The Brew Is Out There! STYLE SHOW On this week's episode of the Brew Files, we're exploring the controversial style of the moment – New England IPA. And since Denny spits nails about anything “hazy” and “juicy”, Drew's bringing in Ed Coffey of “Ale of the Riverwards” to talk the style he's been brewing since before he knew it was a style. Together they talk about the ingredients, the hops, the flavors and of course the haze and it's meaning. Episode Links: Hopwards Recipe: http://www.alesoftheri...
May 17, 2017
New opening to the show this time through. Let's see how you like it (let us know!) In the pub, we stop by and take about brewery charities and one in particular for Denny's area. We talk about one previous guest's new “kid” rules and the response, before we tackle the big Wicked news of the week and the really insidious piece that virtually no one is talking about behind the scenes. We stop in the brewery to talk the latest malt report from our good friend Teri Fahrendorf and Denny reminices ab...
May 10, 2017
The Brew Is Out There! RECIPE SHOW On this week's episode of the Brew Files, it's time to pour one out for the parents in the brew world. Drew sits down with Tiffany Ashrafi, a Los Angeles area homebrewer, beer fanatic and mom-to-be, about her unique spin on making a beer for mom. With Mom covered, Denny and Drew sit down to talk about a beer for dad to have when tots are all grown up Episode Timeline: 00:01:58 – Tiffany Ashrafi's Boobie Beer 00:17:58 – Drew's Mortgage Killer Episode Links: Boob...
May 03, 2017
In the pub we congratulate our new members of the Governing Committee; explore what we think of the Brewer's Association recent announcement regarding sexist beer names and celebrate the sort of beery fool hardiness that lead one “intrepid” soul to attempt a beer half-marathon. In the lab, we take a piece of feedback from a listener about what we did wrong with our BrewTan announcement and then, like a dog with a bone to worry, we decide to revist the results thanks to some new IGOR reports and ...
Apr 26, 2017
The Brew Is Out There! STYLE SHOW On this week's episode of the Brew Files, Drew sits down with Peter Symons, the author of Bronzed Brews – a collection of recipes and research of Australia's fascinating history of brewing. We talk about the experience of delving into brewery archives. Why Foster's isn't Australian for beer. How historical Australian beers were brewed (what their goals were, etc) Lastly, we'll even grab some tips and tricks for making your recreations spot on! Episode Links: Bro...
Apr 19, 2017
Stand back everyone and hold our beer – we're going for a shorter show today! (Suspect Denny might need a temporary break from editing or something) We do the feedback circuit, including a visit to the Correctional Department of Corrections, and then hit the pub for our recollections of Session Beer Day, some of our favorite April Fool's pranks from brewers (including one that wasn't actually a prank) and the upcoming Big Brew In the lab, we finally have our results in from our BrewTan B experim...
Apr 12, 2017
The Brew Is Out There! INGREDIENT SHOW On this week's episode of the Brew Files, Drew and Denny hit the phones with Jay Ankeney, a long time homebrewer in Los Angeles who's been brewing longer than most of us. And interestingly – Jay still brews with extract and grains. Why does he still brew with extract? What are some of his tips and tricks and what does he do that either agrees or disagrees with prevailing wisdom. Well, you're going to have to listen! Episode Links: Jay's New Easy Beer – http...
Apr 05, 2017
A little different show this week and we warn you – it's a long one! We hit three main topics today, but first feedback. With April Fool's Day right around the corner, it's time to explore how foolish we brewers are with a bunch of disasters stories! Stay safe people! Then it's back to the Jeopardy stage where we questions answers about Recipes, Water and Troubleshooting – wait, strke that, reserve it. And then – we talk with Gary Glass of the AHA about the Governing Committee and the election. ...
Mar 29, 2017
The Brew Is Out There! PROCESS SHOW On this week's episode of the Brew Files, Drew and Denny tackle a question dropped on Facebook by listener Dan Tomkins. Dan asked just how do we tackle a new recipe – something we've never brewed before? Well, sit back and we'll walk you through just how we do the voodoo that is recipe creation. Episode Links: Greg Noonan's Seven Barrel Brewers Handbook (Drew lied – it's on Amazon!) – http://amzn.to/2mGJ1lO Greg Noonan's New Lager – http://amzn.to/2mLbho5 Oxfo...
Mar 22, 2017
To start the show, we hit the feedback slush pile, including a voicemail feedback about the Walmart lawsuit. In the pub, it's a little different today as we sit down with Nick Arzner of Block 15 to drink one of Denny's favorite beers – Sticky Hands IPA. We discuss the origins of the beer and the secrets behind the powerful hop character the beer carries (pro tip – new fancy hop powders) From there – it's Question time and once again y'all provided so many questions- we're splitting it up! Today ...
