Beer Sessions Radio (TM)

Like a phoenix from the ashes, the legendary Beer Bar, Deep Ellum in Waltham, MA, has been reborn! Just outside of Boston, Jimmy is at Deep Ellum beer bar to chat about the new location and the myth behind the legendary neighborhood establishment.

Here to chat with Jimmy are Max Toste, one of the owners of Deep Ellum, and Matt Steinberg, co-founder and head brewer at Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing. 

The best lagers from Germany, the best cask from England, the best local craft beers. Name it, and they serve it at Deep Ellum. All of this, yet they remain down to Earth as a reliable neighborhood bar. 

Dive deep into this legendary Boston Beer Bar with Jimmy and Co.

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We are live from the mothership for episode 700 of BSR! It’s fitting to be in the place where it all started, Roberta’s Pizza, to bring you this jam packed episode of great food and beer pairings for our 700th Beer Session. Experience tantalizing tastings live with Jimmy and friends as they chow down and pour up, straight from the HRN studio in Bushwick.

Here to join the celebration are two Master Cicerones and a familiar Beer Acolyte who have carved out their own spaces in the beer world aristocracy: BSR veteran James Tai, of Beeracolyte; Shane McNamara, Master Cicerone, global beer traveler, writer, and judge; and BSR newcomer Max Finnance, an esteemed mentor and educator in the beer space and Master Cicerone.

Please raise a glass as we toast to the next 700 episodes of BSR! Cheers!

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We hope you’re hungry! Jimmy is wrapping up his Copenhagen series by chatting with a pastry chef turned innovative hot dog vendor. John Michael Jensen, or Sausage John, makes a hell of a lot of dogs at Johns Hotdog Deli, and hot sauce too!

This is a mouth watering episode jam packed with magical street dogs (including Christmas duck confit sausages), beer collaborations, and Copenhagen’s own hot sauce! Get ready for some spice.

Also joining John and Jimmy is Lasse Görlitz, or The Hotdogjudge, who will make sure that all of this sausage isn’t just a bunch of bologna.

Prepare to chow down and finish off Jimmy’s Copenhagen series strong, with a belly full of street dogs and Danish brews!

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We’re taking a trip back to Jimmy’s romp through København with our second special ‘on the road’ episode of the year! This week, we’re talking “bean to bar”, as Jimmy visits Friis Holm Chokolade, located on the farm and brewery property of Herslev Bryghus just outside of Copenhagen.

There, Jimmy spoke with Mikkel Friis Holm, founder and chocolate maker at Friis Holm, and Nethe Plenge, cookbook author, chocolate lover, and gracious host who introduced Jimmy (chocolate eater!) to many Danish food and drink folks on his recent journey.

Learn about Mikkel’s holistic approach to the process of chocolate making, with beans grown in Nicaragua making their way to being roasted and made into chocolate in Copenhagen. 

Plus, chocolate beer? Tune in to this chocolatey journey now!

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In this episode, brewer meets hop farmer to find what they have in common… and it’s a bunch of goats! Jimmy welcomes Averee Dilday and Darren Baze of Goat Patch Brewing Company, along with Audrey Gehlhausen of Billy Goat Hop Farm.

Em Hutto has brought along some great new friends from Colorado for Jimmy to session with. Topics of discussion include beer, farming hops, goat yoga, drinking, and more goats! Learn about what it takes to start up a hop farm from scratch and what it’s like for a brewer to work with local hop farmers.

You GOAT to be crazy not to tune in to this hoppy episode of BSR!

Photo Courtesy of Goat Patch Brewing Company.

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Come along with Jimmy on his trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, as he meets with some interesting folks doing some very Danish things with beer and more! On this stop of the journey, Jimmy sits down with Saimon Skurichin, proprietor of BRØL (Broel) Brewing, where surplus bread from bakeries is converted into amazing craft beers

“BRØL” means beer + bread, and since 2007 Saimon and his crew have been merging sustainability and innovation to make quality beverages. Every beer they make incorporates surplus bread, and BRØL is proud to be the world's sole organic circular brewery.

Travel abroad with Jimmy on this first episode in a special BSR series live from København!

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Jimmy is kicking off 2024, the 15th year of BSR, from Roberta’s with a heavy hitting crew! In the hot seats tonight are Brandon Hoy, co-founder and owner of Roberta’s; James Tai, principal of Beer Acolyte Consulting and Gun Hill Publick House; Mike Amidei director of operations at Roberta’s; and Jaime Ojeda, Restaurateur and Brew Pub operator from Chile.

What’s hot in New York this year? Roberta’s has been a melting pot and genesis point for food and drink culture since the restaurant opened in 2008, and that is still the case in 2024. Get the lowdown on what’s going to be buzzing in your cup or on your plate this year by taking a look at the history and trajectory of this special eatery.

