Tag Archives: Great American Beer Festival

Show 524, May 6, 2023: Ian McCall, Director of Brewing and Operations, Riip Beer Co.

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Ian McCall of Riip Beer Company

In April 2018, Huntington Beach’s award-winning riip Beer Co. hired Ian McCall as their newest head brewer and to run day to day operations. That year at the Great American Beer Festival, riip was awarded its second medal, silver for black the riipper black IPA. Before the end of the year riip expanded again by dropping two more fermenters and hiring Danny Priddy as an assistant brewer. The riip team was quickly growing and the accolades were just starting to roll in.

Riip continued to grow last year as they opened a serious pizzeria with an emphasis on quality ingredients in South Huntington Beach.

2022 was an exceptional year for Riip beers. At the Bistro IPA Festival in Hayward Riip was awarded a Bronze medal for their 1020 West Coast IPA which was a collaboration style with Cannonball Creek of Golden, CO. At the San Diego International Beer Competition Black the Ripper (signature Black IPA) was awarded a Silver.

Riip’s Ian McCall (Director of Brewing and Operations) is our guest with a mug of Dankster Squad in hand.

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Show 519, April 1, 2023: riip Beer + Pizza, Huntington Beach with Operations Director Ian McCall

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Ian McCall of Riip Beer Company

“In April 2018, Huntington Beach’s award-winning riip Beer Co. hired Ian McCall as their newest head brewer and to run day to day operations. That year at the Great American Beer Festival, riip was awarded its second medal, silver for black the riipper black IPA. Before the end of the year riip expanded again by dropping two more fermenters and hiring Danny Priddy as an assistant brewer. The riip team was quickly growing and the accolades were just starting to roll in.”

“riip continued to grow last year as they opened a serious pizzeria with an emphasis on quality ingredients in South Huntington Beach. riip Pizza serves classic thin crust styles as well as Square Detroit Style. The dough ferments for 48 to 72 hours before rolling out and being hand-tossed. Noel “The Pizza Whisperer” Brohner of Slow Rise Pizza consulted on all the original pizza recipes and quality checks periodically. The immediate success of their pizzeria was overwhelming and their new culinary team stepped up and knocked it out.”

Riip Pizza is one of the acclaimed Southern California pizzerias personally selected by noted pizza authority and food journalist Steve Dolinsky (Chicago-based) to participate in the upcoming Pizza City Fest Los Angeles at L.A. Live the Weekend of April 29th and 30th.

“Rip saw their beers travel further than ever before and brewed collaboration beers in Oregon and Colorado. At the 2022 San Diego International Beer Festival, riip was awarded Champion Brewery of the year! Rip had a massive showing at Great American Beer Festival with black the riipper being awarded it’s fourth medal, Bronze, and dankster squad being awarded a Silver in the largest category in the competition, American India Pale Ale with 421 entries.”

Riip’s Ian McCall (Director of Brewing and Operations) is our guest with a slice of Burrata & Hot Honey Classic Thin Crust pizza in hand.

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Show 422, April 24, 2021: Alexandra Nowell, Brewmaster & Partner, Three Weavers Brewing Company Part One

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“Three Weavers Brewing Company is an independent craft brewery based in Inglewood with a mission to build a positive sense of community through the collective passion for craft beer. Founded by Lynne Weaver in 2013, Three Weavers is one of the largest independent craft breweries in Los Angeles County and currently expanding production and distribution on the West Coast.”

“Led by award-winning Founding Brewmaster, Alexandra Nowell, Three Weavers Brewing Company’s craft beers have received critical International acclaim, winning a World Beer Cup Gold Medal in 2016, a GABF Silver Medal in 2017, a European Beer Star Bronze in 2017, and the Australian International Beer Awards Best IPA and Champion International Beer in 2018. Three Weavers is proudly brewed in Inglewood, California.” Alexandra shares the distinction of being the first female brewmaster in Los Angeles County.

Three Weavers Brewing Co. will be represented in Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium concession stands just as soon as fans are allowed in the seats. Cans of Three Weavers styles will be available in the grab-and-go outlets. Four styles of Three Weavers Brewing Co’s beers (in cans) will be featured in the Suites’ bar refrigerators.

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Show 413, February 20, 2021: Brewmaster Ian McCall, Riip Beer Co., Huntington Beach Part Two

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Ian McCall of Riip Beer Company

Riip Beer Co. is located in Sunset Beach, a historic sub-district of Huntington Beach, California directly on Pacific Coast Highway across the street from the beach & the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Riip Beer Company started in 2014 as a Home Brew Operation on a 20 Gallon Brew Sculpture by More Beer in a small garage in Downtown Huntington Beach, California.”

