Ep. 96 - Ben Love of Gigantic Brewing Co.

Show notes from John Holl:

"By the time you’re hearing this, I’ll be at the Jersey Shore, unplugged and drinking cream ale. It’s a long-planned vacation but as I got ready for some days away I had a sense of senioritis kick in.

I knew I needed to get a show done, but my brain was also mushy from deadlines and life. When an email from Ben Love popped up in my email, I knew I had found a solution.

I’ve known Ben for years. I’ve been to the brewery he co-founded with Van Having several times, and even spent some time – as you’ll hear – with him in New Zealand when he poured at the Beervana Festival and I spoke at the country’s black tie brewers gathering.

Ben is a brewer who likes to tease out flavors and look for the unexpected. He also has a traditionalist streak in him and all of it shows in the beer.

He’s also a world class conversationalist and I knew that having him on the show would be an easy layup as I head into a holiday. Is it lazy? Maybe. But, it’s still entertaining and informative for you, because I’d never sacrifice on that."

This Episode is sponsored by:

NZ Hops
NZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future. We’re in it together.

Lawson's Finest Liquids
The brewery is guided by five pillars – Excellence, Authenticity, Fun, Community and Innovation. These values are represented in their product quality, work culture, guest experience and charitable giving. The SIP, their Social Impact Program, is the Lawson’s Finest way of building impactful connections and strengthening our communities while creating memorable experiences.

New Holland Brewing Co.
20 years ago, New Holland Brewing Company embarked on a journey into the unknown, brewing the first batch of Dragon's Milk Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout. What started as a single barrel in the back of the brewery has transformed into the best-selling American-made stout today. Pairing rich notes of chocolate and coffee from roasted malts with deep tones of vanilla and oak from its time in bourbon barrels, each bottle of Dragon's Milk is a delicious adventure waiting to be opened. Find Dragon's Milk near you at dragonsmilk.com.

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• Host: John Holl
• Guest: Ben Love of Gigantic Brewing
• Sponsors: New Holland , Lawson's Finest Liquids, NZ Hops, and The Beer Edge
• Tags: Beer, Mt. Hood Hops, Kölsch, Nose Tickles, Barrels, Dry Hopping, Recycling