To say that Travis Johnides and Mike Howland like beer would certainly be true, but to say that the two have a devout passion for the fermented beverage would be much more accurate.
Known as “The Beer Amigos,” Johnides and Howland have become the newest sensations of the Long Island craft beer scene. They travel the island visiting the 13 local breweries and attending every single beer festival each year.
It’s easy to spot the two beer lovers at these festivals. In addition to donning black t-shirts that say “Listen to The Beer Amigos,” Johnides and Howland are the ones wearing the huge sombreros.
“The sombreros help too; it gains us some attention,” Johnides said. “We walk around and no one knows who we are, but they find out within 30 seconds.”
But The Beer Amigos have gained the most notoriety through their online audio iTunes podcasts, which they host approximately once per month. Johnides and Howland said they are proud to have started “the premier Long Island craft beer podcast.”
Travis Johnides, left, and Mike Howland, right, sporting their official Beer Amigos outfits (Photo courtesy of The Beer Amigos)
The initial idea
The origins of The Beer Amigos are quite ironic. Howland is originally from Bayport-Blue Point and now lives in Patchogue—the location of the Bayport-Blue Point Brewery. Once he turned 21, he began developing a taste for Long Island craft beer.
Johnides, originally from Centerport, also enjoyed local beers to the point where he would sample whatever the island had to offer.
Howland’s girlfriend, Erica, and Johnides’ wife, Melissa, worked together at a photography studio and thought it would be fun to go on a double date. The ladies thought Howland and Johnides hit it off very well—even though the topic of beer was not discussed. A budding friendship was formed.
However, in August 2010, fate took over. Howland was an intern for Starfish Junction Productions, an event marketing and production company. He was simply meeting his internship requirement by working at the Long Island City Beer Festival in Queens that summer.
Meanwhile, Johnides and his wife were helping a Brooklyn-based brewer pour beer at the festival. Since it wasn’t planned that both Johnides and Howland would be there, the two were ecstatic to see each other and realized that they both absolutely loved beer.
“We would hang out at places that had craft or artisanal beers,” Howland said. “We just started talking about it extensively.”
Howland’s girlfriend Erica has her own online podcast about the FOX television series “Glee.” Erica and Melissa saw how much fun Johnides and Howland were having talking about beer. They urged their significant others to start their own podcast.
Beer buffs
Rather than risk their life savings by starting their own beer-brewing company, Johnides and Howland have instead focused their efforts on the podcast. They’ve recorded seven episodes since May 2011, with each episode getting progressively longer because these beer buffs could go on all day about the potent potable.
The Beer Amigos bring in local brewers as guests to discuss any new recipes or upcoming plans, as well as more lighthearted topics. Additionally, Johnides and Howland include their live coverage of the various Long Island beer festivals.
“Presenting the show from an audio standpoint is really a great way for us to then expand into video and things of that nature,” Howland said.
While Johnides and Howland have gained an impressive following based on their content, the catchy name itself—The Beer Amigos—has drawn fans. They wanted a fun name so looked to actor Steve Martin and the “Three Amigos” for inspiration.
“It just sounded a lot better than ‘The Beer Friends,’” Johnides said.
“The Beer Friends…that sounds lame,” Howland added.
Future multimedia plans
With the recent evolution of the Long Island taps from big beer companies to local brews, the time is ripe to be a Long Island-based brewing company, according to The Beer Amigos. They are excited that they can attend local beer festivals as both members of the media and as fans.
“It’s [craft beer] a work of art, and Mike and I definitely look at it that way,” Johnides said.
Johnides and Howland agree that the next step with The Beer Amigos is to incorporate other forms of multimedia. They already recorded three songs, and they have their own YouTube channel. They envision a type of variety show format eventually.
Though they are aware of the growing potential of The Beer Amigos, Johnides and Howland are content for now with traveling the island in search of the latest craft beer. Some local breweries have hosted the Beer Amigos for special events and have even brewed a new beer for them taste.
Spring will be a busy time for The Beer Amigos. They will be covering the Long Island Spring Craft Beer Festival at the Nassau Coliseum on March 10 and the Blue Point Cask Ales Beer Festival on April 14.
They are always open to questions, suggestions or positive criticism to help improve the podcast. “Like” them Facebook, follow them on Twitter, listen to their podcasts, subscribe to their YouTube channel or email them with any ideas.
Written by: Jim Mancari on February 25, 2012.
Last revised by: admin on February 26, 2012.
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Filed under Features, Page 1 · Tagged with artisanal beer, Beer, beer amigos, festival, iTunes, Jim Mancari, long island craft beer, Long Island Report, mike howland, podcast, suffolk, travis johnides
