Drink Local Now!

Community comes first, before the beer, at D9 Brewing Company.  “The only way I will ever do this is if our primary focus is the community. Beer is a modality for me. I love beer. I’m an engineer. I can engineer the shit out of beer, but I have to have a reason to do something,” states D9 owner Andrew Durstewitz in episode #0067 of Drink Local Now. D9 Brewing Company, in Lake Norman, N.C., was started by two engineers and a doctor, with a mission to inspire and support community through the creation of exciting and original crafted ales. Since their inception in late 2014, they have invested in the scientific exploration of the natural world to produce the highest quality, and unquestionably original, crafted ales. Listen in on D9’s 4th anniversary party podcast hosted by D9 owner Andrew Durstewitz, Mark Durstewitz (Andrew’s dad), Brewpon’s Tommy Green, and Tyler “Jarraffe” Green. Joining the gang are Muddy River Distillery Owner Robbie Delaney,  D9 Quality Control Chemist Rachel Higgins,  D9 Director of Finance Brett Zabek, and Allie from Huntersville.

Tommy Green and Daiva McCandless share their nude modeling experiences with co-hosts Ben Wiggins and Chris Power. Daiva also shared some Event Horizon brew from her Great American Beer Festival award winning Olde Hickory Brewery. Father (Brad Rodgers) and son (Cam Rodgers), owners of The Casual Pint in South Asheville, welcomed us for yet another zany and intoxicated episode (#0066) of Drink Local Now.

“We are trying to change the mindset from that of warriors to that of guardians, from that of intimidators to that of protectors, and change the mindset of us versus them, to a community of we, ” declares Buncombe County Sheriff candidate Quentin Miller. A verbose cast of characters has this episode exceeding the 100 minute mark. If you feel you need to smoke a big fat joint to make it through, you’ll be pleased to hear county commission candidate Taylon Breeden and celebrated local broadcaster Jeff Messer tout legalization of marijuana. No arrests were made!

“Everyone thinks this guy is a genius because he spent all of his billions of dollars shooting a sports car into space that nobody can afford to buy. It is stupid,” expounds Marshall Pyle. Back again at Catawba Brewing, we are joined by the son of the great Artemis Pyle, the only surviving member of Lynyrd Skynyrd who walked away from the band’s tragic plane crash. We talked to Marshall about the time their family spent living in Israel, various odd jobs we have all had, and Elon Musk. The rest of the cast included Facebook agitator Ben Wiggins of Catawba Brewing, and Kieth Laguna of Rumors fame and Tonic Market. Chris Power and Tommy Green adeptly host episode #0064 of Drink Local Now.

“It’s very difficult for black music artists to play around, and try different genres and styles of art, because they are very regimented into one kind of close minded idea… especially for musicians. There is only a handful of black guys playing guitar that you can think of who are popular,” states Ween’s Claude Coleman, jr. in this incredible conversation featuring two local music legends, who are now business partners. Brett Spivey of Inspected by 13 and Claude are seeking funding and donations, opening the first music rehearsal facility ever in Asheville. Once the mission is complete, Brett plans to open Holy Spirits Brewing, converting an old church into a nano brewery. At the 38:53 mark, Ben Survant of Natural Born Leaders can be heard artfully singing and playing his acoustic, saving our listeners from complete and utterly boring chat. Alas, Rick Rice and Keith Laguna keep the conversation spirited, as Tommy Green stumbles his way through hosting the 63rd installment of Drink Local Now.

Mountain Ale and Lager Tasters (MALT) meets at Sierra Nevada’s upstairs play room for good times and really good home brew drinking. Founded in the late 20th century, the group exudes the essence of our vibrant and often weird Western North Carolina community. Discussed in yet another scintillating podcast hosted by Crowler Chris Power and Tommy Green, is the fine art of making home brewed craft elixirs. Guests include pharmacist Joe Rafferty, Trevor Gwillim of CARZ, sour brewer Justin Breitzke, and international welder Erich Seigler. And…… (drum roll) least we not forget Ted Clevenger of Asheville Brewers Supply? He’s become a regular! Our theme song is by Electric Gremlin, featuring Jay Armant, jr. of Fishbone fame.

Rick Rice crossed the 100 minute mark, without breaking the seal, setting a new World record. A seasoned veteran of broadcasting UNCA basketball, and Asheville Tourists baseball, he often sits for hours without relieving himself. Rick lasted 104 minutes, 34 seconds, never leaving the podcast to whiz, pounding delicious craft beer from Catawba Brewing the entire time. Rick’s dedication to performance and our show was truly admirable. Elk hunter Ben Wiggins graciously hosts the Drink Local Now team at the SoSlo tasting room, keeping the conversation lively and the craft beer flowing. Listen up to our longest, and dare say, most entertaining podcast to date.

The sign is hanging in French Broad River Brewery and dates back to before The Green Man buy out by Dennis. Green Man started in the back of Jack of Wood, but they weren’t the only ones who started there. Born around the same time, French Broad River Brewery started there, as well. In episode #0060 of Drink Local Now we are honored to be drinking craft beer with head brewer Aaron Wilson of French Broad, and Ted Clevenger of Ashevile Brewers Supply. Chris and Tommy are humbled by the knowledge of these Asheville craft beer legends, whose brewing relationship dates back a decade. Lots to be learned by listening, as Tommy points out, “I need to learn to shut the f*ck up!”

Fantasy Crime novelist, Matt Broadway, and Hendo guitar legend Eric Congdon join us at Monte’s Taproom for Homeplace Beer Company pint night. Tommy Green is an emotional mess, having fallen prey to social media reckoning. Chris Power takes the helm and artfully guides the dialogue. Matt brought us craft beer from the newly opened Triskelion Brewing Company, where Jonathon Ayers of Drink Local Now lore, is the master of brewing.

To start off 2018, we continue the discussion with craft brewer John Garcia at his Lookout Brewing in Black Mountain, NC. Transgender female Kaylah Mague joins our cast of misanthropes, bringing our show to a level of legitimacy, which Chris Power and Tommy Green are aspiring to reach. Topics discussed include: Lookout Brewing expansion Disc Golf Another Brewery Opening in Black Mountain How much the Asheville Brewers Alliance sucks Good Hops Brewing How much Wicked Weed sold for Appalachian Mountain Brewery is NOT a craft brewer John Garcia, Tommy Green, and Kaylah Mague