Modern Brews and Beats Podcast

Art, beer, creativity and inspiration are four words to sum up this episode of Modern Brews + Beats podcast. Multi-disciplinary artist, C (pronounced "cee"), resides in Brooklyn, NY. His website, agtraphaus.com, is not only a place to share his art but also to create community with fellow artists and art collectors. Jerry and C met at the 2024 Afros & Audio Podcast Festival in Baltimore, Maryland, over beers and celebrating the Black Podcasting Awards Legend honorees (one of whom you'll hear referenced a few times in the show - Keisha (T.K.) Dukes, a long-time artistic collaborator with C). In this conversation, you'll hear about C's work in engineering, radio, poetry, and more. It's really about encouraging the artist in everyone. We're sharing brews in this episode from Allagash Brewing and False Idol Brewing. We're sharing beats from Jah Digga and Genesis. Enjoy.

On episode 234, we talk with Bryan Thomas, head brewer at Ivanhoe Ale Works in Denison, Texas. Bryan shares his experience as a cancer survivor, how he discovered his passion for brewing later in life, and how he helped renovate an early 20th-century theater into the space that Ivanhoe Ale Works is today. On the music front, we discuss the punk band Fire Sale, Laurence Guy, Carrtoons, and Lionel Richie. Enjoy!

On episode 231, our friend Jeff introduced us to the music and artistry of Boston-based artist Daniel Laurent aka DL. For episode 233, Jeff joins us in a conversation with DL. In addition to DL's music and filmwork, it's a fun discussion on regional hip-hop history and regional foods between Boston, Dallas, and Houston scenes. On the brew front, we discuss beverages from Down East Cider, Time & Material Beer, and Celestial Beerworks.

Co-owners Sean Steeg and David Welsch of Juniata Brewing Company join us episode 232 on Modern Brews + Beats Podcast. We connected with their brewery at Barrel & Flow Festival as they're done past collaborations with Our Culture Brewing and Off The Wall Brewing. For this episode, we discussed Juniata's origin story and the Barrel & Flow collaboration beer they did with The Pennsoulvanians - a Central, PA-based, a seven-piece band. In addition to beers from Juniata, we discuss offerings from Oak Cliff Brewing Company and Rockwell Beer Company.

Coffee is back on the docket for episode 231. Jeff returns to discuss a recent article by Perfect Daily Grind on the similarity between the growth and challenges of craft beer and specialty coffee. He learned about it from the creators of Roastguide, which is a new app like Untappd where users can rate their favorite coffees. In addition to our coffee talk, we discussed recent beverages from Coffee Del Rey, New Province Brewing Company, and ODD Muse Brewing Company. Since Tony and Jeff are the fathers on the cast, we also get into #dadlife as their kids return to school. On the music tip, check out the playlist Jeff made featuring Daniel Laurent AKA DL.

For episode 230, brewer Tommy Miller of Rollertown Beerworks is back on the podcast to talk about the brewery's expansion in Frisco, Texas, (slated to open in October 2025) and share his thoughts about the IPA beer style. In fact, he was brewing at Rollertown while talking with us. Given Miller's background in the Dallas brewing scene (Deep Ellum, Noble Rey Brewing), we discuss the IBU wars of the early 2000s and 10s, the slow acceptance of New England / Hazy IPA in Texas, and his ideas on the future of IPA. On the beats front this week, we talk about Barry Can't Swim, Black Milk, and Hashi Senjoo. Collin Zreet brings history and pairing ideas for English Bitter-style beers in the Tasting Notes segment. Are you an IPA lover or hater? Let us know. Also, thanks for leaving a review for the show at Apple, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy audio podcasts.

Modern Brews + Beats Podcast began August 11, 2019. On episode 229, we celebrate our anniversary and interview Stefan King of HopLore Brewing in Leesburg, IN. We've partnered with HopLore to make a collaboration beer for the 5th annual Barrel & Flow Festival in Pittsburgh, PA. Learn more about the beer and Stefan's experience in the restaurant industry before going into brewing. For this episode's Tasting Notes section, Collin Zreet discusses pairings for Irish Red Ale beers. As we celebrate six years of the pod, we are very grateful for your support for this show with reviews at iTunes and Spotify and especially our Patreon supporters. Thank you!

Joe Krutz of Morrilton, Arkansas's Big Cuppa returns to the show to discuss how he's diversifying his coffee operations. In our Tasting Notes segment, Collin Zreet talks about his favorite pairings with Irish Stout-style beers. Speaking of beers, we're discussing New Belgium, New Glarus, Big Beach Brewing, and our upcoming collaboration with HopLore Brewing for Barrel & Flow.

We're excited to welcome back Jon Renthrope, CEO of Cajun Fire Brewing Company in New Orleans, LA. In addition to his work with Cajun Fire, he is now the President of the Board of Directors for the National Black Brewers Association (NB2A). We discuss NB2A, Crafted for Action, exporting Cajun Fire product in Asia, and the latest developments for the East New Orleans Cultural Hub. For this episode's Tasting Notes segment, Advanced Cicerone Collin Zreet brings pairing suggestions for English Porter-style beers. Be sure to grab your tickets for Collin's upcoming craft beer and chocolate pairing at Central Market Fort Worth on July 8. Additional discussion points include: Get ready for Crafted for Action 2026 Our Culture Brewing X Creature Comforts collaboration Congrats to Vine Street Brewing winning a Gold ADDY award for marketing and design Soulshine Kolsch from Bentonville Brewing Do the Hop Thing from Narrow Gauge x Brothas & Craft Beer DJ Sun - Loveletter Misha - Flying Hiroshi Suzuki - Cat Our September 2024 conversation with Jon Renthrope

Kuumba "Smitty" Smith of Smittox Brewing joins us to discuss Black Eyed Peas' 1998 debut album, Behind the Front. Smitty also shares about his collaborations currently at Oak Cliff Brewing, Balanced Rock Brewing, and False Idol as we prepare for his brewery's grand opening. In our Tasting Notes segment, Collin Zreet discusses flavors and pairings from three stouts - oatmeal, foriegn extra, and tropical. Be sure to get your tickets for Zreet's craft beer and craft chocolate pairing at Central Market on July 8, 2025.

