Since July, 2013 we are posting at http://www.ericmodelsblog.com....We remain proud of our older stuff and hope you check it our here. For newer stuff (Offbeat, off the beaten path, overlooked and forgotten), though, he hope you visit us at Eric Model's Blog - again, it's at http://www.ericmodelsblog.com - THANKS !

Connecticut’s Beer

(Rev.) Thomas Hooker was colonial leader of the 1600′s and founder of Hartford.

These days his name is also associated with beer – actually beers of the Thomas Hooker Brewing Company of Bloomfield.

First established over ten years ago as the brewing arm of the Trout Brook Brew Pub, the company and its brands were purchased by the current investor group in 2006. Precipitated by the closure of the adjacent brew pub in mid-2003, Troutbrook Brewery became a manufacturing micro brewery with a new focus on distribution. The products were re-introduced to the market as Thomas Hooker Ales & Lagers in August, 2003.

In this Journey into Beer, we speak with Thomas Hooker President Kurt Cameron about the beer, its connection to the state and what accounts for its appeal there and beyond.

As this segment was recorded around Super Bowl time, and this years participants were regional rivals to the South and North(Giants and Pats), we ask whether his customers and his state is made of New England Yankees or fans of the New York Yankees.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=685

Podcast: Can a Ballclub’s Record Justify Its Beer Prices?

In an ideal world, beer prices at the ballpark would be based solely on the quality of the team. Only the very best ball clubs would jack up the prices, while the mediocre teams would offer bargains … and the Washington Nationals would give beer away for free. Regrettably, we don’t live in an ideal world.

According to data collected by Team Marketing Report, beer prices vary dramatically among big-league teams.

We speak with John Greenberg of the Team Marketing Report about the realtionship between baseball and beer and the business of brews and ball.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=585

Podcast: Traditional Irish Cider

Say St. Patrick’s Day and many think of corned beef and cabbage with a beer. Perhaps and Irish coffee.

Fact is that it was cider that was the drink of the Celts of ancient Europe.

These days traditional Irish cider is Imported in bulk and bottled in Florida. Kelly’s Cider is a crisp light dry cider, made from traditional bittersweet cider apples.

John J Kelly’s Irish Cider was started in 1997 by Brendan Daly from Dublin and John Cronin from Kerry. Both had previously lived in the USA and knew of the growing demand for cider there, especially among the thousands of young Irish who had migrated to the States in the 1980’s – this was the initial target group for the cider. Daly had made cider for several years in Tipperary before starting Kelly’s Cider.

The initial plan was to import the cider in bulk and bottle it in the states.

Traditional cider is made from bittersweet cider apples that are grown in Ireland, England and France. These apples are only grow for fermentation and are not used for eating or cooking. They are not grown in the U.S.

Interestingly, in the 19th century, cider was very popular in the Northeast U.S. Very large quantities were consumed even after the German immigrants introduced their new lager beers. Prohibition ended the production of hard cider in the U.S. Old, established orchards of bittersweet fermenting cider apples were cut down and farmers switched to other crops. After the repeal of Prohibition, cider never made a comeback. Beer companies lobbied to have a lower tax than cider and farmers could grow barely very quickly. A productive orchard of bittersweet cider apples would take many years to grow a high productivity level. Beer quickly became the drink of choice in the U.S.

A new demand for cider began in the 1980’s in New York, Chicago, Boston and other “Irish” cities.

In this Conversation, we speak with Jim Massoni about how Kelly’s Traditional Irish Cider is introducing folks to the traditions of cider from both sides of the Atlantic.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=575

Podcast: Innovative Brew in a Classic Setting

Once upon a time beer in Canada meant Molson, Labbatt and O’Keefe.

Now the scene is much more diverse.

One of Canada’s best these days is Steam Whistle Brewing in Toronto. They produce a premium pilsner lager packaged in distinctive green glass bottles and a non-twist cap. In 2004, Steam Whistle Pilsner was voted best beer in Toronto at the Golden Tap Awards. Steam Whistle has also been voted Best Toronto Microbrewery on more than one occasion.

