Sipisode 8: Celebrating Beer & Friendship
Body By Beer Sipisode 8: Spirit of Camaraderie & Celebration; Beer As A Symbol. Airing: 12/20/2023
*Sound of beer pouring
Introduction:
Chelsea: "Greetings, fellow beer enthusiasts! It’s a beautiful day on the 'Body By Beer podcast’.
I'm Chelsea Rhoads! And today this episode is brought to you by, Mustard Later. Mustard Later is the Craft Beer Community’s Marketing, Conuslitng and Influencing Hub. When you don’t have time to catch up, Mustard later! :)
Liz: "And I'm Liz Hess!
You can catch a new sipisode of the Body By Beer Podcast every Wednesday on your favorite podcast listening platform; Apple, YouTube, Spotify, etc. Please, if you haven’t already, rate and leave a review of the podcast. This really helps us grow and reach a wider audience.
Chelsea: Today we’re going to talk about Celebrations, symbolisms, cherished items, camaraderie, and enduring bonds are key elements of human culture, transcending boundaries to create a rich tapestry of connection. They mark significant moments in our lives, express complex ideas, and foster a sense of belonging and community. Traditions like drinking craft beer embody this, symbolizing skill, creativity, and shared experiences. These practices reflect our innate desire for meaning and celebrate the collective joy and humanity in our lives.
Liz: BUT, Before we get into our main segment today we’re going to start with our new beer 101 segment, Ale Academy. This is for the perspective that there are no dumb questions, and if you’re new to the craft beer scene we hope these questions and answers will help you approach your new love for craft beer in a fun and non intimidating way.
Ale Acadamy; Beer 101
Chelsea: Ok, so you're in town with the family or the family is in town to see you and you’re discussing a couple of nights out on the town. You’re newer in the craft brew scene but really want to share your new found love with your family. You do a quick Google search for breweries near you, or something outside of your favorite brewhouse. Then it dawns on you, what is the difference between the search results of bars, breweries, brewpub, taproom, etc?
Each of these establishments caters to different preferences: bars for a wide beverage selection and socializing, breweries for experiencing the brewing process, brewpubs for combining dining with craft beer, and taprooms for an immersive beer tasting experience. But lets give a little bit more for that:
Liz: So basically bars are versatile social hubs, offering a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including beers, wines, and cocktails. The atmosphere can range from relaxed and cozy to vibrant and energetic, often accompanied by a selection of snacks or meals.
Chelsea: Breweries focus on the art of beer crafting. While not all offer public seating, many have taprooms or tours where visitors can sample their beers. A brewery visit is perfect for those interested in the intricacies of beer making and tasting various beer styles straight from the source.
Liz: Brewpubs blend the brewery experience with a full-service restaurant. They brew beer on-site, often paired with a comprehensive food menu. The atmosphere in brewpubs is generally casual and inviting, great for enjoying a meal complemented by house-made beers.
Chelsea: Taprooms are attached to breweries and primarily showcase the brewery's range of beers. They might offer limited other beverages and snacks, but the focus is squarely on the beer. Taprooms offer a more intimate setting, ideal for beer enthusiasts looking to explore different brews in depth.
Chelsea: Now it’s time for BREW NEWS! This is the part of our show where we discuss craft news local to the greater Denver area and industry news in general. These topics are picked from some of the top trending articles over the last week.
Interlude - Brew News Jingle
Brew News Segment
Chelsea: 23-year-old bought a $150 home beer brewing kit and turned it into a six-figure business
This week we’re really touching on the passion points and celebration of pursuing our dreams. In light of that it makes sense to highlight a great entrepreneurial journey.
Anushka Purohit, inspired by food waste she witnessed as a child, founded Breer, a company that turns surplus bread into craft beer. Starting with a $156 brewing kit, Breer experimented with bread-based beer, eventually launching unique flavors like pale ale and hibiscus sour, and even local Hong Kong delicacies. The company has achieved significant revenue and profits without external funding, winning startup competitions. Breer prioritizes sustainability, sourcing leftover bread locally and brewing in response to demand, with plans to expand sustainably without shipping outside Hong Kong. Purohit's entrepreneurial journey emphasizes passion, trying new ideas, and reinvesting in the business.
Thoughts on the article? Excitement?
Liz: I Left My 9 - 5 Job To Work On A Cruiseship
I feel like these types of articles are always coming up on my news feed. It makes sense, especially as someone who lives the digital nomad lifestyle. Now if it weren’t for my dogs, I’d most likely have found myself on some of these international travels already.
That being said, I’ve done some research over the years and here’s what I’ve found to be true about a nomadic bartender lifestyle:
Opportunity on Cruise Ships: With two years of experience, you can become a cruise ship bartender, allowing you to travel to beautiful locations with minimal expenses. This is often the most lucrative option for traveling bartenders.
Working Holiday Visas: Bartending is a popular choice for those on working holiday visas, particularly in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland. It's an enjoyable way to immerse in local cultures while working abroad.
