Tag: A Podcast & A Beer

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A Podcast & A Beer – Stakeknife

I do not normally gravitate towards the true crime genre of podcast but if you add in subterfuge and history, then I am listening. Stakeknife from the BBC covers a truly awful series of events that all feature one person, from which the podcast gets its name.

Who is the bigger villain ? Freddie Scappaticci aka Stakeknife who was involved in 35 murders?  The IRA for their raging paranoia that led to innocents killed?  The British, who couldn’t just let Ireland go and instead chose control?  All of the above.

This was a hard listen as the focus was on the victims and the hunt for the truth, two things that governments and police really like to downplay if they are the ones caught in a bad light.

For beer, I do not want to tar a brewery or specific beer with the title of being a great pairing double agents and murder and intimidation, so instead, how about shining a light on history with some light lagers. Practically every brewery has one, so check your local to see what they have.

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In the Tap Lines for May 2025

You may be asking yourself why there is a green glow around May. Surely, March would be a better month to talk toasties and spice bags. The reason behind the Irish centered posts this month is that, I will be there on the Wild Atlantic Way seeing what places like Galway, Limerick and Tullamore ( home of the D.E.W.) are like in 2025.

~ e-visits to (3) breweries from the Emerald Isle

~ special featured reviews of Irish beer

~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events

~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark

~ A Book & A Beer reads Tilt by Emma Pattee

~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to Stakeknife

~ Sports & A Beer returns with the sports of Ireland

~ New Beer Releases and Best Beers of the Month

~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

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A Podcast & A Beer – Setting the Table

There is now a backlog, a big one, of podcasts. I run across or hear about podcasts that are long done. One such podcast is Setting the Table. 

It is hosted by Deb Freeman, and it “explores the stories and histories of African American cuisine and foodways. From Sunday barbeques to the spirits in your cocktails, African Americans have created the foundation of modern American cuisine, yet African American food is one of the least explored food genres.”

The beer and distilling episode where I suggest you start before moving onto the other topics. 

For beer, look for something, anything from a minority owned brewery.  Or something that uses historical ingredients like yams or paw-paw fruit.  Beers that are influenced by the mash-up of agriculture and culture.

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In the Tap Lines for April 2025

Heading into the 2nd quarter of a truly horrendous 2025 here in America. If you are reading this in an airport or dock as you make your escape Casablanca style from this country, I will keep you updated on the beers of SoCal and the rest of what’s left and I hope I will hear about wonderful beers from other countries.

~ e-visits to (3) breweries from Vinepair’s Breweries to Watch list

~ special featured reviews

~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events

~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark

~ A Book & A Beer reads Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to Setting the Table

~ Sports & A Beer returns with NBA tanking

~ New Beer Releases and Best Beers of the Month

~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

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A Podcast & A Beer – Good Hang with Amy Poehler

I remember the SNL Weekend updates and, of course, Parks & Rec but like many entertainers and comedians, podcasts are a natural creative outlet.  Amy Poehler already had one podcast and now has her second Good Hang.

This is a celebrity interview show with two points of separation. One is that it is tacking more towards genial and friendly and the second is that Poehler enlists some of her comedy friends to provide questions which I think is a new and neat touch. The show just started so it won’t take long to get caught up for those completists out there.

I would choose a nice session – low ABV beer for these shows, especially since they go about an hour. A nice pub beer while you get a few laughs.

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In the Tap Lines for March 2025

Spring sprang into summer in February so lighter, crisper beers are already in season as it were. Also in season is basketball and soccer plus….

~ e-visits to (3) breweries that will be pouring at the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival

~ special featured reviews

~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events

~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark

~ A Book & A Beer reads Watford Forever

~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to Good Hang with Amy Poehler

~ Sports & A Beer returns with Why does March Madness not seem a sell-out but College football does?

~ New Beer Releases and Best Beers of the Month

~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

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A Podcast & A Beer – An Arm and a Leg

I am not a true crime podcast fan but I have started an NPR podcast that is all criminality. An Arm and a Leg hosted by Dan Weissmann.

From profiteering to charity care it can be depressing but the podcast is also trying to be empowering as well by getting knowledge out about inner workings of the vast medical business.

With additional labeling being recommended for alcohol a possibility and with Dry January in the rearview, I would say that for beer to drink with this, go find some session IPAs or some low alcohol British-style beers with low ABV

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In the Tap Lines for February 2025

My favorite month is here. Mostly ’cause it is my birthday month and I use all 28 or 29 days that I get to the point of exhausting everyone else. For this blog, I will do my best to exhaust you with beer news.

~ e-visits to (3) breweries from Oregon

~ special featured reviews

~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events

~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark

~ A Book & A Beer reads Our Share of Night

~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to An Arm and a Leg

~ Sports & A Beer returns with How to Fix the Blazers

~ New Beer Releases and Best Beers of the Month

~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.

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A Podcast & A Beer – Sherlock Holmes Short Stories

I do not think that I will ever get tired of the mysteries and deductions of Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle. And now the Noiser podcast team have indulged me with readings by actor Hugh Bonneville of the short stories starting with The Speckled Band.

Since the short stories are brief, it takes about two or three episodes to crack the case in nice half-hour chunks and Bonneville brings the stories to life without getting too theatrical with the line readings.

To pair with mystery, dare I suggest you find your own Watson to cover up labels or pour beers blind so that you can deduce hops, terroir or even the brewery who made it. If Watson is away, then find yourself a nice mild or English IPA.

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In the Tap Lines for January 2025

Strap in folks, there is gonna be some turbulence in 2025. I have mentioned, just yesterday in fact, that economics are going to be bad and the now annual Dry January will not help the beer world so be kind and helpful to counteract the bad vibes that are sure to be spinning.

~ e-visits to (3) breweries from Hop Culture’s Best of List

~ special featured reviews

~Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events

~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark

~ A Book & A Beer reads Knife by Salman Rushdie

~ A Podcast & A Beer listens to Sherlock Holmes Short Stories

~ Sports & A Beer returns with teams that are easy to hate

~ New Beer Releases and Best Beers of the Month

~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.