Death Metal Gods Talk American Craft Beer

You know, sometimes our jobs here at ACB can really suck. Between writer’s block and deadlines and a tyrant of a boss, it’s a thankless job with no perks whatsoever. You really have to be a masochist to do this gig. …Ok, I’m totally lying. Last week, I was lucky enough to spend a few minutes at the Mayhem Music Festival in Tampa with the GODS of Viking metal, who also happen to be huge craft beer fans and two of the coolest guys you’ll ever meet – Johan Hegg and Ted Lundstrom from Sweden’s Amon Amarth.

Hey guys, nice to meet you! We’re here to talk all things craft beer! How are you doing guys?

TL: Good!

JH: Good as well, but it’s hot!

I know, welcome to Florida in July! So first and foremost, I know that you guys are really into craft beer. We follow you on Twitter and Untappd. What are some of your favorite beer styles?

JH: For me, right now it’s definitely IPA. That is what I have been going for lately. I am really into stouts and porters, stuff like that, but not this time of year.

TL: Imperial stouts too – the stronger, the better.

JH: Well there are some really good regular porters and stouts that are really tasty. Guinness is still one of my favorite beers. It’s really amazing of you get a good one.

Here on the US tour, have you visited any good breweries?

JH: We haven’t had a chance to visit any breweries but we have had some breweries visit us instead.

I heard you guys just got a visit from 3 Floyds while the tour was in Chicago. So, I have to ask, was there any talk of collaborating on another beer with them or a re-release of Ragnarok?

JH: We’re talking about it and we’ll see what happens. We really hope so. If it’s going to be a re-release, a different version of it (Ragnarok) or something completely different, we don’t know yet.

How about the European leg of the tour this year? Did you visit any good breweries or pick up any great beers on your travels?

TL: Oh yeah, the Belgian brewery De Struise brought us some beer. They have some really kick-ass beers.

JH: Yeah, hopefully when we go back to Belgium in the fall we can visit the brewery.

The American craft beer scene has been so heavily influenced by Europe and the traditions, but we do like to take things to the next level over here. Have you seen any American beer trends that have started to have influence across the pond?

JH: Oh yeah! A lot of European, especially Swedish, craft beers are so heavily influenced by American craft beers. It goes in a full circle really. In Scandinavia, great breweries like Nogne and Mikkeller, they take so much influence from the American brewers. Which is really cool. What I really like about Americans is that you can take the traditions of Europe and add all the playfulness and curiosity. You get all these sometimes weird but sometimes really great tasting beers that nobody would have thought of doing before.

TL: Also, American hops are just so popular in Europe right now. We didn’t really use them before, but they are so much more intense.

JH: Yeah, I really like Citra and Amarillo.

There is such camaraderie between the metal and craft beer communities. They really seem to go hand in hand. What is it about these two communities that work so well together?

TL: Well, metalheads have always been drinking beer. I think there is this kind of underground feeling in both. When we meet brewers, they are often into the metal scene because there is that kinship. I can’t quite put my finger on it.

I mentioned before that I follow you guys on Untappd and Twitter and I keep an eye on the beers that you check in. Question for you Johan… Are you actually trying to get a world record for most badges on Untappd?

JH: Ha ha! (At this point he kicks over my beer, that’s what I get for being a smartass!) I guess I get a lot.

TL: We kind of have been chasing badges a little bit.

Since you have been here in Tampa, have you had a chance to go to Cigar City?

JH: No, but we wanted to! We totally blew it today as well, because we were going to put Cigar City beers on our rider and we forgot to!

TL: I got the chance to try some Cigar City brews when I went to the Copenhagen Beer Celebration. The best American craft brewers were there. Honestly if you ever want to go to a great festival, that’s the one you should go to.

I figured you wouldn’t have time to get to Cigar City, so I brought Cigar City to you. One of the beers I have for you guys is the GWAR beer. They recently brewed a beer with Cigar City that will be released next month at the GWAR B-Q.

JH: Yeah I heard a rumor that someone actually brought the GWAR beer today. That’s so cool!

Actually, I contacted Joey Redner, the owner of Cigar City, last night and he was kind enough to give us some beer for you guys. I wanted you to have it before anyone else. I also picked up another really great Cigar City beer for you guys. Good Gourd is an Imperial Pumpkin Ale and it just came out yesterday. It’s one of my absolute favorites.