Ideal for Digital Nomads: Bartending complements the digital nomad lifestyle well. It provides additional income, social interaction, and the flexibility to pursue other interests or work during the day.
Accessible and Rewarding: Travel bartending is accessible to anyone with hard work and the right attitude. It offers the chance to make lifelong friends and sustain travel on a budget, making it a great option for those seeking a fun and flexible job while exploring the world.
Thoughts on the article? Excitement?
Chelsea: The Craft Lager Revolution Is Finally Here. And It’s… Hamm’s?
This article is a little bit older, coming out right before Thanksgiving, but since we’re highlighting tradition this week we thought it would be fitting to discuss:
This article discusses the growing trend among microbreweries in Minnesota and beyond to produce American light lagers, reminiscent of classic brands like Hamm’s. Dan Herman from Falling Knife Brewing Co. and other brewers are creating beers that evoke nostalgia with their taste and branding, like Falling Knife's Tomm’s, which delivers a familiar taste with a retro design. This trend isn't limited to Falling Knife; several breweries in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota are producing their own versions of American light lagers, often with vintage packaging. These beers are challenging to brew due to their light flavor, which leaves little room for errors, and the longer lagering process compared to ales. Despite these challenges, the demand for light lagers is increasing, partly due to consumer palate fatigue from the intense flavors of other craft beers. These lagers are also more affordable, appealing to a broader range of beer drinkers. However, the cost remains a barrier for some bargain beer drinkers.
The article highlights that while these beers may be cheaper than other craft offerings, they still provide an opportunity for consumers to support local, craft breweries. The trend is seen as a way to introduce more people to the craft beer scene through familiar and accessible flavors.
Thoughts on the happenings? Excitement?
3. Hoptimistic Inquiries Segment: Q & A
Chelsea: One of the more popular questions over the last week in the craft beer world has been gifts or gift baskets for craft beer lovers. Now there are plenty of at home delivery services that are offering this as an option this holiday season BUT if you’re looking to make this gift super unique for you special someone, we have some thoughts for you:
Find a good basket or proper receptacle. Make sure to include a thoughtful message, too. Get some merch from their favorite brewery, could be shirts, hats, glasses, etc. Now, the best part, gather the assortment of craft beer and snacks that pair well with the specific beers.
We recommend, and the craft beer selection is generic to your special someones favorite breweries. You may have to go on a bit of a treasure hunt.
IPA:
Snack Pairing: Salted nuts or spiced nuts. The saltiness and the spice can complement the hoppy bitterness of the IPA.
Hazy IPA:
Snack Pairing: Dried mango or tropical fruit mix. The sweetness and slight tartness of the dried fruit will pair well with the fruity, less bitter nature of a Hazy IPA.
Winter Warmer:
Snack Pairing: Ginger snaps or spiced cookies. The warm spices in these cookies will harmonize with the spiced, malty flavors typical in a winter warmer.
Coconut Porter:
Snack Pairing: Dark chocolate or chocolate-covered espresso beans. The rich, deep flavors of dark chocolate will complement the sweet, roasted notes of the coconut porter.
Belgian Dubbel:
Snack Pairing: Mixed nuts or roasted almonds. These nuts have a richness that pairs nicely with the malty and sometimes fruity flavors of a Belgian Dubbel.
Barrel Aged Stout:
Snack Pairing: Beef jerky or smoked almonds. The smoky, savory flavors will go well with the intense, often complex flavors of a barrel-aged stout, like coffee or dark chocolate.
Sound of clinking glasses
Main Segment
Liz: We think we’re ready for our main segment after all of that great information. Now it’s time to put our philosopher hats on and philosphise a bit about celebration, camaraderie and symbolism.
Chelsea: That’s right. Today, we're diving into something a bit more philosophical. Liz, have you ever thought about why we, as humans, cherish celebrations, symbols, and traditions, like enjoying craft beer?
Liz: I have, Chelsea. Celebrations are these moments of collective joy, aren't they? They're like markers in our lives, acknowledging the experiences we share.
Chelsea: Exactly! And think about symbolism in this context. It’s like a language beyond words, conveying complex ideas and emotions that unite us.
Liz: Oh, definitely. Symbols have this power to transcend language, offering a shared understanding. They connect us to larger narratives and identities.
Chelsea: And then there’s the charm of cherished items. They're our tangible links to the past, to our memories. They’re like anchors, providing continuity in our fast-paced world.
Liz: True. It’s about that sense of belonging, right? And speaking of belonging, camaraderie is the essence of community. It’s about forming bonds over common experiences or interests, like our love for craft beer.
Chelsea: Absolutely, Liz. Those enduring bonds – relationships that withstand time and change – they’re a testament to our capacity for loyalty and love.
Liz: Bringing this back to our world of craft beer, Chelsea, each beer we share is a story, a symbol of creativity and passion. It’s not just a drink; it’s an experience, a tradition.
Chelsea: So well put, Liz. When we share a craft beer, we’re partaking in a ritual that celebrates craftsmanship, flavor, and innovation. It’s personal yet communal, forming a momentary bond over something created with care.