Tony comes with a new Top Five segment listing his favorite Biggie guest verses in celebration of what would've been The Notorious One's 53rd birthday. Plus, Collin Zreet provides food pairing suggestions for American Stout beers. Additional notes from the show: Jazzanova - In Between Live Mariah Carey celebrating 20 years of The Emancipation of Mimi Vicki Sometani & MAX RAD

Jeff is a Certified Cicerone based in the Dallas area, a hip-hop fan, and he's one of our "day one" supporters. On episode 223, he shares his experience with coffee classes from White Rock Coffee, and we discuss the sensory comparisons between beer and coffee. In this week's Tasting Notes segment, Collin Zreet shares delicious foods you can pair with American Porter beers. Additional conversation notes include: Big Cuppa Bentonville Brewing Eiland Coffee Roasters Black Milk and Fat Ray Bamily A Tribe Called Quest And finally, shout out to LaTreace Harris, The Beery Godmother, for the opening tag.

On episode #222 of Modern Brews + Beats, our special guest is B. Bass, CCO and Co-Founder of BVP Coffee Co. Find how this Texas A&M and Howard University alum is making a difference for HBCU students one bag of beans at a time. Plus, Collin Zreet joins us to talk about pairing notes for California Common beers.

New York-based jazz bassist, band leader, and educator Alex Tremblay joins us for episode 221. We discuss (and hear selections from) his latest recording, People and Places on La Reserve Records. Plus, Collin Zreet brings pairing suggestions for American Brown ales.

Tony brings a Late-Ass Album Review segment on Gil-Scott Heron's 1981 album, Reflections. Also, Jerry talks about his experience at Little Beer V in Duluth, GA, and Collin Zreet talks food pairing with American Amber Ale. We did have some garbles in the show due to connection issues. We tried to remove as much of that as possible and apologize for any interruption in your audio experience. Additional discussion notes Yukimi - For You Jack J - Opening the Door Smokin' George from Bluejacket (actually 6% abv) All About Beer Butcher Brown - Letters From the Atlantic Unknown Mortal Orchestra - IC 02 Bogota

This audio tour from Kansas City, Missouri's Vine Street Brewing was originally shared with our Patreon audience last year. We decided to share here on the main feed for two reasons. One, our recent experience with Autonomous Society Brewpub's Saturday Night Spin honoring Phife Dawg was a blast. We brewed a small batch just for the event that the crowd really enjoyed. Also, we wanted to interest you in supporting what we do at Patreon. Enjoy the audio tour, Sounds Around Hip Hops Hooray. Special thanks to Jeff and Greg for their support, Vine Street Brewing, Funkytown Brewing, Friction Brewing, Red Crow Brewing, and all who attended and shared on the podcast.

This week KooTonyD takes the interviewer seat to speak with Mike Williams of Wild Revival Craft Cocktails in Denton, TX. Mike shares how he and business partner Andrew Martin developed the concept of Wild Revival and what makes them unique in the Dallas / Ft. Worth bev-alc scene. Listen to find out where you can grab some cans locally as well as their distribution spots outside of Texas. For this episode's Tasting Notes segment with Collin Zreet, you'll get some great pairing suggestions for American Pale Ale beers. Additional conversation notes: Union Bear Brewing Company - Denton Alulu Brewpub Moor’s Brewing Company Run the Jewels DJ Shadow De La Soul Cozy Cole G Quiktastic Bass Angels

Episode 217 takes us to Autonomous Society Brewpub in the historic Cedars neighborhood of Downtown Dallas. Jerry speaks with Assistant Brewer / Bartender / all-around-handy man Tom Graybael, and cellarman / marketing assistant Preston Grigsby. Along with learning how they connected with brewpub owner and founder, Dean Weaver, we discuss the inspiration behind our draft-only IPA collaboration release for this month's Saturday Night Spin vinyl night on March 22. Plus, learn what foods pair best with American Blonde Ale in our Tasting Notes section with Advanced Cicerone Collin Zreet. Additional conversations include these links: Houndmouth Chatpile Delvon Lamarr Trio The station Preston references is Boom 94.5 FM (2014-2017) Conversations 1 and 2 with Jim Waskow of Craft Beer Cellar

In 2021, Jerry and Tony were featured on Joel Geier's podcast, Brewery Travels. Now, we're interviewing Joel about his new book, Flights Across America: A Brewery Lover's Journey. Plus, Collin Zreet joins us for the Tasting Notes segment on the style, cream ale. Additional show links. Live Oak Brewing False Idol Brewing Point Remove Brewing 2025 Texas Craft Brewers Cup Winners Durand Bernarr BLOOM Michael Kiwanuka Small Changes

Angi Thomas from Being Black in Craft joins us to discuss Kendrick Lamar, CiderCon, and more. Also, Collin Zreet is back with another Tasting Notes segment about American Lager. More links below: Red Crow Brewing Diversey House Peticolas Brewing Company Hoppin Fort Worth