Looking for something more portable than a blog post? Join Mark Richards and Pat Woodward as they tackle topics from the world of craft beer, often with expert guests who provide an insiders perspective on the art of brewing. While beer is the focal point, our discussions and interviews include forays into the worlds of music, travel, science and history.
You can also listen to the podcasts from Apple Music (follow this link), PodBean (follow this link), Spotify, and various other podcast sites.
Episode 50 – Ohio Beer with Rick Armon: No one has written more extensively and authoritatively on craft beer in the Buckeye state than Rick Armon. To celebrate our 50th episode, we made a pilgrimage to Akron for a wide ranging discussion on the past, present and future of Ohio beer with a man who might fairly be called the “Michael Jackson” of Ohio beer writers. (January 2024)
Episode 49 – Cask Ales: As the photo at the top of this page shows, we are big fans of cask conditioned ale, so it’s about time we sat down to talk about them at length. Angelo Signorino from Barley’s tells us about his experiences brewing and serving cask ales in downtown Columbus over the last three decades, and Nick Smith from Steam Machine Brewing in County Durham, gives the perspective of a UK craft brewer on the state of cask ale in its homeland. (January 2024)
Episode 48 – Top Ten Columbus Area Breweries: It’s the time of the year when people put out best of the year lists. So we invited Bill Koeppen to sit down with us and hash out a list of our top 10 breweries in Central Ohio. In addition to unveiling out list we go over the best breweries for a whole range of experiences. If you are visiting Columbus this is a good overview of the best places to experience beer culture in Central Ohio. (December 2023)
Episode 47 – Belgian Christmas Beers: Dan Shaffer and Ralph Wolfe join us again, this time for a festive look at the Christmas beers of Belgium. During our journey we sample strong Belgian holiday seasonals that include Delerium Noël, Scaldis Noël, Chimay Grande Reserve and De Dolle Stille Nacht, before finishing closer to home with Fathead’s Pimp My Sleigh. (December 2023)
Episode 46 – Samichlaus, Frogichlaus, and Ol’ Saint Nick: Brewed once per year on St. Nicholas Day, the Triplebock Samichlaus can rightfully be called the OG of extreme beers. Dan Shaffer, head brewer at Land Grant, and Columbus Beer Adventures guide Ralph Wolfe join us for a closer look at this cult classic, as well as the Samichlaus-inspired Frogichlaus Swiss Style Celebration Lager from Akron’s Hoppin’ Frog Brewery. Along the way we discuss the historic St. Nicholas, and his menacing side-kicks Krampus and Zwarte Piet. (December 2023)
Episode 45 – Scotch Ales/Wee Heavies: We continue our exploration of Scottish beers with an episode devoted to the heavy hitting Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy. Brian Kimmel, a veteran of several hikes across the Scottish Highlands, joins of for an audio tour of Caledonia. (November 2023)
Episode 44 – Scottish Ales: In this episode we turn our attention to the malt-forward, yet sessionable family of Scottish Ales. We are joined by the dean of Ohio brewers, Barley’s brewmaster Angelo Signorino, who has been making his unique interpretation of a Scottish Ale for thirty years. (November 2023)
Episode 43 – Dark Milds: Continuing our exploration of sessionable British styles, we turn our attention to dark milds. Ryan Torres from Brew Brothers joins us to talk about his dark mild, Toasty, a two time GABF medal winner, and we head out to Columbus’ newest brewery, Thunderwing, to talk with owner/brewer Jason Wing about his dark mild, Far Shores. (November 2023)
Episode 42 – British BItters and Ghost Stories: In this episode we turn our attention on British bitters. After sampling the one of the few imported bitters you can find in Columbus, Fuller’s London Pride, we head up to Mansfield Ohio, where we talk with Carmone and Duncan MacFarlane at The Phoenix Brewing Company to learn what goes into making a great ESB. Carmone and Duncan also share some stories of paranormal activity, a hazard that comes with housing your brewery in a former mortuary. (October 2023)