“Founded by two Brother-in-Laws in 2014, Riip Beer became one of Southern California’s first Nano Breweries to hit the rapid growing craft beer scene producing some of the best small batch, hand crafted ales in Orange County. Riip Beer was built organically from the ground up, the same way they craft their beers.”

“In 2016 Riip Beer Company for the first time ever entered the prestigious GABF (Great American Beer Festival) competition and received a Silver Medal for it’s Super Cali IPA in the uber competitive American IPA category. Brewed on their 3bbl system Riip Beer became the smallest brewery to ever win a GABF in the American IPA category with over 400 entries from around the globe.”

The winning tradition has continued under the direction of Brewmaster and Director of Brewing Operation, Ian McCall, who is a Huntington Beach resident. Ian joined Riip Beer Co. (a bit over 2 years ago) from Beachwood Brewing where he was lead brewer of their Long Beach facility. 

At last year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Riip was in the highly exclusive category of most medaled breweries. They were awarded Gold for their Belgian-Style Ale – Category 82 (Tangible Passion,) A Silver for Coffee Stout or Porter – Category 10 (The Riizzo,)  and a Silver for American-Style Black Ale or American-Style – Category 69 (Black the Ripper.)

At any given time the Riip Beer Co. Tasting Room in Huntington Beach offers an impressive selection of 19 craft beers on tap. Soon to be released to the Riip Tasting Room is their collaboration beer with MoonGoat Coffee Roasters, “Triip to the Moon.”

We’re continuing our tasting with Brewmaster Ian McCall.

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Show 398, November 7, 2020: Ian McCall, Brewmaster for Riip Beer Co. Part One

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Ian McCall of Riip Beer CompanyRiip Beer Co. is located in Sunset Beach, a historic sub-district of Huntington Beach, California directly on Pacific Coast Highway across the street from the Beach & the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Riip Beer Company started modestly as a Home Brew Operation on a 20 Gallon Brew Sculpture by More Beer in a small garage in Downtown Huntington Beach, California.

“Founded by two Brother-in-Laws in 2014, Riip Beer became one of Southern California’s first Nano Breweries to hit the rapid growing craft beer scene producing some of the best small batch, hand crafted ales in Orange County. Riip Beer was built organically from the ground up, the same way they craft their beers.”

In 2016 Riip Beer Company for the first time ever entered the prestigious GABF (Great American Beer Festival) competition and received a Silver Medal for it’s Super Cali IPA in the uber competitive American IPA category. Brewed on their 3bbl system Riip Beer became the smallest brewery to ever win a GABF in the American IPA category with over 400 entries from around the globe.

The winning tradition has continued under the direction of Brewmaster and Director of Brewing Operations, Ian McCall who is a Huntington Beach resident. Ian joined Riip Beer Co. (a bit over 2 years ago) from Beachwood Brewing where he was lead brewer of their Long Beach facility.

At this year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Riip was in the highly exclusive category of most medaled breweries. They were awarded Gold for their Belgian-Style Ale – Category 82 (Tangible Passion,) A Silver for Coffee Stout or Porter – Category 10 (The Riizzo,) and a Silver for American-Style Black Ale or American-Style – Category 69 (Black the Ripper.)

We’re tapping the newly released keg of Tangible Passion with Brewmaster Ian McCall.

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Show 398, November 7, 2020: Ian McCall, Brewmaster for Riip Beer Co. Part Two

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Ian McCall of Riip Beer CompanyRiip Beer Co. is located in Sunset Beach, a historic sub-district of Huntington Beach, California directly on Pacific Coast Highway across the street from the Beach & the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Riip Beer Company started modestly as a Home Brew Operation on a 20 Gallon Brew Sculpture by More Beer in a small garage in Downtown Huntington Beach, California.

“Founded by two Brother-in-Laws in 2014, Riip Beer became one of Southern California’s first Nano Breweries to hit the rapid growing craft beer scene producing some of the best small batch, hand crafted ales in Orange County. Riip Beer was built organically from the ground up, the same way they craft their beers.”

“In 2016 Riip Beer Company for the first time ever entered the prestigious GABF (Great American Beer Festival) competition and received a Silver Medal for it’s Super Cali IPA in the uber competitive American IPA category. Brewed on their 3bbl system Riip Beer became the smallest brewery to ever win a GABF in the American IPA category with over 400 entries from around the globe.”

The winning tradition has continued under the direction of Brewmaster and Director of Brewing Operations, Ian McCall who is a Huntington Beach resident. Ian joined Riip Beer Co. (a bit over 2 years ago) from Beachwood Brewing where he was lead brewer of their Long Beach facility.

