Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl

There's an awful lot of fun that can happen with brewing on a small batch system. And when you have the resources of one of the country’s biggest brewing companies behind you, the possibilities are limitless.

That’s the situation this week’s guest enjoys. Megan Parisi has been with the Boston Beer Company for several years now, specifically working at the company’s Samuel Adams Boston brewery in Jamaica Plain. While heading up the small brewery there, she was able to experiment and do research and development on all manners of styles including some that wound up getting a full commercial release, including the brewery’s New England IPA.

When it came time for Boston Beer to open its new brewery and taproom in Faneuil Hall, Parisi was the obvious brewer for the job. She has had experiencing opening up breweries from the ground up, including Bluejacket in Washington, D.C., Wormtown Brewing in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Sam Adams new, smaller, Cincinnati facility.

In this interview, Parisi and host John Holl talk about recipe development, brewing in front of the public, the value of beer education, and the relationship between beer and art.

The interview was recorded at the new brewery and taproom, just hours before it officially opened to the public. And since it’s not only a fully functional brewery but also a really wonderful showpiece, Holl started off by asking Parisi about the specific specs of the brewery.

Enjoy the Conversation.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.

• Hosted By: John Holl
• Guests: Megan Parisi of Samuel Adams
• Sponsor: Craft Beer Cellar
• Tags: beer, craft beer, Boston, Massachusetts, lager, IPA, wit, traditional brewing, art, hops, malt, Sam Adams.
• Advertising: Ryan Newhouse, [email protected]

Some thoughts on this episode from host John Holl:

"When I first started drinking beer, one of the breweries that opened my eyes and palate to flavor was Magic Hat. Thanks to its Number 9, the beer was a fruity pale ale with whimsical labels, clever facts and saying under the bottle cap, and at a price point that didn’t make my budget scream.

Of course a lot has changed in 20 years and that brewery doesn’t dominate the conversation or even register too much for folks anymore. So, last year, I wasn’t too surprised when the corporate parent company of Magic Hat announced that it would be winding down operations and moving production to upstate New York.

The brewery, in South Burlington, however, would remain online and Zero Gravity, a popular Vermont brewery, founded in 2004, would be taking over the space.

I had only passing memories of Zero Gravity, having visited once or twice, but not for at least five years. Taking over a well-known spot with a lot of capacity was intriguing and I meant to reach out earlier. But, you know, the pandemic got in the way.

So just after the start of this new year I was able to call and talk with Matt Wilson the CEO and co-founder of the brewery.

In a state that knows and celebrates its IPA, Zero Gravity – which of course makes hop forward ales – has put a lot of focus on lagers. It also takes sustainability and growth seriously and is looking to the non-alcoholic space as well.

We get into it quick and he shares insights on what the future holds for Zero Gravity."

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.

• Host: John Holl
• Guest: Matt Wilson of Zero Gravity
• Sponsor: The Beer Edge
• Tags: Beer, Lager, Vermont, IPA, Magic Hat, Non-alcoholic beer, sustainability, charity

Narragansett is a brewery that has been around since the late 1800s. It was a revered New England lager brand that, after prohibition went on the wain, and eventually closed down. It was revived about 15 years ago by a group of passionate investors, and has seen such tremendous growth since its rebirth that it is now in the top 30 of craft breweries in the United States.

The growth was largely built on the backs of contract production brewing for lager, a coffee stout, shandies, and a few other styles. Over the last few weeks the brewery has opened its first permanent location, that will serve as a Narragansett gathering place and a brewery to showcase innovation.

At the helm of the brewdeck is Lee Lord, she’s been in New England brewing for her entire career, working for storied and well-established brands like Cambridge Brewing Co. (where she brewed at Mystic Brewing Co.), Smuttynose, and the since shuttered Watch City.

There’s an allure to working for well established brands where a culture is already in place, she says, but a challenge that comes with working on a brand new system and being tasked with moving a brewery forward while new history is being written.

She spoke to the podcast via phone in Rhode Island about her career and the last few weeks of getting the system dialed in and beer ready for the people.

This Episode is sponsored by:

NZ Hops
Harvest has officially ended in New Zealand and there are exciting hops to choose from, including Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Riwaka, and the newest hop in the lineup, Nectaron®. The white wine, stone fruit, and tropical fruit notes layered with pine, citrus, and herbal notes offer a range of flavors unlike any growing region in the world. Learn more about what they can do for your beers by visiting nzhops.co.nz or finding NZ Hops on social media.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.

• Host: John Holl
• Guest: Lee Lord of Narragansett Brewing Company
• Sponsors: NZ Hops, The Beer Edge
• Tags: Beer, Rhode Island, Cream Ale, History, Lager, Gruit

The Craft Brewers Conference kicks off in Indianapolis next week. If you’re headed to the circle city, you’re likely looking for bar, restaurant, and entertainment options. You’re in luck This week it’s a roundtable episode with three Hoosiers that know all the best spots. Even if you’re not going to the conference, the city is still one you should visit for beer.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

Sponsors

Stomp Stickers
Stomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer
labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code THINKBEER for 15% off your first order.

The 5th Ingredient
If you're running a brewery owner or operator, Beer30 by The 5th Ingredient is the ultimate command center. The most powerful brewery management software on the market, Beer30 handles the entire brewing workflow, from recipe development to production. Once your beer is brewed and ready, it seamlessly manages your inventory and streamlines your brewery's sales and distribution--all in the same easy-to-use platform. Beer30 lets you get back to the beer and the people that made you fall in love with this industry in the first place. And no other brewery management software gives you the ability to truly master your business and get the insights that you need to thrive in an increasingly competitive industry. Visit the5thingredient.com/AllAboutBeer today to learn more and receive 3 free months of Beer30.

Visit Indy
You love craft beer. You’ll love Indy.

The Indy Craft Pass is your free passport to 40+ of the city’s best breweries — Sun King, Metazoa, Upland, and so many more. Check in, earn points, score swag — yes, beer can actually win you prizes! Sip local, explore new taprooms, and make your beer run count. Grab your free Indy Craft Pass now at VisitIndy.com — and let the good beers roll!

Host: John Holl

Guests: Julia Whitson, Eddie Chimi, John Allison

Sponsors: All About Beer, Stomp Stickers, The 5th Ingredient, Visit Indy

Tags: Brewing, Taproom, Restaurants, Hospitality, Indiana

Photo: John Holl

A special episode of the All About Beer Podcast with Em Sauter and Don Tse:

The New England IPA (NEIPA) or Hazy IPA has come to dominate the beer landscape with most breweries having at least one (or sometimes entire portfolios) devoted to the beer style. But how did this happen? In 2013, a small group of breweries in New England, all of which were quite tiny at the time, began to brew a beer that took what we knew of as IPA (bitter, clear) and turned it on its head, creating a thickish, orange colored beer with tons of hop flavor but not a lot of bitterness.

The world took notice and all of a sudden, the NEIPA was a worldwide phenomenon. Let’s go back to the beginning and talk to two brewers from New England who were in the room when it happened, their experiences with the beginning of the trend and how it has changed their approach to brewing today.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.

Sponsors

Stomp Stickers
Stomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer
labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code THINKBEER for 15% off your first order.