Hop Cast

While in Atlanta Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder make a stop into 5 Seasons Westside for some good beer and some outstanding food. Executive chef David Larkworthy was kind enough to give them a tour of the brewery and give some insight into what they have going on.  5 Seasons is trying to create a sustainable business by using as much local organic ingredients as they can as well as trying to use the rain water to make the beer. If you’re hungry or thirsty in Atlanta 5 Seasons is a must visit. It’s “Real Food, Real Beer, Real Simple.”

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Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder are at The Seventh Annual Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beers in episode 64 of the Hop Cast. This great festival was held on November 7, 2009 in Chicago Illinois. It featured over 135 beers from 53 different breweries, representing 18 states. Brad and Ken did take a few breaks from there sampling to talk with a couple Hop Cast fans; Ed Knigge and Anthony Stagno. They also sit down at the end of the night with the festival organizer to get his thoughts and find out the future plans.

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This past Friday was the 2009 Yelp Summerfest at the Irish American Heritage Center in Irving Park. Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder made it out to the event to represent the Hop Cast and to enjoy some of the free food and beer. Some of the breweries at the event were Metropolitan, Goose Island, Half Acre, Two Brothers, Harpoon and Magic Hat. Since there were going to be a few local breweries at the event Brad and Ken figured this was a chance to do a few interviews with some more people. When Brad and Ken first got there the first beer they went for was the Metropolitan Flywheel, it seemed like a perfect refreshing way to start of the evening. The plan was to interview a few brewers and see what was happening in the craft beer world. But unfortunately everyone who was pouring the beer was extremely busy all night and didn’t have a chance to talk with the Hop Cast. With 900 + people at the event there were just too many thirsty people. But Brad and Ken did run into Courtney Baldy who is the pastry chef at Three Floyds. Courtney gave a little insight into her love of desert and beer and the kind of things she is doing at Three Floyds. Over all the Yelp event was great. The beers were excellent, especially the Metropolitan Flywheel and the Half Acre Daisy Cutter. There could of been more food since they did almost ran out of pizza at one point. If you have a chance to make it to one of the yelp events do it!

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This is the final interview from the 2009 Alefest. Unfortunately the camera Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder were using died in the middle of this interview so the second half is missing. Brad and Ken did have a chance to talk with Doug Hurst from Metropolitan Brewing a little and he explained the two beers they were serving up at the fest. Hopefully in the near future the Hopcast will be able to meet with Doug again, for an episode featuring Metropolitan brews. Metropolitan is brewing some great lagers so if you’re in the Chicago area, keep an eye out.

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Here is another interview from the 2009 Alefest. This time Ken Hunnemeder and Brad Chmielewski were able to chat with Bryan Shimkos the brewmaster from Flossmoor Station. Bryan brought three beers with him to Alefest, the Apesession, Killer Kapowski and the Farewell Ale. Flossmoor Station is brewing some wonderful beer and they are just a short ride on the metra from Chicago. If you live in the Chicago area, its highly recommended that you check out Flossmoor Station.

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At the 2009 Alefest, Ken Hunnemeder and Brad Chmielewski were able to interview a few of the standouts. First up is BrickStone Brewery, all four beers that they brought to Alefest were great so Ken and Brad needed to find out some more about the delicious brews. They grabbed one of the brewers and asked him a few questions. BrickStone Brewery is only fifty miles south of Chicago and worth checking out if you get a chance

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This past weekend Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder made it out to soldier field for the 2009 Alefest. The festival featured over 150 craft beers from more then 50 beweries. Brad and Ken both had a blast the previous year and this time they wanted to share it with you. Stay tuned the rest of the week for three interviews with some of the brewers at the event.

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In this mobile Hop Cast special Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder sway from the usually craft beer and sample a Natty Boh.

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In this mobile Hop Cast special Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder are at Shady McGrady’s Irish Pub in Harrisburg Pennsylvania drinking beer and eating food. Shady McGrady’s has a great beer selection and kick-ass owner. Stop in for a drink they are located at 204 Verbeke Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102.

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