Episode 41 – The Great Saison Taste Off: This episode is another blind tasting featuring eight different saisons. In our quest to find the one saison to rule them all, we are joined by recently crowned SODZ brewer of the year Bill Koeppen and loyal listener Robert Nauman. Steward extraordinaire Ralph Wolfe reprises his role from the Great Pilsner Taste Off. (Note: Due to user error in setting up the soundboard the audio quality on this one is not up to our usual standards). (October 2023)
Episode 40 – Non-alcoholic Beers: In this episode we turn a spotlight on non alcoholic beers, defined as beers with < 0.5% abv. We discuss the science behind the various approaches to making NA beers and sample a bakers dozen representing styles that include lagers, wheat beers, stouts, pale ales, and IPAs. If you are curious about NA beers or just looking to find some good ones for dry January this episode is for you. (January 2023)
Episode 39 – Fresh Hop Beers at Columbus Brewing Company: Fall is the time for beers made with freshly picked whole cone hops and no brewery in Ohio does fresh hop beers like Columbus Brewing Company. In this episode Tony Corder tells us how the hop wizards at CBC conjure up a whopping 10 different fresh/wet hop beers, featuring hops from Washington, Oregon, Ohio, and Michigan. (October 2022)
Episode 38 – The Great Pilsner Taste Off: In this episode we are joined by fellow pilsner lovers Jamie Gentry and Hans Gorsuch to determine what makes a great Pilsner-style beer. In a blind tasting beer steward Ralph Wolfe helps our four judge panel navigate through 10 domestic pilsners with distributions that range from local to regional to national. In the final round we compare our favorites side by side and pick a winner. (July 2023)
Episode 37 – Ohio and the World Beer Cup: The World Beer Cup is arguably the most prestigious and competitive beer competition on the planet. In 2022, breweries from the Buckeye state took home a total of 14 medals. In this episode we drink and discuss the medal winners from Central Ohio breweries including Wolf’s Ridge Brewing (Daybreak Coffee Cream Ale), Gemüt Biergarten (Woden’s Hunt Dunkel), and Columbus Brewing Company (Lager and Crocodile Tongue). (June 2023)
Episode 36 – Brown Ales: Barley’s Homebrew Competition winner Jim Sudduth joins us for an exploration of this classic beer style from its origins in Britain to modern day interpretations brewed here in Ohio. Along the way Jim shares some tips for what it takes to make an award winning Brown Ale. (May 2023)
Episode 35 – The Columbus Six Pack (American IPAs): In this episode we sample six year-round American IPAs from our home base here in Columbus. We are joined on the journey by Dan Shaffer, head brewer at Land Grant Brewing Co. and we take the opportunity to tap into Dan’s deep knowledge of hops. This is a must listen episode for any homebrewers interested in brewing IPAs. (April 2022)
Episode 34 – Irish Stouts: In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day we welcome special guest Madeleine Bogard for an exploration of stouts from the Emerald Isle. This episode includes a Guinness vs Murphy’s blind taste test and an encounter with the elusive Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. (March 2022)
Episode 33 – MOO! Milk, Oatmeal and Oyster Stouts: We continue our exploration of stouts with a closer look at “nourishing” stouts that developed in late 19th/early 20th century Britain. This episode includes a segment with Ron and Kathy Troyer at Roundhouse Depot in Bellfontaine, for a glass of their award winning Smoke Stack (Oatmeal) Stout, and a trip to The Pearl in downtown Columbus, where Gavin Meyers of North High Brewing tells us the origin story of their oyster stout. (February 2022)
Episode 32 – Imperial Stouts: Our British correspondent Nick Smith returns to the podcast for a fascinating discussion on the historical origins of imperial stouts. We then jump across the pond and see how American brewers in the 1990’s reimagined and reinvigorated imperial stouts. In the second half of the show, Bill Koeppen joins us as we trace the path that these big decadent beers have taken in the 21st century – from barrel aging to adjuncts to the modern pastry stouts. (January 2022)
Episode 31 – A White Christmas with Jason McKibben: Just in time for the holidays we offer up a fascinating conversation with Jason McKibben of North High Brewing. In this wide ranging conversation, we cover topics as varied as medalling at the World Beer Cup, brewing with local ingredients, North High’s embrace of the brewpub model, studying with Charlie Bamforth at UC Davis, a behind the scenes look at Anchor Christmas Ale, and an insider’s perspective on Budweiser. (December 2021)
