest shenanigans in the beer world and helps us try amazing taste treats! We sample Ballast Point Pumpkin Down Scottish Ale, Coronado 19th Anniversary Ale, and D9 Whiskers on Kittens Blonde Sour Ale! Don't forget to check out his blog This Is Why I'm Drunk!

We had to step up our news game with Bryan in the house, starting with The Nerdist revealing HBO & Ommegang are re-releasing 2 Game of Thrones Beers, followed by The News & Observer teaching what it really takes to major in beer, and then Ars Technica’s surprising piece telling us not to believe in beer goggles—they might be a myth. Next up is NPR uniting 2 of our faves, beer and comics with 9,000 years of history with 'The Comic Book Story Of Beer', and we wind up with Fortune showing us that now there's a Pop-Tart beer.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked to hear your suggestions for the name of Jenn’s new bar and this week we are asking “what breakfast food should be infused in the next hot beer?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask122.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:24am EDT

We are going Hollywood this week...with beer! It’s a very special episode with filmmakers Camden Watts and Shane Johnston, creators of an all-new documentary about the NC craft beer business, Brewconomy! They breakdown the process of making the film all while trying some NC beers with us. This week it’s FoothillsOktoberfest, Haw River’s Regent’s Rye Trappist Tripel, and Lynnwood Brewing’s Hubris Imperial IPA!

It’s not exactly a documentary, but we have news! This week we begin with Wired who tell us that brewers are on a quest to breed a better hop, followed by War on the Rocks asking what craft beer revolution? and then the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reveals the beer of champions. Next up isFortune’s list of 6 great apps for craft beer lovers, The LA Times peers into the future with robots that serve beer and we conclude with NBC and the strange case of the 1,200 stolen bottle caps!

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “how many breweries are in your state?” and this week we want to hear your suggestions for the name of Jenn’s new bar!

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask121.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:28am EDT

Our good friend Leif Larson has been really busy helping us sell all the great brews from Olde Hickory, so we asked him to stop by and relax with us and some of their great frosty malt beverages! He brought us three treats: the Hickory Tavern Ale (a Belgian IPA), Imperial Stout and the Irish Walker!

We get right into local news to begin this week! The Charlotte Observer posits that the NC craft beer industry is now tops in the South, while CNBC believes craft beers get heavy ... on the alcohol, and The Financial Times reports that in the UK beers are becoming craftier, but pubs are bearing the brunt. Next up is The LA Times’ primer: 'Soft'? 'Hot'? 'Clean'? 7 ways to decode the secret language of beer, and we close with two stories from the International Business Times: in the first we learn beer tourism is potentially a thing in North Korea, and in honor of International Beer Day 2015 there is a fun list of 17 Interesting facts about beer!

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “what spicy beer have you had that set your world on fire?” and this week we have homework for you: how many breweries are in your state?

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask120.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:51am EDT

Ballast Point is all the rage nationally, and we have the lady who is stoking the flames here in NC! It’s Jenny Meyer joining us this week, and she gives us the latest from San Diego and brings along some fine brews: Big Eye IPA, Wahoo Wheat with Thai Chili, Lime & Ginger, and the now year-round Grapefruit Sculpin IPA!

Chip is back at the news desk after an amazing job by Tony & Jenn last week! We begin with our own reporting on a study on the economic impact of the beer industry in America from the NBWA & The Beer Institute, followed by Fortune detailing how massive the American beer industry has become, and then Forbes on the dire beer situation in Venezuela. Next up is CNBC’s piece on how Anchor Brewing changed the beer business, Mashable’s literal portrait of an Australian surfer painted with pale ale beer, Popular Science revealing that some cars in New Zealand are running on beer-flavored gasoline, and we end up with an amazing story from The U.S. News & World Report on the secret to long life.

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked “when you go to order a beer at a bar do you look for a style or a specific brewery?” while this week we want to know “what spicy beer have you had that set your world on fire?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask119.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:25pm EDT

Our streak of brewery personnel continues this week as we get a not so chance visit from Glen Selby , "Your Beer Guy" in town from DuClaw Brewing. It was just a bit early to sample beers with Glen and We were also caught up on current offerings from DuClaw so Jenn and Tony decided to keep current tasting Lagunitas Imperial Pils, Starpoint Citra Pale and the rarely seen in NC, Shorts Brewing.

Even with the absence of our beloved news guru Chip We were able to search high and low for our news this week. We start with a hops health report from the pacific northwest from NBC News, from there we profile some influential people to know in Chi-town  with a piece from Michigan Ave Mag. Next we take it to the great beer state of Maine and fawn over a new brew made with live lobsters! Get a great state of the industry report from Entrepreneur magazine and be astonished with the brits as we wrap up with a shocking summary from the Telegraph UK regarding new trends in beverage choices for men about town.  

Last week for our #caskquiz we asked you to give us some beer puns!  But not with hops! This week we are asking? “When you go to order a beer at a bar do you look for a style or a specific brewery?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask118.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:57pm EDT

It’s been ages since we had a visit from our good friend Aubrey, so we fix that problem this week! Ms. Herbert returns and regales us with tales of her summer all while debuting some Sierra Nevada goodness: the all-new Oktoberfest collaboration with Augsburg's Brauhaus Riegele and the tantalizing Ovila Barrel Aged Belgian-Style Dubbel!

Here’s all the news that’s fit to speak, beginning with The New York Times telling us Gose is a beer that keeps summer cool,while Fortune reveals that root beer is the next big thing in craft beer  and the NY Daily News reports fitness empire Lululemon is launching a craft beer. Next up is The Denver Post with a piece on cellaring and aging craft beer, followed by WPTZ from Burlington VT showing us Bernie beer, The SFGate with beer and ice cream, and we close with the debut of Syfy’s Geeks Who Drink.

Last week our #caskquiz was ”what celebrity have you met and geeked out over?” while this week we want to hear you give us some beer puns!  But not with hops!

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask117.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 3:26pm EDT

Detroit is famous for cars, and now it is becoming famous for the great beers from Atwater Brewing! We talk with Rob De La Rosa who is their national sales manager, and we sample the Vanilla Java Porter, Purple Gang Pilsner, and the Hop-A-Peel.

Newstime is here for you too! First up, The Washington Post reports that Mexican microbrewers are stepping out of the shadow of the country’s beer giants, while Eater takes a look back at the history of canned beer from church key to pop top, and The Denver Post reveals that The Great American Beer Festival is growing for 2015. We follow up with Paste’s revelation that ”The Simpsons” will soon brew a real-life Duff Beer, Loudwire telling us that Iron Maiden is going to introduce ‘supercharged’ Trooper 666 Beer, and we finish with The Independent’s true story about N.C. State scientists brewing beer from wasps’ yeast.

Last week our #caskquiz was ”have you ever tried a beer because of a celebrity?” and this week we want to know ”what celebrity have you met and geeked out over?” 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask116.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:45am EDT

Time for another IPA of the month this week from the amazing Foothills Brewing! We join our good friend Ray Goodrich via satellite from an undisclosed seaside resort where he reveals the Foothills IPA of the month for July -  Seamus & Marlowe!  Ray gives us the scoop on who Seamus and Marlowe’s famous parent is and also the story behind the dogs on the IPA of the month bottles!  

News awaits this week!  We debate whether the decrease in beer consumption will hurt the craft industry, and report on successful out of the box craft beer marketing!  We also learn whatorganic material is used to dye beers and see why Denmark stopped settling political differences over a brew. You’ve seen tiny houses, we check out the latest trend:tiny pub sheds!  We recommend a few  beer books for summer reading, plus Chip quizzes Tony and Jenn on Beer Brand Taglines

Last week our #caskquiz was “what’s your favorite beer glass or style of beer glass?”  and this week we want to know ”have you ever tried a beer because of a celebrity?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask115.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:24am EDT

We are keeping it local this week with another incredible North Carolina craftbrewer! Stopping by to share some of their amazing beers are Andrew Durstewitz and Bora Okay from D9 Brewing out of Cornelius, NC (just north of Charlotte!). Straight from the brewery they bring us bottle of  Viking Fraoch Spontaneous Sour which we compare to the draft we have in the bar, plus some of the Southern Tea Hazy Golden American Wheat Ale and Froggy Night IPA.

Fun news awaits this week! We begin with The Wall Street Journal revealing what a beer will cost you, from Kiev to Geneva, followed by NPR exploring how breweries are adapting to a changing climate and then Above the Law Redline asking do we need ‘Honest Pint’ legislation? Next up is The LA Times picking the beer accessory of the day, then The Week’s list of 8 great airports for beer enthusiasts, Minneapolis Public Radio on recent investments in the brewery helping Leinie's trot out more beers, and we finish with The USA Today’s story on how Samuel Adams is finding success with braggot.

Last week our #caskquiz was “what’s the craziest internet beer rumor have you ever heard?” and this week we want to know “what’s your favorite beer glass or style of beer glass?” Please send us a pic!

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask114.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 9:58am EDT

The Gang is back together this week with another great round of news from Chip’s stash! The DuClaw shipments keep rolling in with a bevvy of new seasonal and limited series beers. This week we sample The Funk, The second release in the Hop Continuum series and the always popular summer quencher Morgazm

We dig deep this week with a smorgasbord of  topics beginning with  Wall Street Journal piece on Dogfish Head’s idea of a conference room. Next, Munchies tackles the IPA rumor that has hop heads worried! . Fear not says Business Insider with a follow up that makes us breathe a little easier. DuClaw’s Sweet Baby Jesus makes the headlines with some controversy from Fox News. Veggie Beer from Down Under? , the Huffington Post will have you yearning for none other than a carrot brew this week. Deadspin continues it’s always entertaining craft beer coverage with the summer’s hottest style. Lastly, You’ve got to hear some advice we’re passing along from a 100 year old Pennsylvania woman with this story from WTHR (Indiana)

Last week our #caskquiz was “what beers or ciders have you mixed together with delicious results?” and this week we want to know “What’s the craziest internet beer rumor you have ever heard?”

