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I now have a regular column on CBC Here and Now.
Tune in to 99.1 fm at 4:50pm (EST) every second Wednesday, or visit the Here and Now website to read about the topics and beers that I explored in previous episodes.

This year, I am preparing and hosting a podcast series for the Ontario Craft Brewers. In each episode, I explore beer through a chat with two OCB members. These podcasts come out on the third Monday of every month. Have a listen!

Bitter pils to swallow
Savour tradition with the crisp, earthy, grassy flavour of a Pilsner.

Summertime is the perfect time to explore Pilsner beer and the Ontario Craft Brewers currently brew ten different delicious ones for us to choose from. In this Podcast, find out why the Pilsner is considered to be the most influential beer style ever brewed and what sets the Pilsner apart from all of the other golden lagers on the market. Joining Mirella Amato of Beerology are two OCB Pilsner brewers: Rob Creighton, the brewer for Grand River Brewing and Aldo Lista, owner of Old Credit Brewing Co.

In the second half of the podcast, taste along with Aldo and Rob as they sample the Old Credit Brewing Co. Pale Pilsner and the Grand River Brewing Hannenberg Pils, exploring the similarities and differences between these two Pilsner beers. Will they be able to guess which beer is which?

Wheat’s Up with one of summer's most refreshing brews?

Wheat beers are very popular these days. This year alone, the OCB listing for wheat beers has shot up from one brand to five! Why are they so popular? Why are they so refreshing? Why are they cloudy? Listen in as Mirella Amato of Beerology asks Joel Manning, brewmaster for Mill Street Brewery, and Jonathan Graham, a representative for Muskoka Cottage brewery wheat’s up with these refreshing brews?

In the second half of the podcast, taste along with Joel and Jonathan as they sample the Mill Street Belgian-Style Wit Beer and Muskoka Cottage Hefe-Weissbier and explore the similarities and differences between the two styles.

In the second half of the podcast, taste along with Ron and Ancil as they sample the Granite Best Bitter Special and Scotch Irish Sgt Major IPA blind. Will they be able to guess which beer is which?

The Straight Dope on Hops
A craft brewer’s favourite flavourizer

Are beers with “no aftertaste” really best? If so, what is it that all of these hop heads are raving about? In this podcast, we will explore a craft brewer’s favourite flavourizer: hops.

Hops do provide a bitter finish to beer, but they also contribute various flavours and aromas. Follow along as Mirella Amato of Beerology chats with two OCB brewers to get the straight dope on hops. Ron Keefe, from the Granite Brewery in Toronto, and Ancil Hartman, from Scotch Irish Brewing in Ottawa, share their experience brewing with hops.

In the second half of the podcast, taste along with Ron and Ancil as they sample the Granite Best Bitter Special and Scotch Irish Sgt Major IPA blind. Will they be able to guess which beer is which?

The Real Scoop On Malt
Craft Beer’s Crucial Building Block

Ever wonder why some beers are darker than others? Or if a beer’s colour is related to its flavour? Find out how these attributes are influenced by beer’s magical ingredient: malt.

Malt is indeed craft beer’s crucial building block. Learn why as Mirella Amato of Beerology chats with two OCB brewers to get the real scoop on malt. Hear Marvin Dyck from Wellington Brewery and Ian Watson from Niagara’s Best Beer talk about which malts they like to use in their craft brews, and why.

Get ready to taste right along with Marvin and Ian in the second half of the podcast, as they sample Niagara’s Best Blonde and Wellington County Dark. Can they guess which malts were used in each other’s beer based solely on colour and flavour?

In 2008-2009, I prepared and hosted audio podcasts for TAPS media. In these podcasts, I explore various beer styles and trends, and encourage listeners to discover new flavours. In every episode I go behind the scenes and get the story from the brewers themselves.

Also available in in iTunes, or RSS

Bottles vs. Cans
Mirella asks brewers what the advantages and disadvantages are to packaging beer in Bottles or in Cans.

Exploring Organic Beers:

Part One
Mirella talks to two brewers about their decision not to produce organic beers and explores the many factors behind that decision.

Part Two
Mirella chats to two industry professionals who's breweries make an organic beer to find out what the various advantages and challenges are.

Summer Beers
Mirella asks a few Ontario brewers what kind of beer they like to drink in the warm months and which beers they suggest bringing to a summer barbecue.

Wheat Beer
Mirella chats with brewmasters Michael Hancock and Jamie Mistry about the similarities and differences between Belgian and German style Wheat Beers.

Light Beer
Mirella chats with a few Ontario brewers about low alcohol session beers.

In The Lab
Mirella finds out what goes on behind the scenes in the brewery laboratory.

Hops (Part Two)
Mirella chats with Ontario and Québec brewers about the different kinds of hops, and how hoppy beers are brewed.

Hops (Part One)
Mirella asks Ontario and Québec brewers to share their thoughts on the current popularity of highly hopped beers.

Québec Beer
In this podcast, Mirella chats with a few Québec brewers about the current popularity of craft beer in “la belle province”.

Ontario Beer
In this podcast, Mirella chats with Ontario brewers about the current state of their local craft beer scene and how it is evolving.

Winter Beer
In this podcast, Mirella asks Ontario brewers what kind of beer they like to drink during the winter months.

Cask-Conditioned Beer
In this podcast, Mirella chats with a few Ontario brewers about the qualities of cask-conditioned beer, and why ‘Real Ale’ is a growing trend in North America.

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In 2007, I prepared and hosted a series of videos for Legourmet.tv. a number of them are now available on Youtube.

To book a tasting, contact Mirella at tastings@beerology.ca