Mar 15, 2017
The Brew Is Out There! Brew Files – Episode 5 – A Batch Job Technique Show On this week's episode of the Brew Files, we look at one of the most popular ways to brew as presented by one of the guys responsible for popularizing it – that's right it's Batch Sparging ala Denny. Come sit down and listen as Denny describes where he learned about batch sparging (no he didn't invent it) and how he got started and how you can brew like the old man too! Episode Links: Denny's Batch Sparge Page http://www....
Mar 08, 2017
We start with a round of feedback including a question about a potentially new style guideline and a reflection on one listener's experiment in making Cool Ranch Beer! In the pub, rumblings are a foot about the Return of the Wrath of Conn at this year's HomeBrewCon in Minneapolis. We tackle the problematic notion of “fake craft” beer and All About Beer's newly announced policy on sexist beer names. Over in the library, a brief look at one of Drew's favorite malts – Maris Otter And in the lounge ...
Mar 01, 2017
The Brew Is Out There! INGREDIENT SHOW On this week's episode of the Brew Files, Drew and Denny talk one of Drew's favorite ingredients – oats, their origin, their use, their forms, pitfalls, styles and one of Drew's beloved recipes for Drew's beloved pup – Cookie. Episode Links: Thomas Fawcett Oat Malt: http://www.fawcett-maltsters.co.uk/uploads/2/0/2/6/20260333/spec_table_a… Simpson's Golden Naked Oats: http://www.simpsonsmalt.co.uk/our-malts/golden-naked-oats-gno/ The Original Cookie Celebrat...
Feb 22, 2017
In the feedback we gather reactions from listeners about the love we gave to Cream Ale and the city of Rochester and doing to triangle tests. Episode 36 is an all Q&A episode – so get your questions in at questions@experimentalbrew.com (or call us at 626-765-1ALE) In the pub, we talk Nebraska's efforts to legalize what we think of as normal homebrew use and what's the government's role in alcohol control and also how it's not just a US problem. In the lab, we announce our next experiment tha...
Feb 15, 2017
The Brew Is Out There! RECIPE BREAKDOWN SHOW On this week's episode of the Brew Files, Drew sits down with Mike Tonsmeire, aka Old Sock, aka The Mad Fermentationist and author of American Sour Beers. The focus of their talk – Mike's love of and attempt to brew in the vein of De Dolle's Oerbier Reserva. He talks about what went right and what went wrong and how to respond when things don't quite go to plan. Episode Links: Mike's Recipe Design “Rules”: http://www.themadfermentationist.com/2015/11/...
Feb 08, 2017
In the feedback we take a moment to not only reflect on the launch of the Brew Files, but to also remind folks about the difference between companies and people particularly when the snark is flying in podcast land. We donated $688 to the Children's Tumor Foundation in the name of the listeners. Thanks to Robert Allaway for the suggestion. Reminder our charity is now the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society. Let's try and raise enough funds via Patreon to hit a cool thousand by July! Episode 36 is ...
Feb 01, 2017
The Brew Is Out There! STYLE SHOW This episode we give Denny's voice a rest as Drew explores one of his favorite beers to absolutely crush. (Yes, we know the irony of just talking about crushable on the other show, but if any beer style is crushable in a way that leaves you feeling respectable – it's cream ale). So sit back and let Drew tell you the story of Cream Ale – an American Original! Episode Links: I Dream of Jenny Cream Ale: https://www.experimentalbrew.com/recipes/i-dream-jenny-cream-a...
Jan 25, 2017
In the feedback we tackle Denny's favorite Myths according to our friends and some early feedback about our new show – The Brew Files! Reminder our charity of is choice is the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society. Let's try and raise enough funds via Patreon to hit a cool thousand by July! Episode 36 is an all Q&A episode – so get your questions in at questions@experimentalbrew.com In the pub, we talk ABI's latest beer “innovations”, what Asahi taking over Pilsner Urquell from SAB Miller will m...
Jan 18, 2017
The Brew Is Out There! What's this? What's this? It's a new show from us! The Brew Files is our quick hit (~30 minutes) show dedicated to a specific brewing topic. No news, new extraneous guffawing and jawing – one topic, all beer, let's do this. Every week will tackle particular recipes, styles, techniques or ingredients. RECIPE DESIGN SHOW For our inaugural episode, we each break down one of our favorite recipes and explore the why's, wherefores and how's of each. Where did they come from? Wha...
Jan 11, 2017
Happy New Beer! In the feedback we talk over a few things, like our missed quick tip last week and what does it mean when a beer is truly awesome. On a quick personal note from Drew – thanks for your kind words about Cookie. Thanks to your feedback, we're announcing that our charity for the first half of 2017 will be the shelter where I rescued Cookie 6 years ago – the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society. Let's try and raise enough funds via Patreon to hit a cool thousand by July! Then we hear fro...