Grab a glass of “Temperance” Dark Mild Ale from New York’s own Wild East Brewing Co. and tune into this preview of what’s good in 2024!

Photo Courtesy of Armen Spendjian.

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We’ve made it to our last episode of 2023, and what a year it’s been for beer! Jimmy has assembled another crew of experts on the ground who helped bring him the favorite beers of 2023, and helped prove once and for all that craft malt is sexy!

Find out why from this esteemed group including Tod Mott of Tributary Brewing Co Kittery, Maine; Joel Alex of Blue Ox Malthouse of Lisbon Falls, Maine; Tyler Fitzpatrick of Lamplighter Brewing Co. in Cambridge, Mass; and Ian Goering, Account Manager at Blue Ox.

Listen in to hear about the best beers representing science, agriculture, and the key role of craft malt in brewing!

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It doesn’t get much better than a Colorado-meets-New York show. For this week’s episode, Jimmy is diving into IPAs from two spectacular beer states with a couple special guests. Joining Jimmy are Geoff Wenzel, R&D brewer at Industrial Arts Brewing Co in Beacon, NY, and Dave Thibodeau, president and co-founder of Ska Brewing in Durango, Colorado.

Great brewers and great guests, Geoff and Dave have sent Jimmy some awesome beers for a remote, coast-to-coast tasting. Each brewer will introduce their beers, starting with IPAs, and then get down to brass tacks regarding hops, brewing methods, and the stories behind the brews.

Sip along with this episode of BSR!

Photo courtesy of @skabrewing

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Back to Beers! Jimmy has commissioned a convocation of NYC beer bars experts for this very special episode! The point of discussion is Courtney Iseman’s Good Beer Hunting article regarding the scene, and this group of key players from this very special time are here to dive into this retrospective on NYC beer bar history.

In the studio tonight are Courtney Iseman, freelance beer writer with Good Beer Hunting; Chris O'leary, editor of Brew York beer blog and newsletter; Jen Maslanka, GM and partner at Spring Lounge in Downtown NYC; and BR Rolya, BSR MVP, beer consultant, formerly of Shelton Brothers Importers, and member of the selection committee for the Good Beer Seal bars.

Take a trip down memory lane with the gang and listen in!

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It’s a very special night at the Roberta’s studio! Jimmy is joined by HRN’s The Speakeasy host Greg Benson to co-pilot this ruckus, rockin’ episode! Also joining them are Danny Mena and Arik Torren, co-founders with Jimmy of Bowl of ‘Zole. The group has assembled in honor of October's Bowl of ‘Zole event, along with the recent announcement of HRN’s new executive director, RJ Bee.

But that’s not all! It’s truly a party tonight, including Cameron Holck, Arik’s partner at Lot 001 Brands Imports; Courtney Greenleaf Torren, agave spirits and general hospitality lover; Tiffany Collings, one half of Las Chingonas Imports; Julia Cuthbertson, other half of Las Chingonas Imports; and Lou Bank (OH MY GOD!) of S.A.C.R.E.D. Agave. 

It’s a jam packed episode with tons of tastings and tales. Be sure to listen in, cheers!

Image Courtesy of Armen Spendjian.

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One of Jimmy’s favorite guests, Julia Herz, is back to talk about the recent Learn to Homebrew Day Celebration! Julia Herz is the Executive Director of the American Homebrewers Association, and has been busy since she last spoke with Jimmy. Having started as a hobbyist before her lauded career in beer, she is still homebrewing today.

Held on November 4th, Julia has the lowdown on the Learn to Homebrew Day Celebration. The day is all about fostering community and helping curious homebrewers-to-be get their start. From experimenting with different types of yeasts or fermentables to putting a twist on a classic style, the fun and joy of homebrewing truly never ends. Check out homebrewersassociation.org today to get involved! 

Listen in and good beers to you!

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Joel Shelton is back to take Jimmy and his merry gang on another ICB Tour! Joining the party this week is BR Rolya, BSR MVP and Joel’s partner in crime on Inner Circle Beer Tours; Bob Weyersberg of Transmitter Brewing and ICB co-conspirator; James Tai, advanced cicerone of Beer Acolyte and Gun Hill Publick House, and aspiring attendee of ICB; Pete Lengyel-Fushimi, brewer at Rockaway Brewing Company and ICB special guest; Robin Fowler of Wild East Brewing, Certified LUKR Tapster, and recent Franconia tour participant; and the tour guide himself, Joel Shelton. 

Some of Jimmy’s favorite beer experts, personalities, importers, brewers, and pourers are here today to talk about, in no particular order: Traditional beer styles, inspirational and historical locations in beer, motorcycle rendezvous, European shenanigans, and more. Who takes the beer crown? Franconia or Czechia? 

