Homebrew heroes Nathan Smith and Vito Delucchi join us on The Session this week to discuss homebrewing the perfect Pale Ale! Nate spent a lot of quarantine time during the pandemic trying to find the perfect Pale Ale recipe. Along the way he ran into a few hiccups, including the elusive hop creep. Using tips he's learned from the past, as well as a stable of pro brewer friends, Nate found some techniques to help along with his journey. Listen in while Nate and Vito share their knowledge on...

The Great American Beer Festival 2022 Brewery of the Year, Ghost Town Brewing, joins us on The Session this week. Hailing from Oakland, CA. these guys know there stuff, especially when it comes to IPA's and hops in general. They won Gold in the Imperial IPA category two years in a row, and several other medals in the last few years alone. Tune in and find out some of their secrets, as well as how they put in a new brewhouse right along side their old one, only to find out it didn't work......

Co-Owner & Lead Schmoozer Chris Ritter and Brewer Stephen Ruddy from Oakland United Beerworks join Justin in-studio on The Session this week. We get to taste through and learn about their stellar classic style brews, including a GABF Silver Medal winning Schwarzbeer, a fabulous Baltic Porter and mouth watering Nitro Dry Stout. Along the way, we also learn about the tragic story of how ALS rocked the Ritter family, and the heartwarming tale of a family keeping their sons dreams alive in...

This week on The Session we welcome the three brothers (well, sorta...) from Movement Brewing Company. Hailing from Rancho Cordova, California, these guys brew up great beer and a ton of fun. You can tell this family likes to party as much as they like making great beer, and that's our kinda brewery! Tune in and learn all about the movement, from Movement! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special edition of The Session, Justin heads across the pond to France to attend the 11th anniversary block party of Brasserie Outland, a brewery he helped inspire back in the day. As part of the festivities, brewers from across Europe came to celebrate and Justin was able to sit down with three of the most prominent brewers in France. Tune in and learn about the French Craft Beer scene, both past and present, and find out why you too should be headed to France for world class craft...

Founder Steve Sartori from Altamont Beer Works returns to The Session to talk hops and yeast! Now a favorite of Justin's, the crew discuss how they get so much juicy hop flavor in their highly quaffable brews. You'll be surprised at how they do it and you'll want to listen all the way through for the best tips and tricks that you can use in your beers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vinnie Cilurzo from Russian River Brewing Company returns to The Session to talk hop creep, canning lines, TPO and more! As always, we learn a ton from the legendary brewer and have a great time while we're at it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Session, Jamil Zainasheff and Jason Ledford (from True Symmetry Brewing) bring us beer from Moersleutel Craft Brewery in the Netherlands. On a recent trip through Europe the pair went to Moersleutel and met Head Brewer, Jorge Tomé. Jorge, originally from Spain, relocated to the Netherlands to work at the brewery and now makes some of the most interesting and unique beers we have ever tried. Listen in to learn about his original take on ingredients, styles and balance. Jorge...

This week on The Session we are joined by Ryan Frank and Austin Sharp from Headlands Brewing Company to discuss their current growth and how a new location saved the brewery. With a new home in Lafayette, CA. and a new (to them) production brewery in Pittsburg, CA. the brewery is ready to take on a new life. We learn about their commitment to the outdoors and the plane itself, as well as a few of their wonderful beers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on The Session we welcome back to the studio, Christian Kazakoff. Christian has been on the show a few times over the years, and each time with a different brewery. His latest home is at Canyon Club Brewery in Moraga, CA. Christian has always been able to nail classic styles, but also bring in new hops and techniques to the fold to compliment his extensive brewing chops. Tune in and learn from one of the best the Bay Area has to offer as we dive into the brews of Canyon Club! Learn...

