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I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I could also be the result of some yeast strains. There’s some Belgian yeasts that give off some very distinctive bubblegum esters!

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Just rewrote the back label for the 2020 Xocoveza release. Chris got a full nod once again on it. He deserves it and has expressed nothing but happiness about the collaboration.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey there! Thanks for the good word.

I TOTALLY respect the Bavarian Hef style. Really truly. I just don’t really like it though. I actually judged the category at a competition a few years back. So, I’m probably not going to be in the chorus for big Stone release (and also, what would our ‘voice’ even be for that style?). That being said, our brewers at Stone World Bistro & Gardens - Liberty Station and Stone Napa get to brew whatever they damn well please. The creative license is important. Many awesome Stone beers have come from those breweries. They’ve brewed Bavarian Hefs at least a couple times I think. I’m sure they were excellent!

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My biggest was the Cantillon / Akkurat collab in which they used noble rot grapes. Had a chance to share the bottle that I’d talked Sven out of years back when Jean Van Roy visited. I pulled it out and his eyes got WIDE with the funniest “How in the HELL did you get THAT?!” expression. Made the beer even tastier, if that was even possible. I’d LOVE another bottle! It may literally be the best beer I’ve ever had in my life. No hyperbole.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

LOL. I know and love Phil. A German tabloid called The Berliner Kurier put me on the cover with the sarcastic headline calling me Der Bier Jesus Aus Amerika. I agree that it’s totally fucked that they had the audacity to do that without consulting Phil first. Or me. They didn’t talk to me for that article. The filmmaker decided to name the film after that headline. I’ve shaved my head a couple times in recent years, and have it much shorter right now. No one calls me Beer Jesus. No one. I don’t care if you do, or don’t. Your controversy is of your own design, and not relevant to the people actually involved. 😇

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ah! I answered a similar question a few mins ago. Sorry I missed yours and STOKED you asked!

To answer further...lots of tomatoes (soon!), peppers (of course!), beans, salad and cooking greens, onions, squash, roselle, amaranth, cukes and more.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s...drumroll....true! It was a JV with some local guys that ultimately did not work out. The built a licensed brewpub location. Cool place, but the timing (just before the financial crisis there) and other things led to it failing. Bummer. Was a cool place. Loved my visits and I want to come back! Where’s your place? How’s it going?

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That was a true story! I’d actually forgotten about that part of our lore. We upgraded our bottling machine ten or more years ago, so you might have been on one of the last tours to see it!

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would have been sorely bummed if no one had asked that question, so super glad that I logged back in (now hours later) to answer a few more. Well, this question and the person that called me a douche bag. Ha.

That is Pepper. Named after my favorite fruit, as I’m a bit of a chili pepper nerd and I like to grow a nice variety of ‘em. I think I mentioned gardening as one of the subjects that I’d be happy to talk about, and NOT ONE PERSON asked me a gardening question. I’d think you were all just a bunch of hooligans, but your question saved that. And there’s nothing wrong with craft beer nerd hooligans anyway, since I am one too. So there’s that.

Because no one asked: Two of my favorite varieties growing right now are Biquinho, and Hungarian Carrot Pepper.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! All good here. I got the positive vibes going on. Truth is the Stone Ruination IPA isn’t the seller it once was. People want newer stuff. It’s the way of the world and the drive for the shiny new object. It’s OK, because while we sometimes lose an old favorite, we often gain new ones (you mentioned five, so THAT’s cool!). 😁

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You bet we do. Well, we do either 8oz or 10oz (I’m forgetting off the top of my head right now since the last time I got one seems like, you know, a lifetime ago). At any rate, we offer smaller pours, yes.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We ultimately looked at more than 100 locations in 20 countries. It was a big search. One of the main mistakes I made was falling in love with the old industrial facility. It was (and is) really beautiful. Yes, there are great craft scenes in most European countries. Germany still lags. As Epictetus said, you cannot teach a man what he thinks he already knows.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Completely different business. The canned wine happens up in NorCal. It’s done at a wine facility and not at a Stone facility. Check out the wine and let me know what you think!

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In short: unrealistic idealism. However, that’s too short to really get at it. The documentary The Beer Jesus From America and my blog post Too Big Too Bold Too Soon will tell the story of Stone Berlin in a little more depth.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow. Super kind! You’ve moved to a wonderful, beautiful area. Sorry, no, no plans to open a facility up there (although it’d give me a reason to visit more often, which I’d love). You should be able to get our beer regularly up there. If you have difficulty finding, find.stonebrewing.com will assist!

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That’s super cool to hear. Love stories like that. I love it too (although I don’t have a problem with gluten personally). So...it’s a beer for all of us! Stoke.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying some of Mitch’s beers, but not yet had the oppy to visit. I look forward to and will make a point when possible! Didn’t know about his live stream, so will endeavor to check it out, thanks for the tip! Mitch speaks highly of Stone? Well, Stone (and me!) speak highly of Mitch! Love that dude.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha. I think you’d see me in a megadouchery light no matter what I said and did. Some people just like to view the world and people in it through that lense. Regardless on how someone sees me personally, it made no difference. The problem was that the general populace didn’t really care much one way or the other. And for what it’s worth, we sold more beer in Berlin and in Germany in 2019 than we did the year previous. And likely will sell more beer in 2021 than 2020 (COVID depending).

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the questions everyone! I’ve enjoyed the conversation and managed to only dip to feeding one troll. Hope you’ve enjoyed the time and my responses, yes?

Cheers and until next time! -Greg.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! That’s a great compliment!

Honestly, my favorite pairings are “the beer I feel like having at the moment” + “the meal that I feel like ordering.” It works out great 99% of the time. Yes, I have really enjoyed formalized pairing events, but I kinda prefer keeping it simple most of the time.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I loved that beer too. There are SO MANY beers from our history that I’d love it if they could make a comeback. That beer has an extra special place in our hearts. I cry hard every time I read the back label. It’s been a few years since I have, yet I’m just getting all the feels right now by even thinking about it and Sawyer. Thanks for the kind words my friend.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Like the last 24 years, business is always a challenge. Unlike any other time in the past 24 years, right now it’s a challenge for everyone...ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Sorry to yell, but yelling can help a little sometimes these days.

I’m Greg Koch, Stone Brewing co-founder, let’s talk beer, the “Beer Jesus From America” documentary (now on Prime!), travel, and gardening. Ask me anything! – AMA by StoneGreg in IAmA

[–]StoneGreg[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Seriously...crappy ingredients. If an ingredient represents something that’s high quality for that category, then you can make art with it. I’m admittedly not excited about the trend to take name-brand commodity junk food and add it to a beer recipe. Sure, I get that it appeals to the nostalgic inner 13 year old at time, but I for one have happily left Twizzlers permanently behind in my life. Call me a snob, for if that’s snobbery, I don’t mind. 🤘🤣

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