In this episode, Joel got together with both Small Pour Sean and Craft Beer 007 in order to flood their systems with Mikkeller San Diego Beer Geek Vanilla Shakes along with some barrel-aged variants. Basically the liquid equivalent of binge-eating a quart of ice cream and half of a chocolate cake. Listen in as their blood sugar levels spike and taste buds are forever scarred.… Continue reading →

Beer with Pleasant Strangers

Beer With Pleasant Strangers – Episode 15 – Shake it Up and Stout it Out

In this episode, Joel spent some time learning how best to describe the fleeting and enigmatic flavors hidden within the deep recesses of fine, high-quality beers. And who better to learn from than Untappd wordsmith Chris Byerly. Seriously, go read some of his descriptions of the beers he has tasted. They're gold. Pure gold.… Continue reading →

Beer With Pleasant Strangers – Episode 14 – How to Describe Beer Flavors with Chris Byerly

For this episode, Joel enlisted the talents of his friend Robbie, who has a fairly selective palate and tends to use concise, superlative language to describe a beer he tastes. To that end, we lined up a small selection of hard-to-find beers (sometimes referred to as "whales" depending on the relative level of demand and rarity) and foisted them upon his tastebuds.… Continue reading →

Beer with Pleasant Strangers – Episode 13 – “Whale” Tasting with Robbie

In this little bonus episode, Joel tested out some new gear at the preview tapping event for three of Abnormal Beer Co’s forthcoming bottle releases. Several familiar voices weighed in with their thoughts on the new beers. Show Notes: Guests: Nick Guy, Justin Dailey, Sean Hanlon, Curtis Fjelstad, & Magic Muncie Nick on Instagram: @beershirecat… Continue reading →

Beer with Pleasant Strangers – Episode 12 Bonus – Abnormal Makaveli, Cafe Dino, & 9Five ’til Infinity Preview Tastings

In this episode, Joel decided to get his faithful camera man a tidbit buzzed on some gnarly Triple IPAs from Stone and Mikkeller San Diego. They tasted both 2017 variants of the storied RuinTen "Triple" IPA and discuss future podcast plans.… Continue reading →

Beer with Pleasant Strangers – Episode 12 – Stone RuinTen Variants

Joel, Matt and Sean taste a trio of berry-fruited sour beers without the aid of antacids! We all shared microphones and the result is less-than-spectacular… learn something new every day! This was a fun, free-ranging discussion with some incredibly tasty beer. Listen to us imbibe. Show Notes: Guests: Sean Hanlon & Matt Fireazzi Sean on… Continue reading →

Beer with Pleasant Strangers – Episode 11 – Berry Fruited Wild Ale Tasting

In this week's episode, Joel is joined by Matt Fireazzi, otherwise known as "Judge Dregs" on Instagram. Matt is a Boston native with a deep, abiding love for all things craft beer. … Continue reading →

Beer with Pleasant Strangers – Episode 10 – Interview with Matt Ferazzi

It's been a minute! Apologies for the mini hiatus. The show is back in action now!  In this episode, Joel and Curtis returned to Burgeon Beer Co. in Carlsbad, CA for their second-ever can release! Along the way, they discuss a miniature myriad of topics, from bottle shares (which you can read about in greater detail on Curtis' new blog) to Gentlemen Broncos & beer photography.… Continue reading →

Beer with Pleasant Strangers – Episode 09 – Burgeon Beer Co. Can Release Two

Joel sat down with local San Diego home-brewer, father, real estate agent and part-time philosopher Alton Hitchcock to discuss many things. In the process, they talked about shoes, ships, ceiling wax, cabbages and kings. Just kidding... actually, they talked about: BEER! Also Saké and whiskey and much more.… Continue reading →

Beer with Pleasant Strangers – Episode 08 – Interview with Alton Hitchcock

This week, a special blending session with the goal of recreating several of Firestone Walker's Anniversary barrel-aged blends leads to an interview with the man whose idea it was: Stephen Parmley. Stephen waxes poetic on the emergent craft beer scene of the San Francisco Bay area over the last few decades, and his fascination with blending beer. … Continue reading →

Beer with Pleasant Strangers – Episode 07 – Interview with Stephen Parmley & Firestone Walker Anniversary Blends

Beer with Pleasant Strangers is a show that focuses on the craft beer scene within the geography of Southern California, the United States, and Internationally as well. Expect the unexpected! Interviews with people who like beer! Interviews with people who make beer! Tasting notes, reviews, and reports from festivals and events.