Owners Josh Kopp and Chrissie Pinney from Hana Koa Brewing Company from Honolulu, HI. join The Session this week. Tune in and learn about their hard work and humble beginnings at small breweries and even our very own Hop Grenade Taproom in California, to their amazing brewery in Hawaii. All along they've kept to their roots and mission to make the world a better place through great beer and philanthropy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris White and Kara Taylor from White Labs Yeast & Fermentation come back on The Session to talk yeast, fermentation and Pure Pitch® Next Generation technology. These two are The Brewing Network's official yeast guru's and we always learn a ton when they are on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Obert, Founder of Seven Stills Brewery & Distillery from San Francisco, CA. joins us this week on The Session. They've experienced a rapid rise from their humble beginnings in a rented storage you unit to a 17,500 square foot state of the art facility in San Francisco's Mission Bay District. They're also America's first licensed brewery and distillery, starting a trend that continues to grow today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamil Zainasheff returns to The Session for the first time since selling his brewery, Heretic, and subsequent firing from the company. Jamil tells his side of the story and discusses the state of the brewing industry along with friends from True Symmetry Brewing Company from Suisun City, CA. Tune in and get the scoop! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mare Island Brewing Company joins us on The Session to discuss the history of Mare Island and the brewery that is helping to keep it alive. Co-Founders Ryan Gibbons and Kent Fortner have built a truly unique brewery in an historic decommissioned Naval shipyard and their dedication to the history, the men and women who worked there, and the legacy that surrounds them shows in every single thing that they do. Tune in listen to one of the coolest and most important brewing stories we've ever had...

Brendan and Celeste Gough from Liquid Gravity Brewing Co. join us in the studio to talk about this year's Welcome to California beer collaboration with four different California breweries. Teaming up with Altamont Beer Works, Burgeon Beer Company, Casa Agria Specialty Ales and Humble Sea Brewing Company, they produced four distinct and truly West Coast beers. Learn about those and the inaugural Brewers Olympics held in San Luis Obispo on this episode of The Session. Learn more about your ad...

Joining the consolidation revolution, Japanese beer companies have entered the American Craft Beer scene with some big moves. Joining Kirin Holdings, who purchased New Belgium a couple years back, Sapporo has also continued its expansion with the recent acquisition of Stone Brewing Company in San Diego. Listen in as we welcome Ry Beville, Publisher of Japan Beer Times to give his insight into what's been happening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Session, Chris Graham and Justin Crossley attempt to homebrew Tasty's Dortmunder Export Lager Recipe for the 2022 National Homebrew Competition. Yes, you heard that right...Justin is back to brewing! Tune in and hear why the guys decided to take on the challenge of entering the largest homebrew competition in the world and how they came to decide on this unique beer style. We taste the beer on the show so you can hear how it came out. We were also joined by our brewing...

This week on The Session we are joined by Natalie Boltz Keller and Mark Keller from Bruehol Benicia Brewing in Benicia, CA. Bruehol Benicia Brewing specializes in German style pilsners, lagers, West Coast style Ales, and a variety of IPAs. Tune in and hear their story! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-Owner Ryan Fry from Sudwerk Brewing Company joins us in the studio this week to discuss German lagers and the evolution of the Sudwerk brewery and brand. Ryan and his business partner Trenton Yackzan took over the brewery from Trenton's grandfather and have steadily been evolving it into the modern and award winning brewhouse that it is today. If taking home mid-size brewery of the year at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival wasn't enough proof, their incredible beers they brought to the...

Side Gate Brewery & Beer Garden, the newest brewery in Concord, CA. joins The Session to talk about their journey from homebrewing to pro brewing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Derek Gallanosa and Cory Meyer from Moksa Brewing Company return to The Session to talk about their amazing rise as one of the best breweries in California. From delicious, complex and unique Pastry Stouts to brilliant West Coast IPA's and delicious Hazy IPA's, these guys do it all. Tune in and learn about some of their techniques and original takes on styles. We also welcome Shaun "Sully" O'Sullivan from the 21st Amendment Brewery back to the studio as our esteemed co-host alongside Justin...

For our first ever SF Beer Week Tasty Night, we record a star studded Session in honor of our Craft Beer Hero, Mike "Tasty" McDole. Tune in and hear from homebrewers turned pro under Tasty's guidance, pro brewers who are still inspired by his techniques today, and of course his co-hosts who love him dearly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A blast from the past! Chad Moshier, the Session's former producer, joins the show as the Brewmaster at Bankhead Brewing Co. out of Rowlett, Texas. Chad is in town for our very special Tasty Tribute Night at The Hop Grenade. Much has changed in Chad's life since the good ol' days of living with Justin at the Rat Pad. He's now a husband, father, and Master Brewer. Tune in and learn about Chad's beer, his brewing philosophy and what lies ahead for our good friend. Learn more about your ad...

New Executive Director of the American Homebrewers Association, Julia Herz joins The Session to talk about the past, present and future of homebrewing. Julia has had an extensive career in the Craft Beer business and brings a fresh perspective to the hobby. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices