Presented by House Enterprise, hosted by Jake Zimmer and Will Tondo. The name explains itself. We’ll be discussing craft beer, the latest business news, and what's going on in the world of sports. Join us for weekly conversations and interviews with industry leaders and guests around the nation.
BEERS: With baseball back and in full swing, Will reviews Pinstripe Pils by Blue Point Brewing Company. With a can decked out in Yankee pinstripes, it’s hard not to picture yourself at the stadium crushing a few light beers. Jake reviews a collaboration from Revival Brewing Company and Union Station Brewery after visiting their new location on Sims Street in Providence. A blueberry-vanilla sour, Phoenix Rising is a must-have in the Rhode Island area if you like sours.
BUSINESS: Kim Anderson, the founder of plant-based restaurant and marketplace Plant City, joins us to discuss what she is building in Providence and beyond. Plant City started as an idea: what if plant-based eating was an experience, rather than a diet or fad? Now, Plant City has become one of the fastest-growing entities in New England; they’ve served 700,000 guests in their 2 years of existence, saved 361 million gallons of water and 300,000 animal lives - all while sourcing their ingredients locally. We discuss Kim’s drive to make the world a better place while being able to turn a profit, and why every entrepreneur must have a degree of social responsibility.
BALLS: The NCAA tournament like no other has come to a close. What did we learn, who surprised us, and what’s next? The guys are loving UCLA and what’s to come, and recap their historic run. In other news, baseball! Opening Week started off with a bang - the Reds’ Nick Castellanos was ejected and suspended after having some choice words with a Cardinals pitcher, Detroit’s Akil Baddoo made an incredible splash in his MLB debut, and the White Sox’s Yermin Mercedes started the year going 8 for 8. Did Eloy Jimenez die, or are the White Sox just beyond extra? We also give some betting favorites for The Masters, scheduled to tee off on Thursday morning.
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beersbusinessandballs/supportPublish Date: 4/8/2021
MARCH MADNESS IS BACK! We officially have a bracket, so there’s no better way to break it down than with Twitter’s favorite college basketball personality, Captain Xavier. We also bring in our House writer (see what we did there?), Sam Basel, who’s been killing it all year covering the A-10 and NYC-area college hoops for us. Cap is sad about the brutal end to the season for the Musketeers, who were bounced in the first round of the Big East tournament by Butler - but he’s very much looking forward to making some wild predictions for this year’s Big Dance. We discuss our initial reactions to the bracket, which #1 seed has the easiest path to the Final Four, and which Big East team is most likely to make a run at the title. We also give our traditional Bracket Buster pick, and add in our “psycho picks” - the upsets that no one will see coming. We end with Cap’s Mount Rushmore of College Basketball Twitter personalities.
BEERS: The guys recap a trip to northern New Hampshire, which is one of the most densely-populated states for breweries in the nation. They first break down their visit to New Hampshire Wine & Liquor Outlet - a total tourist trap, but cheap beer and wine will always be a must-hit. Will, who just hit 1,000 unique beers on UnTappd, celebrates with a 6-glass flight at One Love Brewery in Lincoln, NH. Mixed vibes for sure - a garden meets a sports bar, but their beer was right in the middle of the road. Jake reviews a New Hampshire selection from Woodstock Inn Brewery called “Old Man Oatmeal Stout,” which he paired with a few Short Rib Tacos outside at the makeshift “igloos'' on the patio. He thinks it was a nice, easygoing craft choice for a colder day, but might reach for something else if offered.
BUSINESS: Introducing LeRedSox! LeBron James and his business partner Maverick Carter have reportedly bought a $6 million stake in Fenway Sports Group, the holding company that owns the Boston Red Sox. Many believe this is LeBron’s first step towards owning a professional team of his own. How involved will LeBron be with the Crimson Hose? We also discuss Elon Musk’s latest escapade: changing his official title to TechnoKing, and dragging his CFO into the fire with him as the new “Master of Coin.” Genius or sorcery?
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beersbusinessandballs/supportPublish Date: 3/17/2021
Publish Date: 3/11/2021
The crossover pod you’ve been waiting for! This week, Mike Gilligan and Oliver Martel from “Small State Big Takes” join us for our first ever collab show. In the true spirit of collaboration, we start this week’s show as the SSBT guys do every week: with our “big take” of the day. The takes were big, controversial, and raunchy…ranging from Damian Lillard to how you like to eat your muffin.
