Hop Nation Usa - A Craft Beer Podcast

Fall doesn't officially start until September 22, so the 2021 Spicy Boi Summer Revenge Tour rolls on at Necromancer Brewing. Adam and Steve are joined by head brewer Lauren. They talk about the light speed opening of the Pittsburgh brewery, the ideas behind resurrecting old beer styles, Oktoberfest plans and more. Then they get into Lauren's history and her journey from homebrewer to Sun King to the Pittsburgh Symphony to Viceland and beyond. Finally, they play a game of Bring It Back From the Dead, where they choose what former beer trends they want to resurrect. It ends in needing a backhoe. BEERS: Necromancer Brewing Cans of Worms ESB Necromancer Brewing White Knuckle Belgian IPA Necromancer Brewing Sticke Together Sticke-Altbier

  It's wild episode this week with a full deck of hosts Steve, Adam, Kelsey and Katie live at the North Hills Homebrew Fest at the Syria Shriner's Pavilion. They sit down with the head brewer for Penn Brewery to talk about judging the competition, upscaling homebrews to commercial level beer, upcoming Oktoberfest, and more. Plus they talk to four homebrewers pouring at the event of varying experiences. Plus they drink beers from the homebrewers. Plus they had giant friggin' pierogis and brats, but you don't hear that on the episode. Homebrewers Featured: Wrenchworks Brewing Steelbridge Brewing Door Top Brewing Tapmoor Brewing Sixty South Brewing Posset Brewing

This week Adam Bashline of Bash Brew and the Decayin' With the Boys Podcast joins Adam and Steve in the Hop Nation USA Studios. This week they're drinking nothing but reinheitsgebot beers before they wade into the utter chaos of a homebrewing event. They give a preview of the North Hills Homebrew Fest on Sunday August 29th that they'll all be participating in. They also talk about new Pittsburgh breweries, and the Duke's Mayonnaise beer. Then in a fun chat about the scale of Bash Brew's system, how it's scaled since first being built, what's pro-level and what's still DIY, and what gadgets would and should you buy as a homebrewer. Finally it's the return of the long dead Dirty Anagrammer 9000 using the names of NHHBF'21 beers to slake its thirst for poop and pee jokes. BEERS: Weeping Radish Farm Brewery Yours Truli wheat ale Weeping Radish Farm Brewery Red Ale Weeping Radish Farm Brewery Black Radish Schwarzbier

This week Adam is on vacation. So instead it's Steve, Dennis, and Day Bracey spending time talking about Barrel & Flow Fest 2021, the largest Black beer fest coming from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You could call this a Hop Nation USA x Daily Sip x Drinking Partners collab, if you wanted because they spend a lot of time talking about the wonderful collaboration beers at B&FF. This includes Dennis' collab with Our Town, how Run the Jewels got hooked up with Brew Gentlemen, and the three beers they're drinking on this episode. Plus they get into what separates Barrel & Flow from other fests, its growth, partnership with Tavour, what it takes to put on such a massive event, the future, and more. BEERS: Crafted Culture x Burgh'ers Brewing Knock If Ya Bock Doppelbock 18th St Brew x Revolution Brewing Shop Talk West Coast IPA Byron Nash x Helltown Brewing BLQ METAL Hazy IPA

An episode Il Classico with Adam and Steve from the Hop Nation USA studio. Steve picked a bunch of mutants of beers styles Adam likes and then they drink. Goodnight everybody. ...oh plus, Pickle Beer is back, Texas loves trash beer, and Pittsburgh is getting a new brewery. Find out why all the cool kids are taking selfies with their vax cards. Plus they pay their (dis)respects to the 11 garbage brands Epsteined by Molson Coors. And they rip off PTI again despite Steve not watching ESPN or knowing how to pronounce a lot of words. BEERS: Surly Brewing Pentagram Dark Sour Threes Brewing Kicking and Screaming Foudre-Fermented Pilsner Rusty Rail Brewing Buckeye Gold Peanut Butter Chocolate Imperial Hefeweizen

