John Holl
Verified- Editor, All About Beer Magazine
- Contributing Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
- Host, Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl
New Jersey
Editor @AllAboutBeer | Author, The Craft Brewery Cookbook | JohnHoll@gmail.com | Bow Ties
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Articles by John Holl
Beer Is the Secret to Better Food Pairings. Here’s How to Match It With Everything You Eat Original
Beer deserves its place at the table. It’s a remarkably diverse beverage. Its primary ingredients, water, hops, malt, and yeast, all have familiar food flavors and aromas. When brewers add spices, herbs, confections, or fruits, the possibilities only grow. Anne Becerra, a certified hospitality consultant and educator, has preached the pleasures of beer and food pairings for years. “It’s a fully customizable beverage for any pairing,” she says.
One Iconic Beer: Behind The Scenes
In this episode, we’re doing something different. John Holl, the editor of All About Beer and the producer of this show, is going to join Jeff to discuss iconic beers. Now that we’ve recorded 7 episodes of the show, it’s worth taking a step back and considering the concept of a classic or iconic. We’re also going to discuss storytelling and the way a good iconic beer has something to say. With history, agriculture, brewing processes, wars, laws, and even marketing, iconic beers have rich stories.
Why Brewers Across the Globe are Taking the Alcohol Out of Oktoberfest
In a seasonal sign of how the beer industry is rising to meet consumer demand, this year’s Oktoberfest will be remembered for its copious non-alcoholic options. From Munich to Mills River, brewers have introduced alcohol-free Märzen or festbiers to assist revelers with keeping the good time going longer. This year Samuel Adams released a non-alcoholic version of its best-selling seasonal Oktoberfest, saying it had the “same smooth, bold taste and rich caramel malt flavor” as the original.
How Brewers are Shifting Hospitality Practices
Gone are the days when a brewery could turn a wire spool on its side, buy some cheap chairs, install some taps and flip on the Taproom Open sign. Today’s beer drinkers have become more choosy about where they spend their beer dollar and breweries are finding they have to actually provide an experience to draw customers in. That might mean trivia nights or live music. Breweries have had to navigate the transition from serving the hospitality industry to being part of the hospitality industry.
Big Changes for the Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer festival is this weekend in Denver and for the first time in a long time, it has a new location. That’s just one of many changes coming to the venerable gathering. Tristan Chan, formerly of PorchDrinking, is in the host seat this week. He’s joined by Shawnee Adelson the Executive Director of the Colorado Brewers Guild and Jonathan Shikes of the Denver Post. They talk about what to expect, the changes, and what this means for festivals in general.
The Veil Remains Focused on IPA
On this episode of the Brewer to Brewer Podcast, JC Tetreault of Trillium interviews Matt Tarpey of The Veil. Tarpey chronicles the brewery’s evolution from its modest 2016 launch in Richmond, VA into a multi-location company. Even as the industry shifts to lagers and flavored malt beverages, Tarpey says that demand remains strongest for hazy IPA and hazy double IPA, including Master Shredder and White Ferrari.
How Eckhart Beer Continues the New York Lagering Tradition
On the weekend that Oktoberfest kicked off in Munich the real fun was happening in Brooklyn. Eckhart Beer celebrated it’s one year anniversary and held a proper celebration of lager. John Holl was there and hosted a panel that covers all the fun of the season, what it means to brew lager in New York City in 2026, and ways to make the most out of hospitality. Hear the whole conversation on the Drink Beer, Think Beer podcast.
Beer or Juice? The Great American Beer Festival Offers to Pay NFL Millionaire’s Fine
Last weekend, San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk celebrated a touchdown over the Miami Dolphins by doing an end zone gesture that the NFL called an “imitation of chugging a beer” that “constituted an offensive demonstration and could reasonably be construed as being in poor taste.” The 14-year league veteran was fined $14,926. Juszczyk, who goes by the nickname “Juice,” has in the past, according to The Athletic, pantomimed drinking from a juice box, including the insertion of a straw.
