Let's Talk Beer

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Society & Culture

Society & Culture

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History

History

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02/15/2024

Father Mathew and 19th Century Irish Temperance Movement

The caricature of the Irish involves a lot of alcohol and drunkenness. It often comes as a surprise when people discover just how widespread and culturally ingrained temperance and teetotalism is in the country. Father Theobald Mathew's temperance crusade was the single most extraordinary social movement in pre-famine Ireland, enlisting millions of Irish men and women to give up drink for life. This coincided with, and arguably enabled, a national identity which coincided with Daniel O'Connell, and the mass-meetings he organised. Professor Paul Townend of University of North Carolina, Wilmington wrote the book "Father Mathew, Temperance, and Irish Identity" and is an expert on Father Mathew and the temperance movement. He joined me for a fascinating chat.

02/15/2024

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56 min
01/28/2025

Beer, Ads, and Morality: The American Protestant Temperance Movement of the 1950s

In this episode, we explore an unexpected chapter in American history: the temperance movement’s resurgence in the 1950s. Decades after Prohibition’s repeal, Protestant-led activists shifted their focus from banning alcohol to taking on a new target—alcohol advertising. Based on Pamela E. Pennock’s research, we examine how this movement grappled with anxieties about youth, mass media, and the rise of consumer culture in post-war America. We’ll discuss how Protestant coalitions, from Methodists to evangelicals, mobilized grassroots campaigns to influence public opinion and government policy, and how publications like Christian Herald and Christianity Today engaged with these debates. Along the way, we uncover how this movement mirrored broader societal struggles with shifting values, the role of faith, and the power of media. Whether you’re fascinated by cultural history, grassroots activism, or the intersection of religion and politics, this episode sheds light on a forgotten movement that shaped the 1950s and continues to echo in debates today. Cheers to history, and the surprising stories behind every sip of beer!

01/28/2025

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12 min
12/10/2024

Beer, Barbarians, and Rome: The Story of the Sabaiarius

In this episode, we uncover the fascinating tale of the “Sabaiarius,” an ancient Roman insult meaning “beer man.” Centered on Emperor Valens and his 4th-century struggle against rebellion, this story reveals how something as simple as a drink could carry profound cultural and political weight. Drawing from Denis Aldino’s research, we explore how beer symbolized barbarism and social inferiority in Roman society, contrasting sharply with wine, the drink of the elite. We’ll delve into how this insult was weaponized against Valens to undermine his legitimacy as emperor, exposing deep-seated anxieties about Roman identity and the growing East-West divide within the empire. Along the way, we’ll unpack the perspectives of Ammianus Marcellinus, the historian who chronicled these events, and consider how drink preferences reflected broader societal prejudices. Join us for an intriguing look at how beer and identity intertwined in ancient Rome—and how these associations echo in modern stereotypes about drinks and status. Cheers to history, culture, and the surprising stories behind what we drink!

12/10/2024

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12 min
06/12/2024

A Chat With Wild East, Brooklyn's Mixed Fermentation Brewery

Wild East was founded in 2019 by Brett Taylor, Tyler March and Lindsay Steen. Based in Brooklyn they have a focus (though by no means exclusive) on mixed fermentation and Brett-based beers. They started with 40 barrels and have since grown that by a further 100. As they say they themselves, they aim to push boundaries and open new doors for anyone who’s remotely interested in beer. We do this by producing a diverse range of lagers & ales with balanced and complex, yet approachable flavors and the utmost dedication to quality control. Join us for a chat to learn how they got started, how it's going, and what the future holds..

06/12/2024

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43 min
06/26/2024

What's The Real History of Lambic Beer?

Lambic is synonymous with Brussels. The usual story is that the spontaneously fermented beer has been brewed unchanged since medieval times, a remnant of how all beers were once brewed. The story is more interesting though. Beer Historian Roel Mulder from LostBeers.com joins me to explain how Lambic beers originated in the 18th century and how they went on to be the Brussels 'peoples beer,' declined in popularity in the mid 20th century, and have seen a dramatic revival in the 21st. We discuss the first recorded mention of lambic, the requirements for a beer to be lambic, where it was brewed and why it developed.

