The Gnarly Gnome: All The Podcasts

This week, Cincy Brewcast invades Jeff Graff's Paradise Brewing and Supply on Beechmont Ave in Anderson Township. We are also joined by Chef Antonio of Cincy Beer Brats who brings his delicious food to share and a special surprise guest--Ben Ramsey, Head Brewer for Old Firehouse Brewing in Williamsburg. We talk with Jeff about his unique "try before you buy" method of brewing beer that is available in over 20 kits that you can take home to brew yourself! Jeff is also looking to jump in with both feet with his brewing and taproom operation and we discuss his expansion plans. We drink 5 great beers from his taproom in "From the Beer Fridge; "The Waffler" Belgian Saison, "Angry Jack" Pumpkin Ale (all grain and extract recipes, both fermented in real pumpkins!!), "Ol' Nutcracker" Winter Ale brewed with brown sugar and maple syrup and the World-Class "Wrath of the Tsar" Russian Imperial Stout (an homage to North Coast's "Old Rasputin"). We also caught up with Ben Ramsey from Old Firehouse (on his off-night!) and picked his brain about the goings-on in Williamsburg. We talk Madtree, Moerlein, and Mt. Carmel in "This Week in Beer" and much more on this week's jam-packed Cincy Brewcast-The LIVE voice of Cincy Craft!

Cincy Brewcast goes Clubbin' with representatives of two popular home brewing clubs, NKY Homebrewers Guild and Bloatarians Brewers League with reps Eddie and Jon from NKY and 'Hark Johnny' from Bloatarians. We talk why it's good for home brewers to join a club. Also, we talk equipment and the brewing process in "Beer School with Miss Tina", upcoming events in "This Week in Beer" and some pertinent questions in "Asked and Answered"! All on this brand new edition of Cincy Brewcast, "The Voice of Cincy Craft">

"Judge not, lest ye be judged." Not to be sacrilegious, but though Christ turned water into wine, he wasn't a Home Brewer. We meet two of the best in the beer judging business tonight--Evan Rouse, who's day job just happens to be as Head Brewer at Covington's Braxton Brewing and Jody Grenert, award winning home brewer and organizer of the annual Ohio Brew Week home brew competition. We talk styles, how competitions are organized and how we all can be better beer consumers by using beer judging criteria to understand what we are tasting. Evan also brought a great surprise; a pre-release preview of Braxton's new "Level" Belgain Saison. This dry, spicy and crisp saison goes on tap Friday, October 23 at Braxton, but you can find out what we think of it on this program. Plus a lot of goings on in "This Week In Beer" including our participation in "Fresh Fest 2015" where CIncy's "Craft Beer Media" spike kegs of Madtree "Lift" with strange flavors, and stand around feeling self-important!

Cincy Brewcast gets a little horticulture, and a lot of “Wild Culture” as we welcome Ohio Valley Hops co-founders Dave and Nina Volkmann and the brewing masterminds of Cincy Craft’s most unique brewery, Bret Kollman-Baker and Josh Elliott from Urban Artifact. They have teamed together to create a “Blessid Union of Hops”, namely, Calliope, UA’s all-new “Grand Cru” style wild ale, fresh-hopped with cones from OVH. We get to preview this wonderful “Belgianesque” brew before it’s release to the public in the taproom. We also get to try the Chariot Wild Sour Cherry Gose, Maize Kentucky Common and Hearth Wild Dark Ale. We also discuss Ohio hop farming and the “hop local” movement with Dave and Nina, and we get political with a discussion of Ohio House Bill 68, the move to increase the ABV of beers from the current 12% cap to 21%. Guests This Episode * Bret Kollmann Baker – Urban Artifact* Josh Elliot – Urban Artifact* Dave Volkman – Ohio Valley Hops* Nina Volkman – Ohio Valley Hops From The Beer Fridge * Urban Artifact – Calliope* Urban Artifact – Chariot* Urban Artifact – Maize* Urban Artifact – Hearth

Tonight the Cincy Brewcast team returns to the “friendly confines” of the studio and is joined by two outstanding local home brewers, Shayne Brammer who brews under the “Blue Hen Brewing” banner and Adam Stone, flying the flag for “Big Slam Brewing”. They relate the real-life stores of the triumph and tribulations of home brewing, why they do it and why they love it. We pull some of their beers (all delicious, by the way) “From The Beer Fridge” and then we try one of the “big hitters” of the craft beer world, Russian River’s Pliny The Elder (courtesy of Shayne). Along with the Pliny, we also try two big beers from Mike’s recent Florida trip, American Wild BA Barleywine with Brett and Son of Yam Spiced Yam Ale from JDubs Brewing in Sarasota. Plus an extra huge edition of “This Week In Beer” with major developments from 50 West, Mt. Carmel, Rhinegeist, Madtree, Fibonacci, Urban Artifact and more, all on this week’s edition of Cincy Brewcast Guests This Episode * Shayne Brammer* Adam Stone From The Beer Fridge * Big Slam Brewing – Two Pug Ale* Big Slam Brewing – Spontaneous SLAM* Blue Hen Brewing – YouDee* Brewer X – Pumpkin Ale* Russian River – Pliny The Elder* J Dubs – Son of Yam* J Dubs – American Wild

