Beers with Chuck: Who Says Beer and Radio Don't Mix?

by Chuck P

Ever since I began my craft beer journey years ago, I’ve been lucky enough to surround myself with a great group of knowledgeable beer geeks I proudly call friends. And there’ve been a few times where we’ve all gotten together to drink and discuss our love for all things malt and hops.

Such was the case recently when we met up at the Running Monk Brewery for a beer tasting episode of the Bite and Booze Radio Show.

If you’re trying to figure out where this brewery is, don’t. It’s technically a homebrew set-up at the home of my buddy Brenton Day (aka The Ale Runner).

Also joining Jay, Brenton, and me was Buddy Ethridge, the man behind Baton Rouge Adventures in Beer.

Once the recording began, we started on our first two beers, a couple of local Louisiana favorites, Parish Brewing Company’s Envie Pale Ale and Great Raft Brewing Company’s Commotion Pale Ale.

Envie and Commotion Pale Ale

Parish Brewery recently tweaked the recipe on their latest batch of Envie, and after trying it I can understand why it’s been unofficially nicknamed “Baby Ghost” after their highly popular Ghost In The Machine Double IPA.

Envie might be the most easy drinking Pale Ale I’ve ever had. The hop profile is pretty much perfect and the nice dry finish leaves you craving that next sip. Coming in at 5.5% ABV this is a beer I could find myself drinking plenty of at a house party or tailgate.

Great Raft’s Commotion comes straight out the gate with a great aroma of grapefruit and a nice sweet balance of citrus. A bit darker in color than the Envie and coming in a little over 5% ABV, this is another one that’s great for any occasion and definitely a go-to beer when I’m out.

Sticking with the same breweries, we moved on to Parish’s aforementioned Ghost and Great Raft’s Grace & Grit Double IPA. After pouring both beers side by side, we were all a little surprised at how similar these two beers looked to their previous “little brothers.” 

Ghost in the Machine and Grace and Grit

What can be said about Ghost In The Machine (8% ABV) that hasn’t already been said? The beer is just flat out delicious, especially if you’re a true hop head. From the aroma to the first sip, your taste buds are assaulted (in a good way) by a massive hop bomb of awesomeness. There’s a reason this beer flies off of the shelves when it’s released.

The Grace & Grit is as equally delicious. Not the hop bomb that Ghost is, this Double IPA (8% ABV) still packs a nice hop punch, but is very subtle in its delivery. The honey malt gives it a slightly sweet finish that lingers on the palate in just the right way. This one comes packaged in 750ml bottles in case you want to share with a friend or drink the whole thing yourself.

After finishing the radio show and thinking our night was just about over, Brenton’s wife Teresa brought out a plethora of delicious food for us to finish out the evening. Another perfect ending to an awesome evening of great friends and great local craft beer.