This week on Beer Sessions, Jimmy and Ray explore the oft-overlooked item that is absolutely necessary for yeast to create alcohol: malt. Jay Steinhauer of American Beer Distributing and Benjamin Stutz of Brooklyn Homebrew talk about base yeast, specialty yeast, and making beer, plus Sam Barbieri of Waterfront Ale House talks about his career in the bar (and ice cream) biz. Christan and Andrea of Valley Malts discuss their exceedingly rare project to create their own, local version of a Malt House. Finally the guys discuss aged beers, barley wine, and this years pumpkin shortage (yes, there was a pumpkin shortage). This episode was sponsored by Great Brewers.com: a favorite source for beer information and education and one of the internet’s most popular beer destinations.

Photo: Sam Barbieri, owner of Waterfront Ale House and organizer of Fuhgetaboutit BBQ