Direct download: talesfromthecask113.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:14pm EDT

After our big fun with Leinenkugel and the Canoes for a Cause cleanup of Lake Johnson, we head back to the bar to relax with our buddy Mike and get into some mixology with Crispin Cider and a couple of beers! First off we try the special Crispin Venus Reigns Barrel Aged Pear Cider, and then it’s mixology time where we create a Bee Sting with Crispin Original and Bear Republic Racer 5, and a Black Velvet with Crispin and Anchor’s Flying Cloud Stout.

We have a diverse news lineup this week, beginning with PASTE on the Caribbean’s Craft Beer Scene, followed by CNBC reporting that lager is feeling the love from craft breweries, and then the National Journal’s story about the Senate passing a resolution on craft beer as the Patriot Act Expired. Next up Eater reveals how to hunt for "Dusties", Oregon Live celebrates 50 years of Anchor Steam, and we end with The Washington Post on the history of why Americans have such bad taste in beer.

Last week our #caskquiz was “what ABV do you need in a beer to call it sessionable?” and this week we want to know “what beers or ciders have you mixed together with delicious results?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask112.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:02am EDT

What with our exciting cleanup of Lake Johnson in Raleigh coming soon, we had to have our friend Dick Leinenkugel return to talk about Canoes for a Cause and what’s happening at the Leinie’s Brewery! Dick fills us in on the origins of Canoes for a Cause and tells us about the great brews coming this year, including summer fave Leinie’s Summer Shandy and the all-new Grapefruit Shandy.

There is so much news we had to really cull it to bring you the best! First stop is ABC showing us a new app that picks your perfect beer through DNA analysis, followed by Forbes on why big beer is struggling in the age of craft beer, and then The Seattle Times tells us to take a hike & have a beer. Next up The USA TODAY reveals that thanks to Savor craft beer is moving on up, while Deadspin opines that growlers destroy beer, The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that Oskar Blues is boosting beer production, and finally Engadget tries the Fizzics countertop 'draught' system.

Last week our #caskquiz was “what beer needs to be in the news?” and this week we want to know “what ABV do you need in a beer to call it sessionable?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask111.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 1:07pm EDT

The politics of beer! Is that even a thing? It is this week with political reporter/beer writer Will Doran from the Raleigh News & Observer! Will talks about his passion for great local beers and dishes a little political chat on the side.  We also treat him to several tasty NC Beers including Starpoint’s Hipster or Hobo Pale Ale, Olde Hickory’s Redeemer, and D9’s Viking Fraoch!

We go political in the news too covering some city issues in Petaluma stemming from the craft beer boom, check out the trendy craft beer scene in Mexico, and discover more shipwreck beer from Finland.  We also explore what consumers really consider local and visit some breweries who enjoy the advantages of staying small.  Plus we learn how to catch a whale! 

Last week our #caskquiz was “what was your favorite beer in college?” and this week we want to know “What beer needs to be in the news?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask110.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:47pm EDT

Time for schooling this week! We head over to NC State University’s Department of Food, Bioprocessing & Nutrition Sciences! Inside we enter the Sheppard Brewing Lab and learn along with master teacher Dr. John Sheppard and grad student Thomas Clawson! We talk about their really cool program and get to sample three great brews: Ma Blonde D’Or Golden Blonde, Brickyard Red, and Graduator Maibock!

The news runs from startups to cool tech! We begin with The Boston Globe revealing that Boston Beer’s side project is finally ready for the national stage, followed by The USA Today’s view on the Gose of craft beer's future, and then more nutritional info from The Daily Meal with 6 reasons beer is good for you.Next up we have Time in Germany with a beer ad that only works when women pass by, The Detroit Free Press analyzing which top beer app is best, First We Feast’s list of 15 breweries to watch in 2015, Los Angeles Magazine’s piece on the South Bay as America’s newest craft beer capital, and we wind up this week with Inside Science on a robot tongue that identifies the correct beer every time.

Last week our #caskquiz was “what’s your summer vacation beer this year?” and this week we want to know “what was your favorite beer in college?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask109.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:57am EDT

What a treat we have in store for you this week! You have seen them on YouTube and now we sit down with the NC Beer Guys Glenn Cutler & Dave Tollefsen to talk about the state of beer in North Carolina! Plus, we try Foothills May IPA of the Month “Bentley”, Crank Arm Derailleur American Barleywine, and we sneak in New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red.  

We also find news for you, with a map even! That’s from CNBC showing the states where beer takes the most mentions on Twitter. Next Think Progress reveals a craft beer company’s support for the EPA’s Clean Water Rule, then The Miami Herald reports that Florida craft beer fans can finally toast the signing of a new growler law. We go overseas with The International Business Times noting that beer production in China drops as the taste for wine continues to grow, followed by The BBC on the possibility of 'home-brewed morphine', and we finish the news with The Business Insider’s list of the 17 most sought-after beers in America.

Last week our #caskquiz was “If you could bring back any beer that is gone, which one would it be?” and this week we want to know “what’s your summer vacation beer this year?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask108.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:19am EDT

We take things West of the Mississippi again and chat with the Founder and Sales Gurus from Coronado visiting the sunny lands all the way from the mothership in San Diego! Rick and crew take us through the history of Coronado brewing company and even sat down to try some fabulous year rounds and limiteds featuring Barrelman Brown, Sock Knocker IPA ,Idiot IPA, and Jurata Baltic Porter Cigar City Collab

Chip is back at his news post this week featuring all of the depth and breadth we’ve come to expect! We lead off with a story from Quartz regarding the water situation in California. Next We discuss new lexicon you should know with a feature from OC Weekly. The always enthralling Urkaine Today reports on reducing waiting time for beers in the concession line. The Taunton Gazette shows us how you could save your favorite beer from extinction.   Experience the growing Baja CA craft scene with a piece from USA Today. In a fan submitted feature we explore adding tea to beer with a fun story from the Washington Post.

Last week our #caskquiz was “what craft beer trend are you over?” This week we are asking “If you could vote for any beer that has gone to return, which one would it be?

Direct download: talesfromthecask107.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:18pm EDT

After his globetrotting adventures, Chip returns and we reunite this week! To celebrate we sample some incredible brews from New Glarus (thanks Dan & Jessica!): Cabin Fever Honey Bock, Hopster Hopped Wheat, and Raspberry Tart Framboise Ale!

Chip takes back the news and Tony & Jenn are so happy! We start off with Marketwatch’s opinion that craft beer’s biggest enemy is itself, not Budweiser and Miller, then move to Quartz reporting that a peeved beer drinker is suing Blue Moon for claiming it’s a craft beer, and next it’s The HuffPo with a cool mashup on strange brew: beer and art are surreal in St. Pete. In the north we have The Minneapolis Star-Tribune revealing that brewers and beer drinkers have eyes on rye, while in the UK The Daily Telegraph has a solution if you drink beer too quickly by opting for straight glasses, not curved, then Modern Farmer has a nice primer Welcome To Beer 101,and we close with a testy Paste and the 4 craft beer trends they are completely over.

Last week our #caskquiz was “what is the coolest beer you've had on an airplane?” and this week we want to know “what craft beer trend are you over?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask106.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:57am EDT

Tony and Jenn are on the road again, this time traveling to the soon to open Compass Rose Brewery in North Raleigh!  They get an inside look at the brand new taproom and brewhouse and catch up with old friend of the show Thomas Vincent, aka Geistbear!  We get to sample his Agave Cream Ale and discuss his plans for other brews as well.

In our news segment we discover a new DNA test to spot bacteria in beer, learn how to be an investor in the Innis and Gunn brewery, get our workout in with a combination yoga studio and brewery plus hear about the latest collaboration info between pot and beer.   In a follow up story, the growler bill has finally passed in Florida and we have the scoop!

Our #caskquiz this week is “what is the coolest beer you have had on an airplane?”


We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask105.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:04pm EDT

We travel to an undisclosed cozy pub to participate in a Blind IPA Challenge featuring some industry classics from  Lagunitas, Ballast Point, Bell’s, Foothills, Stone and Fullsteam. Will Jenn and Tony be able to pick up on the nuances of these IPA’s and pick them out of a lineup or will they suffer a hoppy defeat?

Chip once again leaves us in great hands with the news! We begin with a polarizing story from AOL regarding Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Flavored beer. Cleveland.com revisits an old familiar topic with Brettanomyces and sour beers. NY Times takes us north of the border with changing rules from the Canadian government on beer sales. Oregon has ideas for water conservation using treated sewage water to brew as reported in TIME. For the history buffs, Westerndigs.org has a feature on ring-tab beer cans officially becoming artifacts! Lastly We visit Paste Magazine for a comprehensive blind IPA tasting featuring 116 top brews just in time for this weeks thematic episode!

Last week our #caskquiz was “What is your favorite dish to using beer as an ingredient?” This week we are asking “have you ever participated in a blind tasting challenge?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask104.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:38am EDT

It’s tasteoff time with Carolina Brewing Company’s terrific Joe Zonin! We get to try his astounding new West Coast Style IPA and reveal the results of a taste challenge against some California heavyweights: AleSmith, Ballast Point, and Bear Republic!

Good news items for you this week! OregonLive starts us off with in Portland with the Craft Brewers Convention, followed with The Sarasota Herald-Tribune’s look at Boardwalk Food Co. bread mixes secret, and then io9’s profile of the first man to put beer under a microscope. Next it’s War on the Rocks revealing how sobriety lost the Battle of Trenton, then The USA Today’s piece on AB asking folks to drink beer -- any beer, and we wind down with The Austin Daily Herald (MN) reporting on an event highlighting beer and beards.

Last week our #caskquiz was “what celebrity would YOU like to have a beer with?” This week we are asking “what dishes have you used beer to cook with?” 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask103.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 4:39pm EDT

Take a trip with us over to the Dark Side...On-Premise! We have Justin Hughes, who works as the beverage director for a local chain of restaurants. He shares great stories with us as we try some tasty new treats: Bear RepublicGrand Am American Pale Ale, AtwaterPoorboy Smoked Porter, and Ballast PointHabanero Sculpin IPA!

This week’s news segment begins with a map from VinePair showing the locations of the top 50 US Craft Breweries in 2014, followed by Thrillist’s opinion piece thatcraft beer is dead and Gose killed it, and then Time with 8 reasons to love beer on National Beer Day—or any day really. Next up is the winner of the finale of themost loved beer label contest by CNBC,then Jezebel stating that everybody wants to drink beer with the wrong famous people and finally we have a scathing takedown of the "Food Babe" blogger by Gawker. 