Jan 04, 2017
Quick Start – Call us at 626-765-1ALE to leave us a quick message about your Brew Year's Resolution or record it on your phone/computer and email us at podcast@experimentalbrew.com! It's listener feedback time and everyone has their favorite glasses. Until the end of 2016 you can use the codes ZYMDENNY and PICODENNY for some serious discounts on PicoBrew's fancy systems. In the pub we talk through loss, Mobcraft's adroit handling of a bad beer name, beer and politics and Denny's time in St. Loui...
Dec 21, 2016
It's listener feedback time (and thanks everyone for your survey responses)! In the pub we talk through the importance of glassware, catching Denny in St. Louis, and hey what are your brew year's resolutions? In the library, we talk about a new Brewer's Alamanc focused on plants and just where do we get beer styles from? In the lab, we announce our next experiment – the great keg purge! Does the way you purge your kegs impact the way your beers age? In the lounge, we visit with Van Havig, brew m...
Dec 07, 2016
On this pre-Turkey Day here in the US, we found ourselves back in Portland in this episode and we're at a brewery right up Drew's alley! We start in the pub with a brief discussion of what fine beers we'll be supping on while we're stuffing ourselves silly. We also look at some charity from No-Li Brewing, a rather “innovative” beer addition to the Not Your Father's lineup and Mike Tonsmeire's Kveik experiments. In the brewery, we examine the speciality malt market and what it means for the tide ...
Nov 23, 2016
Has it really been one year? Yup – The first episode of Experimental Brewing appeared on November 11th of 2015. The tricky part is we taped that first show at least three times. We wanted to get it right as possible coming out of the gate. We're still not there yet, but with your help, we can do it! Take our survey, leave us a review on iTunes,etc. But first, in this episode we revist some of our favorite pieces of the first year of Experimental Brewing. We talk briefly at the pub about some rec...
Nov 09, 2016
One full year of Experimental Brewing is in the books! (So much editing, so much umm and ahhs) But that’s beside the point – on with the show! We tackle some user feedback around Drew’s keg purging methods and Denny’s feelings on Nugget hops. And then it’s into the pub where we tackle the big news about ABI’s acquisition of Northern Brewer/Midwest. We’re puzzled – are you puzzled? Join us in being puzzled! Drew talks about his experience with Cask Marque and finding righteous beer bargains. In t...
Oct 26, 2016
Second half of the Q&A episode is now ready for your listening and “learning” pleasure! But first, before we dive into your questions, we're back with your feedback from the first Q&A episode and some Barley Crop Reports that we've cribbed from our friend Teri Fahrendorf and Denny reports on his eggs, because they're expensive! Then we grabbed a chance to talk with multiple (no, really, multiple) award-winning homebrewer Joe Formanek. Normally we'd subject Joe to the whole twenty questio...
Oct 12, 2016
You know how we said we were getting back to our “usual” format? Ha! Today we blow it up again because y'all sent in so many great questions. So many in fact, that we've split the Q&A into two episodes. But first, before we dive into your questions, Denny grabbed a seat on a bus next to Gary Glass, Director of the American Homebrewer's Association to talk about the AHA's new phone app – Brew Guru – and why you want to put it on your magical sci-fi pocket computer. Then we get into your quest...
Sep 28, 2016
Busy Episode this time! Crammed with like – additional feedback to last episode's Staling results. Seems like some of you have been using scary old grain! In the pub we stop and talk a while about Denny's Hop School experiences (more on those later), the law in California and the crushing “loss” of Bosteels Brewery to ABI. (Maybe they should be Boo-steels now?) and one brewery's response to the recent PR campaign to try and make everyone feel better about the buyouts. We swing by the brewery to ...
Sep 14, 2016
This episode we talk about two of our favorite online communities and their upcoming distributed competitions. We stop in the pub to talk updates to the North Carolina Legal Situation and a new homebrew rights situation in Nebraska. (See why it's important we keep fighting the legal fight?) Denny previews the upcoming Hop School and Drew talks about visiting Boulder CO and the AHA/BA offices. In the Brewery, we talk about the impending pumpkin crisis – ok, crisis to some and Drew's visit to Hop ...
Aug 31, 2016
This episode we talk about two of our favorite online communities and their upcoming distributed competitions. We stop in the pub to do a little talk about mashing obsessions and the law and homebrewing. We head to the library to talk about Scott Janish's article on DMS, causes and cures and his test. Denny and I talk about his favorite homebrew myths before he heads to the land by the waters – Milwaukee – where he talks to Mino Choi, a homebrewer with a culinary obsession and a couple of 50 poi...
Aug 17, 2016
