May 2, 2020
Almanac Beer Co. wants to capture a specific place and time with every beer
We last spoke with Almanac Beer Co. at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival in Denver*. Co-founder Jesse Friedman and (current) Brewmaster Phillip Emerson joined us just after collecting a silver medal for their White Label. As you might expect, everyone was in good spirits and we had a great conversation. Emerson joined us again to talk a bit more in depth and update us on their growth. Four years ago Almanac was a gypsy brewer, utilizing other breweries to brew their beer. In 2018 they opened an expansive barrel house and taproom in Alameda, CA.
We talk with Emerson about his life before beer, the history of the brewery and its name, harnessing the power of science over time, farmer's markets, advancements in yeast, craft malt, and brewing with kveik.
*Our 2016 interview with Almanac is available to our Patreon supporters as part of the BGR Vault. Sign up starting at just $1/month and get access to this episode and many others. Plus, you'll get all new episodes commercial free.
CRAFT BEER NEWS
This week, more Coronavirus vs. Craft Breweries news and the Brewers Association announces layoffs and salary cuts for management, Atlanta's Monday Night Brewing shares the results of their customer survey on what people expect when they return to taprooms, and distilleries are helping out by making sanitizer out of beer that would otherwise be dumped. We are so ready for some blue skies for our brewers.
THE BEER LIST
- Almanac Vibes Hoppy Pilsner
- Almanac Boost Coffee Stout
- Almanac LOUD! Hazy DIPA
- Almanac Love Hazy IPA
- Almanac Passion Project Farmhouse IPA
- Almanac BA Sunshine & Opportunity Tart Ale
- Reformation Brewery / Atlanta Beer Boutique Drink Well With Others Peach Cobbler Sour
- Three Taverns / Good Word Three Words (It Goes On) NE DIPA
- Wild Heaven Don't Stand So Close To Me Euro Lager
ICYMI: More California breweries
- Wild Barrel Brewing’s Dr. Bill Sysak | Ep. 222
- FiftyFifty Brewing’s Alicia Barr | Ep. 215
- AleSmith Brewing’s Peter Zien | Ep. 197