Last week our #caskquiz was “what is your favorite historic brewery?” This week we are asking “what celebrity would YOU like to have a beer with?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask102.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:58am EDT

On to the next 100 episodes! We start our second century with a European coup: Rudi Ghequire from legendary Belgian brewery Rodenbach and David van Wees from Latis Imports! Rudi gives us the scoop on the brewery’s history and we sample the insanely great Rodenbach Grand Cru!

We bring rankings news (among other things) for you this week, starting with The USA Today reporting that Yuengling has ousted Boston Beer as the top U.S. craft brewery while Time has a companion piece examining the fact that  some beer lovers are divided over the change. Next we time travel (you know we love to) with Live Science to find that Egyptians brewed beer in Tel Aviv 5,000 years ago, look at April 15th with Adweek who tell us that software companyIntuit is brewing a special beer for accountants only called CPA IPA to make tax season less taxing, and we end up out west with The San Diego Union-Times wondering if you will ever be able to get San Diego craft beers at Qualcomm Stadium

Last week our #caskquiz was “what is your favorite beer label?” This week we are asking “what is your favorite historical brewery?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask101.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:16am EDT

To celebrate our milestone 100th episode, we convinced Don Chartier and Ethan Boylan from Lagunitas Brewing to return to the sunny lands! Out on Tony’s porch, we try Equinox Pale Oat Ale and High West-ified Imperial Coffee Stout!

We have much to report for you this week in the world of beer! First up The New York Times reveals the Oktoberfest Back Story, then FastCompany shows usa new Brazilian feminist beer waging a battle against sexism in advertising, followed by The USA Today’s ultimate craft beer bracket. Next LA Weekly asks what can America learn from Baja’s beer festivals, Wired details a quest to reengineer a legendary beer in a dirty kitchen, CNBC runs their most loved beer label contest, and we close the news with The Washington Post on ‘Dos Equis’ The Most Interesting Man in the World’ riding in HOV lanes.

Last week our #caskquiz was “what do you want to hear in our 100th episode next week?” This week we are asking “what is your favorite beer label?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask100.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:49am EDT

This week a special treat from the west! Western NC, that is! Brewer/Co-Owner Steven Lyerly and Sales Maven Leif Larson join us for a terrific look at Olde Hickory Brewery! We chat about their 20-year history and try incredible beers: Piedmont Pilsner, the astounding Death By Hops, and one of our faves, the barleywine blend Omega Point!

Tons of news awaits you this week! First up is Fortune revealing thatcraft brewers now produce 1 out of every 10 beers sold, followed by The Triangle Business Journal with a look at craft beer trademark troubles,and then the The Washington Post describinghow to drink beer like a local around the world. We then visit Geekwire who offer a craftbeer virtual guide,

Portland Business Journal reportingthatthe eagle has landed with Ninkasi's beer brewed with space yeast, Time with a video where you canwatch a guy open a beer with a sheet of paper, and Craft Beer Raleigh and their 2015 NC March Beer Madness. We bring it home with The New York Times’ review of lagersand wind up in Texas with Austin 360 Blog and aSXSW 2015 panel diving into craft beer culture.

Last week our #caskquiz was “what is your favorite fruit forward IPA?” This week we are asking “what do you want to hear in our 100th episode next week?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask99.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:45am EDT

Anchor Brewing Company is turning 40 this year and we are talking about all the new beers they will have to celebrate!  Mike Jones fills us in on the latest happenings and we sample their spring seasonal Anchor Saison, plus we try a side by side tasting of Anchor Steam and Brotherhood Steam!

We go global in the news, discussing what Germans really think of American craft beer and what African brewers are doing to promote sales, then return stateside to cover new Pennsylvania laws, the LA beer scene, and what 170 year old beer really tastes like!

Last week our #caskquiz  was “what is your favorite fruit forward IPA?” We are getting some great responses so we are giving you an extra week to answer this one!

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask98.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:19am EDT

Summer Breeze makes me feel fine... It’s finally warm in the Sunny Lands!!  For the first time we have a mystery guest host who joins us for the whole show!  Do you know who it is???

In our news segment we discuss Spring Beers that will make you hate winter, how the craft beer industry is helping farmers,a new beer web series and get some tips for beer travel in Munich and starting a craft brewery!

We have several new DuClaw beers on tap this week including their collaboration with Cigar City, Moon Gun, X 9 Coffee Stout, and Hop Continuum.

Last week our #caskquiz was “what spring or summer beer are you looking forward too?” This week we are asking “what is your favorite fruit forward IPA?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask97.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:34pm EDT

We keep it in the family this week with our very own Ryan Trask, one of our sales stars! Ryan shares how he got in the biz and the differences in sales between the on and off-premise worlds. Then we try some terrific brews: the all-new Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter IPA, Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout, and Charlotte’s Triple C Chocolate Covered Pretzel Stout.

There is much to report this week for you! First CNBC says that craft beer drinkers just love their IPAs, and then VinePair has created a map of the craft and regional beers made by the large brewers. Next up is the always reliable HuffPo listing 17 of the most sought-after craft beers in America, followed by The Financial Times reporting that in the UK ales and craft beers are spurring a brewing boom, and we close with the Sacramento Bee announcing that Sacramento will be hosting a new California craft beer summit.

Last week our #caskquiz was “do you keep a stash of beer in storage for weather emergencies? ” This week we are asking “what spring or summer beer are you most looking forward to when the weather gets nice?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask96.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 4:31pm EDT

Chip returns to the snowy lands and the team stays warm in the bar with killer brews this week! We taste the collaboration beer Baird/Ishii/Stone Green Tea IPA, CBC Groundhog Day Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, and Starpoint Instant Karma Porter.

Do we scan the globe for news? You betcha! How about starting with Comic Book Resources and the announcement there about Rogue's Hellboy Right Hand of Doom Red Ale? We then move to cnet listing a five-pack of beer apps to find great new brews, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch revealing that A-B dropped its opposition to a North Carolina craft brewer's Natty trademark, the US Census Trade Blog Global Reach offering the latest numbers on beer imports and exports, and the San Diego Union-Times on how hot SD's beer scene has become.We round out the news with The St. Cloud Times detailing the incredible demand for barrels by craft brewers, The Independent announcing London's first ever 'beer week,and wind up with NPR on the secret life of a phys ed teacher.

Last week our #caskquiz was “What beer do you want to see make the move to cans?” This week we are asking “do you keep a stash of beer in storage for weather emergencies?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask95.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:58pm EDT

Tony and Jenn travel all the way to Durham, NC this week to interview the owner and brewer from Durty Bull Brewing Company at a local bottle shop!  Chip is gone but we still found a few fun news stories including the 19 types of Beer Snobs, more on collecting yeast from Whale Bones, a college program allowing 18 year olds to taste but not swallow beer , a trademark dispute between Red Bull and a small brewery and more repercussions from the Bud Ad, this time inspiring battles in Congress!

Matt Pennisi with Durty Bull Brewing Company joins us to talk about getting his brewery up and running, their brewpub plans, his sour and barrel aging programs; plus he brings a couple of his beers for us to try- Black Gose and a Blended Sour!

Last week our #caskquiz was “What was your take on the Bud Super Bowl ad?” This week we are asking “What beer not currently packaged in cans would you like to see make the move?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask94.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:06pm EDT

We had such a run of incredible people stop by the bar lately, it was wearing us out! So we locked the doors and took a breather to unwind with the latest and greatest from our friends at Foothills Brewing! Three delightful brews were waiting for us: Pilot Mountain Pale Ale, February IPA of the Month “Charlie”, and the sought-after (and back just briefly) Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout!

We couldn’t fit in all the beer news out this week, but we covered a lot! We start with the controversy of the Bud Super Bowl ad slamming craft beer, beginning with The Chicago Tribune’s interview with a craft brewery co-founder who wasn’t happy with Super Bowl ad snark,then we check out CNNMoney’s position that Bud mocks craft beer but it owns microbrews. Next up is The HuffPo asking is sewage beer the next big thing?, followed by Fortune revealing spirits stole more market share from the beer industry last year, and then Yahoo Sports and a picture of Madison Bumgarner downing a beer with Khal Drogo of 'Game of Thrones'. We move to The Washington Post talking about an NBC interview with President Obama on beer, Deflategate and the Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl matchup, The Columbia Free Times opining that craft beer goes big — maybe too big, The LA Times demonstrating how brewers turn barley into beer, and wind up with Medical Daily reporting that an antioxidant found In hops prevents cognitive decline.

Last week our #caskquiz was “have you ever bought anything from SkyMall and if so what was it?” This week we are asking “what you think about the Bud Super Bowl ad -  was it good or bad for Bud, good or bad for craft beer?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask93.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:39am EDT

How do we top the incredible guests of late? Get another one of course! This week Jonathan Williman from our friends at Bear Republic joins the fun! We talk about their awesome beers, the water situation in northern California, and what we can expect from Bear this year! Then we try their first creation, Red Rocket Ale and follow it with Racer X Double India Pale Ale!

The news begins on a sad note, as The LA Times reports that our beloved Skymall has died, then we move to happier topics via TheBoston Globe on how craft beer fans go to great lengths to buy top-rated brews, and io9 on why grease kills the head on a beer. We follow up on a previous story with NBC as the brewer of 'Gandhi-Bot' beer agrees to rename it after complaints, then hear NPR reporting on brewers taming unpredictable yeast. We finish up with The New Yorker revealing that small is bountiful, Yahoo Food introducing a craft brewer making low alcohol beers, and Fox News celebrating the beer can turning 80 this weekend!

Last week our #caskquiz was “have you ever purchased the wrong beer by accident and if so what beers did you mix up?” This week we are asking “have you ever bought anything from SkyMall and if so what was it?”


We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask92.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 5:00pm EDT

Are we slowing down after our road trip? No way! This week we import direct from Baltimore (Ball’mer to the natives) Dave Benfield & Morgan Schell from DuClaw Brewing! They just began selling beers in NC and as you know we have been drinking them before on the show, so they brought some great ones to us this week: Sweet Baby Jesus Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter, Naked Fish Chocolate Raspberry Stout, Neon Gypsy IPA, and the seductive Serum DIPA!

