In this special history episode, author/historian Gregg Smith discusses topics including taverns during the colonial era, his favorite early brewery stories, the history of beer advertising, the hard life of a brewer in the early 20th century, historical methods, Prohibition, the role of women in beer history, and more. Warning: You will learn something! His books are available on Amazon and BrewersPublications.com. This episode is sponsored by Back East Brewing, Brewery Legitimus, and Little Red Barn Brewers. For more episodes, go to beersnobwrites.com/podcast.

In their 512 Brewed podcast, Melanie Demi and Caitlin Johnson entertain and inform. Based in Austin, Texas (with its 512 area code), these media-savvy beer lovers bring a fun, well-researched approach to beer styles, beer tasting, and a bunch of other beer-adjacent topics. In this episode we step into my shoddily created hologram world, the latest virtual pub that I've called "The Great Outdoors." We talk podcasting, Austin beer, and get served by a lion. In other words, we keep it weird. I invite you to listen to 512 Brewed, and check out the hosts' blogs: Melanie's Three Dogs One Bar and Caitlin's Big World, Small Girl.  Thanks for listening to It Starts With Beer. Please follow and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. You can support this podcast by dropping a Venmo tip for william-siss. My website is beersnobwrites.com.

When Jamal Robinson, director of sales at New England Brewing of Woodbridge, Conn., put up some simple videos in his greenhouse in June, he was doing more than letting off some steam about race relations in America. He was setting down some wisdom that I couldn't get out of my head. In this episode, Jamal talks about his career in beer, how he's dealt with racism, and what a brewery can do to affect change.To watch Jamal's videos, check them out on his YouTube channel linked here. You can follow him on Instagram at @nebcojammy.Follow "It Starts With Beer" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, or wherever you find podcasts!

Writer Jay C. Williams is Connecticut-based with a background in copywriting. His love of beer has propelled him into freelance opportunities, including writing for Wine Enthusiast, Cuisine Noir, October, and other publications. Listen in as we talk writing for multiple audiences, the expanding "beer scene," and Williams' straight-edge punk past.Here are some links to Jay's work: October, Cuisine Noir, Wine Enthusiast.Background music from Saiki Beats and Relax Music Meditation.Follow "It Starts With Beer" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, or wherever you find podcasts!

Alisa Bowens-Mercado is used to stepping into unfamiliar territory with confidence and a twist. The owner of Rhythm Brewing -- which is based in New Haven, Conn., but has its lagers brewed at Black Hog Brewing in Oxford, Conn. -- is also the owner of a Latin dance studio. As an African-American woman in a largely white, male beer industry Alisa has decided to focus on quality first, to go along with inclusion. Enjoy our conversation from June 11, in which Alisa (aka Lady Lager) describes her passion for beer and shares thoughts about race in America and how beer can bring people together.Music featured: "Fantasy" by 3D Rhythm of LifeLearn more about Rhythm Brewing at www.rhythmbrewingco.com. Follow "It Starts With Beer" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, or wherever you find podcasts!

I've been a fan of Back East Brewing in Bloomfield, Connecticut, ever since they opened back in 2012, which in Connecticut craft beer years might as well have been the Middle Ages. I'm what's known as a superfan of Back East Porter, so you can understand how happy I was to have Tony Karlowicz on as a guest. Tony is the co-owner of Back East Brewing and we talked about how his brewery is weathering COVID and looking to the future, plus we play The Lightning Round.Please feel free to give me a Venmo tip: search for william-siss. I also mention in the episode that you should consider giving to ACLU.org and knowyourrightscamp.com if you believe in funding social justice organizations.Learn more about Back East at www.backeastbrewing.com.  Follow "It Starts With Beer" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, or wherever you find podcasts!

What a fun episode of "It Starts With Beer"! Not only do I get to speak to my first international guests, Wayne and Janice Dunne of the Irish Beer Snob podcast all the way from Ireland, but I get to take them to a virtual world of my own design: Pub Americana. From our hologram-realistic barstools, we talk about the state of Irish beer and get to know this lovely couple. Strap on your VR helmets because it's going to be a pixelated ride! Then listen to Wayne and Janice themselves at their Irish Beer Snob podcast.

Brando, Clinton, and Big Mike make up the trio known as Brewheads. They drink, they review beer, they hang around, and have fun on their YouTube channel. I had a chance to Zoom with them for a while and find out what makes for an entertaining beer review. We learned a lot about each other and came out of this one changed for the better.Make sure you follow "It Starts With Beer" on Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, or Podbean. Background music by Saiki Beats.

Enjoy my interview with Clare Goggin Sivits (@beergoggins), the author of an April piece in the website October called “The Beer World Wasn’t Built for Moms." News music background by AudioTrend.

What’s happening with Massachusetts breweries? No one knows better than Rob and Bob of Mass Brew Bros, and in this interview we talk about their recent post on MassBrewBros.com about the future of Mass breweries post-pandemic.