Welcome back to The DC Beer Show, your hop-forward source for all things craft beer in the DMV! This episode finds our dynamic crew—Jake, Mike, Brandy, and Jordan—diving headfirst into the fascinating world of hops and modern brewing with special guest Shana Solarte, Marketing Communications Manager at John I. Haas.

Kicking off with the usual “what’s in your glass?” roundtable, the hosts compare notes on a fresh selection of IPAs (with more than one nod to Other Half), a Peabody Heights pilsner, and shout-outs to local beer reps. Brandy brings a little Cinco de Mayo energy, complete with margaritas and hopes for more info on her beer can labels!

The heart of the show belongs to Shana, who joins from Chicago—but don’t worry, her reach into the DC beer scene runs deep. She shares the inside scoop on John I. Haas’ partnership with the Michael James Jackson Foundation (MJF), an organization supporting scholarships for brewers and distillers of color. Shana explains the creative process behind MJF’s exclusive hop blend, involving sensory panels, blind tastings, and even a bit of Garrett Oliver Jedi mind-trickery. We hear about how the blend gives back—$5 per pound sold goes straight to MJF, supporting the next wave of brewing talent.

The episode shifts gears to demystify the buzz around “flowable hop products.” Shana breaks down what they are (think super-concentrated hop flavor minus the leafy waste), the benefits for brewers (better efficiency, more beer to pour), and how products like Incognito are changing the IPA game—especially with Mosaic fans in the house.

Throughout the show, Shana’s passion for beer education and inclusivity shines. From her Cicerone roots to her time at Dovetail and Omega Yeast, she emphasizes continual learning and translating geeky hop science into language every beer enthusiast can dig.

As always, there’s plenty of DC Beer community spirit. Brandy highlights upcoming local events: the Maryland Craft Beer Festival in Frederick (shoutout to female and non-binary brewers!), a DC Brau beer share, and a full calendar for beer lovers all summer long. Mike gives a special mention to the Arlington Brew Shop beer of the month, a Czech pale lager brewed by Bluejacket, and Jacob reminds us that beer is for everyone (moms very much included).

Grab a hoppy IPA (or your favorite local lager), settle in, and let The DC Beer Show guide you through innovative hop science, the importance of diversity in brewing, and all that’s brewing in our vibrant local beer scene. Cheers!

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