We got so much news this week! Bloomberg starts us off with the story thatSierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman has beome a billionaire, then The New York Times offers options from gluten-free beer to kombucha for health-conscious drinkers, and Mother Jones reveals that craft beer uses 4 times as much barley as corporate brew. Next Reuters reports on brewing goliaths struggling to fit in at a craft beer party, Fox News shows us that self-serve beer taps are coming to a bar near you, and fittingly the Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star asks how 'bout some peanut butter with your beer?

Last week our #caskquiz was “have you ever brewed beer on your own, and if so what was the first style you made?” This week we are asking “have you ever purchased the wrong beer by accident and if so what beers did you mix up?”


We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask91.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:25pm EDT

A new year and it’s time to hit the road! We roll into Mills River, NC and drink beers with our friends at the all-new Sierra Nevada Brewery! Brian Grossman runs the show at the brewery, and we join him and sales gurus Tommy Gannon and Dave Kemper for fresh-as-it-gets Sierra Nevada! We celebrate Brian’s 30th birthday with Nooner Pilsner, Pale Ale, and Beer Camp Hoppy Lager! And fan fave Aubrey Herbert makes a surpise cameo!

Fun news awaits this week! SFGate reports that the San Francisco Giants are planning a pop-up beer garden. Legal news comes via ChicoER about Lagunitas Brewing dropping a lawsuit against Sierra Nevada over ‘Hop Hunter’ logo after a public outrage, then NBC tells us about a Connecticut brewery stirring controversy with its 'Gandhi-Bot' beer. We finish up with Beer & Brewing suggesting beer pairings for Girl Scout cookies.

Last week our #caskquiz was “what is the hot beer style for 2015?” This week we are asking “have you ever brewed beer on your own, and if so what was the first style you made?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask90.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:13am EDT

No Chip this week so we doubled up on guests!  Chad and Martinez, local craft beer bar managers discuss their side of the biz and sample some great brews including Ballast Point Grunion Pale Ale, DuClaw Euphoria, and Olde Hickory’s Hickory Stick Stout!

 

We clown around this week in the news and talk about a performing arts center using craft beer to raise funds. We also discuss ways you can stick to your resolution to run while enjoying a brew, an Oregon museum exhibit about brewing and craft beer, and hints of some new beer brewing at the Durham Bulls Ballpark.

 

Last week our #caskquiz was “what New Year’s Beer resolutions have you made?” This week we are asking “What is the hot beer style for 2015?”


We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask89.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:31am EDT

It’s time to ring in 2015 with great beers from DuClaw Brewing, Guinness, and Ballast Point! We three relax after the big Christmas spectacular with DuClaw’s Dirty Little Freak Coconut Caramel Chocolate Brown Ale, Guinness’s special release Guinness the 1759 Small Batch Amber Ale, and Ballast Point’s Indra Kunindra Curry Export Stout!

 

The news is light this week, but there are some really interesting items for you. NPR finds that the Miami Dolphins are using Twitter to deliver beer to fans, while philly.com announces Joe Sixpack's 2014 Beer of the Year. Next the Wall Street Journal talks about  South Korea’s new craft beer makers, the LA Times shows us how to drink your craft beer and coffee at the same time, and we end with the the Business Insider’s cool chart showing everything you need to know about beer.

 

Last week our #caskquiz was “what was your favorite present this year?” This week we are asking “what New Year’s beer resolutions have you made?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask88.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:23am EDT

Christmas time is here! We are drinking beer! (In moderation!) Yes it’s our second annual Christmas special, and we host a great party with many of our old friends. We have the astounding Joe Zonin from Carolina Brewing, Daniel Cruz who just retired from Anchor Brewing, our very first guest Mitchell Peedin, and the incomparable Aubrey Herbert from Sierra Nevada! Plus a few surprise cameos, and Hoda returns to tend bar!

 

The beers are amazing! We have Longsdon Farmhouse Saison Bretta, the CBC/Trophy collaboration Barrel Aged Pollinator Dopplebock with Honey, Carolina Brewing's Old 392, the Dogfish/Sierra Nevada collaboration Life and Limb 2009 and 2011, DeschutesBlack Butte 23rd Anniversary, the 3 Floyds/Brew Dog collaboration Bitch Please, Mitchell’s own Experimental American Wild Ale, and we finish with AleSmith’s2011 Decadence Barrel Aged Barleywine!

 

Good news arrives for the holiday! Engadget starts us off with a beer that tells you how much to drink to boost your creativity, then we have The Huffington Post sporting a 'Drinking Jacket' that will open, hold & chill your beer. Then we go west to San Diego’s KPBS on filling growlers in California and end up in San Francisco via DC with The Washington Post detailing 40 years of Anchor Christmas Ale.

Last week our #caskquiz was “do you have any beer-related Holiday traditions?” This week we are asking “what was your favorite present this year?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask87.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:58am EDT

We are going hyper-local this week with the incomparable beers from Starpoint Brewing’s Tim Harper! We talk about his day job at UNC and his passion for making craft beer in all his spare time! Then we taste two of his delightful brews: 24/7 Pale Ale and Whiskeytown Imperial Milk Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels! And yes, that’s the band Whiskeytown!

 

More news of the holidays is on tap this week! We start with The USA Today and a beer for the Hanukkah holiday, then shift to The Loudon Times reporting on Virginia Governor McAuliffe announcing the first commercial hops facility in the mid-Atlantic in Loudoun VA, followed by The New York Daily News and a planned merger of two of the city's largest beer distributors. We then move to The BBC on the secret world of beer, then drop some science from phys.org regarding beer quality, check out The Los Angeles Times offering ideas on beer gifts for the wine-lovers on your holiday list, and we wrap up with The Union-Leader suggesting three old beer styles for cold winter nights.

 

Last week our #caskquiz was “what is your fave Christmas/Holiday TV or movie special?” This week we are asking “do you have any beer-related Holiday traditions?”


We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask86.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 4:45pm EDT

After all the great guests the past few weeks, we lock the doors and take a breather at the bar. The beers are all for us (and you!) with a hidden treat from Samhain and a couple of yuletide delights! AleSmith gives us two - Evil Dead Red that we had been saving for the right moment and the all-new Winter YuleSmith! Plus we get the final Foothills IPA of the month for 2015, December’s Miss Elle Toe.

 

Holiday news abounds for us and includes cool history and beer + music! We start with Time and the news that Delta will begin selling craft beer on its flights, then move to Yahoo News with a trip to colonial times and a Virginia brewery tapping a 300-year-old beer recipe. Next up is Thrillist relating what your Norcal beer of choice says about you, followed by The Daily Mail on a rare six-litre Methuselah of Champagne-style beer going on sale in London, and we wrap (not rap!) with Yahoo Music and a story on the vocalist from Swedish band In Flames bringing his own beer to the party.

 

Last week our #caskquiz was “where do you get your up-to-the-minute beer world info? A blog? Podcast? Local brewery? This week we are asking “what is your fave Christmas/Holiday TV or movie special?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask85.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 9:50am EDT

This week it’s an award-winning collaboration! NAGBW - blogging award winner Bryan Roth from This Is Why I’m Drunk stops by and we compare our silver medals! Then we try some excellent brews: Anchor BrewingWinter Wheat Beer, Sierra NevadaNeo-Mexicanus Harvest Ale, and Evil TwinImperial Biscotti Break Natale Pretty Please with a Cherry on Top.

 

News comes to us from surprising sources this week, starting with...The Wine Enthusiast and a story asking can you age beer? paired with The OC Weekly explaining 5 ways to wake sure you're actually cellaring beerNext The New York Times talks beer mile racing with ”Cue the ‘Chariots of Fire’ Theme, With Burps”, The Font du Lac Reporter takes us to Wisconsin where Black Friday shoppers come for beer,and The San Francisco Chronicle finds a new app to scan your beer list to help you pick your pint. We wind up with the Wall Street Daily showing a device that could destroy the craft beer industryand the Fusion Network on how to brew a craft beer that doesn’t suck.

 

Last week our #caskquiz was “what is your favorite German brew?” This week we are asking “where do you get your up-to-the-minute beer world info? A blog? Podcast? Local brewery?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask84.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:26pm EDT

An old friend drops by to share more imported beer goodness this week! Matthew Holmes from Radeberger Gruppe brings stories of the old days riding the British Rails with Chip and he shares a couple of German treats - Radeberger Pilsner and Shöfferhofer Weizen!

It was hard to cull the plethora of news this week! Slate starts us off with the revelation that Americans now drink more craft beer than Budweiser, then The Boston Globe posits that lumpy potatoes are OK, while hoppy beers are not,and The New York Times shows us you can brew your own beer with help from an app. We also learn from DNAInfo about Empirical Brewing wanting you to tell it how to make beer, while The LA Times lists 6 craft beer terms every beer geek should know.We wind up overseas with two stories about Czech, the first from Russia Today quoting the Czech president who stated ‘American beer is just filthy water’ and the second from ABC News who tells us what it's like to bathe in beer inside a Czech beer spa.

Last week our #caskquiz was “what is your favorite pilsner beer?” This week we are asking “what is your favorite German brew?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask83.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 3:35pm EDT

An incredible treat awaits you this week! We have two awesome guests from one of the world’s greatest breweries, Pilsner Urquell! Robert Lobovsky is the brewery’s “Beer Master” and he comes to us straight from Pilsen in the Czech Republic, and Chad Wodskow is the Global Marketing Manager. They are in town for the release of a special wooden cask of unfiltered, unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell flown in for a special event here in Raleigh. They talk about the brewery’s storied history and the origins of pilsner beers.

 

There is plenty to talk about this week. We begin with breaking news from Fortune on a potential end to tied-house laws in the UK, move to CNN Money talking about the black market for craft beer, then list The Telegraph ranking of which countries drink the most beer. We follow up with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s story about a beer & food course for beginners,then The Pensacola News-Journal on the return of the Celis family name to quality brewing, and we end up with WGHP from High Point, NC revealing how physicists explain why coffee is more likely to spill than beer.

