Bean to Barstool Podcast | The Chocolate Conspiracy’s Beer-Infused Bars

AJ Wentworth, the founder and chocolate maker for Utah’s The Chocolate Conspiracy, loves craft beer almost as much as he loves craft chocolate, and he’s partnered with several Salt Lake City craft breweries on a series of beer-infused craft chocolate bars, including bars with Uinta Brewing Baba Black Lager, Kiitos Brewing Coffee Cream Ales and Level Crossing Brewing Soul Rex Double IPA.

In today’s episode, AJ and beer writer David Nilsen discuss the partnerships The Chocolate Conspiracy and neighboring breweries, his process for infusing beer flavors into his bars, the burgeoning Salt Lake City beer and chocolate scenes and his background in raw cuisine.

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New Image Brewing | Estufa (Barleywine)

In a hypercompetitive craft beer market that is ever trending towards (but not quite reaching) that mythical saturation point, breweries can find it difficult to differentiate themselves. Whether it be a new style (that’s probably a rebranded old style), new hop varieties, clever marketing or some combination of these and other “innovative” elements, breweries have to try to rise above the pack and distinguish their product from what the upstart down the street is doing. New Image Brewing is no stranger to innovation with their lineup of various Barrel Aged Beers, their heavy use of Phantasm powder and the impending opening of their own meadery brand Post Future. Estufa is perhaps their most ambitious project yet. Estufa is the first release and the genesis of New Image’s forthcoming macro-oxidized solera Barleywine program. That is a lot of beer related words not often (if ever) stringed together, so follow along as we explore what New Image is currently doing and where they are looking to take this program.

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Inside Revolution Brewing’s Latest Deep Wood Release

Capping off the 2022-23 Deep Wood lineup from Revolution Brewing are two of the most highly anticipated releases since the beers were announced over the summer. Later this week, several locations will host preview parties and pickups will begin.

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New Belgium’s Fat Tire Overhauls Branding and Recipe After 32 Years

One of craft beer’s most iconic brands is about to look and taste a lot different after 32 years. New Belgium Brewing has announced a complete overhaul of its iconic Fat Tire brand, which includes new packaging, branding, and more importantly, a new recipe.

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Firestone Walker | IPA Mixed Pack Featuring Galaxy Shapeshifters

The amount of options at a liquor store can be overwhelming, and it can feel limiting to choose a six- or 12-pack of just one beer. The solution? Mixed packs. These are a great way to get a little taste of different beers, and also provide a variety to guests. Released in November 2022, Firestone Walker launched the IPA Mixed Pack Featuring Galaxy Shapeshifters, which can be found through its Beer Finder.

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Enter to Win | Firestone Walker’s “Legendary Brewmaster Experience”

The same legendary brewery that has produced iconic industry-changing staples like Parabola, Union Jack, 805, Mind Haze, and Pivo Pils is giving one lucky beer fan the opportunity to join the “Legendary Brewmaster Experience.” 

Firestone Walker Brewing invites beer fanatics to enter for a chance to win an all-expense paid, four-day, three-night VIP trip to visit all three Firestone Walker breweries in Venice, Buellton, and Paso Robles to brew with their all-star team. The winner of the Legendary Brewmaster Experience will receive an all-access Firestone Walker VIP weekend learning from the likes of co-founder David Walker, and Brewmaster, Matt Brynildson.

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Event Preview | Scarlet Lane Scarelastic Book Fair

As bookish adults, many of us get nostalgic at the memory of the Scholastic Book Fairs from our school days, when we got out of class to spend our allowance money on cheap reading material. A horror-themed brewery in Indiana is bringing the delight of those book fairs back for adults, this time with beer.

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Colorado Beer Beat | Bi-Weekly Beer Release Guide 1/12

Welcome to the Colorado Beer Beat, a bi-weekly roundup of all of the new can releases around the state. From Denver to Grand Junction and everywhere in between, we have you covered. Be sure to check back on Thursdays (usually!) to find out what’s new in the Colorado beer scene.

Kick 2023 off with a bang at Outer Range this weekend! They’re celebrating their anniversary with 11 new beers for you to enjoy, along with all sorts of other activities as part of their Jerry Fest. If you don’t have the time to make it for this 3-day event, we have plenty of other releases out for you to peruse for your drinking pleasure.

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Barrel Room Spotlight | Phase Three Brewing

The first brewery cast in the Spotlight in 2023, Phase Three Brewing is a welcomed addition to this growing series. A culmination of three phases of built relationships, experience and passion, the story behind this young brewery never ceases to garner continued support. We had the opportunity to speak with Shaun Berns, co-founder and Head Brewer at Phase Three, to not only learn more about his passion project as a whole but to hear specifically about their impressive barrel program that has people across the country talking.

