Of all our senses, the ability to hear seems to serve our beer drinking experience the least. We can hear the crackle of carbonation as it delivers volatiles into the air, but what else? And in comparison to the visual appeal of color, the aroma of delicate ingredients, the flavor complexity of carefully tinkered recipes, and the mouthfeel of beer rolling against your tongue, the sound of a beer being poured simply falls short of the other sensual experiences.
In an effort to use all of my senses for beer without holding my ear up to a pint of suds, I have been listening to beer podcasts!
I’m not talking about the podcasts featuring 2+ drunk dudes talking shit on AB-InBev while they gush over the latest release of Bourbon County. I’m talking about the educational stuff – the podcasts that get the gears in your head moving around. If I finish listening to a podcast and don’t feel like I need to tell other people about it, then it’s a waste of my time.
These podcasts are solid, informative, and will leave you enriched and excited about beer. Sound like something for you? Good. Listen up.
After Two Beers
Hosted By: John Holl
John Holl, editor of All About Beer Magazine, sits down with industry experts to discuss all things beer, but only after they’re two beers in. The comforting buzz of a belly full of brew keeps things loose and sometimes comical while Holl and guests talk shop. The informal nature of the podcast has listeners feeling as if they’re sitting at the next barstool over.
Suggested Episode:
Episode 6: After Two Beers with Laura Bell of Bell’s Brewery
Beervana
Hosted By: Jeff Alworth & Patrick Emerson
I mentioned this podcast and its hosts in my previous blog post about beer books. Jeff Alworth, author of The Beer Bible, and Patrick Emerson, professor of economics at Oregon State University, deliver all killer content without any useless fluff. Topics include beer economics, beer styles of the world, and beer history among others. You won’t make it to the end of one of these podcasts without learning a thing or three.
Suggested Episode:
Pod 28 – Women in Beer
Beersmith
Hosted By: Brad Smith
Nerd alert! Many of these podcasts get way nerdy about homebrewing. If you’re not a homebrewer, it’s still a good listen, but you might get lost. Smith interviews top industry professionals on their areas of expertise, providing an in depth look at techniques, recipes, and history. There is also a video component for those that like to put a face to the voices they’re listening to.
Suggested Episode:
Brewer John Mallett and Maltster Andrea Stanley – BeerSmith Podcast #135
Brewer John Mallett and Maltster Andrea Stanley – BeerSmith Podcast #135
The Brewing Network
Hosted By: Depending on which show, one or more of these folk.
If you can get past the ridiculous display of machismo in the rock and roll heavy introductions, The Brewing Network offers eight different shows full of excellent educational content.
“Stand aside nurse, I’m Dr. Homebrew” “OhhhHhhh!”
Seriously, if the rest of the content wasn’t worthwhile, I’d not be talking about their podcasts here simply due to the unpalatable nature of the intros. Good beer knowledge is worth a bad taste in my mouth, so I either grit my teeth and bear it or skip the first several minutes.
Suggested Episode:
Brew Strong – Foam
(Title content begins at 14:19)
Round out your beer knowledge and your gut at the same time with a podcast and a pint.
It’s sure to satisfy all the senses.
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