At this year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Riip was in the highly exclusive category of most medaled breweries. They were awarded Gold for their Belgian-Style Ale – Category 82 (Tangible Passion,) A Silver for Coffee Stout or Porter – Category 10 (The Riizzo,) and a Silver for American-Style Black Ale or American-Style – Category 69 (Black the Ripper.)

At any given time the Riip Beer Co. Tasting Room in Huntington Beach offers an impressive selection of 19 craft beers on tap.

We’re continuing our tasting with Brewmaster Ian McCall as he pours the just released Dead til You Shred, a West Coast Double IPA, a collaboration with Arrow Lodge Brewing Co.

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Show 179, July 9, 2016: Trevor Walls, Head Brewer, Pizza Port San Clemente

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Trevor Walls of Pizza Port San Clemente and Chef Andrew GruelThe 3rd Annual Brew Hee Haw Craft Beer Roundup is part of opening Weekend of the OC Fair from July 15th to 17th. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy unlimited tastes of more than 80 craft beers with a wide selection of styles ranging from Pale Ales, IPA’s, Stouts, Saisons, Hefeweizens and many more. The 3rd Annual Brew Hee Haw Craft Beer Roundup has moved to a new location next to the Pacific Amphitheater, offering more space and a scenic view for craft beer enthusiasts.

With the addition of a new Friday evening session, guests will have their choice of 4 tasting sessions from some of the best breweries in the country. General Admission guests will receive 3 hours of unlimited tastings and a commemorative festival glass along with music. Games and more. Each session offers a limited number of VIP passes which provides an additional, more intimate hour of tasting with rare and limited release beers, and a special VIP commemorative glass. All passes include free OC Fair admission so attendees can “Come for the beer and stay for the Fair!”

Trevor Walls, the passionate Head Brewer for Pizza Port San Clemente (and a participating brewery), joins us with a thirst-quenching preview.

He studied brewing at the prestigious Siebel Institute of Brewing Science in Chicago as well as at the Doemens Academy of Brewing in Munich.

Pizza Port now cans their core craft beers (16 ounce packages) so you can enjoy them away from a Pizza Port restaurant in San Diego County or Orange County. Pizza Port continues to win important medals at the annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver. They have also won (in different years) “Small Brewpub of the Year” honors and “Large Brewpub of the Year.”

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Show 77, June 21, 2014: Jason Wilson, Founder, Back Forty Beer Co., Gadsden, AL

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Jason WilsonFounded in 2009 by Jason Wilson, Back Forty Beer Co. is one of the oldest Alabama breweries and the first to distribute outside of the state. Back Forty beers are available statewide in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. The brewery is located in Historic Downtown Gadsden, Alabama.

“In 2008, after several years in the corporate world and with over 150 brewery tours under his belt, founder Jason Wilson reached out to renowned Brewmaster Jamie Ray and asked for his help in developing recipes for Back Forty Beer Co.

The goal for the liquid was simple – to expose Southerners to the same craft beer culture that Wilson had been part of for the last ten years. This meant starting out with classic beer styles and evolving with customers along the way. Jamie agreed and in January of 2009 he became Back Forty’s first employee.

In June of 2009, Back Forty released its first offering, Naked Pig Pale Ale. The beer was only available in the North-Central Alabama home market, but the response was overwhelming. In March of 2010 the second Back Forty offering hit the shelves, Truck Stop Honey Brown Ale. Later that year Truck Stop Honey was awarded a Silver Medal at the Great American Beer Festival, and in the weeks following, distribution offers poured in that allowed Back Forty to expand its coverage throughout Alabama.

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June 21: Linda Kissam, Chianina Steakhouse, Back Forty Beer Co, Irvine Greek Fest

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Podcasts

Segment One: Guest Host Linda Kissam and Producer Andy preview the show
Segment Two: Linda Kissam, food, wine and travel writer, 1st Vice President, IFWTWA Part One
Segment Three: Linda Kissam, food, wine and travel writer, 1st Vice President, IFWTWA Part Two
Segment Four: Alejandro Duran, General Manager, Chianina Steakhouse, Naples Island, Long Beach Part One
Segment Five: EAlejandro Duran, General Manager, Chianina Steakhouse, Naples Island, Long Beach Part Two
Segment Six: Jason Wilson, Founder, Back Forty Beer Co., Gadsden, AL Part One
Segment Seven: Jason Wilson, Founder, Back Forty Beer Co., Gadsden, AL Part Two
Segment Eight: Restaurateur George Kookootsedes, 36th Annual Greek Festival, St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, Irvine

Guest Host Linda Kissam and Producer Andy preview the show.