 

Last week’s #caskquiz was “what beer or beers are you pairing with what dishes for Thanksgiving?” This week we want to know “what is your favorite pilsner beer?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask82.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:56am EDT

Our good friend Kristen Baughman joins us via the Interwebs for our second annual Thanksgiving beer & food pairing episode! We hear all about Kristen’s move to the Big Apple and her new projects. Plus this year Jenn & Tony slaved away in the kitchens to make some delectable treats to go with awesome beers. We feature AnchorChristmas Ale 2014 paired with turkey cranberry meatballs, Sierra NevadaCelebration Fresh Hop IPA paired with chorizo cornbread stuffing, and Bear RepublicBig Bear Black Stout paired with pumpkin cinnamon rolls.

 

The news this week has stories all over the map. We start with The Wall Street Journal on SABMiller considering what to do next,move over to CNBC with a take on what they call Millennials’ war on Big Beer, go to Florida Today’s history lesson on the origins of light beers, and move west to 2 stories from The San Diego Union-Tribune: one on AleSmith beer .394 which honors Tony Gwynn and another on Green Flash merging with Alpine Beer. We follow with mySA introducing a Texas man who will give you free beer for life for $2,000, Adweek revealing Wil Wheaton introducing Newcastle's Scotch Ale, and close with The Greenville Times on a brewery’s yoga classes.

 

For the #caskquiz from last week we wanted to know “what politician would you like to grab a beer with?” This week we want to hear about your Thanksgiving plans: “what beer or beers are you pairing with what dishes for Thanksgiving?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask81.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 1:46pm EDT

Two worlds collide on this week’s show - tech and beer! We have Bill Kaluza, Mason Koffman & Megan Pullam from beer software company Intervolve. They talk about how they work with beer distributors and brewers, and they help us try some de-licious fall faves: Sierra NevadaBoomerang IPA, FoothillsNovember IPA Of the Month - “NovAmber”, and LagunitasLittle Sumpin’ Wild.

 

The big keep getting bigger in the news this week! We start there with Crain’s Chicago Business on Chicago's Reyes Beverage becoming the top beer distributor in U.S., then head east to The New York Daily News with a look at a brewer recreating an old Belgian beer found in a shipwreck, and join Fast Company revealing the latestGame of Thrones brew called Three-Eyed Raven. After that, we have stories from Thrillist on 9 small cities that deserve national attention for their beers, The New York Post showing us where to buy beer hoodies, and Phys.Org revealing people who are improving the taste of alcohol-free beer with aromas from regular beer.

 

For the #caskquiz from last week we wanted to know “what beer celebrity would you most like to have a beer with?” This week’s is a companion piece to the recent election: “what politician would you like to grab a beer with?”

We love do love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask80.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 6:44pm EDT

We have a definite treat (no tricks here!) for you this week with Veronica Goff from Boston Beer! She stops by to share the latest from Beantown and we get to try three delicious Sam Adams brews: Winter Lager, White Christmas, and Merry Maker.

We have history and gadgets with the news this week. We begin with The Daily Caller reporting that a bar is suing Florida over growler salesmove to The Atlantic with a nice profile of Boston Beer founder Jim Koch, the Steve Jobs of Beer, and check in with the historians at Fox News who answer was George Washington a beer or whiskey man?

We wind up with The Huffington Post on a gravity-defying way to store beer in your fridge and The Wall Street Journal visiting a Detroit brewery that aims to pedal beer. And yes, we spelled pedal correctly!

 

As Halloween arrives this week, last week’s #caskquiz is very timely: “what is your fave fall beer that is NOT a pumpkin beer?” After the Jim Koch piece, this week we want to know “what beer celebrity would you most like to have a beer with?”

We love do love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask79.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:11pm EDT

It’s the three of us this week, sharing stories and drinking great North Carolina brews! In honor of this week’s NC State Fair, we keep it hyper-local and try NC beers made with as many local ingredients as possible. Up this week we have Durham’s Full Steam Brewery and their St. Summer Basil Saison, Asheville’s Wicked Weed and their Briars and Brett Gin Barrell Aged Ale, and Haw River Farmhouse’sSt. Benedict's Breakfast Dubbel.

There's Star Wars and health in the news this week. Wha? Listen to stories from WKYT Lexington KY and the news that Anheuser-Busch is suing Kentucky to buy a beer distributor, Syracuse.com on Lucasfilm battling the Empire Brewpub over a brew called 'Strikes Bock', and The New York Times down in hard-drinking Sydney Australia. We also have The USA Today celebrating 3 young pro golfers crafting a new beer product line, KOMO Seattle on a couple of NC guys who are buying every kind of beer in U.S. for new app, and NPR with a scarystory asking is that a spoonful of spooky cereal in your beer? Finally the health news is good via The New York Post who reveal that a pint of beer per day can double men’s fertility and io9 helping to save you from radiation poisoning by drinking a beer!

With the World Series hanging in the balance, what better time to answer last week’s #caskquiz “what beer will you be drinking during the baseball playoffs?” while this week we want to know “what is your fave fall beer that is NOT a pumpkin beer?”

 

We love do love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask78.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:36am EDT

We are thrilled this week to welcome in our newest partners in the beer world - Ballast Point Brewing! Earl Kight, Chief Commercial Officer and Chris Marin, Regional Sales Manager Southeast join us and tell us all about the brewery and share some really fun stories. Plus we get to try some sensational beers with them - Wahoo White, Calico Amber Ale,

and Tongue Buckler Imperial Red Ale.

 

You want the news? We have it! We start with Fox’s listing of shocking world beer records, then head upstate to The Ithaca Journal and learn who named abeer after Ithaca’s mayor. Then it’s down south and The Daytona Beach News-Journal reporting on a fresh strategy in Florida’s beer battles, Wired revealing that your beer attracts fruit flies on purpose, and we wind up with Thrillist’s 5 biggest mistakes you’re making with your beer.

 

More great feedback this week! And we get your answers to last week’s #caskquiz “what is your favorite California beer? ” while this week we want to know “what beer will you be drinking during the baseball playoffs?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask77.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 3:14pm EDT

What a great time we had this week with the renowned beer maveness Jenn Litz from Craft Business Daily! She Skypes in from her palatial digs in NYC and dishes on the latest happenings in the craft beer world. Plus, she tries awesome beers from San Diego’s Ballast Point and Michigan's Saugatuck Brewing with us! This week we get to sample Sculpin IPA, Longfin Lager, and Victory at Sea Imperial Porter from Ballast Point and Jenn tries Serrano Pepper Ale from Saugatuck!

 

 

A plethora of news awaits this week, fitting since we have a newsperson guest! We start with The New York Times and an editorial regarding monopolizing beermove to Paste Magazine and a revealing look at the expanding demographics of craft beer, and check out The Guardian’s report on plans in Vietnam to keep temperature in beer parlours below 30C.  Next we go down to New Orleans and The Times-Picayune on the restaurant Borgne's canned beer program, then up to The Star-Ledger talking about Ommegang Valar Morghulis Abbey Dubbel, over to Vice who shows us that it takes submarines, hashish, and volcanic rocks to make a good beer, and we wind up on The Today Show to see that beer is ready to spread on your morning toast!

 

There was quite a bit of great feedback this week! We also share the responses to last week’s #caskquiz “when you see a beer you want to try, which package are you more likely to buy - a 12 or 22 ounce?” and this week we want to know “what is your favorite California beer?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talesfromthecask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask76.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:03pm EDT

We are traveling through spacetime in multiple timelines and places for your listening pleasure this week! Tony and Jenn get to interview Adams Eshbaugh from 919Beer and the recent Beericana Festival. Then they sample a cider and two beers: Crispin Steeltown Anniversary Cider, and Anchor Brewing’sBig Leaf Maple plus LagunitasImperial Red.

Chip brings news from the future beginning with an NBWA report from Ad Age asking if young drinkers have abandoned big beer,goes local with The News & Observer’s piece on hymns and beer at a downtown Raleigh pub, then moves overseas with Bloomberg showing how Germans are learning craftbeer from the U.S.He wraps up with Quartz on how beer won’t make you smarter, but a compound found in hops mightand the Business Insider with a piece on the beer machine designed to look just like a Mac Pro.

 

The feedback was great this week! We share the responses to last week’s #caskquiz “what is your favorite underrated style of beer?” and this week we want to know “” when you see a beer you want to try, which package are you more likely to buy - a 12 or 22 ounce?

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask75.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 3:53pm EDT

We are back in our bar this week listening to the rain when in walks Leif Larson from Olde Hickory Brewery! He tells us how he started homebrewing and moved from that to working at Olde Hickory, and then we try some really exciting beers: Hefeweizen, Wilson Creek ESB, Black Raven IPA, and the celebrated Death by Hops IPA!

 

Chip returns to the newsdesk and reveals that The Washington Post has a report on the Pabst purchase by Russians and the broader fact that America’s most iconic beer brands are being bought by foreign investors, then cites Quartz on the fastest-growing alcoholic beverage in the US. The focus then turns to three stories about beer and food, just not in the pairing sense - The USA Today with fast food chain Popeyes “beer can chicken”, The Washington Post on Starbucks testing a beer-flavored latte,and The Consumerist’s opinion that someone has made a craft beer jelly because that is clearly what peanut butter has been missing!

 

The feedback was fun this week! We share the responses to last week’s #caskquiz “if you just summited Mount Everest, what beer would you reach for?” and this week we want to know “what is your favorite underrated style of beer?”


We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask74.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:20pm EDT

We head west to Tony’s own bar this week since Chip was in Mills River, NC at the new Sierra Nevada brewery! Amazingly, Robert Owen from NC brewery Duck Rabbit Brewery found his way and brought us some killer beers! We get to try their Märzen, Hoppy Bunny American Black Ale, and Milk Stout.

 

Jenn and Tony take on the newsreading this week (at least Chip did some research for them!) and begin with The New York Times onSABMiller’s rejected bid for Heineken, head to the

Minnesota Public Radio Blog with a story on the NFL player controversies and the power of Big Beer, and check in with Yahoo Food regarding how the South does craft beer. We then go to the Great Lakes Echo to hear how burgeoning beer brewers are good for barley, then over to The Union Leader with a story to bring beer lovers pleasant dreams, and then wrap up down in The Miami Herald with an inspiring tale of a hard-to-find brew and the ultimate beer run.