06/26/2024

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59 min
09/21/2023

Ragnarock Brewery Newfoundland: Brewing At The Worlds End

In St. Anthony on the Northern tip of Newfoundland, 3 friends decided to create a community focused brewery. Despite having no experience they opened their brewery and taproom at the end of the world in November 2019 - just in time to be shut down by Covid a few months later. Nevertheless they persevered and their taproom is a higlioght of the local community and they also sell their beers farther than St. Anthony's. Join founder Brad Simms to learn what it's like brewing in so remote a location and the lessons learned

09/21/2023

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49 min
11/30/2023

Recreating a 16th Century Irish Beer With Dr. Susan Flavin & Marc Meltonville

There is much we still don’t know about beer in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Historians of food and drink have produced a huge amount of research that explores its deep and complex importance to everyday life. But what did that beer look and taste like? How much alcohol did it contain? How nutritious was it? Though some researchers have tried to answer these questions using the written records left behind by brewers, they have typically made assumptions based on modern ingredients, equipment and techniques. Dr. Susan Flavin set out with a small team to answer those questions. Armed with a 15th Century Irish recipe her team at FoodCult.eu gathered ingredients that match as closely as possible to the originals, and even went as far as building a brewhouse of the time. Susan is joined by food historian Marc Meltonville who had responsibility for recreating the brewery itself for a chat about the project and its findings. You can learn more about the project at https://foodcult.eu/exhibition/brewing-historical-beer/

11/30/2023

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1h 8m
09/20/2024

The Incredible Story Of England's 1919 Beer Riots

Explore the surprising beer riots that erupted in Britain in the spring of 1919, just after the end of World War I. We discuss article ‘WASHY BEER AND EMPTY CELLARS’: THE BEER RIOTS OF 1919 by Simon Fowler and his argument that historians have overlooked these events, which highlight the government's attempts to balance the needs of the working class with concerns about temperance. We explore the factors behind the shortages and the government's attempts to appease the public with a gradual increase in beer production and a reduction in the wartime restrictions on alcohol consumption. We talk about the impact of the protests, the government's response, and the ultimate failure of the temperance movement to maintain wartime restrictions. The protests were a temporary phenomenon, driven by the specific circumstances of the immediate postwar period, and ultimately had little lasting impact on the broader trends in British beer consumption. But they remain a fascinating incident in the history of beer. Read the article we discuss in this episode: https://www.academia.edu/37937368/Washy_beer_and_empty_cellars_paper_S_Fowler_v1_docx 🍺 Subscribe to keep informed with videos, chats, and specials https://youtube.com/beoirfest?sub_confirmation=1

09/20/2024

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8 min
08/03/2023

Maison Kaloa of Senegal, Brewer of Fonio Beers

Kalao is a pan-African brewery based in Senegal. A small nano-brewery thinking big they have collaborated with brewers worldwide, most recently with Brooklyn Brewery. This chat with founder Raphael discussed their use of the grain fonio and its potential in beer across the world.

08/03/2023

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37 min
11/28/2024

A Chat With Irish Brewing Pioneer Shane Long

In this episode, we sit down with Shane Long, a legend in Irish brewing and the founder of both Franciscan Well Brewery, one of Ireland’s first microbreweries, and the brand-new Changing Times Brewery in Dublin. Shane shares his incredible journey from entering the industry in the 1990s when “craft beer” wasn’t even a term, to building and selling Franciscan Well to Molson Coors, and now launching his latest venture with a consortium of Dublin publicans. We explore the early days of Franciscan Well, including the challenges of convincing the Irish market to embrace craft beer and how international awards helped establish their reputation. Shane also delves into his experience working with a global beer giant, the valuable insights he gained, and why he eventually stepped away to start something new. At Changing Times, Shane is redefining the brewery model by partnering with local pubs, focusing on approachable, sessionable beers designed to adapt to customer preferences. This episode offers a deep dive into the evolution of Ireland’s beer scene, the lessons Shane has learned over 27 years in the industry, and his vision for the future of brewing. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast, an entrepreneur, or curious about the Irish beer landscape, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed this episode!

11/28/2024

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32 min

The Let's Talk Beer channel combines the main BeoirFest program which features chats with brewers, historians and others about beer, its culture and history with some lighter and shorter fun things that wouldn't otherwise fit.

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Let's Talk Beer

Top Shows

Father Mathew and 19th Century Irish Temperance Movement

Beer, Ads, and Morality: The American Protestant Temperance Movement of the 1950s

Beer, Barbarians, and Rome: The Story of the Sabaiarius

A Chat With Wild East, Brooklyn's Mixed Fermentation Brewery

What's The Real History of Lambic Beer?

Ragnarock Brewery Newfoundland: Brewing At The Worlds End

Recreating a 16th Century Irish Beer With Dr. Susan Flavin & Marc Meltonville

The Incredible Story Of England's 1919 Beer Riots

Maison Kaloa of Senegal, Brewer of Fonio Beers

A Chat With Irish Brewing Pioneer Shane Long

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