The three founders are former employees of Upper Canada Brewing Company before it was bought by Sleeman’s. The original name for the beer was going to be “Three Fired Guys Brewing Company” since they were all fired from Upper Canada Brewing Company when it was purchased by Sleeman; however, they chose Steam Whistle Brewing to evoke an image of steam rushing from a factory’s whistle signaling the end of the work day. Embossed at the bottom of Steam Whistle bottles is “3FG” as an inside joke, referencing “Three Fired Guys”.

The brewery occupies Bays 1-14 within a building known as the John Street Roundhouse. Built in 1929, it was previously the home of a CPR steam locomotive repair facility, and operated as such until May 13, 1988. The John Street Roundhouse is designated a National Historic Site, and is owned by the City of Toronto. It is located within walking distance of the Rogers Center and the CN Tower. A similar roundhouse, the CNR Spadina Roundhouse, was torn down to make way for the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre).

Steam Whistle is also known for maintaining a promotions fleet of some 8 vintage vehicles used to market their products, ranging a 1949 Navistar International Stake Truck to a 1965 Ford Blue Bird Bus.

In this Journey into Beer, we speak with Greg Taylor about Steam Whistle, its origins, its place today and what it represents in the bigger picture of beer making in Canada today.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=568

Podcast - Brew North: How Canadians Made Beer and Beer Made Canada

This is the story about Canada’s relationship with beer. From Victoriana through thes tubby to the invasion of the Americans to global corporate giants and finally the contemporary story of a new golden era.

Ian Coutts is the author of Brew North (Greystone; 2010). He joins for this journey – a Journey into Beer which is also a Journey into Canada.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=539

Podcast - He’Brew

Founded as “a celebration craft beer for Jews”, HE’BREW Beer began as a Chanukah experiment in 1996 when founder and proprietor Jeremy Cowan and friends squeezed pomegranates to produce juice for the first HE’BREW beer.

Since then HE’BREW Beer has become known for its beer as well as its widely recognized for its playful yet earnest study of Jewish, world, and pop.

In this Journey, we speak with Jeremy Cowan about the beeer, its culture and his story which can be found in his memoir, memoir, Craft Beer Bar Mitzvah, that chronicles the beginning of HE’BREW Beer and the evolution of Shmaltz Brewing Company. The book was launched at Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado, and a second edition was released in December 2010.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=526

New York’s Last Original Beer Garden

Since 1910, Bohemian Hall has been a part of New York City history. It is the last original remaining Beer Garden in all of NYC. Bohemian Hall is run and managed by the Bohemian Citizens’ Benevolent Society of Astoria, a fraternal organization dedicated to education and preserving the Czech and Slovak communities in the area.

In this Journey into Beer, we speak with Debbie Van Cura from the Bohemian Hall Benevolent Society and a member of the Astoria (Queens) Historical Society about the historical role of beer gardens in New York and what Bohemian Hall’s legendary beer garden is all about today.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=487

Nowhere like here for beer (Boston Globe)

From The Boston Globe:

By Steve Greenlee
Globe Staff

Interest became expertise; now the world points to Lovell, Maine if you want a best of brew

http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/maine/articles/2010/01/17/nowhere_like_here_for_beer/

Podcast: A History of Beer in Canada

Nicholas Pashley joins us to speak about his fascinating book, “Cheers!: An Intemperate History of Beer in Canada” ( Harpercollins Canada - 2009)

It’s everything the title implies and much more.

This podcast is available @ http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/

Podcast: Winter (beers) in the Rockies

In this Journey into Beer, we speak with Marty Jones of the Wynkoop in Denver about some seasonal beers and about the Beerdrinker of the Year competition which is looking to crown its 2010 champ.

This podcast can be accessed @ http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=342

Podcast: A Punkin Ale for Thanksgiving

Dog Fish Head Craft Brewery of Milton, Delaware makes an interesting seasonal beer. It’s called Punkin Ale, and is described by the brewers as “a full-bodied brown ale with smooth hints of pumpkin and brown sugar”. It is brewed with pumpkin meat, organic brown sugar and spices.

Punkin Ale is named after a locally-famous and seriously off-centered event in southern Delaware –Punkin Chukin, a competition where pumpkins are hurled more than 4,000 feet through the air. In fact, Punkin Ale made it’s debut as it claimed First Prize in the 1994 Punkin Chunkin Recipe Conest - 6 months before the brewery opened for business.

This podcast is about Dogfish Punkin Ale, which starts to be brewed in September and is gone by Thanksgiving.

