Preston Brown and Jon Denman know a lot about good beer and good music. From their perspectives, Houston has plenty of both, and it all keeps getting better.
Brown and Denman co-host the Drink of Ages Radio Show, 7 p.m. Saturdays on News 92.1 FM. They'll be presenting Best Producer, Cover/Tribute Act, Zydeco and Keyboards at tonight's Houston Press Music Awards ceremony at Warehouse Live. (Free admission, but RSVP here.)
"Houston is growing into a great town for both (beer and music)," says Denman. "We are still behind other cities in being a beer town, but with the laws changing for craft breweries, we should start catching up real fast. Houston-area breweries are producing fantastic beer.
"It is the same for music," he continues. "Houston is producing fantastic music. There is a wealth of talent getting national attention, deservingly so."
Since the show's format focuses heavily on craft beers and always features a music act, they're qualified to discuss both, Since the show began in February, it's hosted two dozen bands, including HPMA nominees like Chase Hamblin and the Roustabouts and Josh Fuller. All the shows are also podcast and available at drinkofages.com.
Denman conceived the idea for the show while discussing with radio stations advertising for his Humble-based business, Backyard Home Brewers and Education Center.
"I thought it would be fun to talk about craft beer and home brewing for an hour," he says. "Plus I have really enjoyed many local bands lately and wanted to help promote their music on the show as well. So the idea of a show about beer and music sparked the interest of several radio stations and the show was born."
"Jon is my wife's cousin, and we had met a couple times at family events over the years," Brown says. "Two years ago, he tells me he was opening a home brew supply store in Humble. Out of totally selfish reasons, I told him I wanted to help him become successful. This would keep me from having to drive across town for ingredients and supplies.
"I help with classes at the Home Brew store and have donated way too much home brewed beer to the shop," he adds.
The duo has a familiar and easy way on the air, which helps since neither has a journalism or communications background. It helps that they know and research their subjects so well. They've had a Who's Who of guests from breweries and brewpubs on to discuss not just beers, but also ciders, spirits, mead and wine.
As for the music, the show kicked things off with Celtic punk rockers Flogging Molly.
"It actually just took an email with a request [to book them]. I think because it is a beer show, that might have helped," says Denman " Flogging Molly is one of my all-time favorites. I have not missed a show in many years. To have them be part of the very first show was amazing. Then drinking some pints with them after the show was definitely an experience to remember."
"I have to admit I was a little starstruck. It went by way too quick for me and I don't remember much of the interview," says Brown. "We are our worst critics, and sometimes I wish we had them on later in the show when we had more experience, but they were our first interview, and I think that set a great opening tone for the show."
Since then, the show has spotlighted local and regional acts of every sort.
"When we were crafting the idea behind the show, it only made sense to include music," Brown says. "For me personally, I want to convey the fact that the musicians on the show are just as passionate about their music as we are about beer, wine and spirits."
"One of the best things is meeting the band members," Denman agrees. "The passion that they all have for their music rivals that of a brewer and their beer. The time and effort put in to their music is inspiring. Every personality has been different but the drive is the one awesome, common factor."
