Curtis Taylor, AKA HopHeadSaid, is a Certified Cicerone®, homebrewer, craft beer enthusiast and all-around beer geek. He hasn't met a beer he wasn't glad he tasted (well, except that one...) and he's always looking for the perfect beer pairing.
In between writing food pairing suggestions for HopHeadSaid.com, Curtis also writes brewery highlights for CraftBeer.com and he also writes about the local beer scene (Ventura County) for VCBuzz Magazine.
When Curtis isn't writing he is also a regular guest host on the #1 rated local radio show in Ventura County, Live 805 with Tom and Sandy (see below). Curtis covers the 805 (SoCal and Central Coast area code) beer scene as well as local beer and food pairing opportunities.
Curtis isn't content to report about beer for other people, that's why he co-hosts and produces two other podcasts. "Happy Hour with Joby and Curtis" is a weekly internet radio show that is all about alcohol. Curtis gets to play the newbie roll (all his drinking experience is with beer) most of the time as he and Joby explore the world of high end liquor and cocktails.
pints&pairings is a weekly podcast/video broadcast that explores the flavorful world of craft beer. Curtis and Jason examine flavor profiles of each beer style and provide food pairing suggestions for each beer style.
In between writing food pairing suggestions for HopHeadSaid.com, Curtis also writes brewery highlights for CraftBeer.com and he also writes about the local beer scene (Ventura County) for VCBuzz Magazine.
When Curtis isn't writing he is also a regular guest host on the #1 rated local radio show in Ventura County, Live 805 with Tom and Sandy (see below). Curtis covers the 805 (SoCal and Central Coast area code) beer scene as well as local beer and food pairing opportunities.
Curtis isn't content to report about beer for other people, that's why he co-hosts and produces two other podcasts. "Happy Hour with Joby and Curtis" is a weekly internet radio show that is all about alcohol. Curtis gets to play the newbie roll (all his drinking experience is with beer) most of the time as he and Joby explore the world of high end liquor and cocktails.
pints&pairings is a weekly podcast/video broadcast that explores the flavorful world of craft beer. Curtis and Jason examine flavor profiles of each beer style and provide food pairing suggestions for each beer style.
pints&pairings
pints&pairings is a weekly podcast/video cast that explores each beer style and provides food flavor descriptions, historical or style information and food pairing suggestions.
<--Click the pints&pairings logo to learn more about the show.
<--Click the pints&pairings logo to learn more about the show.
Click files below to listen on demand or
rt. click and save for later.
Jason and I talk about why I don't want to open my own beer store and explore the history and flavors found in Irish ales. Jason comes up with an unusual pairing and we roll with it!
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Your beer pairing suggestioneers are back this week with American Pale Ales. It is a welcome change of pace from the malty Irish and Scottish ales we had been drinking up to that point.
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Jason and I do our first pints&pairings remote for this bonus episode. We visit Surf Brewery in Ventura, Ca and explore the beer pairing possibilities with Escabeche Bistro, a Mexican/French fusion food truck.
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Jason and I explore Scottish ales. We give you a couple of tips on how to differentiate a Scottish Ale from a Scotch Ale. We also come up with some diverse pairing suggestions.
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Jason and I catch up with each other and talk about mobile bottling units, the local music scene and my interview with Jamie Floyd of Ninkasi brewing.
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The workhorse of beer and food pairings. Pale ales pair well with hearty foods, fried foods and cheese. Is there anything this beer can't pair with ... about the only thing it doesn't pair well with is vegetables, unless they are deep fried!-)
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Jason and I explore Amber Hybrid beers and explain why they are considered hybrids. We also talk about some great food suggestions.
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Jason and I delve into light hybrid beers and talk about why they are considered hybrids and about food pairing suggestions.
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Jason and I get warmed up and talk about the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival and the Casa Pacifica Wine and Food Festival
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In this bonus episode, Jason visits Happy Hour (another podcast I co-host) and does an hour presentation about beer and cheese pairings. When you are done listening, you will be able to take away enough pairing information to host your own dinner and wow your friends the next time they come over!
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As the name suggests, this is part 2 of the BudMilOors taste challenge. In this episode Jason and I test each other's palates as we do side-by-side tasting and a blind tasting.
*Note: there is no video for this episode (because I didn't remember to push record) so don't go looking for any video that we mention in the podcast. If you want video, I suggest watching the first episode on mute while listening to part 2. Cheers! |
A while back a friend of mine challenged me to do a taste test and beer pairing for the BIG 3 lights/lites. I resisted for a long time (I don't want to spend time drinking beer I don't enjoy) and it only seemed like a reasonable request after Jason and I started this podcast.
Sooo, what you have here is part 1 of two bonus episodes. In this episode Jason and I taste the BIG 3 lights/lites and try to commit their flavors to memory so we can identify them out |
Jason and I explore the flavor components and food pairing possibilities of Bocks.