How Trillium has Evolved as a Brewery
On this episode of Brewer to Brewer Dino Funari of Vitamin Sea interviews JC Tetreault of Trillium. The two discuss the evolution of IPA and the brewing business over the last decade. For insight on how Trillium has evolved and continues to grow, give this episode a listen. Listen to the whole conversation on the Brewer to Brewer Podcast. Download below, or on Amazon, Pocketcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Using Grassroots Promotion to Create Brewery Recognition
On this episode of the Brewer to Brewer Podcast Ryan Lavery of Widowmaker Brewing interviews Dino Funari of Vitamin Sea Brewing Co. Listen to the whole conversation on the Brewer to Brewer Podcast. Download below, or on Amazon, Pocketcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Our Tropics yeast is based on a London Ale strain, but we added a new gene to its genome that codes for a unique thiol-releasing enzyme.
Shelley and Eric Desmarais Talk About Life Among the Hop Fields
A conversation with Shelley and Eric Desmarais of CLS Farms in Moxee, Washington about the 2026 hop harvest and what life is like for families during the regions busiest time of the year. Hear the whole conversation on the Drink Beer, Think Beer podcast. Or download via Overcast, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, or wherever you download shows. This episode is brought to you by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, innovators in craft beer since 1980 and still 100% family owned.
How Widowmaker Brewing Uses Music, Merchandise, and Collaborations to Build Community.
On this episode of the Brewer to Brewer podcast Brad West of Xul Beer Co. interviews Ryan Lavery of Widowmaker Brewing Co. Listen to the whole conversation on the Brewer to Brewer Podcast. Download below, or on Amazon, Pocketcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events. Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry.
Xul Beer’s Growth Comes From Hard Work and Strategy
Mike Pallen, the owner of Microphone Brewing, interviews Brad West of Xul Beer Company on this episode of the Brewer to Brewer podcast. They discuss Xul’s growth, including their recent expansion into Nashville, Tennessee, through the acquisition of Southern Grist. The duo highlight the success of Xul’s flagship product, PB&J Mixtape, which has driven significant sales and presented logistical challenges that the brewery has met head on.
Single Hill Kicks Off the 2026 Hop Harvest in Yakima
This episode of Drink Beer, Think Beer was recorded in Yakima, Washington where the 2026 hop harvest is just getting under way. Lots of brewers and beer fans will be making their way through this city for selection and to taste fresh hop ales, and nearly everyone will come through Single Hill Brewery for pints. Zach Turner the head brewer and general manager of Single Hill joins guest host Don Tse for a conversation.
Reviving the Washington D.C. Beer Scene
Elliot Johnson of Soul Mega hosts the Brewer to Brewer podcast with Jared Pulliam from Lost Generation Brewing as his guest. Pulliam, a native of Washington, D.C. shares his brewing journey that began with homebrewing and led to working at Lagunitas Brewing. Pulliam and his wife returned to the capital in 2022 to open Lost Generation Brewing. The brewery, located in a 120-year-old former Nabisco factory, and focuses on lagers and IPAs, with 80 percent of sales generated from the taproom.
Beer Forging Cultural Connections
Zach Day, the co-founder of Funktown Brewery, hosts Elliot Johnson, the CEO of Soul Mega, on this episode of Brewer to Brewer podcast. Johnson discusses Soul Mega’s mission to blend beer with creative arts, emphasizing inclusivity and cultural connection. He highlights their flagship event, Mega Fest, and collaborations with breweries like Stone and New Belgium.
Brewer to Brewer: Tom Knowlton and Mike Pallen
Tom Knowlton of Drekker Brewery interviews Mike Pallen of Mikerphone Brewing Co. Listen to the whole conversation on the Brewer to Brewer Podcast. Download below, or on Amazon, Pocketcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events. Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry. This Episode is Sponsored by: RahrBSGShopping for organic malt?
Does Beer Go Bad If It Gets Warm and Then Cold Again?
Beer is used to being pushed around. Kegs are dropped during delivery, cans are tossed in coolers with resounding thuds, and cases are stacked precariously high in stores. Not enough places treat beer with the respect it deserves. This is especially true with storage. The temperature at which it’s served has importance, but the question is often asked: Does cold beer go bad if it gets warm and is then chilled again?
Does Beer Go Bad If It Gets Warm and Then Cold Again?
Beer is used to being pushed around. Kegs are dropped during delivery, cans are tossed in coolers with resounding thuds, and cases are stacked precariously high in stores. Not enough places treat beer with the respect it deserves. This is especially true with storage. The temperature at which it's served has importance, but the question is often asked: Does cold beer go bad if it gets warm and is then chilled again?
