I found this podcast when I was first getting into home brewing. Professionally done with some humor mixed in, the show is smart, informative and entertaining. I enjoy going back and finding previous episodes detailing the brew I plan on making in the future. It's called "Basic" brewing but the show does more than skim the surface because its too hard to stop there, the questions need to be answered and go deeper.
As a new brewer and after only brewing a few beers, James and Steve do a really great job of testing out various hops, styles of beer and anything you can think of to guide you to a good home brew! Definitely worth a listen!
It’s been the go-to homebrew podcast for years, and it only gets better. Fun, educational, and occasionally goofy - this is a must-listen podcast for new brewers and experienced brewers alike!
I enjoy the podcasts that James produces! There is a lot of information in them for any homebrewer!
If you’re into homebrewing and not listening to this podcast, you’re missing out.
I cannot say enough (as indicated by my repeat posts): James puts on quite the balanced show. He is interesting to listen to, has a great sense of humor (emphasis on fresh and funny perspectives), and avoids the very basic formulaic-style that other homebrew podcasts fall into.
I’ve learned tons about brewing listening to this podcast. It may have been basic in the beginning, but it goes all over the map to some very deep techniques. The disaster shows are a lot of fun as well.
I have enjoyed a number of brewing podcasts all very educational, most entertaining but Basic Brewing offers a fine balance of content, entertainment, sincere passion and high quality production. Over the years I have looked forward to the weekly podcasts and monthly videos, and am consistently rewarded. Thank you James and Steve for sharing your passion over the years!
There are a lot of podcasts about homebrewing out there, and while I listen to several on a regular basis, Basic Brewing Radio (& Video) is without a doubt my favorite. James is one of the easiest hosts to listen to - he's humble, fun and curious. His interviews are always interesting and inormative, and he's helped me improve my craft in many ways. He's very responsive to email, as well, so when questions have arisen as I've listened to various episodes, I've just sent him off a note and he always replies promptly. If you add one podcast to your feed, it should be this one.
This show has great information for brewers from beginner to advanced. It’s like an audio news magazine for beer. Each show focuses on a specific topic with enough detail to provide new avenues to wander, while still being a light and fun listen. Thanks! Keep it up!
I have been listening to this podcast since 2011 and have learned so, so much; I am still learning! I have yet to try many of the techniques 😁 though I have made many of the food recipes, like kraut and beer creme brûlée. Thanks James and crew!!
How anyone could not give this creative, original, dynamic, thoughtful, inspiring, detailed, hilarious podcast a five star review is beyond me. James, along with Steve, and his plethora of insightful guests have captured the hearts of brewers from every walk of experience everywhere. It’s family friendly and extremely well produced. These two criteria make it THE stand out homebrewing podcast out there right now in my mind. I appreciate James taking his broadcasting background and using it to bring such a bright light to a, still relatively, small hobby. He’s humble and oh so fun to listen to. Here’s to Basic Brewing Radio being around for generations to come! “Wall’em Up!!”
I've been brewing for the past 11 years now and I've listened to this podcast the entire time. Packed with info and great hokey sense of humor. Love it!
This is absolutely the best homebrew podcast on the inter-webs.
Why is it the best?
- Not because James and Steve are full of Information.
- Not because I wouldn't dare to tread the water of all-grain brewing until my wife bought me "Stepping Into All Grain"
- Not because if you email James he will always send a reply as if he truly cares about his listeners and fellow home brewers.
- And definitely not because he keeps his show family friendly.
Okay. So maybe it's actually ALL of that.
But I love that it is family friendly. No cussing. No F bombs no inappropriate subject matter like just about EVER other beer and home brew podcast out there.
Keep up the good work James.
This is a truly excellent podcast. Always interesting & personal with good guests, but also well-prepared &great audio/production quality. Fantastic recent episode about starting a new home brew shop and entrepreneurship in general, which drove me to write this review. Thanks!!
If you're a homebrewer you should listen to this podcast. The breadth of topics goes far beyond "basic" but most episodes are not overly technical. Also, most episodes hit that sweet spot of about an hour long so they're not too long but long enough to do a deep dive into the topic. James Spencer does a great job with this podcast.
Thanks for so many great podcasts! I have enjoyed them all and found helpful guidence and insperation to make my home brewing more enjoyabe and tasty. Even as an exctract brewer, I am fascinated about other brewing technics and ideas. Thanks James and crew!
With the popularity of home brewing these days there are a lot of podcasts devoted to the hobby … and most of them are done poorly — a couple of guys randomly babbling and trying to be funny with only snippets of any actual content. Basic Brewing Radio has been around a long time for a reason. It delivers. Great guests, good information, entertaining and all wrapped up in a professional program.