 

We had lots of feedback this week! Plus we share the responses to last week’s #caskquiz “what music+beer event that you have attended was your fave?” and this week we ask “if you just summited Mount Everest, what beer would you reach for?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecast73.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:39pm EDT

Guess who just happened to wander into our little bar? Old friend of the show Aubrey Herbert that’s who! She made it just in time to try some killer Oktoberfest beers with us. The lineup includes HofbräuDunkel, Dinkel Acker Oktoberfest, Starpoint Brewing Märzen, and of course Sierra NevadaOktoberfest!

 

Chip is back with the news for you this week. We start off with Deadspin advising us to stop whining about pumpkin beer, move to The USA Today regarding a beer geeks' dream: a brewing co-op, and then press on to CNET letting us know that beer drones are back, this time with Google Glass. We next tackle 2 Anheuser-Busch InBev stories, one in Businessweek telling us that Budweiser wants you to buy a Facebook friend a beer and another in the The Huffington Post about what happened in a small resort town in Colorado leaving Bud Light fans stranded there. We finish up the week with a thoughtful piecein All About Beer by our friend John Holl asking what beer would be if it were invented today and a niece story in The Chippewa Herald about Jake Leinenkugel’s impending retirement.

 

We share the responses to last week’s #caskquiz “what is the freshest beer you have tried?” and this week we ask you what music+beer event that you have attended was your fave?

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask72.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:14am EDT

Chip is at the beach this week so Jenn and Tony ransacked the warehouse and found a bunch of specialty beers to try!  Our very own Carolina Brewing Company Wet Hop IPA has just arrived with the Mims Estate Hops, we have a new Anchor Zymaster Series Saaremaa Island Ale, Coronado has just released their 18th Anniversary Ale, Foothills September IPA of the month is here, AND we snagged a bottle of Sierra/Boulevard Collab Terra Incognita!!

There is some drama in the news this week with the Minnesota State Fair craft beer station being robbed!  We also talk about the session beer craze, more British hop acreage being added to fulfill the US craft beer market’s demand, and Bear Republic’s new Solar Panel program. For the craft beer nerds, we give 13 reasons you may be drinking too much craft beer.

We got some great responses to our #caskquiz “Who do you this will win the Superbowl?”  This week’s #caskquiz is “What is the freshest beer you have tried?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask71.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:12am EDT

Well, he did it! Our old friend Scott Mizerak with Foothills Brewing just got married, and we asked him to drop by to celebrate! We had to toast of course, and we did it right with a couple of faves from Winston-Salem - Cottonwood Pumpkin Spiced Ale and Foothills Baltic Porter!

 

There’s a plethora of beer in the news this week! The Wall Street Journal starts us off with a story ona migrant beer-canning expertwhile Yahoo Food ranksevery state in the US by beer.We then check out The Cleveland Plain Dealer recapping the latest study breaking down jobs from the brewing industry, Fox News on anAustin brewery rolling out a 99-pack of beer, and The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talkingMiller Park beer vendors sounding off on self-serve machines. We wrap up with Eater.com regardingthe origins of D.C.'s quirky beer namesand tech via Gearjunkie that lets you carry beer anywhere via gel-packs.

 

We got one last reply to an earlier #caskquiz “what fall beer are you most looking forward to drinking?” and heard from you on “what’s your fave beer event that you have attended?” This week we ask you to give us your early prediction “who will win the Super Bowl?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes or Stitcher if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask70.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 2:56pm EDT

We got on a roll last week with IPAs, and we keep the momentum going with some of the last of the summer ales for 2014! We begin with FoothillsAugust IPA “Coral”, then we venture to the far north to try 2 from Maine Beer Company: Peeper Ale and Mo Pale Ale, and we finish up with a return to our neighborhood with Carrboro’s Starpoint DUH! Double IPA.

 

Football and movies top the beer news this week! We have a story from Forbes listing the NFL's Most Overpriced Beers, and one from Uproxx about officially licensed hobbit beers. We also check out The Wall Street Journal on barrel-aged beer, io9 gives us a scientific excuse to drink a beer, The BBC profiles a beer revolution in Africa, while The Local shares that northern France is hoping that beer will boost tourism. We wind up here in the Triangle with 2 of our major universities: Duke Today reveals there’s Duke in your beer and Natural Sciences tells us that bumble bees have been recruited to make beer at NC State.

 

We continued to get replies to an earlier #caskquiz “what beer was your fave from Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp collaborations?” and heard from you on “what fall beer are you most looking forward to drinking?” This week we ask “what’s your fave beer event that you have attended?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask69.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:25am EDT

After our triumphal road trip to Sierra Nevada’s new Mills River NC brewery, we return to our little bar with Mims Distributing On-Premise Area Sales Manager Craig Thomas! Craig shares his insights into the beer sales world, and some great stories from his career so far.

 

Then we go all-IPA this week, with terrific examples from San Diego and Carrboro NC! The SD brews are from Coronado Brewing with their Idiot IPA, and we have 2 from Green Flash: Imperial IPA and Le Freak IPA.

 

We also debut a new hyperlocal from Starpoint Brewing in Carrboro, the stellar Surfin’ Buddha IPA!

 

The news ranges from the UK to baseball stadiums across the USA! We start with an NPR piece that dovetails nicely with last week’s chat with Bill Manly about how west coast brewers like Sierra Nevada have to tweak NC water to match western mountain flavor. That’s followed by a new look by the NBWA at the fact that there are now over 4,500 breweries in the US, a revealing take from The Guardian on the UK craft beer revolution, more on how craft beer in cans just keeps crushing it via the Denver Post, and Fox News finding 5 craft beers that won't destroy your waistline. We finish up with a shocking report from the Washington Post on where to find the best beer in major league baseball that features a really cool interactive graphic that you can use to compare stadiums!

 

We have great feedback and several answers to the  #caskquiz “what beer was your fave from Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp collaborations?” Next week we ask “what fall beer are you most looking forward to drinking?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask68.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:18am EDT

We hit the road this week with our friends from Sierra Nevada and take you on an exclusive look at their new brewery in Mills River, NC! We were there for the grand finale of the 2014 Beer Camp Across America Tour, and we were able to get Bill Manly, the Sierra Beer Ambassador off the bus and into the brewery to talk about all things Sierra!

 

Once we got back to our bar, we tried 4 brews from the Beer Camp Collaboration 12-pack: Myron's Walk with Allagash Brewing, Alt Route with Victory Brewing, Chico King - 3 Floyds Brewing, and finish strong with Maillard’s Odyssey with Bell’s Brewing. Plus, we had an intern!  

 

Many interesting stories await you in the beer world this week. The Washington Post reports thatcorn is getting a new look from brewers, we check out a blog posting (and a Venn diagram!) from Timeout Chicago regarding the use of women’s images in selling beer, we travel to Ho Chi Minh City via The Boulder Daily Camerawith brewer Alex Violette, and Norway's far north with The BBC, examine the West Coast drought with Everything On Tap and finish with the Men’s Journalon Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp Tour.

 

We have fun and informative answers to the  #caskquiz “what beer apps are you using?” Next week we ask “what beer was your fave from Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp collaborations?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask67.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:15am EDT

We go digital this week with the founders of PintLabs, a subsidiary of SteadyServ! They talk about how they met, the origin of their company, their website BreweryDB.com  and the cool beer apps Brewery Map and Pocket Beer.  

 

These guys love great beer like we do, so we deliver the goods from Sierra Nevada with their Vienna Lager and Flipside Red IPA, and the incredible AleSmithX Extra Pale Ale!

 

This week our news sources span the globe, from Russia to Hotlanta! We start with The Washington Post which revealswhere the biggest beer, wine, and liquor drinkers live in the U.S., check in with Mother Jones who publish a scathing piece onBud and Miller having issues dealing with the craft beer craze, learn from Russia Today thatChina’s beer market may be bigger than the US’s by 2017, travel with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution to atasting of all of Samuel Adams “extreme beers”, and wind up with CSPNet and discoverthe leading purchase drivers among craft beer drinkers.

 

We are still getting answers to the  #caskquiz “what is the most exotic ingredient you have tried in a beer?” and have new ones to this week’s #caskquiz “what was your fave summer brew this season?” Next week we ask “what beer apps are you using?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask66.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 1:08pm EDT

We are winding down the summer brews this week!  We found some beers even Jenn and Tony haven’t tried including West Sixth Lemongrass Wheat, Westbrook Old Claw, and Foothills July IPA of the Month!

 

We go high tech with our news stories this week and discuss the growing craft beer culture at tech companies, sending yeast to space with Ninkasi, and brewing beer from yeast collected from an ancient whale bone!  If you haven’t taken your summer vacation yet, we also report on the Top 10 Emerging Beer Cities and follow up on our reports about beer being sold in college stadiums.

 

There are some great responses to last week’s  #caskquiz “what is the most exotic ingreidient you have tried in a beer?” Join us in winding down the summer for this week’s #caskquiz “what was your fave summer brew this season?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask65.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:01am EDT

We are into new releases this week from Germany and California! We start with the refreshing Edelstoff from Munich’s Augustiner, then ramp up with LagunitasLittle Sumpin’ Extra, and make a strong finish with the incredible very limited-edition Sierra NevadaBeer Camp Across AmericaWest Coast Double IPA!

 

There is more news spanning the globe this week. We start by concluding our World Cup coverage with a story from The Wall Street Journalof a sad tale of thieves spoiling the German celebrations. We keep sporty with The Boston Globe’slook at the baseball All-Star game and new self-serve beer machines, talk about how beer is more and more in the mainstream media with stories about LA Beer Week from LA Weekly and Sierra Nevada Beer Camp from the Asheville Citizen- Times, and take 5 great craft beer vacations via TheStreet.com.We finish our travels with NPR andMaine seaweed beer and The Idaho Statesman reporting onthe growing demand for Idaho barley.