Creating Trust and Communication in Brewery Partnerships
Mike Schallau of is/was Brewing hosts Zack Day, the co-founder of Funky Town Brewery on this episode of Brewer to Brewer. Day discusses his journey into brewing, starting with basic beers in college, and evolving to focus on beginner craft beer. Funky Town Brewery, a black-owned startup in Chicago, launched in 2021 and has received recognition, including a 2022 Michael James Jackson Foundation Scholarship.
The Brief, Shining Life of Kirkland Signature Lager
Beer fans of all stripes felt great disturbance in the Force last week. The word out of Bend, Oregon that Deschutes Brewery would be discontinuing its wildly loved Costco’s Kirkland Signature Helles Lager landed with sadness, shock, and disappointment.
The Easy-Drinking Beer Style Everyone Wants This Summer Original
As we embrace the long days of summer and all the leisurely pleasures they bring, there’s a popular term that people seek to define their drink of choice: session beer. But what exactly is a session beer, anyways? It’s a question many have asked over multiple rounds of sudsy stuff.
Can You Put Beer in the Freezer? Here’s What Happens — and When It Ruins Your Beer Original
We’ve all been there. The beer is warm, and you want it cold. And fast. So, you pop it in the freezer for 20 minutes or so, pull it out, and enjoy something slightly cooler than what went in. No muss, no fuss. But there are the times when the beer is forgotten. That horror kicks in hours later or the next day, when the freezer is opened to reveal a burst container and a frozen, foamy mess. There’s a fine line when it comes to beer and freezing temperatures.
Can You Put Beer in the Freezer? Here’s What Happens — and When It Ruins Your Beer
The 14 Best Campari Cocktails to Make This Summer The Negroni and boulevardier are classics for a reason. But maybe it’s time to mix up another one of our favorite recipes. Few are the liquids that carry the barroom lore of Campari. The celebrated bitter liqueur has been a cocktail staple for over 150 years. It was popularized by its eponymous …
Visiting Historic American Breweries for the Semiquincentennial
Beer is soaked into the fabric of America. From its earliest days, there have been intrepid souls who turned the right ingredients into fermented goodness that fortified settlers, soldiers, founders and citizens who did the work that needed to be done to form a more perfect union. As the country prepares to celebrate its semiquincentennial, with tributes and look backs galore, beer and the people who make it will undoubtedly be part of countless conversations.
The Evolving Landscape of European Craft Beer
Mat Sandoval of Living Haus Beer Co. interviews Oli Banks of Stigbergets Bryggeri. Banks discusses his journey from the UK to Sweden, his role in expanding the brewery, and his focus on quality and efficiency. He highlights the importance of ingredient selection, particularly hops like Citra and Mosaic, and the impact of beer festivals on customer engagement. Banks also shares his fascination with cask ale, its historical significance, and the challenges of maintaining its quality.
A Brief History of Beer’s Important (and Complicated) Place in America
Although this country was founded on beer, we’ve had a complicated relationship with it from day one. When I say America was founded on beer, that’s not as much of a hyperbole as you might think. William Bradford, a settler who sailed over on the Mayflower, wrote in his diary in 1622 that the decision to land at Plymouth, despite an original plan to continue farther south, was made due to a supply problem.
Harpoon Celebrates 40 Years of Brewing
Last weekend in Boston, the Harpoon Brewery celebrated 40 years in business. Brewery co-founder Dan Kenary speaks with Andy Crouch on Harpoon’s origins, including the decision to open a brick-and-mortar brewery in Boston. He highlighted the brewery’s consistent approach, emphasizing quality over flashiness.
Keeping Brand Loyalty in an Evolving Beer Market
Ben Edmunds of Breakside Brewery hosts Jake Gardner, founder of Westbound and Down Brewing Company for this bonus episode of Brewer to Brewer. Recorded at Human Robot Brewing Co. during the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference, Gardner shares his non-beer background, including his english and philosophy studies at Colorado University Boulder, and how they influence his brewing approach.
Building a Thoughtful Brewery Food Program
On this episode of the Brewer to Brewer Podcast Sean Buchan of Cerebral Brewing interviews Shaun Kalis of Ruse Brewing. The two talk about the evolution of beer and their techniques before settling into the way Ruse approaches its food program. Pizza has long been a perfect pairing for beer, and when both are done well, its harmonious.