Episode 30 – Halloween at Jackie O’s on 4th: Our friend Johnny Clift from Jackie O’s on 4th joins us for a special Halloween-themed episode. Johnny shares Jackie O’s stories, past and present, and we take a closer look at his vision for their new Columbus outpost. Along the way we savor a vertical flight of the iconic black walnut infused imperial stout, Oil of Aphrodite, starting with the base beer and working through various barrel-aged variants. (October 2021)
Episode 29 – Summer Homebrews: Homebrewers Hans Gorsuch and Chris Mercerhill join us for an episode on homebrewing that includes a hefeweizen, two different saisons, a biere de garde, and a wet hop harvest ale. Our conversation touches on topics like decoction mashing, the use of herbs and teas in brewing, aquaponic farming, mixed fermentation, the Great American Beer Festival, new yeast varieties, and brewing with home grown hops. (October 2021)
Episode 28 – All Things Bock: In this episode we take a deep dive on strong German lagers from the bock family (doppelbock, maibock, weizenbock, eisbock). The episode contains a trip out to Edison Brewing for a conversation with owner Wil Schulze and brewmaster Victor Ecimovich, and a segment on homebrewing bocks with award winning homebrewer Jamie Gentry. (June 2021)
Episode 27 – Fruit Lambics: World traveler and sour beer lover Dan Reeve returns to the show for a follow up to Episode 18. In this episode we discuss Lambic beers beyond gueuze, with a focus on beers conditioned on fresh fruit, like kriek (cherry) and framboise (raspberry). (May 2021)
Episode 26 – Craft Malting: We journey out to Marysville, Ohio to talk craft malting with Matt Cunningham of Rustic Brew Farms. We talk about the challenges of starting a malting operation on the family farm; the various steps in the malting process; European vs North American barley varieties, and much more. (March 2021)
Episode 25 – Westvleteren or Bust … in Search of the Ultimate Quad: Recurring guest and Belgian beer lover Hans Gorsuch returns as we scour Belgium (and a bit of the Netherlands) for the quintessential Trappist Quadruple Ale (or Belgian Dark Strong if you prefer). Stops include La Trappe, Rochefort, Chimay, St. Bernardus, and Westvleteren. (February 2021)
Episode 24 – Glassware Gameshow: We are joined by Land Grant brewer Justin Reik and Canadian connoisseur Chris Mercerhill for an informative, irreverent journey through the land of beer glassware. Sit back for an extended romp through the world of glassware, with frequent tangents into the realms of music, science, and travel. (January 2021)
Episode 23 – Winter Warmers and Festive Holiday Ales: We look at the evolution of the Winter Warmers and other winter offerings stretching from the dark ages to the modern day. We are joined by long time Barley’s brewmaster Angelo Signorino, who shares the history of the much beloved Barley’s Christmas Ale and surprises us with a delicious double oatmeal stout aged in maple bourbon barrels. (December 2020)
Episode 22 – Saisons: Hans Gorsuch returns for an in-depth look at saisons. We drink and discuss the modern day classic, Saison Dupont, and explore Ohio brewed variations from Rockmill, Branch and Bone and Jackie O’s, some of which hint back to older riffs of the Wallonian farmhouse ale. (November 2020)
Episode 21 – Octoberfest Metalfest: Homebrewer Jamie Gentry and Wolf’s Ridge brewmaster Chris Davison drop in for a fantasy Oktoberfest where we discuss the potent combination of Bavarian lager (Oktoberfest, Marzen and Rauchbier) and German heavy metal music. (October 2020)
Episode 20 – History of the IPA with Nick Smith (Part 2): We continue our ramblings on the evolution of the IPA with Nick Smith. The story picks up in northern California where the style is reborn from the ashes of the 1970s and we follow it through the modern day where it has become craft beer’s dominant style. (August 2020)
Episode 19 – History of the IPA with Nick Smith (Part 1): The podcast goes international for the first time as Nick Smith, founder and brewmaster of Steam Machine Brewing in County Durham joins us. In the first of a two part episode we explore the history of the India Pale Ale from a British perspective. Starting from it’s origins as a refined refreshment for the British Raj up through its long, slow decline in the 20th century. (August 2020)