A very informative brewing podcast with great guests. James does a good job as host although his frequent attempts at humor as well as his sound effects while drinking become annoying. That being said I look forward to more episodes.
James has done a great job of mixing interviews, tastings and experiments, with humnor and science. This podcast is a must for anyone in the hobby, no matter what their level of experience! Keep up the great job James!
Great information here for beginner and advanced brewers. I find myself downloading episodes that I’m not even interested in just so I can hear James and Steve and others talk beer. I feel like I know these guys! Fun, informative and not so abrasive as other brewing podcasts can be.
I was listening to your Notch Brewing:American Session Beer episode.. I'd like to add in to the corn debate... I understand your guest's opinion on corn, but it must be said that corn is a vegetable which is US-government-sponsored in terms of both fertilization as well as growth, and both are based on petroleum-based products. In other words, corn is primarily grown with petroleum-based growth-inducing products (nitrogen-heavy fertilizers made from petroleum), so if you base your beer-fermenting sugar on this type of input, your beer is primarily based on oil. That's the bottom-line. Please let me know what your thinking is. Do you depart from this approach? If so, in what way? I'm a beer fan, but would like to know that my beer suppliers are not using a pathway from oil to beer.
Best,
Brocks
I drive 2.5 hours a day to work and try to keep myself occupied with talk radio such as NPR. BBR has been a refreshing change of pace. I have brewed a lot before, but the radio channel has helped reignite my interest. More advanced topics I didn't feel like researching before have been covered by James in an easy and informative way. I've now begun researching ways to step out my comfort zone in extract brewing and delve into all grain and beyond. Thanks for all of the hard work and time James!
Don't be fooled by the name. This podcast covers a lot of advanced brewing techniques. I've gone back and listened to every episode and to be sure the early ones are more introductory. I would recommend that those new to homebrewing start at the beginning and work their way forward. I was fairly new to the hobby when I started listening, and it was a huge help for me. In fact just after a few months of listening, I took the jump from extract to all grain brewing and have been doing that ever since. I've actually entered my beer in competition and have received some great scores. I have Basic Brewing Radio to thank for that. Keep up the great work!
James and Steve are amazing, very informative and a willingness to try new things for the sake of well… trying new things. I got into to home brewing for the same exact thing and try to things that is not already out there or differently than what is out there. Trust me you will learn an incredible amount of things with these guys.
I just discovered this podcast as a new homebrewer and it's very well done. Excellent production quality and James is a wonderful host. He's smooth and enjoyable to listen to. I'll be catching up on years of podcasts this Xmas season! Thanks James
If you are obsessed with home brewing you have found a place you can call home!! BBR is the best podcast I have found anywhere! I listen at home, at work, and when I drive to work! Nuff said!
First of all since finding this podcast my homebrews have transcended to the next level. Spencer and guests bring their passion and wealth of knowledge about beer making and everything about the hobby. You will be subjected to great experiments and pros in the brewing business that will reveal tips you can not find in any publication. In all of you are a beginning home brewer, advanced or just a craft beer aficionado , basic brewing is a MUST listen. Thanks guys keep up the great work!
Found this podcast a little late but WOW. I have gotten so much from this podcast! I say go back and start from the beginning or you can pick topics you like. But even ones I didn't think I care about have come in handy. I'm on my 5th brew and can't wait for my next! Podcast is an easy 5!
I stumbled across this great show while searching for another. This is a great series of shows that is focused on home brewing and the techniques and science behind that hobby. James has a pleasing radio host voice and a style that is laid back and very engaging. The show seems to have regular co-hosts and distinguished experts to weigh in on many of the topics explored. I found the shows to be both timely and timeless at the same time. If you are interested in home brew, or been brewing for years, or just want to see a little science applied to the art of beer making this could be the show for you.
This is an informative, entertaining and relevant show, give it a try you will not be disappointed.
I love this podcast. The host, James Spencer, is great. He covers topics ranging all levels of home brewing experience. James' passion for home brewing and good nature are apparent through out the show. I'd also recommend his Basic Brewing Video podcast. Thanks for the great work James; I truley enjoy the show and the manner in which its conducted.
I listen to basic brewing all day at work it is a great show with a great host. It is funny and I learn a lot even though I am in and out because I'm at work. I have no problem listen to the same show a few times to get all the info. It puts me in a good mood to think about all the recipes I can make I even make notes through the day.
Also every few shows they all are pretty loaded and that leads to some great radio.