BEERS: We start as we always do: searching for the best craft beer on the planet. Will and Jake return to their Tree House roots and review two classics: Moment of Clarity and Curiosity Fifty Seven. Gilli, who just moved to Philly (yes, we know it rhymes) stops at a Pennsylvania classic, Yards Brewing Company, to review Philadelphia Pale Ale. Oliver keeps it simple with a classic Blue Moon.
BUSINESS: The rage over non-fungible tokens, or NFT’s, has grown significantly in the last few weeks. Second-to-none is NBA Top Shot, the nation’s hottest marketplace to own “moments” from all sorts of basketball players. Will these NFT marketplaces replace the thrill and wonder of a good-ole-fashioned pack of trading cards? What’s next for digital memorabilia? The guys also react to the news that Mark Cuban will allow Mavericks fans to pay for tickets and fan gear in Dogecoin, a viral cryptocurrency that’s gained significant exposure. Is it a pure publicity stunt or secretly genius?
BALLS: Our inaugural Pod vs. Pod Conference Pick ‘Em Challenge is on! Both podcasts will pick the winners of seven conference tournaments. We’ll compete for bragging rights, switching our Twitter profile pics for 24 hours, and a small donation to the opposing podcast’s charity.
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beersbusinessandballs/supportPublish Date: 3/5/2021
If you’re a baseball person, you know Bobby V. But even if you don’t keep up with America’s pastime, there’s still a chance you know this week’s guest for a few reasons: as an ESPN analyst, a restaurant owner in southern Connecticut, or most notably, a “master of disguise.”
We are honored to have Bobby Valentine on our show this week to reflect on a career with a plethora of accomplishments. We recall Bobby’s days at USC - from rooming with future Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner, to his time in the Sigma Chi Fraternity with 3-time Super Bowl Champion coach Mike Holmgren. Bobby reminisces on nearly stealing home his Major League debut, playing a role in 3 of Nolan Ryan’s no-hitters, and his “catcher’s balk” disguise incident in 1999 as the manager of the New York Mets. We break down Bobby’s opinions on the future of the game of baseball and the inevitable universal designated hitter rule. We shift gears to chat with Bobby about his role as the Athletic Director at Sacred Heart University, the gaps he had to fill going from professional to collegiate athletics, and what’s to come for the SHU Pioneers in the near future.
BEERS: Vermont is known for its skiing scene and scenic outdoor activities, but its craft beer market is one of the best in New England. Will tries Big Bang by Foley Brothers Brewing - an unfiltered single IPA with some of our favorite hops, he thinks this is one you should have on the list. Jake goes back to his Connecticut roots and reviews a classic - Sea Hag by New England Brewing Company. A staple at any gathering and a great contribution for a friend’s party, Sea Hag is one of the most crushable IPA’s in the region.
BUSINESS: Texas suffers its worst nightmare: after basically freezing over, there are still millions without power, thousands in need of shelter, and hundreds dead. Why wasn’t Texas prepared for a winter storm in the same way that the Northeast or Midwest would’ve been? We break down some potential factors, and look into some stocks you might be able to take advantage of...if they can make it out of this mess alive.
BALLS: San Diego Padres standout shortstop Fernando Tatis inks himself a HUGE deal for $340 million over 13 years. How does this change the game for young stars that will hit free agency in the first few years of the 2020’s?
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beersbusinessandballs/supportPublish Date: 2/23/2021
While the Super Bowl is over, we have more football content for you! Jake Wallach, or “JWall” as his fans affectionately know him, won the Madden Club Championship on February 9th - he joins the show to relive his big victory. JWall takes us through the process of qualifying for a competitive Madden tournament, his 14-6 win over one of the best Madden players in the nation, and his strategy to take him down. We also discuss JWall’s love for the Detroit Lions, and Calvin Johnson’s recent Hall of Fame induction.
BEERS: Brewery Ommegang: “where heaven met earth,” according to its website, isn’t really a far stretch. Will reviews Neon Rainbows from the Cooperstown brewer, and his rating is probably worth you heading to Untappd.com to find out if you’re one of the 47 states that Ommegang distributes to. Jake takes a trip down the Pawtuxet River to Apponaug Brewing Company in Warwick, RI. To the naked eye, it’s a “come for the food, stay for the vibes, and drink some beer in the meantime” vibe...but is Apponaug actually a hidden gem in Rhode Island? Jake reviews “Lakerunner,” a West Coast pale ale that might have him coming back sooner than he thought.