Steve and Adam are traveling once again. This time it's to one of Pittsburgh's newest breweries in Two Frays in the heart of Garfield. They sit down with owners (+more) Mike and Jen Onofray. They talk about the origins of the brewery, what it's like planning during the pandemic but missing restrictions as they opened, and how they connected with the community. Then they get more into Mike's brewing history, the travel and experiences both Mike and Jen bring with them.  Finally, it's a quiz and it's knot what anyone expected. BEERS: Two Frays Brewery It's Always Sunny With A Beer Session IPA Two Frays Brewery Sor'Ace Saison Two Frays Salty Ginger Gose

Adam and Steve take a trip up the Allegheny River to Verona and Inner Groove Brewing. They're joined by Kevin and Jen Walzer, part owners, as well as brewer and marketer respectively. Also new assistant brewer Marcus Wyatt sits down as well. First they get into the history of the brewery, the link to vinyl and music references in the theme, a hint at some big news for the future and upcoming events. Next Marcus tells his story from homebrewer to working for Inner Groove and landing a scholarship for the new brewing program at Point Park University. He gets into everything he's learning at the program and what his future plans are. Finally it's a mad dash for the best record collection. Everyone's on a vinyl hunt in another devious game devised by Steve. BEERS: Inner Groove Brewing Bored Rotten Hazy IPA Inner Groove Brewing Satellite Heart Sour Ale Inner Groove Brewing Melt With You Waffle Cone Brown Ale

This week Steve and Adam make it to Trace Brewing in the trendy Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh. They're joined by third time returning Aadam Soorma who is in charge of their marketing, Zach Colton head brewer, and Joe Burns who runs the coffee side of Trace. They talk about all three's histories and how they arrived at Trace. They also talk about coolships, Redhawk coffee, drag brunches, and more about what makes Trace a unique space. Finally, it's a game of Team Beer vs Team Coffee to see who knows more about their respective beverage. BEERS: Trace Brewing Lazy Summer Home Pale Ale Trace Brewing Moving Castle 2 IPA Trace Brewing Kellerbier Pale Lager

Full house at Hop Nation Central with Kelsey, Katie, Adam and Steve. In case you didn't know, all weather is stout weather and every season is stout szn. In the news, someone stole beer from billionaires who didn't need or drink it, marketing firms ruin another collab beer with AC/DC, Coors kills seltzer, and the most confusing collab with Suntory Beam Boston Beer Truly Sauza (hit that SEO.) Then they talk about the process for making ice creamed beer the WDS Dessert way and come up with their own dream innovations for the next big non-beer beer. Finally it's a game of Invest, Visit and Burn to the Ground involving some of the gang's favorite breweries. BEERS: Logyard Brewing Kick Back 2XCoffee Stout Oskar Blues Death by Flapjacks Spoonwood Brewing Mochanut Goon BBL Stout

Steve and Adam are back on Zoom, but they're using this power for the good of talking to David Paul Seymour who is the artist for Burial Beer. They also bring in Greg from North Carolina. Greg is their Burial Beer dealer. Then they all have a good time. They learn about DPS's history before Burial, how he got the job, and some of his favorite beers and breweries. Then they talk about David's projects outside of Burial including his new novel Kumasan and the feature length animated film The Planet of Doom. Finally, it's a game of Is It a Beer, Is it a Metal Song, or Is It Both? BEER: Burial Beer Co. Have Everything and Have Nothing At All Dry Hopped Pilsner Burial Beer Co. While the Light is Lime Enjoy Your Time and Just Don't Die This Time Orange IPA Burial Beer Co. Skillet Donut Stout Burial Beer Co. Spectacle of Martyrdom Mild Ale Burial Beer Co. Metallic Vessels Black Lager with Coffee SELTZERS: Fulton Strawberry Rhubarb Hard Seltzer Fulton Hopped! Hard Seltzer

