Beers with Nigel

Act 39: Equal parts chemistry, engineering and Star Wars fandom

At first glance, the now 1-year-old Pathlight Brewing's logo catches your eye for its simplistic and clean design. But take a second to talk with head brewer Tanner Vaughn and you'll soon find, that like their beer, there's really a lot going on. And by a lot, we're talking some serious and beautiful nerd-dom here — mathematics, science and Star Wars. Tanner joins Nigel and Nick for the second stop on their KC brewery tour to talk about his love of European brews, the brewery's first anniversary and the fact Pathlight is now the unofficial taproom for local Formula 1 fans.

Act 38: Craft beer for the soul

“Craft beer for the soul." — That’s how Act 38 guest Smittox Brewing bills themselves. They may not have a physical location yet, but that hasn’t stopped them from making a name for themselves. They’re promoting the Smittox brand by pouring their beer at pop-ups and brewing collabs with other breweries in the Dallas area. We talk to the Smittox crew about their entry into craft beer, their plans for their brewery space and much more. Listen in!

Drinkers on the show: Windshift Brewing — Chaeson; Smittox Brewing — German Pilsner; Smittox Brewing + Vector Brewing — Black is Beautiful Collab; Smittox Brewing + Martin House Brewing — Short Order Porter. Nick’s mystery beers: The Iowa Project — All Joy; Mack Brewing — (No label - maybe a wheat beer?); Mack Brewing — IPA.

Act 37: On the road again...

No mystery beers this week (sorry, Junior). Nigel and Nick hit the road for the first time, this year and cross the state line to visit Courtney Servaes at Servaes Brewing. Even fan-boy Nick was shocked to learn his queen of the fruited sours doesn't actually like the sours. But like all of us, our best work comes when we're trying to please our beloved soulmates. It was a full, rich travel day for the boys, who started the afternoon at Pathlight Brewing before visiting with Courtney and then finishing the evening at the soft opening event for Broken Hatchet Brewing.

Act 36: Proper beer deserves proper drip

If you’re drinking good beer you gotta have the proper glassware, right? That’s where craft beer brand 17% Drip comes in. Who is 17% Drip? Well, 17% Drip is focused on the best Drip Gear for the craft beer trendsetters & influencers who are putting in the work to bridge the gap between the Urban Lifestyle & Vibe and the Hipsters. You’ll be dripping after this cool episode.

Drinkers: Celestial Beerworks + Urban South Brewing Collab; Urban South + Definitive Brewing Collab; Weathered Souls + 17% Drip + Beer Zombies Collab; and Yuengling Lager.

Mystery beers: Boulevard Brewing — Tiki Slam; Windshift Brewing — Mojito Hard Cider; & Fat Orange Cat — Dazed & Confused.

Act 35: Gettin' hoppy wit it

Do you know where the hops come from in your beers? If you’ve had beer from BKS Artisan Ales, Windshift Brewing, Hopping Gnome Brewing and many other breweries, you actually do. Act 35 features Ryan Triggs, of Kansas Hop Company, in Ottawa, Kansas. Ryan tells us how the hop farm started, we learn about the hop harvesting process and how the region's breweries are excited about having fresh and local hops readily available for their beers. Kansas Hop Co also has a major announcement in this episode!

Drinkers: BKS Artisan Ales — Double Double; Windshift Brewing — Grapefruit Solar Tsunami; and Alma Mader Brewing — Subarctic//Citra Nelson. Mystery Beers: Windshift Brewing — Autumn Punch Cider; Martin City Brewing — Peanut Butter Porter; and Off Color Brewing — Beer for Ball Games.

Act 34: Have beer, will travel — It's just more fun with Mack

"Mack has more fun." That’s the mantra for Mack Brewing’s Dave “Philly” Mack, owner of one of the first black-owned breweries in Philadelphia, PA. In Act 34, we talk about how he got into beer, how he moved around the country with his home brews in tow and how Mack Brewing became a brand in West Philly. Shout to Transparent Brewing for our drinker, Totes Ya' Oats oatmeal stout. Mystery beers from Cosmic Eye Brewing, Kros Strain Brewing and Servaes Brewing.

Act 33: Beer and marriage, it's an institute you can't disparage...

Act 33 is definitely a beer love story. Wendy and Dave Hartmann from Gotahold Brewing join the show and tell us how their love of beer, and each other, brought them from two different parts of the country to Eureka Springs, Arkansas to start this awesome brewery. The story of the brewery name alone is a great. Act 33 is definitely Lifetime movie worthy!

And now for our beers. Drinker: Sock Hop — Transparent Brewing. Mystery Beers: Cherry Fandango — Toppling Goliath Brewing; Nitro Coconut Truffle — Southern Tier Brewing; and Fish Boy — Against the Grain Brewing.

Act 32: Some brotherly love

All Brian Fenstermaker wanted to do was brew beer his brother liked to drink. Little did he know his brother had much bigger ideas for those home-brews! This is a story you’ve got to hear to believe. Act 32 of BeerswithNigel features Iron Kettle Brewing. It’s the newest, oldest and only brewery in Grain Valley, MO. Or is it the oldest and newest and only? Doesn't matter. Listen anyway. Beers from 3 Trails Brewing, East Forty Brewing & Fringe Beerworks. This week's mystery beers: Elk Valley Brewing — Pecan Pie Barleywine; Roundhouse Brewing — Cinder Dick; IPA Kros Strain Brewing — Ditch Beer 2021; and Crane Brewing — Thought & Memory.

Act 31:Green Acres is the place to be; beer acres is where he wants to be

So, what ha-happened.... Nick Applegate left a city of half a million people to move to a town of 11,000. All to start a brewery. In the middle of a global pandemic. Sounds crazy, right? Maybe even absurd? But that's exactly what he did, joining an old high school buddy to launch The Iowa Project Brewing Company in Spencer, Iowa. Applegate cut his beer teeth at Diametric Brewing Company in Kansas City after several years as home brewer. During the episode, we talk about the culture shock moving to a small town, who influenced his brewing career and his vision for The Iowa Project.

For Junior! Beers from Hop Butcher, Untitled Art Brewing and Crane Brewing graced the show. Mystery beers included Narrow Gauge Brewing, Lively Beerworks and Servaes Brewing

Act 30: A tactical approach to beer game

Warcloud brewing may be the coolest craft beer brand you haven't heard of yet. Alero joins Nigel and Nick to talk about his crew's tactics and approach to building their brand and the upcoming launch of their Los Angeles-area brewery.

Nick & Nigel's drinker was Dunkel Me This from Transparent Brewing. Pulled from the Mystery Bag were: Carolater (sorry Neil, we forgot what "olater" means) — KC Bier Co.; Cheap Thrills Pilz — Fringe Beerworks; and Love it or Hate It Cucumber Gose — Lakeside Brewing.