 

We have great tweets and pictures this week with responses to last week’s #caskquiz “what is your favorite place to drink a beer?” Please join us for this week’s #caskquiz “what is the most exotic ingredient you have tried in a beer?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask64.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:41am EDT

We travel through time this week (listen and see what we mean!) with a fan favorite, the always fun Joe Zonin from local brewing heroes Carolina Brewing Company! CBC is celebrating its 19th birthday in July, and we join them at the legendary Raleigh, NC restaurant that bought their first keg all those years ago! This week we taste their Carolina Summer Ale and the delicious 19th Anniversary Imperial IPA!

 

The news is plentiful in the beer world this week. BostInno has a story aboutwhat happens in your mind when you drink beer or coffee, while Paste Magazine shares 4 awesome TED talks about craft beer. Lehigh Valley Live clues us in to what you need to plant in your garden to brew beer, Plastics News reveals that Sidel has created a plastic beer bottle that looks like glass, and we wind up with a sad story about a reporter from the NY Daily News who watched the World Cup match between the US and Belgium and how he was soaked in beer & drowned in sorrow in the aftermath.

 

We have great tweets this week with responses to last week’s #caskquiz “what is your favorite canned beer?” We will take this week’s #caskquiz “what is your favorite place to drink a beer?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask63.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:50am EDT

What a great show we have for the 4th of July featuring those heroic podcasting patriots, Fitz & Mike from “On Tap with Fitz and Mike!” They share their unique insights and incredible singing voices with us, all while trying 3 delicious brews: AleSmithNut Brown Ale, BoonGeuze Mariage Parfait, and The Alchemist Heady Topper.

 

Lots of interesting news is out this week. We start with the Wall Street Journal and their story on how the large brewers are looking for a big summer, we find out that a beer slushy maker is the answer to The HuffPo’s prayers, listen in as NPR matches US versus Belgium beers in honor of the their World Cup contest, chuckle at My San Antonio’s takedown of the “food babe,” and welcome Missouri to the club of states that allow single-bottle beer sales.

 

We have great tweets this week with responses to last week’s #caskquiz “what is the oldest beer in your cellar and how old is it?” And don’t forget to reply to this week’s #caskquiz “what is your favorite canned beer?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask62.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:03am EDT

After Tony & Jenn’s live remote and Chip’s coastal excursion last week, we are back in the Sunny Lands in our little bar! And we know you are following the World Cup, so we celebrate with our own Tales TankardTM beer competition! The challengers are Palma Louca and Xingu from host Brazil, Germany’s Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen, France’s La Goutte D’Or Chateau Rouge, Belgium’s Rodenbach Caractère Rouge, and from the Netherlands La Trappe Quadrupel. Who advances? Listen and find out!

 

We do a deep dive in the interwebs for the news this week, starting with FinancesOnline’s look at beer prices in different countries around the world, the USA Today examining colleges considering beer sales in stadiums, and finish up with a report from Brewbound regarding dastardly shenanigans in the global aluminum market and a House bill to address them.

 

We have several tweets this week with responses to last week’s #caskquiz “what’s your favorite #sundayfunday or brunch beer?” And please reply to this week’s #caskquiz “what is the oldest beer in your cellar and how old is it?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, following our Instagram @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask61.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:26am EDT

We're taking the show on road this week!  Chip is on vacation so Tony and Jenn pack up the gear and head over to Crank Arm Brewing Company to enjoy some brews and have some great conversation with Brewmaster Michael Morris.  Michael shares his beer story, talks about the inspiration for his ingredients, the recurring theme across his beer names, and some of the exciting things happening at Crank Arm Brewing Company.

We sample several Crank Arm Brewing creations including Whitewall Wit, Unicycle Single Hop Pale Ale, Hopaway Hoppy Belgian Saison, Rydeaway Saison with Rye Malt, hefebiken, and Trail Bandit Peanut Butter Stout.

We have some great news items for you this week.  We talk about Lagunitas' new taproom in Chicago, new beer regulations that will help craft brewers in New York, a blogger battle "victory" against Anheuser-Busch and other big brewers, and 13 craft beers to serve at your wedding.

We also share some great responses to last week's #CaskQuiz and toss out a new question for you.  This week's #CaskQuiz question is, "What is your #sundayfunday or brunch beer?"

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page, or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask60.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:57am EDT

It was a dark and stormy afternoon - perfect for trying great summer special brews in the comfort of our favorite bar! This week’s lineup is terrific! We start with Foothill Brewing’sJune IPA of the Month: Jasmine. Next we have a special Sierra Nevada beer from their new brewery in Mills River, NC - Rain Check Spiced Stout! It’s the brewery’s answer to the merciless wet weather that plagued and slowed construction of the new site since breaking ground in April 2012. We finish up with a great beer from Rogue - their Marionberry Braggot!

 

We split our news segment in two this week, with domestic and international parts. In the US, we learn that a revolution in beer lies in a return to the Middle Ages, we visit the best beer gardens in America, and we finish with a story about brewers canning beer versus bottling it. Internationally, we find that Russia has a plan to limit beer bottle size, we travel to the most expensive cities for a beer, we ask for a beer in many languages, and we see why it’s not a good idea to drive drunk on a beer cooler.

 

We have several tweets this week with responses to last week’s #caskquiz “What beer would you drink near a body of water?” Join us for this week’s #caskquiz “Where is your favorite place to have a beer in the summertime?”

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask59.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:19am EDT

It is June at last! Beer season is rocking, and we head to Virginia for incredible beers courtesy of our friend Chris VanDeWeert from Port City Brewing! To whet our taste buds, we first start in the NC mountains with Andrews Brewing Company Four Lane ESB. Then with Chris’ help, we head up to Alexandria VA’s Port City with their Optimal Wit, Monumental IPA, and finish with the terrific Porter. Plus Chris shares the story of how he moved from the world of finance to the glorious world of beer!

 

There is a lot of news this week! We feature stories including one from The Washington Post thatmaps America’s beer belly, another in Parade Magazinewith 10 Father's Day Presents for Your Beer-Loving Dad, while the Thrillistshows us a cocktail lover’s guide to beer  and WBTWreports that a South Carolina college professor was fired after his picture appeared on a beer label. We also have an article sent in by longtime listener Bill Donaldson from the Tennesseanabout how Nashville’s airport has loosened rules on carrying alcohol. And we link to a great YouTube video of the Danish bandThe Bottle Boys Playing Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” with beer bottles.

 

We have several tweets this week with responses to last week’s #caskquiz “What beer would you pair with a really good chocolate?” Join us for this week’s #caskquiz “What beer would you drink near a body of water?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask58.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:05pm EDT

Summer is here! Well, maybe not officially but hey, it’s close enough for us! We celebrate with Lauren Wolken from Boston Beer and take a trip to the Middle Ages with the enchanting Honey Queen Braggot and the incredible and educational Latitude 48 Deconstructed IPA. This variety pack has the original Latitude 48 IPA and 5 beers brewed only with one of the hop varieties that are blended into Latitude - Hallertau-Mittelfrueh, East Kent Goldings, Zeus, Simcoe, and Mosaic.

 

New news? We have it with stories including a beer mishap from Taco Bell, a writer’s thoughts about returning to Michigan because of beer, CNN Money talking about the craft beer craze in the South, the Street.com with a provocative story about why craft beer needs its own Blue Moon, and two from the New York Times - one about sour beers being easy summer drinking and another about the genetics of yeast and beer.

 

In our feedback segment we share great tweets and responses to last week’s #caskquiz “what beer brand would you most like to see in your town that isn’t currently available?” Don’t miss this week’s caskquiz “what beer would you pair with a really good chocolate?”

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask57.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:24am EDT

It’s almost Memorial Day, so we are ready for the long weekend and the onset of summer with excellent cider and beers! We sample Crispin Original Cider, the awesome farmhouse saison Ommegang Hennepin, and the dark and wonderful Lagunitas NightTime Ale.

 

As we went to press, new items include a story from the Charleston Post & Courier about a bill to entice brewers to move to South Carolina, an editorial from the Cleveland Plain Dealer regarding an Ohio bill to raise the alcohol limit in beers allowed to be sold in that state, an article from London’s Daily Telegraph detailing some surprising health & beauty benefits of beer,  NPR’s take on the ongoing debate about what constitutes a craft beer, the New York Times on summer beer mixology, and NBC Sports Hardball on Cigar City’s special beer aged on Louisville Slugger baseball bats.

 

We share an email from a DC area listener who decided to make a career change and join the beer business, really fun tweets, and responses to last week’s #caskquiz “what’s your favorite barrel-aged beer.” Join us for this week’s caskquiz “what beer brand would you most like to see in your town that isn’t currently available?”


We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, posting on and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com! And please rate & review us in iTunes if you haven’t done so!

Direct download: talesfromthecask56.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:08am EDT

Ah, San Diego! Another sunny land and home of the insanely great AleSmith Brewing Company! Join us this week as we talk with Abby Heilbron, Account Manager and sales goddess from AleSmith and our guide as we try the draught IPA, Summer YuleSmith, & Speedway Stout, plus a special bottle of the Barrel-Aged Wee Heavy!

 

At newstime, stories include one from the USA Today about the latest craft beer trends, another from Bloomberg Businessweek detailing the effect of America's thirst for IPAs trickling down to hop farmers, a study cited in the Lafayette Journal & Courier finding that beer could cut a woman’s rheumatoid arthritis risk, and Time’s revelation that revelation that you can now buy Hanson’s MmmHops beer online!

 

We share an email from a UK listener, some great tweets, and many responses to last week’s #caskquiz “what are you doing for Craft Beer Week?” This week’s caskquiz is “what’s your favorite barrel-aged beer?” Plus check out this cool champagne/saber link video from our friend @geistbear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCp9-tEHa8U

 

We love hearing from you! Please send in feedback and beer suggestions by calling us at (919) 502-0280, tweeting us @talescask, posting and liking our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheCask or emailing written or audio messages to talesfromthecask@gmail.com!

Direct download: talesfromthecask55.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:25am EDT

Cask nation! Want to know about naming beer brands, breweries, getting trademarks and the law? Then join us this week we learn about that and more with our guest, trademark attorney Chris Sorey from Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP! We pepper him with questions, and he fields them with ease.

 

We try some wonderful sours from Wicked Weed Brewing out of Asheville, NC including their Bretticent Farmhouse Saison, Genesis Sour Blonde, and Black Angel Cherry Sour.