For the Fourth of July, enjoy this Mega Collabo Eppo with First Sip Brew Box's Dennis, Decayin' With the Boys' Adam and Matt, and of course Adam and Steve. This episode they talk about the growth of hops farming in American, beat the dead Scottish dog of Brew Dog bad, and learn about some old, undrinkable, explosive beer not a 450 someone tried to cellar. Then they all rank their top 3 drinks of the summer and ask for the listeners to help pick the ultimate winner. Finally it's Truth or Drink: the game of spicy takes and even spicier beers. #spicyboisummer BEERS: Eleventh Hour x Creekside Beer Creekside Crush Tattered Flag Where's the Haze Bro? WCIPA Old Thunder Brewing Sifting Through Vanilla Oatmeal Stout

Steve and Adam engage in some cross county travel to check out Monday's Brewing outside of Washington Pennsylvania. They sit down with owner/brewer Sam to discuss his unique brewing system, transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship, and building a community space. They also talk about the resurrection of older beer styles, homebrew follies, and more. In the final segment, it's a days of the week special quiz and they're joined by the Pgh Beer Douche. Beers: Mondays Brewing Tangled Aggression Hoppy Amber Mondays x White Horse Brewing Pre-Prohibition Kentucky Common Mondays Rebellious Rye IPA

Once again Brewdog has put their paw in their muzzle, so we sent co-host/correspondent Katie all the way to Scotland to grab some beers to share with Adam and Steve. Hopefully, they can find something worth replacing Brewdog with. In the news, Scottish brewer Cold Town Brewery collabs with LGBT advocacy group Stonewall for a beer, a snake on the loose at the Cubs game, Fins at AntBrew find a new sh*tty method of brewing, and Bell's celebrate their 36th old school. Then they learn more about brewing in Scotland and the three breweries featured, and talk about CAMRA. Finally, it's a game of Is It A Beer, Is It Whisky, or Is It Both? TW: bad accents. BEERS: Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted Golden Ale Isle of Skye Brewing Skye Black Orkney Brewing Dark Island

Steve and Adam travel to the North Side of Pittsburgh to visit 412 Brewery. They sit down with co-owner and professional wrestler Happy Hour Adam Zane and taproom manager Sydney. They talk about the ownership and brewership change over at the brewery, the outpouring of people since the pandy "ended," food trucks and pairings. Then we get into events and connecting with the community at large, the Pittsburgh Diversity Council, She Knows Beer initiative, and Brews and Bruises wrestling / beerfest. Finally, using a sophisticated beer rubric, the make betting picks for Sunday's NXT In Your House PPV event. BEERS: 412 Brewery Kangaroo Britches IPA 412 Brewery Blue Blazer Blueberry Tea Sour 412 Brewery El Chupanibre Mole Stout

Katie and Kelsey finally reunite in person with Adam and Steve at the Hop Nation USA Recording Studios of Excellence (Adam's Dining Room.) They celebrate by drinking kölschish. In the News, they talk about the return of beloved Pittsburgh brand Full Pint plus other openings, fun things to do with poop and beer, and less fun things to do with beer and New Balances. Then they start a serious conversation about the recent allegations, accusations, and stories of sexism in the craft beer industry. They explore the ramifications of it all, what can be done to improve, and what actions are already under way. Finally, they lighten the mood with a good ol' fashion game of Beer Fight. Beers: Reissdorf Kölsch Two Frays Brewing Together Better Kölsch-Style Modist Brewing Amongst the Madness Oak Aged Kölsch-Style

The first in-person brewery show in 69 (nice) episodes is at Lincoln Avenue Brewery in the heart of Bellevue, PA. Steve and Adam sit down brewery owners Grant and Lisa Saylor to usher in a new trend toward normalcy. We review what the pandemic meant for them and look forward to the events they have planned including their 2 Year Anniversary. We also talk about the community supporting them as a small business, and how they in turn support local and small businesses with their breweries. Lots of sandwich talk and we find out the reuse initiatives to reduce waste at the brewery. Finally, it's a game of Wörde which is totally not a ripoff of PTI in anyway. BEERS: Lincoln Avenue Meet Amber Amber Ale Quarantine Unmasked West Coast Style IPA Aye Matey Sea Salt & Lime Gose