Episode 18 – Going for the Gueuze with Dan Reeve: In this episode we are joined by Columbus sour beer aficionado Dan Reeve for a virtual voyage to Pajotenland. Join us as we take an in depth look at a style that many feel represents the pinnacle of brewing, blended lambic gueuze. (June 2020)
Episode 17 – American Sours and Wild Ales with Sean White (Part 2): In part 2 of our exploration of American sours, Sean White shares his candid thoughts and experiences with spontaneous fermentation, the importance of aged hops in lambic-inspired beers, brewing with local ingredients, and shares some tips for brewing sour beers at home. (May 2020)
Episode 16 – American Sours and Wild Ales with Sean White Part 1: We welcome back Sean White from Little Fish Brewing to discuss American sour beers and wild ales. In this first of a two part episode Sean discusses capturing yeasts from the wild, Brett beers and mixed fermentation saisons, oud bruins, Flemish reds, and what might be an entirely new style, farmhouse malt liquors. (May 2020)
Episode 15 – Talking Pandemic Beer Blues with Dan Eaton: About two weeks into the Corona virus lock down Dan Eaton, who covers the beer and restaurant industry for Columbus Business First, joins us (virtually) to survey the Central Ohio brewing landscape in the time of pandemic. (April 2020)
Episode 14 – Czech Pilsners and Prague: Hans, Mark and Pat take a journey to the original source of all pale lagers. In this travel inspired episode we encounter glasses of foam, tankovna pubs, and seek out beer in the Czech capital. (August 2019)
Episode 13 – Oh Canada: Chris and Hans are back to share and discuss beers Chris’ mom muled down to Ohio from north of the border in this Bob and Doug Mackenzie approved episode. (June 2019)
Episode 12 – Orval: Hans Gorsuch and Chris Mercerhill join us to drink, discuss, celebrate one of the world’s singular beers, the Trappist masterpiece that is Orval. We also break open some Brett beers brewed on this side of the Atlantic from Logsdon Ales, Crooked Stave, Anchorage Brewing and one of Pat’s homebrews. (April 2019)
Episode 11 – Ill Mannered: Tom Ayers from Ill Mannered Brewing in Powell joins us to talk about the challenges and rewards of running a neighborhood brewery. Our discussion touches on Australian Sparkling Ales, turning people onto Belgian styles, kviek yeast, and using Ohio-grown ingredients. (March 2019)
Episode 10 – Baltic Porters: Set sail for the world of Baltic Porters when longtime homebrewer A.J. Zanyk visits the Pat’s Pints studio. The discussion includes the story of Motherbird, a baltic porter brewed by A.J. and Mark that took best of show honors at the Ohio State Fair Homebrew competition and caught the attention of BJCP judge extraordinaire Gordon Strong. (January 2019)
Episode 9 – Angels and Demons: Hans Gorsuch joins us again as we hop across the English channel to drink Belgian Tripels and Golden Strongs. Join us for tales of Belgian ales, including the iconic duo of Westmalle Tripel and Duvel. (July 2018)
Episode 8 – The New Wave of British Heavy Metal Ales: In this episode we are joined by our friend Hans Gorsuch to drink some British Beers that Pat muled back from England, including beers inspired by Iron Maiden and Motorhead. (March 2018)
Episode 7 – Farmhouse Brewing: We make a road trip down to Athens to talk farmhouse ales, saisons, and sour beers with Sean White and Jimmy Stockwell from Little Fish Brewing. (Oct 2016)
Episode 6 – Off Flavor Tasting and Kettle Sours: Talking kettle sours, off flavor tasting, and neighborhood breweries with Mike Byrne from Lineage Brewing. (Sept 2016)
Episode 5 – Commonhouse Ales: Lenny Kolada and Sam Hickey visit the studio to talk about the marriage of the old (Smokehouse) and the new (Commonhouse) and the upcoming Mini-Real Ale Festival. (May 2016)
Episode 4 – Hoof Hearted: Talking all things Hoof Hearted and counting down our favorite Van Halen songs with Trevor Williams from Hoof Hearted Brewing. (March 2016)
Episode 3 – High Gravity Beers: In this episode we talk high gravity beers with Jim Gokenbach and Jennie Koeper of Zaftig Brewing and Doug Oldham of the Columbus Craft Beer Alliance. (February 2016)
Episode 2 – Branding: In this episode we sit down with Walt Keys from Land Grant Brewing to talk about branding and drink some Imperial Stouts. (January 2016)
Episode 1 – Sours: Talking Sour Beers with Fred Lee and Jonathan Carroll from Actual Brewing. (December 2015)
Pat's Pints 