 

In the news, we feature an LA Times story about a beer pioneer launching Jordan’s first microbrewery, and a video from Slate showing how a Gentleman opens a beer with no bottle pener. We also discuss two articles on the subject of craft beer, one an interview in The Denver Post withPete Coors, talking about how the big beer industry continues to grapple with craft beers and a follow up from the Annapolis Capital about why one person will happily spend more on a craft beer.

 

We share some great feedback from last week’s #caskquiz and this week ask “What are you doing to celebrate Craft Beer week May 12-18?”

We’d love to hear your feedback and brew suggestions! Share your feedback by calling (919) 502-0280 or email us at talesfromthecask@gmail.com

Direct download: talesfromthecask54.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:59am EDT

We have a tasty Wisonsin craft beer episode for you today!  In episode 53 of Tales From the Cask we are sampling a variety pack from New Glarus.  On tap is Two Women, Spotted CowFat Squirrel, Moon Man, and Apple Ale.

In our news segment we share a USA Today article about 5 myths of storing, aging, and drinking beer, a Baltimore Sun article about The Brewer’s Art renaming their Ozzy beer, the fastest growing alcoholic beverage category (it’s not craft beer)tips for buying the best tasting beer, and a tip from Jim Koch on how to drink and not get drunk.

We also share some great listener feedback including your answers to last week’s Cask Quiz question.

This week’s Cask Quiz question is: “What is your favorite beer name?”

 

We’d love to hear your feedback and brew suggestions! Share your feedback by calling (919) 502-0280 or email us at talesfromthecask@gmail.com

Direct download: talesfromthecask53.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:32am EDT

It’s Episode 52 of Tales From the Cask which means we’ve made it through a whole year of podcasting!  In today’s episode we are joined by Audra Gaiziunas, owner of Brewed For Her Ledger, LLC.  Audra specializes in accounting needs for brewers and is a beer aficionado! 

We talk to Audra about how she got started in the beer business, her various clients, women in the beer world, her most interesting projects and much more!  You can follow Audra on Twitter at @BeerMudderAudra.

We also drink some rare Lagunitas brews!  We have Lagunitas Censored, Waldo, Imperial Stout, and Cappuccino Stout!

In our news segment we have another updated on the potential impact of the FDA’s proposed changes to spent grain, beer lollipops, a craft beer pub crawl in Osaka, Japan, a beer bar in Salt Lake City, and a beer glass froster.

We share some great feedback from our listeners and we throw out a new Cask Quiz question, “What beer’s story convinced you to buy the brand?”

We’d love to hear your feedback and brew suggestions! Share your feedback by calling (919) 502-0280 or email us at talesfromthecask@gmail.com

Direct download: talesfromthecask52.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 10:16am EDT

Episode 51 of Tales From the Cask is here and it’s a tasty one!  Our special guest is Thomas Vincent, aka @geistbear, beer educator and Chief Navigator and Brewer for Compass Rose Brewery.  Thomas is in the process of opening his own brewery in Raleigh and he gives us his unique insight into the beer business. 

Thomas shares the story of how he came to reside in Raleigh, how he got into the beer business, his opinions on spent grain, crowd funding for breweries, the location of his new brewery, what types of beers they will offer and other beer expertise.

We also get into the spring season with Saison beers! We try Twisted Pine la Petite Saison, Bison Brewing's Saison de Wench, Evil Twin's Ryan and the Beaster Bunny, and Sierra Nevada's Ovila Saison with Mandarin Oranges and Pepperocrns.

In our news segment we share stories about the state of domestic and imported beer in the United States, a BusinessWeek article about shandy season, results for NC brewers from the World Beer Cup, 3 myths about skunky beer, and an LA Weekly article about latinos who are driving LA’s craft beer revolution

We also share some great feedback from our listeners and their responses to last week’s Cask Quiz. 

This week’s #caskquiz question is, “What’s the next new hot beer style?”

We’d love to hear your feedback and brew suggestions! Share your feedback by calling (919) 502-0280 or email us at talesfromthecask@gmail.com

 

Direct download: talesfromthecask51.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:17am EDT

In Episode 50 of Tales From the Cask we take a look at some tasty Demory Paris beers and French ciders from Latis Imports!  In our news section we share a story of the Huffington Post that will tell you what your next 5 favorite beers will be, new craft beers available on some airlines, how biofuels are following the pattern of the craft beer movement, a couple of wine snobs who discovered craft beer (and loved it), and why beer geography is the best geography.

We also share some great feedback from our listeners and their responses to last week’s Cask Quiz. 

This week’s #caskquiz question is, “What is your favorite imported beer (or cider)?”

We’d love to hear your feedback and brew suggestions! Share your feedback by calling (919) 502-0280 or email us at talesfromthecask@gmail.com

Direct download: talesfromthecask50.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:38am EDT

Welcome to Tales From the Cask!  In today’s episode we are joined by Daniel Cruz, Marketing Manager for San Francisco's Anchor Brewing.  Daniel brings along a brand new brew from Anchor, Anchor IPA!  Daniel also shares his story of joining Anchor, the story behind Anchor’s vintage looking labels, tells us what is new with Anchor Brewing, and why they chose to make Anchor IPA now.  He also tells us a great story about why they selected an elephant for the label, the history of beer in California and the role it played in the gold rush.

In our news segment we share stories about beer brewers pushing back against the proposed FDA rule that restricts the use of old grain, making beer with kudzu, a Huffington Post article about the top 50 craft breweries in America, an op-ed piece in the New York Times from Brooklyn Brewing's Steve Hindy, and a new beer from Sam Adams called HeliYUM.

Daniel also answers a listener question, we hear from a listener that binge listened to all of our episodes, and we share some great responses to last week’s Cask Quiz question.

This week’s #caskquiz question is, “When did you have your first Anchor beer and what was it?”

We’d love to hear your feedback and brew suggestions! Share your feedback by calling (919) 502-0280 or email us at talesfromthecask@gmail.com

Direct download: talesfromthecask49.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:23am EDT

Chip is out of town so Tony and Jenn are on location for this week’s episode of Tales From the Cask!  In Episode 48 we visit Lynnwood Brewing Concern and speak with Ted Dwyer and Bill Gerds, owner and brewmaster.  We sample several Lynnwood Brewing beers including Blonde Moment Belgian Blonde, Dry Stout, Hubris Imperial IPA, and Once You Go Black IPA.

Ted and Bill share their journey into the beer business and why they chose to set up shop in North Carolina.  They tell us about the first style of beer that they brewed, and give us a look into the future of Lynnwood Brewing Concern.

In our news segment we share a story about craft beer taps being installed at the Colorado governor’s mansion, an amendment to Florida’s controversial beer growler bill, and a new beer from Dock Street Brewing Company made with smoked goat brains.

We also share a lot of great listener feedback and responses to last week’s Cask Quiz.

This week’s #caskquiz question is, “What are you doing to celebrate NC beer month, or your local beer month?

We’d love to hear your feedback and brew suggestions! Share your feedback by calling (919) 502-0280 or email us at talesfromthecask@gmail.com

Direct download: talesfromthecask48.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:50am EDT

Welcome back Cask Nation!  In this week’s episode we welcome back, back, back, back the always entertaining and insightful, Aubrey Herbert from Sierra Nevada Brewing.  Aubrey shares some of the latest Sierra Nevada news with us, and brings along some tasty brews.  In this episode we sample from the new 4-Way IPA 12 pack: Nooner Session IPA, Snow Wit White IPA, Blindfold Black IPA, and Torpedo Extra IPA.

In our news segment we share some very interesting stories about 2013 craft brewer growthSam Adams, Guinness and other breweries boycotting some of this year's St. Patrick’s Day Paradesa burglary suspect that was caught by the DNA he left behind on a beer bottle left at the scene; and some fascinating info about the sale of beer, pizza, and wings during March Madness.

We got a lot of feedback this week and get to share some really good answers to last week’s Cask Quiz about your favorite local brews and some responses to the beers from Mother Earth Brewing.

This week’s #caskquiz question is, “What’s your favorite IPA?”

We’d love to hear your feedback and brew suggestions! Share your feedback by calling (919) 502-0280 or email us at talesfromthecask@gmail.com

Direct download: talesfromthecask47.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:25am EDT

Hey y'all!  Coming to you from the (finally!) sunny lands of Raleigh, North Carolina, it’s Tales From the Cask Episode 46!  In this episode we are joined by Chris Allen, Regional Peppajack at Mother Earth Brewing!  We sample a variety of their brews including the Park Day Bohemian Style Pilsner, Endless River Kolsch, Weeping Willow Belgian Wit, Second Wind Pale Ale, Dark Cloud Munich Dunkel, Sisters of the Moon IPA, and the Window Pane Series.

We share some great beer news about the National Security Council distributing beera brief history of beerthe newest Game of Thrones beer recently released at SXSW, and an article about craft brewers beating big beer.

In our feedback segment we share your answers to our question last week about your favorite hop varieties and we answer some listener questions too.

This week’s #caskquiz is, “What is your favorite local beer?” 

We’d love to hear your feedback and brew suggestions! Share your feedback by calling (919) 502-0280 or email us at talesfromthecask@gmail.com

Direct download: talesfromthecask46.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 12:31pm EDT

We have a scent-sational treat for you in Episode 45 of Tales From the Cask.  In this episode we explore food aromas and hops!  We have three beers from Bear Republic: Churchill’s Pale Ale, Hop Rod Rye & Apex IPA, plus Foothills Seeing Double IPA.  We look at pairing them with various foods like passion fruit, mango, grapefruit, and more!  The results are really spectacular.

In our news segment we discuss a change in the official definition of a craft brewer, a mobile app that will tell you if the beer in front of you is a craft beer, a Boston group of women beer lovers, Girl's Pint Out reaching San Antonio, and a Bloomberg article about Joe Six-Pack getting some love.

We share listener responses to last week’s Cask Quiz question, and this week’s question is, “What is your favorite hop variety?” 

We’d love to hear your feedback and brew suggestions! Share your feedback by calling (919) 502-0280 or email us at talesfromthecask@gmail.com

Direct download: talesfromthecask45.mp3
Category:Tales From the Cask -- posted at: 11:08am EDT