This week Scott Smith of East End Brewing and The Pittsburgh Brewers Guild joins Adam, returning from vacation, and Steve, who goes nowhere, on the podcast. They talk about what the PBG is, the role in driving tourism to Pittsburgh, and the guide created to help people tackle the over 30 breweries in Pittsburgh. They also talk about the upcoming Traveling Beer Market in partnership with Beers of the Burgh and what the Three Rivers Beer Week has in store in October. Finally they force Scott to stop brewing for neighborhoods and start brewing for landmarks including the Roberto Clemente statue and the Dirty Dozen Hill Ride BEERS: East End Brewing Witte East End Brewing Wheat Hop East End Brewing Pedal Pale Ale East End Brewing Duquense Heights Stout The Church Brew Work Pious Monk Dunkel Dancing Gnome Altbier New Glarus Belgian Red Grist House Disco Devil Hellerbock Abjuration CDS v1.2 Candied Sour

Adam's on vacation so Steve assembles the Avengers of Beer Podcast Guest Hosts with First Sip's Dennis, and duo Kasey (Katie/Kelsey.) This week they talk about the effectiveness of the Shot & Beer vaccination incentive program and what states could get it next, Yuengling pulls a publicity stunt in Texas, and what's new at First Sip Brew Box and the Pittsburgh Brewing Diversity Council. Then they start brainstorming the resurrection of Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week. How much trivia is too much? What's a great pint and sando combo? And more. Finally, it's the return of Beerify It and Kasey and Dennis are tasked with redoing a homebrew recipe from an older episode. It's Tailgate Beer 2.0. Beers: Hitchhiker Lost Thought DIPA Ever Grain Brewing Sorbetto No. 29 Sour Grist House Maximum Power IPA Brew Gentlemen Foshomo DIPA Troegs Lollihop DIPA Mondays Brewing Rt 19 ESB Empire Brewing Company Black Magic Irish Coffee Stout Beverages: Two Roots Enough Said Two Roots Straight Drank Hoptea Really Hoppy On

Yes you read the title correctly, Pittsburgh legend, sandwich aficionado, documentary filmmaker Rick Sebak joins Steve and Adam for a sit down interview over a bunch of steel city beers, one Maryland beer, and an eponymous cocktail. They talk about documentaries as a form of storytelling, pre podcast AM radio, pizza, hot dogs, the history of the city and Rick's own history as a filmmaker for WQED and PBS. They get Rick to answer the infamous question, "Is a hot dog a sandwich?" and learn about his hobby spinning records on Twitch at the Independent Brewing Company. They also play a round of Would You Rather? with Rick and learn more history in one show than a week of History Channel. Cocktail: The Rick Sebak aka The Gentleman's Breakfast Old Fashioned Beers: Old Thunder Brewing Company Tow Motorin' Pale Ale Hop Farm The Dark Side of Larry Dark-Czech Lager Inner Groove Brewing Five Foot Bunch Hefeweizen 7 Locks Brewing Bitch Monkey Strawberry Sour Union Brothers Brewing Sauced Blueberry-Mango Brew Gent

New guest to the show Chrissy Smyth joins Adam and Steve to talk about one of the first beerfest events in the post-pandamania. She's organizer for the Colonel Drake Crawl held in north western Pennsylvania. First though, they talk about Buffalo, NY offering free beers with vaccinations, Full Pint returning, and Slipknot's Knotfest offering a new heavy metal themed beer subscription box. Then they get into all the details about the Colonel Drake event held at an active Boy Scout camp. It will feature breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cideries from all over the area be I-80 and Erie across 15 socially distant acres. Finally, Adam and Chrissy use the buddy system to earn some badges and not the Untappd kind.   BEERS: North Country Brewing Harmony Hefeweizen Kasteel Bacchus Nitro Raspberry Frambozenbier Erie Brewing Railbender Scotch Ale Lindeman's Apple (Pomme) Lambic Voodoo Brewing Good Vibes West Coast IPA Hoof Hearted The World's Baldest Conga Line Imperial Stout