How Do Brewers Overcome the “Lager is Cheap” Messaging
Andy Crouch hosts a special episode of the podcast recorded live from Notch Brewing’s Forever Lager ’26 Festival. The panel includes Brittney Barrie of Barrie Haus Brewing, Tom Beckmann of Goldfinger Brewing, and Todd DiMatteo of Good Word Brewing. Together they answer the question “How Do Brewers Overcome the ‘Lager is Cheap’ Messaging.” Hear the whole conversation on the Drink Beer, Think Beer podcast. Or download via Overcast, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, or wherever you download shows.
Now That Lager is Cool, How Long Until it’s Not?
A panel conversation recorded during Notch Brewing’s Forever Lager ’26 festival. A smart group of brewing professionals got together and answered the question: How do you stay relevant in a copycat craft brewery world? Guests include: Kaitlyn LeLoup, Jason Bullen, Morgan Snyder, and Amanda Cardinali. Hear the whole conversation on the Drink Beer, Think Beer podcast. Or download via Overcast, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, or wherever you download shows.
When Brewers Become the Owners
On this episode of the Brewer to Brewer Podcast Alyssa Hoberer of Full Frame Beer hosts Rob Bessett, co-owner and head brewer at Milieu Fermentation Company. The duo have a unique perspective on the industry. Both are now owners of breweries in locations where they previously worked as employees. There are upsides to taking over an existing business that they are intimately familiar with.
One Night on the Late Show and How it Led to a Career in Beer
I write about beer for a living. This is thanks, in a large part, to David Letterman’s influence on my pre-teen self. To understand that statement, let’s go back to 1992. Back then the news was filled with Johnny Carson’s retirement from the Tonight Show, and behind the scenes intrigue on who would become his successor. Letterman’s eventual bolting to CBS reinvigorated that network’s late-night lineup with the creation of the Late Show.
The English Mild is Ready for Your Attention
Mild is one of the oldest continuous beer styles in the English speaking world, it was the working class pint, the beer that fueled industrial England, pulled from cask and corner pubs, consumed in volume by people who needed something honest, drinkable and affordable at the end of a long shift. At its peak in the early 20th century, mild accounted for the majority of beer sold in Britain.
The Perfect Beer Pour Makes All the Difference
From side pull to beer engine, the perfect pour makes all the difference to how you enjoy a beer. The pub isn’t just the place you drink the beer. Great pubs know that pouring a perfect pint is the final step in the beer making process. The right glass, clean and kept at the right temperature, combined with the right faucet in skilled hands is the difference between a good beer and the perfect beer.
Understanding Hop Sensory Helps Beer Taste Better
Let’s talk about hop sensory. Last week the craft brewers conference was held in Philadelphia and brewers from around the world worked to better understand processes, ingredients, and recipe development. One thing brewers and therefore drinkers can always benefit from is hop sensory. There’s no argument that hops bring great depth of flavor and aroma to beer, but aside from some top notes that many of us are able to pick out, there’s not always a lot of extra layers discussed.
From Fromage to Foam, Finding a Career in Fermentation
On this episode of Brewer to Brewer, Maria Shirts of Sapporo Stone interviews Gali Hernandez of Grimm Artisanal Ales, who discusses her journey from a cheese distributor to a brewer. Hernandez shares insight into recipe development, how continuing education is important to a brewer’s growth, and the impact of her Venezuelan heritage on her work ethic and her passion for beer and distilled spirits. Listen to the whole conversation on the Brewer to Brewer Podcast.
The Best Places to Eat and Drink Beer in Philadelphia
Soon the brewing industry will arrive in Philadelphia for the annual Craft Brewers Conference. The city of brotherly love boasts a robust beer scene and has hosted the Brewer’s Association’s signature industry event before. But, if you haven’t been in a while or just need some inspiration, we asked some of the city’s best brewers where they like to eat, drink, and hang out. “Philadelphia at this point has a kind of ideal balance of beer.
Dan Kleban on Maine Beer, His U.S. Senate Run, and What Comes Next
It’s hard to avoid politics these days, even at the bar. So to better examine the intersection of drinking and civic duty, Dan Kleban, the co-founder of Maine Brewing Co., joins this episode of the Drink Beer, Think Beer podcast. The brewery has long been a beacon of quality and a self-assuredness that is admired throughout the industry and by drinkers. Kleban has felt the tug of public service and briefly entered the race for the democratic nomination in the upcoming US Senate primary.