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It doesn't matter if your Schwarz is bigger than mine. What matters is if it can pair with Brazilian cuisine and oatmeal cookies. Well, does it?
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Oh the possibilites for the European amber lagers! Chili, Mexican and ... I don't want to give away all the secrets, you'll have to listen to what Jason comes up with.
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Jason and I explore the flavor profiles and food pairings possibilities of Pilsners (my favorite lager category). Jason discovers a unique flavor and I run with the possibilities.
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Jason and I explore the flavor profiles and food pairings possibilities of light lagers. I know it may be hard to imagine, but we do have some good suggestions.
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This episode introduces Jason Hendrick to the pints&pairings podcast audience.
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Happy Hour with Joby and Curtis
A weekly, internet radio show I co-host that explores and celebrates beer, wine and spirits. Joby Yobe, owner of Barrelhouse 101, is my co-host and he brings a vast knowledge of wine and spirits from years of owning a liquor store to the show. Together we know the right questions to ask for newbies and geeks to keep everyone entertained and educated.
<-- Click the Happy Hour logo to learn more about the show.
<-- Click the Happy Hour logo to learn more about the show.
Click files below to listen on demand or
rt. click and save for later.
Episode 17: Joby and I take the show on the road and visit a local craft beer bar called Darryl's Couch. Darryl tells us what got him the craft beer bar biz and we drink some really great beer!
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Episode 18: Jason Hendrick (form Everybody's Hungry andpints&pairings) joins Joby and Curtis for a beer and cheese pairing dinner. When you are done listening, you will be able to take away enough pairing information to host your own dinner and wow your friends the next time they come over!
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Episode 19: Joby and I discuss summer cocktails as make our way through three lesser known, but, very delicious cocktails. We also welcome our first female guest (We know it is long over due!), Lumina. She is a bartender at Barrelhouse 101, she is Brazilian and she can make a mighty tasty Caipirinha.
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Episode 20: Joby and I interview Janis and Marlow Barger from Plan B Wine Cellars. We discuss the unique name of their winery, their preferences in wine and why they chose to focus on Rhone varietals. We also talk about the differences between a Rose and White Zin.
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Episode 13: Joby and I welcome Scott on the show because he makes the best Bloody Marys you have ever had. Listen in to find out what makes them so great.
*Note to self, do not mix the bloody pirate ever again. |
Episode 14: Chas Cloud, headbrewer at Surf Brewery, is our guest for this episode and we talk about his journey from real-estate developer to head brewer. Oh, and we drink a lot of tasty beer! Surf's up dude!
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Episode 15: Unfortunately, this episode fell victim to corrupt file syndrome.
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Episode 16: Happy Hour's first remote broadcast and video simulcast. Joby and I talk about how to host a bottle share event. While Joby is out working the crowd I sit down with a couple bottle share guests and learn a bit more about the beers that make them beer geeks
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Episode 9: In spite of the hooligans outside the studio, we had a great show with the Phestival Barrel House brothers. They are opening a new sour beer brewery in Moorpark, CA and they've got a great story and even better beer!
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Episode 10: A show of firsts! This is our first 90 minute show, we stream video for the first time and Joby and I host our first distillery. Alex Villicana, owner of Re:Find distillery, tells us how he turns "extra" grape juice into Brandy, Vodka and Gin. He walks us through the distillation process and lets us taste as many samples as we can handle!
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Episode 11: Joby and I go solo this week as we investigate and taste-igate some common Irish-themed drinks. And NO, we didn't drink any green beer.
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Episode 12: Unfortunately, this episode fell victim to corrupt file syndrome.
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Episode 5 is a lost episode. We are searching for it!
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Episode 6 is a lost episode. We are searching for it!
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In episode 7, Joby and I talk to Rob, one of the founders of Firemans Brew. We carefully dissect his beers, talk about saving lives, and learn about their expansion into 10 states.
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In episode 8, Joby and I discuss the new perfect glass for IPA's and speculate on whether it is ribbed for his or for her pleasure.
Kevin Pratt, brewmaster from Santa Barbra Brewing Company, is our guest for the interview. Learn how a metal band roadie became a brewmaster. | ||||
Our first episode (11/29/12)! Nick Velasquez, brewer extraordinaire of Ouroboros Ales, is our guest and talks us through a tasting of his beers.
*Update* Ouroboros Ales has closed since this show first aired. |
In our second episode (12/6/12) we interview Gary Stewart of Four Brix winery and discuss three wines he brought to taste! We get geeky on microclimates, grape varietals and Thai food pairings! Click the link below to learn more about Four Brix Winery.
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In our third episode Joby and I talk about the Westy 12 release and the end of Stone's Vertical Epic series. After the break we visit with Jason Coudray, brewmaster from Anacapa Brewing and learn about his journey to becoming the head brewer.
