Curious about the craft beer scene in Middle East? This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy Carbone is joined in the studio by Mazen Hajjar, the brewer behind Lebanon's 961 Beer. Hear what the typical Lebanese beer enthusiast drinks, and learn why Mazen decided to grow 961 Beer and distribute internationally. Jimmy is also talking with a wide variety of Long Island Brewers. Mike Philporick of Port Jeff, Greg Martin of Long Ireland, and Curt Potter of Blue Point Brewing Company are in the house talking about a Long Island collaboration beer, Surge Protector IPA. Surge Protector is a benefit beer for victims of Hurricane Sandy on Long Island, and for Barrier Brewing based in New York. Wendy Littlefield from Vanberg & DeWulf calls in to talk about New York's Coast to Coast Toast! Craig Flymark also calls in to talk about Barrier's brews post-Hurricane Sandy. The studio's packed on this week's Beer Sessions Radio; tune in! This program has been brought to you by GreatBrewers.com.

"Sometimes we get to the point where we try to push the IBUs and do all this crazy stuff, but we forget the basics. If we don't make drinkable beers, we're failing the consumer." [35:00]

"The more beers out there, good beers- the more converts we will get." [42:00]

-- Mazen Hajjar on Beer Sessions Radio

Welcome to another episode of Beer Sessions Radio, hosted by Jimmy Carbone. Tony Forder and Jack Babbin from Ale Street News are here to celebrate the beer magazine's 20th Anniversary. Tune in to hear about the first few issues of Ale Street News, some of the events they have covered over the years, and the role of homebrewing in the success of their publication. Sam Barbieri of Waterfront Ale House is also in the studio talking about some of the beers on tap at Waterfront and the capacity of California craft brewers. The guys from Ale Street News bring over a biodegradable "Crafty Carton", an alternative to a growler for bringing craft beer home from the bar. Tune in as everyone tastes some delicious pilsners and IPAs! Thanks to our sponsor, GreatBrewers.com.

"This whole beer movement started because of homebrewers. There were so many cookie-cutter beers that tasted the same, and these guys were making beer that tasted great." -- Sam Barbieri on Beer Sessions Radio

"Quality has to be the focus, but passion is the main ingredient." -- Jack Babbin on Beer Sessions Radio

This week on Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy Carbone welcomes back co-host Jen Schwertman and sits down to chat with Kelly Taylor of Heartland Brewery. They talk about the current state of brew pubs and what's going on right now with Heartland Brewery. Later in the show, Chad Roberts from Snipes Mountain Brewery in Sunnyside, Washington calls in to join the conversation and tell listeners about brewing in the Yakima Valley. Finally, Anderson DeLima of 508 GastroBrewery talks about his establishment and what it takes to run a small brew pub in New York. Beer Sessions Radio is brought to you by GreatBrewers.com.

"I'm having a lot of fun with the barrel aging stuff right now. That's where the new Heartland Imperial Stout came from."

--Kelly Taylor of Heartland Brewery on Beer Sessions Radio