Brewsing Banter

This week the Legendary Brew Crew pull up a chair with Shahin Khojastehzad, founder of Handshake Persian Digestif, for a wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond what’s in the glass. From growing up Iranian in Maine to cutting his teeth in the beer world, Shahin breaks down how flavor, culture, and identity collide in his work, and why bitters and digestifs exist in nearly every culture on the planet, even if we don’t always call them that.We talk Persian blue salt lagers, ethical sourcing, high ABV beers, non alcoholic options, and why some flavors are meant to support the whole experience rather than steal the spotlight. Shahin shares how Handshake came to life as a literal and figurative meeting point between Iran, Maine, and the many communities that shaped him along the way.It’s a conversation about beer, yes, but also immigration, representation, foodways, travel, and building something meaningful without cutting corners. Grab a drink, settle in, and tap in for an episode that reminds you why culture matters just as much as what’s in your glass.What We Drinking:Persian Lager (ABV 4.9%) - Back Home BeerBroken Heels Hazy IPA (NA) - New Trail Brewing

The Legendary Brew Crew is BACK for the New Year, and things go exactly how you’d expect—off the rails in the best way possible.Rob kicks off 2026 embracing Dry January with a non-alcoholic hazy IPA, sparking a hilarious and surprisingly thoughtful debate about sober-curious culture, social drinking, and whether you really need alcohol to enjoy beer culture. From NA brews to brewery survival tips, the crew breaks down how to still support local breweries during the toughest months of the year—merch, gift cards, stouts you can cellar, and just showing up.The conversation takes a sharp (and funny) left turn into language, censorship, and modern euphemisms, touching on how social media filters shape the way we talk—and joke—online.Then Rob drops the big update: a Vegas vow renewal to celebrate 15 years of marriage, complete with rain on New Year’s Eve (the first time in decades), Bellagio fireworks, and reflections on time, family, and watching your kids grow up faster than expected. As always, the crew spirals into classic Brewsing Banter chaos—LCR tournament ideas, Vegas beer trips, movie talk (from Wicked to Marty Supreme), Stranger Things nostalgia, and the kind of unfiltered laughs you can only get when friends catch up after a long break.It’s the perfect New Year reset: real talk, wild jokes, beer culture insight, and pure Brew Crew energy.Grab a drink (or a tea), pull up a chair, and kick off 2026 with us.What We Drinking?Sam Adams (NA) - Just the Haze

On this episode the Legendary Brew Crew links up with the homie Harrison Albert, Creative Director of Dewey Beer Co. (USA Today’s #1 Brewpub in America), for a full-pour conversation that’s equal parts beer geekery, art school chaos, and straight-up hilarity.Harrison takes us inside the world of Dewey and gives insight on how he went from art school to becoming apart of the creative brain trust behind Dewey’s iconic labels, merch, and events.We also talk beer programs, the beer that first hooked him into craft, and even get a sneak peek at the upcoming Dewey & Friends Beer Festival, taking place in Dewey Beach, DE on January 31, 2026.And of course, in true Brewsing Banter fashion, things go off the rails: birthday antics, dogs crashing the interview, debates about sweet potatoes vs. grapes (??), and whether Rob is legally allowed to get tattooed during a beer fest.It’s craft beer, culture, comedy, and community, all in one pour.Crack a can, pull up a chair, and enjoy the banter.What We Drinking On:Bake Club - Coconut Custard Pie - Stout - Imperial (12% ABV) - Dewey Beer Co.Sunset Eclipse - Stout (6% ABV)- Dewey Beer Co.Dewey & Friends BeerGet Tickets Here

What up Brewsers! This week, Delaware State Rep and comedian Madinah Wilson-Anton joins The Legendary Brew Crew at Autumn Arch Beer Project for a hilarious, insightful convo on politics, community, identity, and why comedy keeps her grounded. From root beer at a brewery to school funding, HOA chaos, and Brew Crew jokes flying nonstop, this episode delivers heart, humor, and classic BB energy. Grab a drink and tap in.What We Drinking Today:Duchenne Smile - Mango Golden Sour - 6.5% - Autumn Arch Beer ProjectWest of Ordinary - California Common - 5.3% - Autumn Arch Beer Project

What happens when a classically trained music teacher trades sheet music for stainless steel? In this episode the Legendary Brew Crew, chop it up with Shalanda Jackson, a New Jersey native turned New Orleans brewer, about her wild career pivot from teaching to tank cleaning and how it led to her creating space for culture and color in craft beer.We talk about: The hustle of brewing at Urban South, one of Louisiana’s biggest breweriesHow her music background helps her find rhythm in recipe developmentThe realities of brewing in New Orleans heat (spoiler: swamp ass is real)Building Hues and Brews and bringing Black creativity into the beer sceneHer trip to Yakima Chief Hops with the Michael James Jackson FoundationGrab a glass, pull up a chair, and let’s toast to passion, pivots, and purpose.What We’re Drinking:Czech Pilsner - Urban South Tropic Wanderer - Tropical Wheat Ale collab from Mack Brewing x Grist HouseQueen’s Gold Lager - Bluejay Brewing x The Exbeerience

What up, Brewsers! The Legendary Brew Crew is back and we’re tapping in with none other than Greg Engert, Partner & Beer Director of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group and the force behind Snallygaster, D.C.’s monster of a beer festival.We crack open some brews and chop it up about Greg’s journey from studying English lit to curating world-class beer programs, the wild origins of Snallygaster, and how a small Oktoberfest parking lot party turned into one of the nation’s most epic beer fests. Greg shares stories about rare pours, the art of balancing hype beers with classics, and why bringing community together over a pint means more than just drinking.Of course, we get into what we’re drinking, swap some food pairing stories (yes, even mustard on watermelon), and talk about the culture, music, and madness that make festivals like this unforgettable.Grab a brew, pull up a chair, and ride with us — this one’s packed with history, hops, and plenty of banter. Don't forget your tickets to this year's festival.What We Drinking:Hefeweizen (5.4%) - Weihenstephaner - Fruity, lightly spicy, smooth wheat beer. Brewed by the world’s oldest continuously operating brewery (since 1040).Salt-N-Lime (5.3%) - Blonde Ale with Salt & Lime - A Collab Shoehorn Brewery × Exbeerience, heavy lime peel flavor, tart with a salty edgeYoungling (5.0%) - American Amber Lager - Big Oyster Brewery, Smooth, toasty malt character, amber color

What up Brewsers! On this episode the Legendary Brew Crew crack open some dope collabs and chop it up with Marcus Wyatt, the history-making founder of Windy Bridges Brew, the very first Black-owned brewery in Pittsburgh. From sipping Heinekens at the cookout to turning his garage into a brewhouse, Marcus takes us through his wild journey into craft beer.We get into his first brews, his serendipitous link-up with Day Bracey, founder of Barrel and Flow, and how community, family, and culture shaped his vision. Marcus drops gems about breaking barriers in beer, building a brand from the ground up, and why his mission is simple: make beer that tastes like beer.What We’re DrinkingSoursop City – a Barrel & Flow collab from Windy Bridges Brew and Alter Genius, a light 4.5% soursop Kölsch built for hot festival days.You Deserve a Long Weekend – a Barrel & Flow collab from Nicole Young Tech and Allegheny City Brewing, a 3.8% ale with grape notes and with Nelson Sauvin hops.Airport Hugs – an ESB from Modern Brewery (St. Louis). Easy at 4.9% ABV, clean and smooth.