One comment from a cable guy was all it took to change Andy Gioia's direction. On this episode of The Jersey Link Podcast, Jose Sanchez and co-host Kate Vargo visit Birdsmouth Brewery in Oceanport to hear how that moment eventually led to a brewery built around lager, friendship, and doing things differently. Andy brings the brewing science. Jim Freas brings the people skills. Together, they found a space between big beer and traditional craft beer that felt wide open. "There's craft beer, there's macro, and then there's Birdsmouth," Jim says, and you can tell they like living in that gap. The conversation gets into why Birdsmouth keeps its beer list small and why a simple lager is much harder to make than it looks. "What can we take out, as opposed to what we can add?" Andy asks. That one question tells you almost everything about the way they think. The deeper they get, the more surprising it becomes. Andy explains why a beer can taste completely different depending on how it traveled to your glass, and once he says it, you will never look at the cooler at your liquor store the same way again. There is a reason families have shown up since day one, a reason bartenders across the state pour Birdsmouth on their own time, and a Netflix-sized neighbor moving in that could change everything. Here are the key takeaways: (2:54) The cable guy dare that started it all (8:11) Why good beer is really about good times (10:07) Finding the gap between craft and big beer (11:52) The craftsmanship behind the Bird’s Mouth name (15:50) Winning over the people who control the taps (16:38) Lager vs IPA: what really makes them different (17:58) Why brewing a clean lager is so difficult (19:20) Fewer beers, better quality, less decision fatigue (23:54) Building a brewery the community calls home (26:09) What makes Monmouth County worth exploring (31:11) How lager brings people back together (36:50) The brewing legend Andy wants to meet (41:26) Why warm beer ages faster than you think (44:52) Growing Bird’s Mouth across New Jersey (49:45) Finding Bird’s Mouth beer near you (51:06) The two-pint test for a great beer Somewhere in there, it all turns into beer pong, steak, and a debate about fries that gets weirdly heated. Tune in for a fun look inside Birdsmouth and the people behind it. You may leave with a new appreciation for Lager and a new reason to take a drive to Oceanport. About Andy Gioia and Jim Freas Andrew “Andy” Gioia and Jim “James” Freas are part of Birdsmouth Brewery in Oceanport, New Jersey. Andy brings a background in microbiology, culinary work, brewing school, production, and consulting, while Jim studied broadcasting and production before working in bars, liquor stores, brewery sales, and distribution. Together, Andy and Jim focus on making lager, building relationships with bars and restaurants, and growing Birdsmouth across New Jersey. Connect with Andy & Jim: Website www.birdsmouthbeer.com Instagram @birdsmouthbeer About Katlin Vargo Katlin Vargo is a real estate agent, focused on serving buyers, sellers, and investors in Central New Jersey. She has lived in Middlesex County for over ten years and brings a strong understanding of the local market. Outside of work, she spends time with her son, Beau, and their dog, Brooklyn, exploring nearby neighborhoods and parks. Connect with Katlin: Instagram @katevargorealtor About Jose Sanchez Jose Sanchez is a Broker-Associate at Keller Williams Realty with 22 years of experience in real estate, financial sales, and business operations. He leads a team, oversees recruitment, and manages client relationships throughout the buying and selling process. Jose also directs marketing efforts and helps drive team performance. He works closely with the community to support local growth and development. His focus remains on guiding clients and building strong Connect with Jose: LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/jsanchez35/ Instagram @josersanchez