The Winding, and Rewarding Path to a Brewing Career
On this episode of Brewer to Brewer Juleidy Peña of Notch Brewing interviews Maria Shirts of Stone Brewing about her journey from Brazil to the U.S., her experience in the beer industry, and her focus on beer education and empowering minorities. Shirts shares her transition from journalism to brewing, her work at Wild East Brewing in New York, and her role as head brewer at Tin Roof Brewing in New Orleans.
Celebrate Beer in Philadelphia During the Craft Brewers Conference
If you are headed to the Craft Brewers Conference in Philadelphia this month, please join All About Beer at a number of events we are hosting or involved with across the city. Monday April 20, 2026 Join All About Beer at Human Robot Brewery at 1710 N. 5th Street for two live audience recordings of our podcasts. At 4p.m. Lee Lord of Narragansett hosts a special episode of Brewer to Brewer with guest Charlie Cummings of Remnant Brewing.
How Glenwood Canyon Brewpub Brews a Gold Medal Festbier
On this episode of Drink Beer, Think Beer, it’s a conversation with Todd Malloy and Robin Reed of the Glenwood Canyon Brewpub in Colorado. This year the brewery is celebrating 30 years in operation, and in the previous two years has won gold medals for its festbier at the Great American Beer Festival. They brewed a fresh batch for this year’s World Beer Cup, which is currently holding its first round of judging.
The Many Beer Reasons (and More) to Visit Flanders
Belgium is a mosaic of many cultures. And that is reflected in the beers made there. So unique is the beer culture in Belgium that it is recognized by UNESCO. Within Belgium, is Flanders. Flanders is famously home of Flanders red and oud bruin, but also so much more. Great beer, great food, historic sites and friendly people await. Explore world famous brewers, including the famous Trappists, but also breweries you’ve never heard of, where the beer is only served on site. Lambic? You bet! Rent a bike.
DBTB Episode 158: Alyssa Hoberer of Jagged Mountain Brewery
There are some posts that have a longer shelf life on the internet than others. Bits of wisdom or doses of reality that resonate when you first read them and then continue to make sense long after should they pop up again. Such is the case with a post that Alyssa Hoberer put up in late 2019 urging people to not open a brewery, unless they had put in the work and knew the risks.
DBTB Episode 159: Matt Tweedy of Tooth and Nail
“Last month I was in Toronto as a judge for the inaugural Canada Beer Cup. Over the course of three very very long days I was seated across from Matt Tweedy, the co-founder and brewing director of Tooth and Nail Brewing in Ottawa. By the lunch break on the first day I knew he needed to be on the show. Aside from having a great palate and brewing insight, he’s a thoughtful guy who genuinely cares about the beers he’s making and the overall direction of brewing not only in Canada but globally.
DBTB Episode 156: The Brewers of Von Ebert
This is the last, for now, of the shows recorded on location from the Pacific Northwest. It was recorded at Von Ebert Brewing’s Glendoveer location, on the far edges of Portland, Oregon and situated on a golf course. Von Ebert is a brewery that has been crushing it since the start. Making great IPAs and Lagers as well as boasting a terrific blending program – in fact we discuss some of those beers on this show to illustrate ingredients and process.
DBTB Episode 150: Christian Weber of Common Roots Brewing
“The fire was fast moving and devastating, and even standing outside the rubble in the immediate aftermath Christian Weber knew that Common Roots would rebuild. The brewery in upstate New York had become a community hub and the loss was devastating, not only for the customers, for Weber’s family – which founded and built the brewery – but also the employees who relied on the company. So from day one Weber said they would be supported and the brewery would be back.
DBTB Episode 154: Kevin Quinn of Bale Breaker Brewing
In the 1920s when the practice was more common, Meghann Quinn’s ancestors followed the railroad west and wound up settling a farm in Washington’s Yakima Valley. Following the repeal of Prohibition, they got into the hop industry and have ridden the wave since; supplying the larger brewers through the uninspired decades of large-scale American brewing, and into the boom days of today’s craft surge.
The Modern Challenge of Growing a Brewery from Scratch
On this episode of Brewer to Brewer Zahra Tabatabai of Back Home Beer interviews Breeze Galindo of MiLuna. Galindo discusses the early stages of MiLuna, including fundraising, recipe development, and the search for a location in Brooklyn. She highlights the importance of community and cultural representation, drawing from her Mexican heritage. Galindo also shares her experiences in the industry, including overcoming gender and racial biases, and her work with the Michael James Jackson Foundation.
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