More about the Punkin Chuckin event can be seen at this video (from Discover Channel) that inspired the name of the beer: http://science.discovery.com/videos/punkin-chunkin/

(Apologies for some porr sound quality towards the end- It’s a good beer, worth a listen and woth a taste)

Youy can hear the podcast @ http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=319

Flying Dog Ale’s Dogtoberfest

We continue our survey of some interesting Oktoberfest beers.

One seasonal offering catches our attention even before you drink it. Flying Dog Brewery of Frederick, Maryland serves up something called a “Dogtoberfest”.

And, don’t like the cute name fool You it is a beer of character and substance – havingwon awards regularly at teh Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

We speak with Matt Brophy of Flying Dog about the beer, its great name and other offerings – including a “Doggie Style” beer.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=299

Summit’s Oktoberfest

We continue our survey of some Oktoberfest beers by visiting with Mike Miziorko, a brewer of the Summit Brewing Company of St. Paul.

Their Oktoberfest is described as follows:

“Created to honor the popular European fall celebrations, Summit Oktoberfest is brewed in the Marzen style for a reddish-bronze color, smooth finish, and, of course, polka”.

http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=297

Left Hand’s Oktoberfest

Say Oktoberfest, and you likely think of Munich and beer.

Undestandable, but you can also think beer and North America. The explosion in brewing over the past few years mean a number of new quality options for beer lovers.

We spend this month examining some of the quality Oktoberfest beers to be found. This conversation is with Ro Geunzel, Head Brewer of the Left Hand Brewing Company. He tells us what makes for a good Oktoberfest, and what makes for a good Left Hand beer.

At: http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=283

Cooking With Beer (NPR)

From NPR:

by Kevin D. Weeks

A staple in many cultures since ancient Egyptian times, beer can be a fixture in your kitchen, too. Pour a bit of brew into a pot, pie or cake — then drink the rest.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113747902

This annual festival holds the Guinness World Record for most beers tapped in one location. More than 400 U.S. breweries participate

There’s live music, a Beer Garden, Food Marketplace and beer cooking demonstration area in this Septmeber festival that has become an autumn tradition in Denver.

In this Journey into Beer, we speak with Julia Herz of the Brewers Association about the origins of the Great American Beer Festival, what it is today and how you can be part of it – whether in person or online.

At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com

Heard on the Radio: The Great American Beer Festival

Heard on the Radio: The Great American Beer Festival
This "Journey into Beer" on Left Jab profiled what is consider the granddaddy of beer events.

Our guest to talk about it was Julia Herz, Director of the Craft Beer Program for the Boulder, Colorado based Brewers Association (BA). She is a recognized beer judge in the BJCP program, an award winning homebrewer of over 17 years, and a Certified Cicerone™.

The Great American Beer Festival holds the Guinness World Record for most beers tapped in one location 1,884 beers on tap (2008) - now expected to be over 21,000. More than 408 U.S. breweries will be found on the festival floor. Also featuring live music and Beer Garden and Food Marketplace. In the cooking demonstration area one can learn to cook with beer and pair beer style with a particular food.

For more on the festival go to http://www.GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com.

For the SIRIUS-XM interview, go to http://leftjabradio.com, access archives and go to "Hidden America".

Introducing journeysinto.com

Anyone that's been in our neck of the woods knows that we could have used a re-branding a long time ago.

Some good content. Multi-media. But to more than afew folks, it was more than a bit confusing.

With this in mind, we have created a new umbrella place to go. It's called http://journeysinto.com.

Once there, you can take a journey into Hidden America, Canada, Beer or Hockey (with others to follow).

The content and the feel, hopfully, remain. And, with any look, less confusion.

Guinness After 250 Years

Guinness is famous for its beer. But Guinness is more than a beer.

Beer expert, journalist and historian Bill Yenne went on a journey of his own. The result is a book, “Guinness: The 25o-Year Quest for the Perfect Pint” (Wiley, 2007) in which Yenne traces the tale of this remarkable family and its beer.

He follows not just the fortunes of the Guinness family through the years, but also the development of the brand and beer - from Arthur Guinness’ earliest porter to a beer that is enjoyed in 150 countries today.

Bill Yenne joins us in this journey into beer to share his journey.

At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com