I started listening in 07 or 08. BBR has consistently helped me be a better brewer and expand my brewing horizons. In addition, James (and Steve) has always been an affable and gentle presence. I’ve never met the hosts but they feel like old friends.
Love everything about the show, but Chris Colby is hard to listen to. He's knowledgeable but my god he doesn't help carry the conversation. Hate to be harsh, but podcasts are a conversation medium. In the Kolsch episode you can hear James stryggling to keep the flow going. Still love the show but will skip episodes with Chris.
I was shocked when I saw that I have never rated the show. James, and when he is on, Steve, are incredible hosts, with such a profound knowledge of homebrewing and the industry.James is a consummate professional, asks amazing questions of guests, and the font of knowledge, such an incredible asset to the brewing community. I have listened and watched them for so many years that I feel they are a part of my life. The humanity, sense of humor, and passion with which this podcast is presented make it a must listen for any serious brew lover.
Like a venerable in-line 6 cylinder engine James and BBR always deliver. Add Steve into the mix and the fun is doubled! The content and production quality are equally good. My favorite homebrewing pod!
This show was a huge resource for me when started out brewing. If your new dig into the archives there is a ton there and I am sure you will find a show about what your looking for.
I’ve been listening to James and Steve for 11 years and I’m always happy for them when June signals a well deserved podcasting break. However, I’m happier when July rolls around and We all get new episodes. Thanks for all of your humor, insight, and dedication to our hobby. I definitely recommend the show to anyone who enjoys home brewing. Cheers!
Best brewing show by far! Great show with so many topics in the archives. I just wish the website had better searching or some summary of all the taste tests they've done.
So simple, and so advanced. He really knows how to explain just about everything in terms anyone can get. Lots of fun - dry humor, movie quoting and inside jokes. Great guests discussing Gose, or hop bitterness tests, or brewing and tasting varied hops and methods, or making beer with an old loaf of bread. Mead. A little cooking.
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.