BUSINESS: With plenty of high tensions in the market over the past few weeks, it’s refreshing to hear about a trailblazing entrepreneur making moves. Whitney Wolfe Herd is officially the youngest self-made female billionaire in history after she led Bumble to its IPO this past week; it’s already up around 5% in the first few days of trading. We break down Bumble’s attractive case to buy, and Whitney Wolfe Herd’s long journey to bringing her company public.
BALLS: Are you lost without football? We are. We reminisce on a game that shocked many, as Tom Brady collected his 7th Super Bowl ring. What’s next for Brady? Who will the Buccaneers retain as the free agency rumors begin? After demanding a release from the Houston Texans, where will JJ Watt look to play football in 2021? We also break down the recent success of the New York Knicks, who currently enjoy a 6th-place marker in the Eastern Conference.
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beersbusinessandballs/supportPublish Date: 2/17/2021
EPISODE 40
Super Bowl Sunday has finally arrived! It’s the Chiefs and the Bucs - can Tom Brady separate his legacy from the New England Patriots and win yet another title, or will it be Patrick Mahomes’ time to take over as the face of the NFL? We bring in former NFL safety Quintin Demps to discuss his career, what he learned from Andy Reid, and what to expect this weekend.
BEERS
Is it IPA season again? Will reviews “Totally Tubular” from Orono Brewing Company in Maine, and its tropical notes have us dreaming of warmer places...well, anywhere that doesn’t have a foot of snow on the ground. Jake reviews “Peeptoad” from nearby Tilted Barn Brewing, to which he makes a comparison to another Rhode Island staple.
BUSINESS
You’d have to be living under a rock to not be aware of what’s going on in the stock market these past few weeks, and who better than our friend Zaid Admani to discuss it! In a relentless battle of “Bros vs. Suits,” the stock market endured a “short squeeze,” in which a group of Reddit users convinced many retail investors to pump up stocks in order to inflict massive losses on hedge funds who had “shorted” their share of these companies. GameStop, AMC, and BlackBerry had all benefited from the short squeeze - some users report gaining as much as 1700% on their positions. We break down the events of last week and ponder if this could be the new norm. We also discuss the recent resignation of Jeff Bezos, and what it could mean for the future of Amazon.
BALLS
Quintin Demps grew from a city kid growing up in San Antonio with a single mother to a standout defensive back at UTEP. He earned himself a 4th-round draft pick to the Eagles, was mentored by 9-time Pro-Bowler Brian Dawkins, and quickly found himself one win away from the 2009 Super Bowl...only to be walked off by a last-minute touchdown pass from Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. Demps reminisces on his memories of the league, the lessons he learned from now-Chiefs head coach Andy Reid during his time in Philadelphia, and being carved apart by Tom Brady during the four times in his career they played each other. We also discuss the mental and financial struggles with life after football, how to fix the Texans, what Deshaun Watson’s mentality should be going forward, and if Patrick Mahomes has a legitimate claim to the “Face of the NFL” title with a win.
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beersbusinessandballs/supportPublish Date: 2/4/2021
Publish Date: 1/26/2021
When you think of the wine industry, you probably think of the rolling Tuscan hills, old money, and dressing to the nines for a fun Saturday fall afternoon with your friends. But it means far more to Sigma Chi alumnus Brandon Chaney, who left his career to pursue winemaking full-time. The proprietor and founder of Fairwinds Estates Winery in Napa Valley, Brandon is an accomplished tech entrepreneur who left his job to chase his passion for making (and drinking) great wines. As Brandon tells us, it certainly has not been all sunshines and rainbows - Fairwinds lost most of their property to the lethal Glass Fires in October 2020. How did the experience change Brandon's outlook on his passion, and how are they rebuilding? We unpack a lot in our "Business" segment with Brandon Chaney this week, and we're excited to share his story with you.