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In this episode Joby and I discuss the end of the world and what we would like to have as our last drink. James Carling is our guest and he brings in a couple samples of the best Limoncello I have ever had. Listen and learn why it is so!
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Live 805 Hosted by Tom & Sandy (radio)
www.805withtomandsandy.com
The only radio show that is driven by what is happening in the 805,
from Calabasas to Paso Robles. We are the entertainment guide for the 805 for
restaurants, breweries, wineries, comedy clubs, and where the music is. We even
cover extreme entertainment such as skydiving, zip-lining, and more.
Tom and Sandy bring the 805 to LIFE with a cast of characters that cover
everything there is to do in the 805! Tom and Sandy are a charismatic duo that
not only live and breath in the 805 but are extremely passionate about their
805. They also bring in the man vs woman, Venus vs Mars dialogue to their show –
they keep their listeners laughing.
Show Stats:
Approx. 18,000 listeners from 7-8am
Approx. 36,000 listeners from 8-9am
Click files below to listen on demand or
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In this segment, I talk about Surf Brewery and Escabeche Bistro food pairings. Delicioso!
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I discover a new craft beer bar in Camarillo.
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In this segment, I talk about Phestival Barrel House. A new sour beer brewery opening in Moorpark, CA.
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In this segment, I explain what American Craft Beer Week is and how you can celebrate it in the 805.
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In this segment, I talk about Camarillo as a craft beer destination.
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My first appearance and I explain some beer basics.(approx. 13 minutes)
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Announcing beer festivals in Ventura Co. (approx. 3 minutes)
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I explain the differences between Wolf Creek and Ladyface Ale Co. (approx. 8 minutes)
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I discuss Anacapa Brewing Co. and their specialty beers as well as how to taste the beer. (approx. 8 minutes)
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Leading up to Thanksgiving, I talk about a really great beer brine for turkey and explain two beer pairings for all those delicious deserts.
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This is the best time of the year, Novembeer and Decembeer, and holiday beers. In this episode we discuss holiday beers and what makes them so yummy. I also talk about two champagne alternatives.
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In this segment I discover how to turn my headphone volume down and talk about one of my favorite liquor stores in Ventura County. We also talk about a delicious fish taco food pairing and all of it can be found at the Ojai Beverage Co.
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In this segment I address the fact that I haven't once talked about drinking in moderation. I also talk about how I use a designated driving service called We're Driving if I do have too much to drink.
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In this segment I talk about Telegraph Brewing Company and pairing their beers with food.
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In this segment I talk about Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. and their expansion into Santa Barbara.
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In this segment I talk about NFL food pairings taking special care to use beers from the 805.
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In this segment I talk about team themed beer pairings for the BIG game (AKA The Super Bowl)
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Bo's Man Cave
Bo's Man Cave is hosted on 1450AM and covers the local and national sports scene.
Click the little speakers below to listen to my segments.
I discuss beer and food pairings for the big game that are New York-centric.
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I discuss beer and food pairings for the big game that are New England-centric.
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VCBuzz Magazine
Click to visit VCBuzz!
My first print publications! My articles cover the Ventura County beer scene.
August 2012Featuring my cheeseography! (pictures of cheese) Photo credits not listed.
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July 2012Featuring my first beertography! (pictures of beer) Photo credits not listed.
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June 2012
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May 2012I learned a painful lesson... never send in a rough draft! Features Island Brewing Co.
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September 2012I cover two beer festivals and give you tips on how pace yourself.
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October 2012I cover Ventura's newest beer bar, Barrelhouse 101.
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November 2012
I break down a traditional wine/food pairings and pair chocolate with beer!
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December 2012
This feature highlights Santa Barbara Brewing Co. and one of my favorite beer pairings.
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CraftBeer.com
I write brewery highlights for CraftBeer.com that showcase the breweries in my backyard as well as anywhere I travel.
Website Stats:
Monthly Visits: 240,000+
Website Stats:
Monthly Visits: 240,000+
Island Brewing Co.
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VC Star
I have been and hope to continue to be featured in my local paper. Click the titles below to read the articles. My first newspaper byline and photo credits were published in the VC Star!
VCStar Readership:
Sunday Readers: 241,000+
Daily Readers: 198,000+
Website:
Monthly visits: 3.25 Million
VCStar Readership:
Sunday Readers: 241,000+
Daily Readers: 198,000+
Website:
Monthly visits: 3.25 Million
Thanksgiving Feature
This article features area bloggers and I'm one of 'em!
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No matter who wins Sunday's NFL games
All four teams left in the NFL playoffs are giving it their best effort to ensure they'll be around to play in the big game on Feb. 3, Super Bowl Sunday.
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Camarillo becoming beer capital of Ventura County
I am honored to be highlighted as one of Camarillo's craft beer attractions.
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