Beverage Chronicles, June 30, 2026
Beverage Chronicles with Gary Monterosso
Warm Weather Wines and the Craft Spirit of the Lake Erie Ale Trail
Warm Weather Wines for Easy Summer Drinking
The episode opens with wine contributor John Mahoney offering warm-weather wine recommendations designed for dinners, restaurant outings, and casual evenings with friends. He highlights refreshing whites such as Albariño, Grüner Veltliner, and Pinot Gris, noting their acidity, brightness, and ability to work well in hot conditions. He also recommends rosé, Beaujolais, and sparkling wines such as Cava as chilled choices that can complement a range of summer meals.
A Beverage Destination Along Lake Erie
Gary Monteroso then introduces an interview focused on the Lake Erie Ale Trail, describing it as a craft beverage destination shaped by local ingredients, lake-effect climate, tourism, and community. The conversation centers on how the trail connects breweries and related beverage makers into a regional experience for visitors who want to explore beer, food, entertainment, and shoreline culture.
Inside Twisted Elk Brewery
Guest Michelle News explains that Twisted Elk Brewery was her husband Brad’s idea and that they opened in December 2020 during COVID. She describes the brewery as a country destination on the outskirts of Erie County, with food, live music, seasonal shows, and fruit-forward beers and ales as a key part of its identity. The brewery has been operating for about five years and serves as one of the local stops tied into the wider craft beverage scene.
How the Ale Trail Grew
Michelle shares that the Lake Erie Ale Trail began with three breweries and has grown to 17 brewery members. Its purpose is to showcase the craft beer culture developing across the Lake Erie region and to encourage people to experience the area as a connected trail. She emphasizes that the trail remains active throughout the year because participating breweries continue to brew, promote events, and create reasons for visitors and locals to return.
Collaboration, Local Ingredients, and Community Impact
A major theme of the interview is cooperation among breweries rather than direct competition. Michelle explains that breweries along the trail often collaborate, help one another behind the scenes, and participate in festivals and shared events. She also discusses the use of locally sourced ingredients, including fruit from farms and orchards, and describes how the brewery community contributes to tourism, local restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, and the broader Lake Erie economy.
Seasonal Events and Visitor Experiences
The conversation closes with a look at self-guided brewery visits, brochures, party buses, seasonal releases, music, festivals, and special events such as Sour Fest. Michelle says the trail’s layout makes it possible for visitors to spend a day visiting several breweries within a manageable distance. Gary concludes by presenting the Lake Erie Ale Trail as a regional craft community built around one pint, one pour, and one visitor at a time.
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Beverage Chronicles is the radio show that explores a wide range of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. From whiskey, rum, vodka, and tequila, to ready-to-drink cocktails, wine, beer, flavor-infused seltzers, coffee, tea, and more. We bring you the stories, flavors, and trends behind your favorite beverage.
Warm Weather Wines and the Craft Spirit of the Lake Erie Ale Trail
Speaker Identification
Speaker 1 – Announcer / Prerecorded Intro Voice
Identified by the formal show-opening language introducing the program and host.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host
Identified by the host introducing himself, leading the episode, interviewing the guest, and closing the program. The spelling of the last name appears as both “Montaroso” and “Monteroso” in the transcript context; “Monteroso” was used because it appears in the closing, but it remains listed for verification.
Speaker 3 – John Mahoney / Wine Contributor
Identified by the host’s introduction of John Mahoney from New Jersey Wine Radio and by the wine recommendation segment ending with John’s sign-off.
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest
Identified by the host’s introduction of Michelle News as co-owner of Twisted Elk Brewery with her husband, Brad, and president of the Lake Erie Ale Trail Board. The last name “News” appears to be the transcript’s rendering and is listed for verification.
Speaker 1 – Announcer / Prerecorded Intro Voice:
Welcome to the award-winning Beverage Chronicles, the show where beer, wine, spirits, and everything in between get the spotlight. You’ll hear the stories, meet the people, and discover the pours behind your favorite drinks. Here’s your host, Gary Monteroso.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
Welcome to Beverage Chronicles. I’m Gary Monteroso. Every week, we uncork the stories, trends, history, and people behind the world’s most fascinating beverages. So pour yourself something, sit back, and let’s raise a glass to another edition of Beverage Chronicles.
We’re going to get right into it. We have a lot to talk about today, so let’s start the show.
Wine is good all year round and in every season, but warm weather demands some special wines that make drinking even more enjoyable. Let’s listen to John Mahoney from New Jersey Wine Radio for Beverage Chronicles, with some suggestions for warm-weather drinking.