BEERS: Craft beer without the hangover? Sign us up. For years, the non-alcoholic beer industry has remained stagnant - no one is reaching for the O'Douls, St. Pauli Girl, or Beck's anymore. Athletic Brewing Company is on a mission to redefine craft beer by providing an easy-to-drink craft beer without the health risks & the unavoidable hangover. We certainly love our craft beer, but we enjoyed giving Athletic Brewing a shot. Head over to athleticbrewing.com to check out their products today.
BALLS: We give some rapid-fire predictions for the 2 games in the upcoming NFL Championship Series, and digest all that's been going on in the baseball world.
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beersbusinessandballs/supportPublish Date: 1/21/2021
Publish Date: 1/13/2021
Publish Date: 12/22/2020
Can’t get enough Bryant Bulldogs breaking barriers and re-inventing entire industries? Nick Cianfaglione joins us this week to discuss his founding of Artist Republik, a platform for independent artists & musicians. We discuss his method of tearing down barriers for creators to monetize and market their products, and the ordeal that artists usually encounter with their “managers.” How can an independent musician monetize their work without coughing up a large chunk of their earnings to their managers’ pockets? What’s the best way to distribute songs on a low budget? Nick gives us answers that every artist should be dying to know. We also discuss how he built a duct-tape wallet empire in his middle school days, and his desperate plea to the creators of Fortnite.
BEERS: Tree. ******. House. We brought back a haul from the “Brewery on the Hill” in Charlton this past weekend, and it certainly did not disappoint. Jake reviews “Juice Project” with Citra and Mosaic hops; his rating will leave your jaw on the floor. Meanwhile, in his quest to break 1,000 beers before 2021, Will reviews the Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Peppermint Porter by Lexington Brewing Company. He’s got 37 left to go in just 14 days – can he do it?
BUSINESS: As we mentioned last week, AirBnB was one of the most highly anticipated IPO’s of our time. We expected the stock to rise after officially being listed on the markets last week, but how did they pull off more than a 100% increase in less than 2 days? The guys evaluate if AirBnB could be one of the stocks you wished you bought 5 years from now.
BALLS: Both the Giants and the Patriots suffered tough losses against powerhouse opponents this week, and – although we don’t want to – we break down what went wrong for the increasingly-less-likely playoff hopefuls. Contenders and Pretenders reprises itself for another week – who is legit, and who is just here for the ride? Our choices might surprise you.
POSITIVITY CORNER: If you are in the giving spirit, please consider writing a letter to the family of Keyontae Johnson, who remains in critical condition after collapsing on the court on Saturday. Send a message of hope & goodwill to PO BOX 14485, Gainsville FL 32604.
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/appPublish Date: 12/15/2020
BEERS: We are beyond excited for you to get to know our newest beer reviewer, Kris Savage! Kris tells us the story of how she created Basic Girl Brew Review on Instagram with her best friend. Kris and the guys try a few of our favorite local selections (hint hint, Tree House may be included) live on the show, and debate whether or not the Midwest craft scene can stack up against the formidable New England titans of industry.
Big shoutout to our friends at Long Live Beerworks, too - they launched their new renditions of Frozie Cup and Jenny Graham, both available at their Providence location.
BUSINESS: It’s day trading heaven!...or is it? AirBnB is expected to list itself on the New York Stock Exchange this Thursday, and all eyes are on the app that changed tourism forever. After changing its expected sell price multiple times, it appears CEO Brian Chesky has come to an agreement with the SEC and investment banks that they’ll hit the exchange at $60 - up from $44, $50, and $56. What’s in store for AirBnb? Should you buy it as soon as it hits the market, or wait for it to settle?
BALLS: Contenders and Pretenders, Week 13 edition! Who disappointed in Week 13, and who solidified themselves as contenders? After another weird week of football and plenty of upsets (shoutout Giants, Pats, and Washington), our teams in the top tier may surprise you. We also discuss the blockbuster Westbrook/Wall trade, and what it means for the futures of the two highly-touted (and overpaid) point guards.
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/appPublish Date: 12/8/2020
He’s beer royalty! If you are a craft beer drinker like us, you know how important the Untappd app is. Join the guys and The Boston Beer Guy as we sit down with the Untappd founder, Greg Avola, who takes us through his journey of creating the most popular beer app in America. We discuss his passion for computer science & coding, his corporate experience at KPMG & Morgan Stanley, and his leap of faith into the world of entrepreneurship. Greg also highlights some of the key new initiatives & features we should be looking to see from Untappd, and makes a plug for some of the best beers in New England.
