Brew Masters on Discovery w/ Sam Calagione

[smmcdermott]

I feel like some of us HBTers expected way too much from this show. If he mentioned everything about beer and why it is what it is, not everyone would watch it. I think the show is pretty good for trying to capture a big audience. the only thing I would change is to see more of the day to day stuff and not just the crazy beers/projects he does.

 

[Gilles]

Overall i like the show just because it gets me stoked on brewing. No show will ever be as technical as the pros want it because it would narrow the audience. For a show on brewing i am pleased with it and will watch every episode.

 

[jgln]

I saw the bitch's brew episode. I think I need to watch one more show or two before I decide if I will continue to watch it. There are a couple reasons why I may not. One is although I did find the show enjoyable for a first watch; I don’t think long term I really want to watch him experimenting with recopies over and over again. I don’t know why, I just don’t. It was cool to see a brewery working, but I have seen that before on TV too. I am glad it is not like a reality show though, then I really would not watch it.

Ok, the guy has a great job and makes a lot of money doing it but do I need to watch that? No! Am I jealous? Yes! But really, I guess I just don’t find I am seeing something new overall. Some people might find a show about my job interesting but not to watch over an over again each week what happens there. I like cooking shows though, maybe because I am actually watching them do every step? I can’t explain that.

Then again maybe on a Sunday night right before I need to settle down and go to bed after a relaxing weekend and get ready to start another work week the last thing I want to watch is a show about a guy right by me taking his hobby and being very successful at it and creating new things using his imagination.

 

[HItransplant]

The Chicha... eh... It soudns kinda tasty, and I would be happy to try some.

I agree.. it actually looked strangely appetizing.. found myself in a very confused state after the show, intrigued but slightly queasy.

I wouldn't call it truly authentic, however. There are a lot of things that were gone over in the show that were not replicated. Other things weren't even mentioned, so who knows how truly authentic it is. Primarily, yeast. It is such a huge part of creating beer, and they don't do it any justice. It is barely even mentioned. Also, the corn wasn't germinated like in Peru.

yeah, he definitely made his own version of the chicha recipe.

I still cant figure out the yeast. Im wondering if wild yeast gets into the brew somewhere... maybe from the straw basket.

Also, in the first episode, sam said he had to put hops in everything, so im wondering what type of hop he used. Sam's chicha also seemed filtered.

also, I doubt the DFH stuff is 2 days old and still fermenting...

Curious how much of this stuff is different because of choice vs. law.

Strangely, the thick frothy, unfiltered stuff actually looked better.... maybe thats because they were in peru.

Fascinating episode for sure.

 

[DrawTap88]

I like the show. Sure it's not tech geeky like some of us would like, but for a show about beer, you don't want to throw all that tech stuff at Joe Bud Drinker who doesn't know malted barley from unmalted barley.

The show does a good job of showing the creative process, and now, a rare beer style that goes beyond the "norm" for many North Americans.

 

[DakotaRules]

I thought I heard a new episode was tonight. Glad I wasn't delusional.
Thanks.

Glad someone said there was an episode on tonight! I wouldn't have known.

 

[NuclearRich]

also, I doubt the DFH stuff is 2 days old and still fermenting...

Curious how much of this stuff is different because of choice vs. law.


Fascinating episode for sure.

Yeah I don't think it is possible for a brewery to make the beer the way those villages in ancient Incan times did, where it would be still fermenting and you get krausen-head served in your glass.

I think the law is mostly strict on the creation of beer with barley. I don't think hops are necessary, but I may be wrong. In either case, you are right and the hops weren't mentioned either on the Chicha.

Strangely, the thick frothy, unfiltered stuff actually looked better.... maybe thats because they were in peru.

Yeah did you see that first house they went to? With the cobwebs and grime? Haha, they were saying that if it were a niche bar in L.A. they would say that it went over the top and too far to capture the essence.
The Chicha looks good in that enviroment because it is an ugly enviroment lol

 

[JonK331]

Anyone see the CHicha episode last night? I thought it was awesome. One of my good friend's wife is from Peru and we've had many discussions about Chicha. All the stuff he's had uses the germinating technique instead of the spit. Seems like most everyone that makes it no longer uses the spit method. Kinda weird that Sam wanted to do it that way. Especially when they ended up adding some 2-row to the mash anyway.

 

[jkarp]

Seems like most everyone that makes it no longer uses the spit method. Kinda weird that Sam wanted to do it that way. Especially when they ended up adding some 2-row to the mash anyway.

100% agree. Even when faced with reality, Sam clearly opted to go the gross-out way for bragging / show hype.

I generally like the show premise, just don't care for Sam.