Speaker 3 – John Mahoney / Wine Contributor:
Of course, we all enjoy Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, but here are a few special wines that can really enhance your evening dinner if you’re going out to a restaurant or simply sitting around with some friends and sipping wine during really hot weather.
I like Albariño from Spain. Albariño is a very perfect wine for warm weather. It has high acidity, and it is very refreshing during hot weather. It’s a white wine that you can always enjoy.
Grüner Veltliner from Austria is also another perfect white wine for hot weather. It has an apple aroma. There is always a hint of white pepper on it, and again, it has high acid that is refreshing in warm weather.
Pinot Gris, which is a different variation of Pinot Grigio, is another good choice. Usually, they add a little bit of neutral wood to it to round it out. When you chill it, you can see that the Pinot Gris calms down. It’s much more refreshing than basic, simple Pinot Grigio.
I’d also suggest rosé wines, which you can drink chilled, especially the ones made with Grenache from Provence. They always balance out almost any meal that you’re having: meats, chicken, fish, or whatever you’re doing during warm-weather days when you want a wine to enhance the meal.
Beaujolais, of course, is another option. A lot of people stopped drinking Beaujolais a few years ago. It’s made with the Gamay grape, and it is very low in tannic acid. It should always be chilled. I like my Beaujolais just a little warmer than refrigerator temperature, and I enjoy a glass before and during the meal.
And, of course, sparkling wines. Cava will always round out a warm-weather meal.
This is John Mahoney for Beverage Chronicles, wishing you enjoyable dinner evenings during this hot weather. In vino veritas.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
If you’re going to be traveling this summer, or maybe even later on in the year, and you’re interested in a very nice beverage destination, I think you’re going to enjoy this interview that I did recently.
Today we’re heading north to the shores of Lake Erie, a region where small-batch creativity meets big-lake character. The Lake Erie Ale Trail has become one of the most exciting craft destinations in the Northeast, connecting breweries and distilleries that are turning local ingredients, lake-effect climate, and a whole lot of personality into unforgettable drinks. We’re talking flavors, tourism, community, and the makers behind it also. Let’s dive in.
My guest today is Michelle News, who is wearing several hats. Michelle, you are one of the owners, with your husband Brad, of Twisted Elk Brewery in Lake City, and you are also, correct me if I’m wrong, president of the Lake Erie Ale Trail Board. Correct?
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Yes, that’s it.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
You are a busy young lady.
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Yes, I am.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
First of all, let’s talk about your brewery, Twisted Elk Brewery. Tell me about that brewery that you and your husband own.
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
It was my husband’s idea. We opened in December of 2020, right in the middle of COVID, so wonderful. We just celebrated our fifth-year anniversary in December.
Brad, my husband, loves to brew fruit-forward beers and ales. That’s his niche. We’re out in the country, so we’re kind of on the outskirts of Erie County. We’re a nice little destination at the end of town.
We do food. We also have live entertainment, like music. Then we do some shows throughout the season, just to stay busy. We’ve been doing it for five-some years, and we love it.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
Well, congratulations. Is there a website for the brewery?
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Yes, it’s www.twistedelkbrewery.com.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
Okay, twistedelkbrewery.com. I hope people check that out.
Let’s talk a bit about the Lake Erie Ale Trail. Can you tell me a little bit about the creation of that and how it has evolved since the early days?
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
It started with three breweries: Lavery Brewing, BrewErie at Union Station, and Erie Ale Works. They were the creators of the Ale Trail. The inspiration behind it was really about showcasing the incredible craft beer culture that was starting to grow across the Lake Erie region and giving people a reason to explore it as a connected experience.
Over time, it has grown. We’re up to 17 breweries that have joined the Ale Trail. Our goal is to promote the breweries and bring brand awareness to what the craft beer culture is like in Erie County.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
That is wonderful. Now that we’re into the summer months, is this prime time for you? Is it spring? Is it fall? Or is it 12 months out of the year?
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
All seasons. It stays relatively busy throughout the year. The breweries really do try to keep things interesting and keep entertainment going throughout the year. It’s very busy for all of us. There’s no rest for the wicked, so it is constantly brewing, constantly selling, and constantly promoting.
If you go on the website, you’ll see all these events that are going on. The breweries really do a great job promoting themselves as well as other breweries.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
Would you say that the styles of beers that are created are diverse for your area? Are we seeing all different styles that are prevalent?