How do you conduct a serious educational wine tasting (that’s also fun) with a group? Wine, food and travel writer Linda Kissam is with us to explain.

Quality Italian beef, pasta, and sustainable seafood are on the menu at the new Chianina Steakhouse in the Naples area of Long Beach. This is from the hospitality team known for Michael’s on Naples. Linda Kissam recently experienced a dinner there.

The craft beer movement, surprisingly, is vibrant and thriving in Alabama. Back Forty Beer Co. is the largest, and oldest, packaging brewery in the State.

The 36th Annual Greek Festival brings a “Taste of Greece” to Orange County at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church from June 27th to 29th. More than 11,000 guests are expected to attend the three-day festival which will feature traditional Greek cuisine, wine tasting, live music, and authentic Greek dancing with lessons. It’s a family-friendly affair!

All of this and lots more absolutely incredible deliciousness on Saturday’s show!

Linda KissamHow do you conduct a serious, educational wine tasting with a group that’s also entertaining and fun? Wine, food and travel writer Linda Kissam is with us to explain. She organizes tastings all the time…

She expertly demonstrated this recently for a group of professional food, wine, and travel journalists at the annual conference of the International, Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association in Montgomery, AL.

It was an organized tasting of five Italian Sparking Wines.

It’s fun but there is a proper way of doing this.

She also explains what the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association does and what their mission is. Linda serves as their First Vice President.

Chianina SteakhouseHigh-end steakhouses with a serious bar and deep wine lists are very much in fashion these days.

How about an elegant steakhouse that serves limited availability, high-quality Italian beef, prime steaks, and sustainable seafood? There is also a well-regarded executive chef (David Coleman) overseeing things. We’ll be meeting the General Manager of Chianina Steakhouse in the Naples neighborhood of Long Beach, part of the ever expanding Michael’s Restaurant Group. We’re joined by Alejandro Duran of Chianina.

Chianina beef will soon be on their menu.

Jason WilsonFounded in 2009 by Jason Wilson, Back Forty Beer Co. is one of the oldest Alabama breweries and the first to distribute outside of the state. Back Forty beers are available statewide in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. The brewery is located in Historic Downtown Gadsden, Alabama.

“In 2008, after several years in the corporate world and with over 150 brewery tours under his belt, founder Jason Wilson reached out to renowned Brewmaster Jamie Ray and asked for his help in developing recipes for Back Forty Beer Co.

The goal for the liquid was simple – to expose Southerners to the same craft beer culture that Wilson had been part of for the last ten years. This meant starting out with classic beer styles and evolving with customers along the way. Jamie agreed and in January of 2009 he became Back Forty’s first employee.

In June of 2009, Back Forty released its first offering, Naked Pig Pale Ale. The beer was only available in the North-Central Alabama home market, but the response was overwhelming. In March of 2010 the second Back Forty offering hit the shelves, Truck Stop Honey Brown Ale. Later that year Truck Stop Honey was awarded a Silver Medal at the Great American Beer Festival, and in the weeks following, distribution offers poured in that allowed Back Forty to expand its coverage throughout Alabama.

Jason revealed the great news that it looks like Back Forty Beer Co.’s styles will be available in Southern California by year’s end. We’ll keep you posted…

irvine-greek-festThe 36th Annual Greek Festival brings a “Taste of Greece” to Orange County at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church from June 27th to 29th. More than 11,000 guests are expected to attend the three-day festival which will feature traditional Greek cuisine, wine tasting, live music, and authentic Greek dancing with lessons. It’s a family-friendly affair!

Legendary OC Restaurateur Mr. K (George Kookootsedes)
(John Dominis) is our guest…As a dedicated volunteer he puts the incredible food program together each year.

As guest host Linda Kissam notes , “It’s the next best thing to flying to Greece.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Guest Host Linda Kissam and Producer Andy preview the show
Segment Two: Linda Kissam, food, wine and travel writer, 1st Vice President, IFWTWA Part One
Segment Three: Linda Kissam, food, wine and travel writer, 1st Vice President, IFWTWA Part Two
Segment Four: Alejandro Duran, General Manager, Chianina Steakhouse, Naples Island, Long Beach Part One
Segment Five: EAlejandro Duran, General Manager, Chianina Steakhouse, Naples Island, Long Beach Part Two
Segment Six: Jason Wilson, Founder, Back Forty Beer Co., Gadsden, AL Part One
Segment Seven: Jason Wilson, Founder, Back Forty Beer Co., Gadsden, AL Part Two
Segment Eight: Restaurateur George Kookootsedes, 36th Annual Greek Festival, St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, Irvine