The Kroger Company jumps into the Cincy craft beer growler scene with their new craft beer growler bar at their fabulous new flagship store at Oakley Station in Cincinnati. We are joined by Cincinnati-Nashville Craft Brands Manager Nate Wolejsza and “Adult Beverage Steward” Ryan Brock as we discuss Kroger’s commitment to craft beer in general, what the plans are for the Oakley Station growler bar and also discuss their commitment to fine wines and craft ciders. We taste seasonal beers from Madtree, 50 West, Sam Adams and Kroger’s own Tap Room No. 21 and discuss the impact Kroger has on Cincinnati’s craft brewers–and vice versa. Guests This Episode * Nate Wolejsza – Kroger* Ryan Brock – Kroger From The Beer Fridge * Taproom 21 – Pumpkin Ale* Sam Adams – Fat Jack* MadTree – The Great PumpCan* Fifty West – Blaketoberfest

Mike and The Gnome invade Bad Tom Smith Brewing Co. in Cincinnati’s East End to get their fair share of “Bad Ass in a Glass”! We’re joined in the Bad Tom taproom by Head Brewer Eric Napier and Taproom Manager Kevin Lay, and on the all-new Cincy Brewcast “Hop-Line” by new owner John Vojtush. John talks about the changes to the overall experience at the sometimes star-crossed Brewery from a refocus on brewing quality to a refinement of their taproom experience. Eric gives us a rundown of the beers and his experience with both the past of Bad Tom Smith, and what’s coming up in the future. And, both John and Eric set forth their reasons why, if you haven’t been to Bad Tom you should go and why, if you’ve been in the past and were disappointed, you should give them another shot. Guests This Episode * John Vojtush – Bad Tom Smith* Eric Napier – Bad Tom Smith* Kevin Lay – Bad Tom Smith From The Beer Fridge * Bad Tom Smith – Breathitt County Blonde* Bad Tom Smith – Bad Tom American Brown* Bad Tom Smith – Fink Red Rye* Bad Tom Smith – All American IPA* Bad Tom Smith – Black Kettle Oatmeal Stout

Episode 26 saw The Gnarly Gnome, Tina and Angie left alone in the studio as Mike headed south for warmer weather. Rest assured, he sent in an interview that he did down at JDub’s brewing, and called in to make sure the studio was still in working order. We tried some fantastic Oktoberfest beers, and one from Mt. Carmel that’s perfect for the cooling weather, and listened to what sounded like a fantastic flight from Mike! Shane Brammer joined us in the studio to make sure all hell didn’t break loose. It’s a great show and a great Oktoberfest kick off! PROST! Guests This Week * Shayne Brammer From The Beer Fridge * Christian Moerlein – Fifth And Vine* Sierra Nevada – Oktoberfest* Mt. Carmel – Harvest Ale

The Cincy Brewcast team looks back on 6 months of shows! Our triumphs and failures, our favorite interviews and people, and where we want to go in the future! We have a special guest who calls in on our first phone interview and we drink some outstanding beers from Jackie O’s. Taft’s Ale House and Rhinegeist. If you’ve been a faithful listener, you’ll reminisce with us and if you’re hearing us for the first time, you’ll get a sense of where we’ve been, and where we’re going. All on this edition of Cincy Brewcast–The Voice of Cincy Craft. From The Beer Fridge * Taft’s – Cherrywood Amber* Rhinegeist – Chester* Jackie O’s – Matriarch

Why is a craft beer podcast doing a “LIVE” program at a Cigar Festival? Because two of the hosts of said craft beer podcast are also cigar ‘junkies’, that’s why! Add to that the fact that when it comes to food, beer, hot sauce and more, Jungle Jim’s ALWAYS knocks festivals out of the park, you begin to understand why Cincy Brewcast had to be involved with JJ’s Inaugural Cigar Festival. After being invited by, Lee Weisser, JJ’s Fairfield Humidor Manager, we just happened to run into Tom Lazuka, the “L” in CLE Cigars and driving force behind the fast-growing Asylum cigar brand. THEN, Tom breaks out the new, limited-edition Asylum/New Holland Dragon’s Milk barrel-aged cigar for us to taste, and, well, the rest is on the podcast! We discuss the cigar industry in-depth with Tom and Lee; the legal and regulatory battle the premium cigar industry faces that threatens it’s very survival, the impact of the possible influx of Cuban brands into the marketplace, the changing and sophisticated palate of the American cigar smoker, compare the craft beer market/consumer to those of the Premium Cigar market, and so much more! To our hard-core craft beer fans, we apologize–and assure you we’ll be back next week with our normal format–but give a couple of craft-beer loving cigar lovers a break one time, will, ya? And for those of you who love a tasty Puro with your favorite IPA, Stout, craft bourbon or morning coffee, you’re in for an awesome show! Guests This Week * Lee Wiessmann – Jungle Jims* Tom Lazuka – CLE Asylum From The Beer Fridge * Yuengling – Black and Tan

