Monthly Archives: October 2017

Pubcast 247 – Wicked Weed Spot Check

Once upon a time begins all good fairy tales, but in the case of Asheville NC brewery, Wicked Weed, has the fairy tale come to an end? At the beginning of 2017, this was one of the new craft breweries who other independents were clamoring to collaborate with, and which was a destination brewery for many outside of North Carolina. Their brews were new, exciting, and highly-prized. But then at the beginning of May, A-B announced the purchase of Wicked Weed, who would join their High End business unit along with Illinois mainstay Goose Island and many others.

This began a vilification of Wicked Weed among independent breweries and craft drinkers alike. Taprooms stopped selling their beer, collaborations ended, and craft beer drinkers posted to their blogs that they would never drink another Weed again.

The Brit had already got Wicked Weed on his list of breweries to visit when he and the lovely Kimberlee, headed down to Asheville for vacation at the end of May. Was the fuss warranted? Would the brews be forever damaged? Should an embargo continue on this brewery? The Brit and Yankee Pubcast has assembled a panel of consumers and brewers in this edition to find out. Joining The Brit are Hopvine brewer Ken McMullen, Church Streets’ Chuck Fort, Midwest Brewer Fest President Kevin Herbst, and pal of the show, Tom Ryan.

We have 4 Wicked Weed brews to sample while we chat, and of course as this was recorded at the Brit and Yankee Pub studio, there’s plenty of other topics covered, and a bonus beer sampled at the end.

Wicked Weed brews sampled:
Garcon de Ferme, Brettanomyces Farmhouse Ale Fermented with Peaches, 6.2%
Medora, American Sour with Blackberries and Raspberries, 6.6%
Marina, American Sour Ale with Peaches and Apricots, 6.5%
Rubus Viola, Barrel-Aged American Sour Ale Fermented with Boysenberries and Violet, 7.6%

Bonus Beer:
Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, Cabernet Cask Imperial Stout, 13.2%

Play the show from our player below, or from SoundCloud…


Pubcast 246 – The Yankee’s Back In Town!

The original co-host of the podcast, The Yankee, has returned from the wilds of Ohio and has brought some brews with him, a couple of which are guaranteed to challenge the taste buds of the Brit. It’s that time of year when those darn spiced pumpkin beers sneak out the dark corners of breweries, and we have a couple to taste.
But first as our lead in brew, we’re drinking Surly’s Coffee Bender, just to get out senses tuned up.

Then we get into a beer style that might not be anyone’s first choice, a shandy from Hoppin’ Frog. Couple that with a brew that snuck in (cos the Yankee thought it came from Ohio) from Clown Shoes, and we have the makings of a bumper edition and an evening of tasting and good old pub chat which is what we love!

The Brit also pulled out a bonus beer that had to make up for, and clear the palette of those spiced ales, from the folks at Innis & Gunn, an Oak aged beer, hopped bourbon cask ale.

Beers imbibed:

Surly Brewing Co., Coffee Bender, Coffee-flavored American Oatmeal Brown Ale, 5.5% ABV
Hoppin’ Frog, Turbo Shandy Citrus Ale, ABV 7.0%
Platform Beer, Co., Yammy Yammy, Sweet Potato Ale, ABV 7.7%
Hoppin’ Frog, Frog’s Hollow Double Pumpkin Ale, aBV 7.3%
Innis & Gunn, Hopped Bourbon Casked Ale, ABV 7.4%

Play the show from our player below, or from SoundCloud…


Pubcast 245 – Travels with Mark and Bella

This episode is kinda like Part 2 of last weeks’ show, where Mark Naski has brought back more beers from Idaho, and we have 2 from his new favorite watering hole, Bella Brewing. Joining us for this tasting session is tavern owner John, and listener and friend of the show, Lisa. We also throw in an Instant Brew Review from one of our favorite breweries in Missouri, O’Fallon. In this session there is a Brit flavor to 2 of the beers, and The Brit learns a north country word he didn’t know.

Brews reviewed this week:
Bella Brewing Co., Garden City, ID, Wot’z It 2 Ya?! SMaSH IPA, 5.3% ABV, 47 IBU
Box Cars Oatmeal Stout, 7.8% ABV, 46 IBU
Uinta Brewing, Salt Lake City, UT, Croggy Brett Saison, 6.8%, 21 UBU
Payette Brewing Co., Boise ID, Imperial Pistolero Barrel-aged Porter, 8% ABV, 13 IBU

Instant Brew Review:
O’Fallon Brewery, St.Louis, MO, Big Walt Blonde Beer, 5% ABV, 12 IBUs\

Play the show from our player below, or from SoundCloud…


Pubcast 244 – Fruitie Tootie and Sour

Mark Naski has returned from the wilds of Idaho, via Utah, and has brought a plethora of brews from established and new breweries for us to taste and review. In this episode, we will focus on 4 beers that are fruit-based sours. We recorded this show last weekend and enjoyed delightful 80 degree weather, outside on a friend’s deck. Mark spent time doing what he likes best – cooking on the BBQ and tasting beers – and The Brit was happy to join in. Together with friends of the show Deb, our hostess, The Brit’s other half, the lovely Kimberlee, and tavern owner John Karwoski, we find that fruited sours are a delightful match for late Fall sunshine and good food.

We also play in some on-brewery reports from listener Lisa who met up with Mark recently at the Uinta brewery in Salt Lake City. They report on several of the beers available on tap from there, so thanks to them!
Beers reviewed are:
Laughing Dog Brewing, Ponderay ID, De Achste Hond, Belgian Style Sour Ale, 7%
Uinta Brewing, Salt Lake City UT,  Birthday Suit Sour Cherry Blonde Ale, 6.2%
Sockeye Brewing, Boise ID, Barrel Aged Peach Creek Tripel, 7.5%
We found that all of these were highly drinkable, and would be worth seeking out through trade or visiting the breweries.

Play the show from our player below, or from SoundCloud…