Liz: It’s amazing when you think about it. These bonds, symbols, and traditions are how we find connection and meaning. They reflect our shared humanity and our place in the world.
Chelsea: That’s the beauty of craft beer. It's more than just a beverage; it's a part of a larger tapestry of human connection and tradition.
Liz: So next time we raise a glass, let's remember the rich tapestry of stories, connections, and traditions we're part of.
Chelsea: To shared stories and connections!
*Sound of beer glasses clinking*
Liz: Alright, beer lovers, it's time for some beer facts! Welcome to the Beer Facts' segment where we chat about fun facts about beer!
Sips of Wisdom: Beer Facts Chelsea:
You’re in Hungary? Great. Don’t cheers with beer. Ever. Apparently the Austrians cheersed with beer after they repelled the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. The country vowed to not cheers with beer for 150 years. In theory, they could’ve resumed in 1998, just in time for the debut of “Dawson’s Creek.” But by that point, it had become superstition. And tradition.
**Line 144 of Beer Fun Facts Sheet. Not sure where the fact comes from but it’s about tradition.
Turn Your Dead Christmas Tree Into Beer. Rather than tossing your tree, turn it into spruce beer.
turning dead Christmas trees into beer, a practice with historical roots. This method of brewing, which uses spruce needles, was popular among mariners and Vikings for its health benefits, including preventing scurvy. The article provides a recipe for making spruce beer and highlights its resurgence as a retro beverage. It also mentions that if you've already discarded your Christmas tree, you can order spruce needles for brewing.
Feast of Fools Tradition
The Feast of Fools was a festival that took place mainly in France during the late Middle Ages. The festival involved electing a "Lord of Misrule" or a "Fool's Pope," who presided over the festivities. The celebrations often included parodies of religious and social rituals, humorous performances, and feasting. Beer was a central element of the feasts, with the common folk and even some clergy partaking in the merrymaking.While the Feast of Fools had elements of mockery, it also served as a safety valve for the frustrations of the lower classes. It provided an opportunity for people to invert the rigid social hierarchy, albeit temporarily, in an atmosphere fueled by beer and festivity.
Chelsea: That’s it for the beer facts today. Stay with us for a round of 'Brew Bites' where we pair our favorite beer with, well, our favorite bites."
6. Brews & Bites Segment:
Liz Hess: We’re always excited to wrap up the podcast with what is near and dear to us, the food and beer pairing! This is BREW NEWS! The holidays are all around us and we’ve focused, previously on entrees, and maybe even appetizers, so it’s time for a bit of the sweeter side of the holiday taste bud delight: desserts and we’re talking about gingerbread in particular.
But first we can’t resist a bit of history: Did you know, Gingerbread has a long history, particularly in Europe, and is deeply associated with holiday traditions. In Germany, for instance, gingerbread houses became popular after the Brothers Grimm published "Hansel and Gretel" where the children find an edible house made of bread and sugar decorations. During Christmas, families often bake gingerbread cookies and construct gingerbread houses, activities that have become a holiday tradition in many countries.
Ok, now we’ve got our dessert. What are we going to pair it with?
Well, recently We’ve ran into a couple of delicious porters over the last couple of weeks and in honor of that we’re choosing to pair Toasted coconut porters, with their rich, roasty, and slightly sweet coconut profile, with our classic gingerbread.
Pairing gingerbread with a toasted coconut porter creates an awesome sensory experience. Here's how this pairing can appeal to each of our five senses:
Sight: The rich, dark hue of the toasted coconut porter visually complements the warm, golden-brown color of gingerbread cookies.
Smell: The aroma of the porter, with notes of roasted malt and subtle coconut, blends fantasticlly with the spicy scent of gingerbread.
Taste: The flavors in this pairing are where the magic truly happens! The porter's slight sweetness and hints of coconut provide a perfect counterbalance to the bold spices of the gingerbread, such as ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
Touch/Texture: In terms of texture, the toasted coconut porter typically has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel that contrasts nicely with the crunchiness of the gingerbread cookies.
Sound: The sound of biting into a crispy gingerbread cookie combined with the gentle pour and fizz of the porter, adds that fun auditory dimension to the dining experience.
The pairing of gingerbread cookies or a gingerbread house with a toasted coconut porter is a contrasting yet complementary relationship of visuals, aromas, tastes, textures, and sounds between the beer and the dessert.
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7. End the Sipisode!
Chelsea: "That’s it for today! Remember, people, life is too short for bad beer. Thank you to all of our listeners for tuning in and supporting the podcast. If you haven’t already, please make sure to subscribe, like, and share on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. And make sure to follow us on all social media channels @bodybybeerpodcast.
Liz: "That’s right. Tune in next week for another sipisode. We’ll continue to explore more fascinating tales from around the world of beer. If you have any suggestions or stories to share, drop us a comment. Thank you for listening! Until next time, pour yourself a cold one and keep those heads hoppy!"
[Ending Theme Music]
Chelsea & Liz: "Cheers!"
*Sound of a tavern bustling with chatter and laughter*