 

[Tiber_Brew]

Anyone see the CHicha episode last night? I thought it was awesome. One of my good friend's wife is from Peru and we've had many discussions about Chicha. All the stuff he's had uses the germinating technique instead of the spit. Seems like most everyone that makes it no longer uses the spit method. Kinda weird that Sam wanted to do it that way. Especially when they ended up adding some 2-row to the mash anyway.

1. He got some criticism last time he tried for lack of authenticity. Seems like a good chance to redeem himself this time with the original methods.

2. He's required by law to use barley in all his beers.

I also saw them putting flaked maize in the mash, did you see that?

TB

 

[steinsato]

Kinda weird that Sam wanted to do it that way. Especially when they ended up adding some 2-row to the mash anyway.

Yeah, I kind of think he opted to go with the chew and spit method to make a better tv show.

 

[JonK331]

1. He got some criticism last time he tried for lack of authenticity. Seems like a good chance to redeem himself this time with the original methods.

2. He's required by law to use barley in all his beers.

I also saw them putting flaked maize in the mash, did you see that?

TB

Yup I saw the flaked maize as well and I realize he's required to use the barley. My point is that the barley has the enzymes needed for conversion. I really liked the episode, I just thought the whole spitting thing was totally unnecessary and agree that they did it just to add to the show. Especially knowing someone personally who travels to Peru somewhat regularly, consumes Chicha, and confirms that no one spits anymore. I can't wait for tonight's episode, the Punkin Ale is by far my favorite pumpkin ale on the market.

 

[jitteringjr]

I like the show. Sure it's not tech geeky like some of us would like, but for a show about beer, you don't want to throw all that tech stuff at Joe Bud Drinker who doesn't know malted barley from unmalted barley.

It would appear that Sam doesn't know the difference between germinated corn and non germinated.

I like the show a lot.

But, there is one annoying part of this(and in other reality shows) is the "need" to ALWAYS have some type of deadline to meet. For example, in last nights show...he needed to get the Chicha out to his own brewpub in a short period of time(3 weeks?). Why not just plan to have it finished one week later? It is his brewpub and he makes the rules, so delay it by one week.

Especially since he could have malted the corn in that week and saved everyone the hassle of chewing rock hard corn. Furthermore he could have thrown the corn into a cerial cooker and done without the whole disgusting spit ordeal altogether.

Do other people get the impression that it is Sam's way or the highway? I can't imagine with all the talent they have at DFH that someone wouldn't have pushed back and said, "Hey lets germinate this corn and save our mouths."

 

[stageseven]

It would appear that Sam doesn't know the difference between germinated corn and non germinated.



Especially since he could have malted the corn in that week and saved everyone the hassle of chewing rock hard corn. Furthermore he could have thrown the corn into a cerial cooker and done without the whole disgusting spit ordeal altogether.

Do other people get the impression that it is Sam's way or the highway? I can't imagine with all the talent they have at DFH that someone wouldn't have pushed back and said, "Hey lets germinate this corn and save our mouths."

I thought they made it pretty clear that they were trying to follow the traditional process as much as was feasible. I think the spit thing was to get people to think more about the culture and history of the drink. The 2-row was simply added to maintain legality in the US as a brewery producing a beer.

I would imagine that the workers at DFH are just on board with his vision, and willing to go the extra mile to get something that's a pretty cool concept done as a team. Sure they could have germinated the corn, but it would have been less authentic, and pretty boring. Even if there wasn't a TV show involved. I know I was more inclined to try the "crazy spit beer" over "beer made with corn", especially given the connotations with corn/rice in the craft beer community.

 

[JorgeIsKing]

I thought they made it pretty clear that they were trying to follow the traditional process as much as was feasible. I think the spit thing was to get people to think more about the culture and history of the drink. The 2-row was simply added to maintain legality in the US as a brewery producing a beer.

I would imagine that the workers at DFH are just on board with his vision, and willing to go the extra mile to get something that's a pretty cool concept done as a team. Sure they could have germinated the corn, but it would have been less authentic, and pretty boring. Even if there wasn't a TV show involved. I know I was more inclined to try the "crazy spit beer" over "beer made with corn", especially given the connotations with corn/rice in the craft beer community.

Agree! doing it with the spit makes the beer way more interesting.

On a related note, I think I'll give the show a few more episodes before judging it completely. Like most shows, it's going to change a little over time as it finds its groove.
So far I like it, but some parts (like the rapping in episode 1) can get a little annoying.

 

[biochemedic]

Because the show is totally fake. Everything about it is fake. the truck, the high fives, there's actually not even a brewery called Dogfish head. There's no Sam either. This show is actually an M. Night Shyamalan production, and there's going to be a big surprise at the end. He'll reveal that Sam is just a delusional schizo who THINKS he's brewing beer, but he's really just in his own dream world inside a mental institute.