Our conversation with Greg should get your fill of Beers AND Business this week (we also talk a bit of sports too!), but we close with a recap of Tyson-Jones Jr. on Triller this past weekend, and some football surprises.
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/appPublish Date: 12/1/2020
Publish Date: 12/1/2020
It’s officially college basketball season - so who better than Kevin McNamara to talk shop with us this week! All things considered, there’s nothing Kevin hasn’t covered in the college basketball world. A 30-year veteran of the Providence Journal before his departure this summer, Kevin has reported the beat for both the Providence Friars and the Rhode Island Rams, broke some of the nation’s biggest college basketball headlines, and sat on press row at the most renowned sports venues in America. Kevin chats with us about his rise to gaining national impressions, some characters he met along the way, and some storylines to look out for in this year’s campaign for the Friars & the BIG EAST.
BEERS: Is there really any bad time for a stout or a sour? This week, you get both! Will cracks open a golden stout courtesy of our friends at North Fork Brewing, while Jake recaps Electric Plankton by FAB, one of the newer brands in Massachusetts.
BUSINESS: Congratulations are in order if you were an owner of anything “new tech” last week! But the real winner goes to Disney, who is seeing all-time highs once again. With more than $2.4 billion in lost revenue from park visitors, how is Disney growing so much? We break down the wild success of its streaming platform and how it’s contributing to the rising Disney stock price.
BALLS: The Ravens SUCK! We said it! After losing in overtime to the Tennessee Titans, is Baltimore on a fast track to hell with a Turkey Day matchup against the Steelers? We also officially declare the New England Patriots as a “Bad Team” (can we trademark that?) and prepare their eulogy.
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/appPublish Date: 11/24/2020
It’s officially college basketball season - so who better than Kevin McNamara to talk shop with us this week! All things considered, there’s nothing Kevin hasn’t covered in the college basketball world. A 30-year veteran of the Providence Journal before his departure this summer, Kevin has reported the beat for both the Providence Friars and the Rhode Island Rams, broke some of the nation’s biggest college basketball headlines, and sat on press row at the most renowned sports venues in America. Kevin chats with us about his rise to gaining national impressions, some characters he met along the way, and some storylines to look out for in this year’s campaign for the Friars & the BIG EAST.
BEERS: Is there really any bad time for a stout or a sour? This week, you get both! Will cracks open a golden stout courtesy of our friends at North Fork Brewing, while Jake recaps Electric Plankton by FAB, one of the newer brands in Massachusetts.
BUSINESS: Congratulations are in order if you were an owner of anything “new tech” last week! But the real winner goes to Disney, who is seeing all-time highs once again. With more than $2.4 billion in lost revenue from park visitors, how is Disney growing so much? We break down the wild success of its streaming platform and how it’s contributing to the rising Disney stock price.
BALLS: The Ravens SUCK! We said it! After losing in overtime to the Tennessee Titans, is Baltimore on a fast track to hell with a Turkey Day matchup against the Steelers? We also officially declare the New England Patriots as a “Bad Team” (can we trademark that?) and prepare their eulogy.
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/beersbusinessandballs/supportPublish Date: 11/24/2020
Another live on-site interview for you this week! Nichole Pelletier, founder and owner of Crooked Current Brewery joins the show from her venue in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. In one of the more detailed and insightful conversations we've had on the show to date, Nichole lays out her long journey from a criminal justice student to the owner & operator of one of Lil' Rhody's most up-and-coming beer brands. We discuss her strategy of "keeping the circle close" by not distributing Crooked Current beer, the potential challenges ahead, and the significance of being one of the only female head brewers in the state. We also taste & rate three beers, straight from the source - Pumpkin Maple Ale, Mexican Hot Chocolate, and Mango SMASH IPA. You should stop what you're doing and rate all 3.
BUSINESS: In a surprise move on Monday, Tesla announced it will list itself on the S&P 500 beginning on December 21. What does this mean for the stock, and when should you buy it?
BALLS: Kim Ng, a seasoned baseball executive, becomes the first female general manager in her new role with the Miami Marlins - a long overdue move for the sports world. In the basketball scene, we break down the move of Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns, and discuss drawbacks of a potential James Harden trade to the Brooklyn Nets.
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/appPublish Date: 11/17/2020
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