209 episodes
The HOP: A Craft Beer Podcast The HOP
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4.8 • 20 Ratings
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Making craft beer inclusive, informative and entertaining! Come grab a drink with Gabriel Aprea and Stephen Humes as they set out to find unique craft beers from around the world. Each week, the hosts will discuss current events within the craft beer industry, provide in-depth beer analysis and, most importantly, have a good time.
Whether you're a home brewer, a craft beer snob, a Bud Light crusher or a wine head, this is the Happy Hour you won't want to miss!
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Round 157 - 2023 Beer in Review
With the end of another year in sight, The HOP presents a very special 2023 edition of our annual beer in review! The boys (and their livers) put in work again in 2023, having featured a total of 67 beers from 42 breweries this year, including visits to 17 states and 4 countries. If you’re keeping score at home, that brings The HOP grand total to 448 beers over the past 157 episodes, including beer from nearly 200 breweries across 31 U.S. states, as well as Washington D.C. and 5 other countries. This week, after an obligatory shot of whiskey, Stephen & Gabe crack open an “event beer” worthy of the festive occasion, heading out to Illinois for a look at Goose Island’s coveted Bourbon County Stout. We’ll also revisit our favorite toasts of the year and reveal our top 5 beer rankings for 2023. Raise your glass and join us as we ring in 2024 in style!
Featured beers: Two variations of Goose Island’s 2022 Bourbon County Stout, (Original & Sir Isaac’s Edition w/ figs.) Plus: With The HOP heading into hibernation, Stephen & Gabe look back and reflect on 4 years of podcasting.
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THROWBACK THURSDAY: Round 104 - Holly Jolly Beers
The boys are staying sober this week which means a return to our THROWBACK THURSDAY series! Enjoy this trip down memory lane and we’ll be back with a brand new episode next week.
Originally posted 12/23/2021
Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s that wonderful time of the year when breweries everywhere pull out all the stops to deliver festive, holiday brews. As Santa loads his sleigh, Stephen & Gabe set out on a mission to break down a variety of Christmas ales from around the country. A holiday beer can be many things, proven once again this year as we sample everything from IPA to Belgian Ale, from milk stout to cherry Kriek. And with three of the four beers clocking in at more than 10% ABV, this is one of our booziest episodes in recent memory. Featuring two returning breweries and two HOP newcomers, this episode is jam packed with offerings guaranteed to put the “merry” in Merry Christmas!
Featured beers: Ever Grain Missile Toad, The Bruery 2 Turtle Doves (2021,) Virginia Beer’s Evil Santa & Tröegs Mad Elf Grand Cru. Plus: Hot beer is a thing in Colorado and a new listing on Zillow hints that Santa may be moving!
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Round 156 - Season's Drinkings
Merry friggin’ whatever everybody! Sleigh bells are ringin’, snow is a’glistenin’ and, as usual, The HOP boys are rockin’ around the Christmas tree with beer in their hands. It’s a jam-packed episode this week as Stephen & Gabe travel the world to explore all that the Christmas Ale can be. First up, we’ll welcome two new breweries to the show. Gabe heads to the Midwest for a stop at Great Lakes Brewing while Stephen samples one of the world’s most iconic Christmas beers, coming to us out of Watou, Belgium and Brouwerij Sint Bernardus. Then, a pair of HOP alumni breweries returns to the show, both marking the holiday with the release of rare, unique beer styles. We’ll also break down the latest industry news including a slew of recent craft beer acquisitions, and Stephen & Gabe make an announcement as we reach the end of our 4th year on the mics.
Featured beers: Great Lakes Christmas Ale, St. Bernardus Christmas Ale, Bell’s Christmas Scotch Ale and Brewery Ommegang Everything Naughty. Plus: Jingle balls, Michael Bübs, pooping logs and Kentucky Fried Christmas!
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THROWBACK THURSDAY: Round 35 - Loophole Brewing
The boys are staying sober this week which means a return to our THROWBACK THURSDAY series! Enjoy this trip down memory lane and we’ll be back with a brand new episode next week.
Originally posted 8/27/2020
This week, the boys head back to the great state of Massachusetts to profile a young brewery with a unique business model. Loophole Brewing was born out of a desire to lessen the financial strain and barrier to entry for New England’s upcoming craft brewers. Their three-pronged approach to business allows them to brew their own beers, offer an extensive contract brewing service and, (most excitingly,) uplift newcomers through their Aspiring Brewers Program.
Featured beers: May the Road Rise to Meet Ewe and Movin’ Thru Kashmir NEIPA. Plus: A new edition of “This Week in Gross,” and the Netherlands has found a breakthrough solution to an unusual problem!
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Round 155 - Coronado Brewing Co.
The weather outside is getting frightful, which makes it the perfect time to head out west and hit the beach! The HOP swings down to San Diego’s Coronado Island this week for a visit to Coronado Brewing Company. Founded by brothers Ron & Rick Chapman in 1996, the company has grown from humble brewpub to widely renowned craft brewing operation with a steadfast commitment to crafting exceptional beers. Building off the success of their hoppy, West Coast-style ales, Coronado Brewing has expanded their reach to 14 U.S. States and 12 countries, garnering accolades and attention along the way, (most notably the title of “Best Mid-Sized Brewery & Brewmaster at the 2014 World Beer Cup.) Stephen & Gabe take a look at how it started vs how it’s going while sampling several popular beers that offer a slight rebranding to the phrase, “find your beach.”
Featured beers: Mango Farm Hazy IPA & Never Better DIPA. Plus: Stand aside flag football, another new sport is joining the 2024 Olympics and Gabe may try out for the team!
**Sponsored by FNX Fitness! Check them out and use the promo code HOPOD15 for 15% off.**
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THROWBACK THURSDAY: Round 48 - Black is Beautiful
The boys are staying sober this week which means a return to our THROWBACK THURSDAY series! Enjoy this trip down memory lane and we’ll be back with a brand new episode next week.
Originally posted 11/26/2020
In a very special Thanksgiving episode, Stephen & Gabe journey through several takes on the Black is Beautiful beer initiative! Created this summer by San Antonio’s Weathered Souls Brewing Company, Black is Beautiful has quickly exploded into a global movement raising awareness for racial injustice. With the base recipe and label design freely available online, breweries are encouraged to participate by putting their own spin on the brew, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting local foundations supporting justice and reform.
Featured beers: Black is Beautiful offerings from Wild East Brewing, Gun Hill Brewing Co., Departed Souls, Lickinghole Creek and a collaboration between Trillium / White Lion Brewing. Happy Thanksgiving!!
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Customer Reviews
hey cuz hey gabe
even though i only listened to one episode and i was like dying inside while listening i thought it was kinda interesting and tbh if i was 21 i would probably listen. fyi gabe you’re chill; stephen your fine i guess
The guys are awesome
Funny, insightful and well rounded. These guys are an awesome team. Definitely a must listen.
Fun, informative and entertaining
The bro-iest craft beer podcast around, informative and a good time. Perfect place for craft beer nerds and novices to come together.