No way!!! Not possible....if this were true, the show and brewery would have to be in Philly!

 

[jgln]

I just spit into my coworkers coffee; I am going to see what his reaction is and if it is positive I have an idea.

 

[JonK331]

Sure they could have germinated the corn, but it would have been less authentic, and pretty boring.

Lots of people make Chicha in Peru similar to how people here homebrew, almost none of them use the spit method anymore. As I stated earlier, my buddy goes down there regularly, drinks Chicha, and had never even heard of the spitting method. I don't think any Peruvian would call the germinating method less authentic.

 

[JorgeIsKing]

Lots of people make Chicha in Peru similar to how people here homebrew, almost none of them use the spit method anymore. As I stated earlier, my buddy goes down there regularly, drinks Chicha, and had never even heard of the spitting method. I don't think any Peruvian would call the germinating method less authentic.

I was under the impression that he was trying to recreate the Chicha they drank in the Inca civilization, not so much what they drink now in Peru.

 

[Dunerunner]

Here's a beer guy, Sam Calagione, making every effort to make this TV show a success. Probably more pressure than making beer, ya think? And here we sit playing Monday Morning Quarterback!!

Sam is about having fun exploring the extremes of brewing, with the emphasis on FUN! I met him at AHA when it was in Oakland 2 years ago and he is the same trusting, light hearted, serious as a heart attack about beer guy that you see in the show.

I applaud him and his pioneer efforts in the brewing community!

To me, he is right there with McAuliffe, Maytag, Grossman, Cilurzo, and Koch (Jim and Greg), Papazian, and a whole host of other notables who are recreating the craft brewing industry in America. Thank God for each and every one of them!!

If I sound like an A- #1 fan boy, so be it!! I' just off centered enough to understand the quest!

 

[Eddiebosox]

I enjoyed it quite a bit. They are definitely hamming it up a bit for the cameras but its interesting to see their thought process on creating a new beer.

Sam is also working with Mario Batali on a NYC microbrew pub at his market Eataly. He really is becoming the “celebrity chef” of the beer world. I hope he just doesn’t morph into an Emeril like sellout.

 

[RichmonS]

I actually like the show. In fact it has gotten me back into home brewing seeing his passion and looking at beer from a different perspective.

I like beer that tastes like beer but seeing this show makes me rethink this and try different types of beer.

 

[thehines]

I have seen both shows, so far have enjoyed watching them. I would like to see him break down step by step in the brew process

 

[Eddiebosox]

One question I did have about the first episode. He said that 5 weeks was cutting it close for an Imperial IPA and normally its two weeks for an IPA. Two weeks? How can he have an IPA ready in two weeks? I’m assuming for large breweries they can make that happen but I’ve never had a beer drinkable in two weeks.

 

[JonK331]

One question I did have about the first episode. He said that 5 weeks was cutting it close for an Imperial IPA and normally its two weeks for an IPA. Two weeks? How can he have an IPA ready in two weeks? I’m assuming for large breweries they can make that happen but I’ve never had a beer drinkable in two weeks.

Two weeks isn't so bad. I did a beer for a party once from kettle to glass in 8 days. It may not be ideal but it can be done.

 

[klyph]

Maybe someone should start a thread about the brewing timelines on this show...

 

[Eddiebosox]

Maybe someone should start a thread about the brewing timelines on this show...

Seriously. now that I know craft brewers are sending out five week old Imperial IPA's it makes me wonder if I should age them before drinking.

 

[NuclearRich]

Seriously. now that I know craft brewers are sending out five week old Imperial IPA's it makes me wonder if I should age them before drinking.

Definitely don't age that. IPAs are best served fresh, as the hop flavor fades with aging. Imperials may differ a little, but I still say drink em fresh.

I believe that on the show, they talk about Imperial Stout being done normally five weeks, not IPAs. Since they fused imperial stout with the T'ej, anyway.

Breweries have capabilities that we as homebrewers can't even begin to fathom (well... some of us do as I know some people are more advanced than simple homebrewers). Giant fermentors that create hydrolic pressure on the yeast enhance fermentation speeds. Filtration is another thing commercial breweries do that we don't get to. Crystal clear beer without a drop of sludge in the bottle. That doesn't mean I pour a commerical beer the same, and leave the last ounce in the bottle. Just the same, they can mass produce beer with the quickness. Don't be scrrrd

 

[brewstev]

definilty an entertaining show, and Sam definilty has the personality to keep even the non-beer geek or homebrewer entertained. Just saw the ******* Brew episode the other, pretty cool concept

 

[sportscrazed2]

watching second one on dvr right now this chicha sounds good but don't know if i could bring myself to drink it unless i knew for sure it wasn't made with spit