Heavy Hops Ep. 054: Symbiosis (Gert van der Waal)
Gert van der Waal refers to his ventures in hop growing, malting, and distilling as “experiments.” There’s a level of modesty in this claim indicative of his character. On his small farm located outside Pretoria, South Africa, you’ll find four varieties of hops: Cascade, Kracanup (a cross of Chinook and Cascade originating from Australia), DrakGold (a variety bred near Durban
Continue ReadingHeavy Hops Ep. 053: Tiny Prints (Maura Walsh/Black Nail Studio)
Maura Walsh, a Chicago-based artist, gained notoriety during the pandemic for her appropriately named Tiny Guide to Chicago’s Best Music Culture Spots and Tiny Guide to Chicago Arts which raise funds for local organizations Chicago Independent Venue League and Save our Stages. We explore the origins of this project, the challenges of communicating architectural detail on such a small medium,
Continue ReadingHeavy Hops Ep. 052: Right Place At The Right Time (Coy Eakes/Collective Arts & Gamma Brewing)
This week’s episode is a story about curiosity, saying yes to opportunities, not fearing living somewhere new, and relishing challenges. Coy Eakes, co-Founder of Gamma Brewing, located just outside of Copenhagen, Denmark, tells us how he left his native North Carolina for a country he’d never been to, how he found brewing, and the importance of collaboration as an avenue
Continue ReadingHeavy Hops Ep. 051: Roadburning (Walter Hoeijmakers & Becky Laverty/Roadburn Festival)
During the first weekend after Easter, Tilburg – a university town in the south of Holland – becomes a destination for curious music enthusiasts from around the world seeking to discover and enjoy up and coming, and select established names, in heavy music. Roadburn Festival’s influence and role as a forward-thinking tastemaker is immeasurable; every metal festival organizer in Europe
Continue ReadingHeavy Hops Ep. 050: Surveying The Hosts (Alexi Front & Sam Cangelosi)
For the fiftieth episode artist and longtime collaborator Bryn Gleason is taking the helm and asking listener submitted questions. Sam and I offer behind the scenes insight into the shows background, how we adjusted during the lockdown period, what we look for in collaboration beers and projects, and what future content listeners may expect. Big thanks to everyone who listens
Continue ReadingHeavy Hops Ep. 049: Non-Traditional Hop Farming (James Altwies/Hopnology & Siebel Institute of Technology)
This week we’re focusing on a specific overlap of agriculture and beer: small scale hop farming in non-traditional areas. Who is starting small farms, where are they located and what are the historical and present challenges these farmers face in North America where the “scale-up to succeed” mentality and monocropping are most prevalent? How is the “what’s new” consumer fixation
Continue ReadingHeavy Hops Ep. 048: Morbid Malts (Samu Rahn/Louis Glunz Beer, Cairn & Wintering)
We’re back in the studio this week for the first time since October, enjoying a few beers with Samu Rahn. Our wide-ranging conversation touches on Samu’s musical endeavors as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist in dark heavy bands Cairn and Wintering; the importance of seeking new, niche, experiences – whether at home or abroad; beer and metal intersections by way of
Continue ReadingHeavy Hops Ep. 047: Hearing Conservation (Drs. Michael Santucci & Howard Kotler)
With summer festivals and club concerts on the horizon, we wanted to explore the connections between mental, physical and hearing health. No better guests to join us than Chicago-based audiologist Dr. Michael Santucci and Otolaryngologist Dr. Howard Kotler, an ear nose and throat specialist. As the world’s only audiologist-run earphone manufacturer Dr. Santucci’s firm Sensaphonics attracts musicians from all over
Continue ReadingHeavy Hops Ep. 046: Migration and ReChording (Trevor Shelley de Brauw/Pelican/Chord/RLYR)
Joining us this week is Trevor Shelley de Brauw guitarist of Chicago-based heavy instrumental bands Pelican, RLYR and Chord. We discuss what’s happening with each of these bands, including re-releases of Pelican’s first three records (Australasia, The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw, City of Echoes), the fourth Chord effort Imperfect Authentic Cadence and the upcoming RLYR album, which
Continue ReadingHeavy Hops Ep. 045: Virtuous Cycle (Dan Kleban & Anne Marisic/Maine Beer Co)
Maine Beer Co was founded in 2009 during the financial crisis, a challenging time for attorneys such as Dan Kleban. Having witnessed the ugly underbelly of capitalism, Dan and his brother Dave sought to build a brewery that could be successful by maintaining a moral approach to sustainability. The company sought success not through rapid growth and expansion, rather by
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