We are honored to be joined by one of the foremost brewers in Cincinnati, Kenny McNutt of Madtree Brewing on this edition of Cincy Brewcast. He is joined by Lauren Amos, Madtree’s Marketing and Events coordinator to discuss the Madtree Summer Bonanza, coming up on August 29, 2015. We don’t let Kenny and Lauren get away without asking about Madtree in general; from the beginning (including the original McNutt homebrew you can still get on tap), then the meteoric rise to becoming one of the premier craft brewers in the Midwest; and on to the what the future might hold for one of Cincy Craft’s most beloved brands. We also taste and comment on some tasty beers “From the Beer Fridge”, talk other upcoming events in “This Week In Beer” and much more on the next all-new Cincy Brewcast, “The Voice of Cincy Craft”. Guests This Episode * Kenny McNutt – MadTree Brewing* Lauren Amos – MadTree Brewing From The Beer Fridge * MadTree – Experimental Pale Ale Series #6* Tap and Screw – Jacked* Big Slam – Two Pug Ale

On this episode of Cincy Brewcast, we are joined by John Bent, the Craft Brands manager for Chas. Seligman Distributing Co. in Wilder, KY. John will introduce us to Wild Ginger, the first American-made alcoholic ginger beer. We taste Wild Ginger on it’s own and in cocktails like the “Kentucky Mule”. Seligman also is the sole distributor in Northern Kentucky for Cincinnati’s Bad Tom Smith brewery. We ask John about Seligman’s reasoning behind handling the controversial brewers, who have been beset by quality and consistency problems with their beers. We also discuss the ‘three tier system’, the Kentucky law which saw a brewing giant and a local craft brewery become ‘strange bedfellows’, and much more. So join Mike Cisneros, The Gnarly Gnome and Tina Cisneros on this week’s edition of Cincy Brewcast, “The Voice of Cincy Craft.” Guests This Episode * John Bent – Charles Seligman Distributing From The Beer Fridge * Wild Ginger* Bad Tom Smith – All American IPA* Bad Tom Smith – Bad Tom Brown Ale* Bad Tom Smith – CINfully Hopnotic Double IPA

We love the interactive side of the show… from our live periscope feed and interaction via social media… it’s a blast. There are few things that are more enjoyable though, than getting into a taproom and doing a show on location with our fellow craft beer fans surrounding us. This week we do another one… this time from Braxton who will always have soft spot in our hearts, from our second episode (recorded from the brew deck itself) to now… it’s been fun growing up with them. We dove in and explored a few different sides of who Braxton is, from the brewing minded Evan, to Jake’s business leanings… there is a lot of balance in how Braxton operates, and you can see it when you see their early success. It’s crazy to think about where they’ll be in a few years time. Guests This Episode * Evan Rouse – Braxton Brewing Company* Jake Rouse – Braxton Brewing Company* Greg Rouse – Braxton Brewing Company From The Beer Fridge * Braxton – Storm (Read More About This Beer)* Braxton – Twisted Bit (Read More About This Beer)* Braxton – Crank Shaft (Read More About This Beer)* Braxton – Dead Blow w/ Coffee (Read More About This Beer)

The man, the myth, the legend… this week we are joined by Scott LaFollette the mastermind behind one of the most innovative and popular breweries in Cincinnati, Blank Slate. We taste a few of his beers and Scott gives us his “tell it like it is” take on the Cincinnati Craft brewing scene, including some of the hurdles that he had to jump to get the brewery off the ground and the unique problems that are brought about by the craft beer “boom”. We announce a winner in our “Question of the Week” contest to name Tina’s Hopwater cocktail from last week and we discuss some Cincy Craft Beer news. Guests This Episode * Scott LaFollette – Blank Slate Brewing From The Beer Fridge * Blank Slate – Orchids Flourish* MadTree – Barrel Aged Axis Mundi* MadTree – Barrel Aged Coffee and Vanilla Axis Mundi* Rhinegeist – Glow* Urban Artifact – Clothesline

This episode of the Brewcast is all about drinking water! Wait… What? It’s ok, this is no ordinary water – this is Hopwater, the new craft soft-drink sensation that is developed by Cincy based 48th Parallel. Hopwater has burst onto the regional craft beverage scene with it’s unique mix of all-natural ingredients, featuring a Zeus hop tincture that gives Hopwater its distinctive hop-forward flavor. They also add ginger, lime and grapefruit flavors to their lineup and we try them all! We try them alone, but we didn’t hesitate to throw them into some beer cocktails too! Tina made a blackberry mixture (dubbed by Hopwater’s Brandon as “3 ounce of Shade”) that featured Hopwater and MadTree’s Shade – The Gnome let loose with “The Gnarly Natty” featuring Hopwater and Little Kings (why not?), finally Mike brought out his “Hoppy Knob” which uses the Ginger topwater alongside Knob Creek bourbon and lime. Of course we drink a few beers too to round things out. Guests This Week * Brandon Dawson – Hopwater* Tony Moore – Hopwater* Paul Smiley – Hopwater From The Beer Fridge * MadTree – Shade (Read More About This Beer)* Bad Tom Smith – All American IPA* Millersburg – French Ridge IPA