Hop on Pete’s motorcycle, press play, and find out where the tour will take YOU!

Photos Courtesy of Peter Lengyel-Fushimi.

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What in the world is scrumpy cider? Close out Cider Week New York 2023 with a history lesson from Elizabeth Ryan, fermenter, pomologist, cider maker, and NY State Cider Pioneer at Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider’s Breezy Hill Orchard; and also Fee Doyle, bartender, beertender, cider drinker, beer writer, folk musician, and Beer Witch ambassador.

With Cider Week coming to a close, this episode is a great accounting of all things cider: Growing apples, making, selecting, and selling cider, and general scrumpy education! Learn about Elizabeth’s farms, and get the lowdown on cider’s evolution from Fee, who’s been dishing the stuff out to fermented-apple-beverage lovers for years. Plus, get down with some folk music chit chat!

Tune in and get scrumpy!

Photos Courtesy of Monika Davis IG: @hopslingingslasher.

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Always so good to be back at Roberta’s! Joining Jimmy in the studio today are returning guests Shinobu Kato, sake brewer and founder of Kato Sake Works, and Peter Lengyel-Fushimi, beer brewer at Rockaway Brewing. The crew will dive into all things rice, sake, koji, burgers, fermentation, ABV, pairings, and more!

What makes what’s in your glass so good? These craftsmen have some unique insight. From Shinobu’s expansion of the sake brewing scene in NYC, to Pete’s advice to producers on what your business needs to keep revenue growing, it will all be discussed here. Plus, who’s a bigger burger fan, Shinobu or Pete?!

Tune in to find out!

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Back to Roberta’s! Being in the studio always gives Jimmy a chance to bring in his favorite folks from the NYC beer community. This week he does just that with Brett Taylor, Co Founder and Head Brewer at Wild East Brewing Company, and Ted Kenny, owner of Top Hops Beer Shops. Every brewery is different, and NYC is home to some very special beers. 

In this episode, learn about the myth behind Wild East, while tasting some great styles beyond the world of hazy IPAs. Easy drinking, very approachable, great beers! Discover new styles and rediscover the great classics like Czech Pilsners. Plus, track Brett’s journey from homebrewer to award winner as Jimmy finally gets to try his beers. 

Tune in and let the session begin!

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Cider Week New York is closer than ever! Want to be ready for the event before ​​October 6? Check out this special episode featuring Paige Flori of Boutique Wine, Spirits and Cider from Fishkill, NY, and returning guest Scott Ramsey, Executive Director of the New York Cider Association.

Get the scoop from these Cider Week veterans on how the changes to the program over the past 12 years have changed the event for the better. Learn about who is at the cutting edge of New York cider. Hear how Scott and Paige pushed each other to make this year’s Cider Week greater than ever.

Raise a glass of cider for Cider Week New York 2023!

Photo Courtesy of Jacqueline Kraisky.

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Tune in for another fun on-site recording with Jimmy at New England Dairy in Boston! Joining him are Allo Gilinsky of Craft Beer Cellar and Trinktisch in Belmont, Mass, and Hilary Walentuk, registered dietitian and senior nutrition specialist, of New England Dairy. On the menu are some familiar themes that BSR has been diving into recently, including cider, dairy, farms, pairings, and more. 

Learn about the importance of farms and experience some great cheese and cider pairings in this deep dive into New England Dairy! They are a non-profit education organization staffed by registered dietitians and marketing and PR professionals who serve as the voice of dairy farms in New England and Eastern New York.

It’s sure to be a delicious and nutritious episode!

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Cider Week New York is coming up! Want the scoop on quality hard cider and great pairings? Listen in to this special episode featuring Rachel Freier, Cider Week event producer and cheesemonger at large, and a special appearance from Scott Ramsey, Executive Director of the New York Cider Association.

Track the journey of Cider Week here, as the event is set to feature more producers and events than ever before. While the Covid-19 pandemic turned Cider Week on its head, Rachel and Scott used the opportunity to build out the programming over the subsequent years.

Stay tuned for a follow up episode featuring more from Scott!

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Jimmy’s back at Roberta's in Bushwick for an enthralling episode of BSR that intertwines New York's rich history and beer culture. Carlo DeVito, a renowned wine, beers, and spirits writer and editor, joins us to spill on his exciting new book on these very subjects. Get ready to be amazed as Carlo treats us to jaw-dropping New York beer trivia!

As the conversation unfolds, Carlo's passion for the craft shines through, and his expertise in the world of libations is evident. From the city's historical roots to the thriving beer scene, this episode is a fascinating journey that connects the past and present. And that's not all! Our talented engineer, Matt, dons his beer brewing hat once again to add some curious questions to the mix.

Listen in and then check out Carlo’s previous books Big Whiskey, Drink the Northeast, The New Single Malt Whiskey, and more!

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