Steal This Beer

Episode 288 - Anthony Totten & Basil Lee, Finback Brewery

Happy Monday, Thieves! We've talked to a few breweries over the course of covid who are doing open-source, collaborative projects for the greater good. One of the latest is in our very own backyard. Finback Brewery, based in Queens and, as of late, Brooklyn, have a new initiative called BREATHING : CONVERSATIONS. We sit down with Anthony Totten, the impetus behind the series, and Basil Lee, one of the founders of Finback, to discuss the project. We also talk about their recent expansion into Brooklyn and their decision to buy a farm in the middle of a pandemic. Crazy, right?! Listen in and let us know what you think.

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!! Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 287 - Amit Ram, Zeus Brewing

Happy Monday, Thieves! We’ve got our old friend Amit Ram back in the B-Rizzle Mobile Zoom Studios this week talking about his newest venture in the Hudson Valley, Zeus Brewing in the town of Poughkeepsie. Zeus opened just before the pandemic hit and has stayed afloat on Amit’s legit lagers and ales. It’s a gorgeous space that doesn’t look like something you might typically find in Poughkeepsie (especially the rooftop biergarten overlooking the Hudson). It’s always fun catching up with Amit.

We also pay tribute to our good friend Os Cruz, who passed away last week. RIP Os. Your warmth and generosity were one of a kind.

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!! Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 286 - Niko Tonks, Fair State Brewing Coop

Happy Monday, Thieves! There's a lot of beery ground covered in this week's show. We're joined via phone by Niko Tonks, head brewer and co-founder at Fair State Brewing Coop in Minneapolis. He previously brewed at Live Oak Brewing in Austin under Chip McElroy.  He talks about rauchbiers that he has known and loved, we go deep on lobster vending machines and then get into recipe development.  Most importantly, however, is the recent change to the company where Tonks and the other co-owners have helped employees unionize. It is just another step in the evolution of the company, he tells us, and he makes the case for how workers can be treated better in the brewing industry and why that's also a good thing for consumers.  Listen in and let us know what you think. 

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!! Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 285 - Matt Brynildson, Firestone Walker Brewing

Happy Monday, Thieves! It's a special episode today as we get deep into hops with Matt Brynildson, the brewmaster of Firestone Walker Brewing Co. He's just back from a year in Belgium where he studied, experimented, and brewed throughout the Duvel Moortgat breweries.  In this conversation he talked about how the brewery has grown and changed, what is in store for fan favorites like Luponic Distortion and Mind Haze, and some of the hops he's jazzed about brewing with this fall.  Plus, he received beers from Justin's super fancy bodega and tasted along blind with Augie and John.  Tune in and let us know what you think!

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.

Episode 284 - Brandon Hernández, San Diego Beer News

Happy Monday, Thieves! San Diego is one of the country's most vibrant, diverse, and exciting beer scenes. It's a beery ecosystem that deserves careful attention and thoughtful news coverage. This week we're talking with Brandon Hernández, the founder and editor of San Diego Beer News, a site he launched earlier this year. He's not new to the beer journalism scene, however. He's been chronicling the city's beer doings for more than a decade. His insight and work ethic are unmatched in the area and we were glad for a chance to find out about brewers he is watching, get updates on old favorites, and to bust out lines from Anchorman.  From charitable efforts to his time spent working at breweries, Brandon gives us a great education on southern California. Tune in and let us know what you think!

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As always, you can email your questions, complaints, whimpers, or whines to us at [email protected]. We read everything we get and we'll try to respond as quickly as we can. If not online, then on air. And THANKS! You can subscribe to STB on iTunes and PLEASE LEAVE US A REVIEW!!!

Co-hosts: Augie Carton & John Holl Producer: Justin Kennedy Engineer: Brian Casse Music: "Abstract Concepts - What Up in the Streets" by Black Ant.