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Bean to Barstool Podcast | Loon Chocolate

There are countless similarities between the worlds of craft beer and bean to bar chocolate, and few people know that as well as Scott Watson. Scott was a professional craft brewer in the 1990s when craft beer was just beginning to gain national attention. After leaving the craft beer world, he eventually discovered bean to bar chocolate and founded Loon Chocolate.

In this episode of Bean to Barstool, Scott shares his memories of brewing craft beer, what makes him love chocolate making, and the numerous ways in which these two artisan industries remind him of each other.
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World of Flavor | Sake’s Key Ingredient Unlocks New Possibilities at Hi-Wire Brewing

Hi-Wire Brewing in Asheville, North Carolina, won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2021 for a beer its brewers weren’t even sure was going to be any good. Their Japanese Dry Rice Lager earned the hardware in the Experimental Beer category, a catch-all for anything too weird for the nearly 100 other categories judged each year. Typical winners have included an Arnold Palmer-inspired Berliner Weisse and a Sour Rye Saison aged on Prickly Pear Cactus. So what was so unusual about this Rice Lager, a beer that — on the surface — was as simple and unassuming as any beer at the festival?

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West Sixth Brewing | Rye Barrel Porter

For West Sixth Brewing‘s third bourbon and barrel collaboration, Rye Barrel Porter, the Kentucky brewery has partnered with Bulleit Frontier Whiskey. Rye Barrel Porter is a high-ABV (9.0%) porter aged in Bulleit 95 Rye whiskey barrels.

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2022 Georgia Best in Year Review

Blink and you’ll miss it – 2022 did not slow down for anyone, it seems. It was a busy year in beer, as the industry continues to grow in Georgia, despite the limiting legislation in the state. Whether it be an individual beer, a brand new location, or a great event, there’s a good chance your favorite brewery made 2022 better for you. Read More

Go Brewing Opens Taproom Focused on Non-Alcoholic Beer

There’s a new brewery in Naperville, Illinois! Go Brewing offers non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers, exclusively. It recently took over the former Two Fools Cider space nearby Solemn Oath Brewery. As one of the few taprooms solely focused on non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers, the taproom provides a space for people to gather without alcohol. Go Brewing’s founder, Joe Chura, was inspired to start the brewery after taking a sabbatical and participating in the seventy-five hard. During that time, he realized there were so few places not centered around drinking. The taproom offers non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers in a variety of styles, along with an extensive list of programming, providing their community with even more reasons to come together.

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Colorado Beer Beat | Bi-Weekly Beer Release Guide 12/29

Welcome to the Colorado Beer Beat, a bi-weekly roundup of all of the new can releases around the state. From Denver to Grand Junction and everywhere in between, we have you covered. Be sure to check back on Thursdays (usually!) to find out what’s new in the Colorado beer scene.

As 2022 draws to a close, we hope that you’ll show your favorite breweries your support at least one more time. While we’ll surely miss all of the brews we’ve had this year, we’re certain that 2023 will be a great year for Colorado craft beer!

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Barrel Room Spotlight | WeldWerks Brewing

After an extended Holiday Hiatus, the Spotlight is back and featuring a true powerhouse from the Rockies: WeldWerks Brewing. From humble beginnings in a Colorado garage in 2009 to a friendly wager at the 2014 Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival, Neil Fisher and WeldWerks Brewery finally made its long-awaited debut in 2015 in Greeley, CO.

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2022 Colorado New Year’s Eve Brewery Events

2022 is almost in the books, meaning it’s time to celebrate the year that was and look forward to what 2023 will bring us. While some may be content to spend New Year’s Eve huddled amongst freezing masses for hours on end or in a crowded club struggling to reach the bar, the discerning Coloradan will wisely seek out a local brewery for a more relaxed and enjoyable vibe. Many breweries throughout the state have events planned in the hours leading up to New Year’s, so we have assembled a list of those here. Whether you want to catch some live music, eat a multiple course beer dinner or try some special beers, there is something here for every beer lover. As always, be safe and responsible in your New Year’s Eve drinking activities – let’s end this year and start the next in a great way!

If we missed any Colorado NYE Brewery events be sure to shoot us a message and we would love to add your event to our round-up.

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It’s All In The Blend | Tasting Eleven Years of Firestone Walker Anniversary Ales

The coming together of brewers and winemakers mixed with the art of blending and barrels is the genesis of Firestone Walker Brewing Company Anniversary Ale. Read More

DuClaw Brewing Co. | The PastryArchy Unicorn Farts After Dark

DuClaw Brewing Co.‘s The PastryArchy Unicorn Farts After Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Crunch Breakfast Pastry Stout (phew!) is everything it sounds like and more.

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River North Brewery | Nightmare Fuel

As the name and label suggest, Nightmare Fuel from Denver’s River North Brewery is traditionally tied to Halloween. However, its dark, bold flavors and high alcohol translate nicely into winter warmer season as well. This barrel-aged Coffee Imperial Stout is the perfect comfort beer for curling up next to the fire on a snowy day. Read More