The Brewing Network Presents - The Session

This week, the BN proudly welcomes to the show two of California's living legends. Joining the Brewcasters is the inimitable Lee Chase, one of the most influential voices and technicians in the history of craft brewing. His Automatic Brewing Company has once again brewed a charitable IPA in partnership with another legend, comedian Will Ferrell. Tune in to learn all about the beer and Lee's rich history in the industry, and as if that was not enough, BN favorite and newly minted vintner Adam Carolla joins the show to discuss Mangria, his new libation.

After a relaxing Thanksgiving break, The Session is back on the air this week with the first broadcast of what looks to be an epic December. Joining the Brewcasters in-studio will be brewmaster Dave Marliave and crew of Oregon's Flat Tail Brewing Company. Tune in to catch their great story, and see if Dave regrets his decision to take up valuable space in his cellar with a one-off beer brewed exclusively for the BN. Join the conversation at 888.401.BEER, and watch the show live on the studio-cams at justin.tv/brewingnetwork.

The Session wraps up an exciting Brewvember this week with an in-depth dissection of perhaps the most prevalent trend in craft beer today: session beers. Joining the Brewcasters in-studio will be head brewer Jeremy Marshall of Lagunitas Brewing Company, who has produced a leading commercial example of the style with his Daytime IPA. Tune in and learn everything you need to know to make full-bodied, full-flavored beer that still clocks in at under 5% ABV. This episode will also feature the return of version 1.0 of everyone's favorite BN game - Brews Line is it Anyway. Join the conversation at 888.401.BEER, and check out the video feed at justin.tv/brewingnetwork.

Brewvember continues on The Brewing Network this week, as The Session discusses everything you need to know about tasting and judging beer for competitions. The Brewcasters welcome veteran homebrewer and beer judge Brian Cooper to the studio and go in-depth to teach you how to pick up on details in your beer that you never knew were there. This episode also includes the playing of a new game where all the fun of your local pub's trivia night is brought right to you via your radio, and an interview with Dan Shelton of Shelton Brothers fame.

The Session returns with Joe Kesteloot - for real this time. As the brewmaster at Peace Tree Brewing Company in Knoxville, Iowa, Joe creates handcrafted, full flavored beers with great attention to detail and quality. His year-round and seasonal offerings have sparked a renewed interest in craft brewing in Iowa and have piqued the interest of local beer drinkers - tune in as the Brewcasters pick his brain, dissect his use of Belgian yeast in his fermentation, and taste his creations. You will also hear a Doctor Scott how-to for homebrewing more traditional Belgian beer styles.

It's another Monday Session this week as the Brewcasters discuss brewing beer with pumpkin and spices for the upcoming American Thanksgiving Holiday. Drew Beechum joins the show to help Doctor Scott cover all aspects of this challenging beer (challenging to make well that is) and the Brewcasters air out their likes and dislikes of the style. We also hear from some of our east coast brethren enduring hurricane Sandy and try out a Halloween skit featuring the ghost of Tasty.

The Session is back in action this week as the BN crew returns from Denver no worse for the wear. Tune in to catch the proper christening of Studio DD with the only man capable of doing so - the inimitable Dan Gordon of Gordon Biersch. You'll also hear a recap of the Great American Beer Festival, a special tribute to a fallen soldier, and much more.

The Session is back on the air this week, as the Brewcasters welcome to the show Jim Wagner, the veteran brewmaster of DuClaw Brewing Company. From his dominant competition homebrewing during the 1990s to his current role overseeing the rapid expansion of DuClaw's brewing operations, Jim has never lost his passion or his homebrewer's mentality, surrounding himself with a like-minded crew to experiment, innovate, and treat patrons at their four Maryland locations to world-class beers of every style imaginable.

The Session broadcasts its 300th episode this week, as the Brewcasters welcome Gabe Fletcher, the founder of Anchorage Brewing Company. One of the newest breweries to open in Alaska, Anchorage specializes in barrel fermentation with brettanomyces and souring cultures. Gabe uses his 15 years of experience to combine new and old styles of brewing, and his products are some of the most unique beers ever made. This episode also features another conversation with Stu Stuart of Belgian Beer Me, as well as listener flashback requests for some of the greatest moments of Sessions past.

Bust out your shakers and martini glasses for this week's episode of The Session, as the Brewcasters journey into the world of beer cocktails. Bison Brewing's Dan Del Grande and Beer Wench Ashley Routson make a return appearance to the studio, along with boozer and shaker Andie Ferman of St. George Spirits, an artisan distillery in Alameda, California. Tune in for a breakdown of this controversial and polarizing new trend, and see if these beer-mixologists can sway a skeptical BN crew with their creations.

The Session is back in action this week, as the Brewcasters welcome back to the show the inimitable Mitch Steele. You know him as the brewmaster of San Diego's Stone Brewing - now, he has put down the mash paddle and picked up a pen, and the result is his new book IPA: Brewing Techniques, Recipes, and the Evolution of India Pale Ale. Tune in for a crash-course in JP's favorite beer style - you'll hear tips and tricks from some of the country’s best brewers, techniques from water treatment to hopping procedures, and recipes ranging from historical brews to the most popular contemporary IPAs made by today's craft beer innovators.

It's another Monday Session this week, as the Brewcasters sit down with none other than Garrett Oliver, the veteran brewmaster of New York's renowned Brooklyn Brewery. One of the foremost beer authorities in the world, Garrett began his brewing career in 1989 before joining Brooklyn in 1994. He has hosted more than 800 beer tastings and dinners in 14 countries, writes regularly for beer and food-related periodicals, and is internationally recognized as an expert on traditional beer styles. His latest book, The Oxford Companion to Beer, is perhaps the most comprehensive ever published on the subject. Don't miss this information packed show with one of the most creative brewers around.

The Session returns to Sunday night this week, as the Brewcasters welcome to the studio Greg Kitchen, the founder and co-owner of San Francisco's Triple Voodoo Brewing. Founded in 2010, Triple Voodoo brews their unique beers in the vision of their three founding partners and their passion for creating the extraordinary, using a wide variety of spices and ingredients in their small but solid lineup. Tune in to catch Greg's great story, the latest from Charlie Gottenkieny at Better Beer Scores, the Olympic Name Game, and much more.

The Session is back in action this week, and the Brewcasters want English ale enthusiasts and DIY junkies to know: this show is for you. Tune in as the BN crew tackles everything you need to know about setting up your very own cask ale system. Lending his expertise to the discussion is UK Brewing Supply founder Paul Pendyck, the US's leading importer of casks and associated equipment.

It's another Monday Session this week, as the Brewcasters welcome to the studio beer writer Ken Weaver. Author of The Northern California Craft Beer Guide, Ken has created a definitive handbook to the artistry, people, and culture of the region's craft beer scene. Ken, along with photographer Anneliese Schmidt, has invested months of precious drinking time into visiting the furthest corners of NorCal - from the latest Belgian-style beers coming out of Arcata, to the newest beer-centric burger joint in Santa Cruz, to the phenomenal brews of Central Valley nobody's ever heard of -- to create a guide that does this beer scene justice. We also talk to Stu Stewart of Belgian Beer Me about his amazing beer trips that you can be a part of!