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Absolutely. One of the things that makes the Lake Erie Ale Trail special is the range of brewery experiences you’ll find along the way. No two breweries are exactly alike, and that’s part of the appeal.
Some breweries lean heavily into classic brewing traditions with lagers, traditional ales, and approachable styles that appeal to a broad audience. Others are constantly experimenting with hazy IPAs, fruited sours, barrel-aged beers, and seasonal releases that really push creativity forward.
You’ll find everything from a small neighborhood taproom with a laid-back local feel to larger destination breweries with live music, food programs, and big outdoor gathering spaces. I think with all that going on, they really try to brew things that fit that mold and what the public wants. Of course, they’re going to brew what they like too.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
Of course. I’ve talked to so many brewers in my time doing this, and invariably many of them say, “We like to brew beers that we particularly enjoy drinking.”
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Yes, they do. I think it evolves from that. They want to show their creation, their style, and their likes with the beers they produce. Then they take the feedback and go from there.
Sometimes things will get a little trendy toward a certain style, and they’ll promote that and produce that as well. It really is a great way for them to expand their brewing styles and throw something out there to see what people think of it.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
I go back maybe 20 years ago, and there was, at least in my area, competition among breweries. Let’s face it, things are not going so smoothly right now. It is a little tougher for breweries to stay in business, quite frankly.
I find in my part of the country, which is again the Northeast, that many breweries are working together with one another more collegially than they used to. I would imagine that if you’re part of the Lake Erie Ale Trail, these breweries and brewery owners are probably getting along pretty well with each other.
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Oh, yes. It’s a pretty strong community of brewers. We’re very collaborative. You’ll probably see once in a while that some breweries will brew beers together and promote them together.
At beer festivals, a lot of the breweries love to participate and be a part of that. Behind the scenes, sometimes we’re calling and asking each other, “Hey, can you help me with this? I’m having trouble with this,” or, “Can you spot me on something?” Nine times out of 10, they are right there with you. We’re there for each other.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
I like that. That’s great to hear.
You talked about distilleries also, right? There are distilleries in the area?
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Yes, we do have a couple of brewery members that also do distilled spirits and wines. They’re closer to the northeast part of Pennsylvania.
We just had a new member called Yori Wine that joined us, and they do wine and beer. We have Five & 20, which has been a member for quite some time, and they do all of it: beer, distillery products, and wine. So it’s nice to have that diverse catalog in our membership.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
I would imagine that local government must be thrilled with you people because you’re adding to local economic growth and revitalization of the community.
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Tourism is huge for us. This is how we grow. This is how people get to know us. Not only are we producing great beers and a great experience, we’re also exposing visitors to other major attractions, like the lake, local entertainment venues, hotels, and restaurants.
Putting it all together, we’re just one big fun spot for the Lake Erie area. We really do feed off each other and help each other economically. The community loves it because it gives them more things to do. It gives them choices and different experiences, and that spreads well among the community.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
Are breweries and distilleries able to integrate locally produced products from farms, orchards, and so forth?
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Absolutely. For example, at Twisted Elk, my husband is about fruit-forward beers, so we source from local farmers for a lot of the fruit we use in our beers. For instance, with our apple pie ale, he’ll source the apples locally. The same goes for blackberry beers and anything of that sort.
There are other farm breweries, like Riverside. They’re basically farm-to-table. They have a farm, so they probably utilize a lot of their own products too. We do have local suppliers that a lot of the regional brewers will use. So yes, we do try to push the local aspect. We try to support local businesses and sources as well.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
By the way, we’re speaking with Michelle News, who is a co-owner, with her husband, of Twisted Elk Brewery in Lake City. She is also the president of the Lake Erie Ale Trail Board.
If a person wanted to come and visit your area, are there actual guided tours that take place, or is it self-guided?
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
It’s pretty much more or less self-guided. We have a Lake Erie Ale Trail brochure that each of the breweries keeps, and we share that with our customers or anybody passing through.
We do have the occasional party buses or brewery tour buses that will incorporate a few of our breweries into their tours. But mainly, it’s come into town, come to a brewery, and we’re going to tell you where all the breweries are.
It’s really nice because the way it’s laid out, all the members are within 40 miles of downtown. So this is an easy trail. You could very easily spend a day visiting four or five breweries if you wanted to.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
Oh, absolutely. That’s remarkable. This has got to be one of the top tourist destinations, definitely in the Northeast, but especially in the whole country, I would imagine.
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Yes. We’re really proud of how this has developed and how it has grown over the years. I think we have a lot more to offer. I think we may have new members down the road, which will be exciting. Who knows? It’s just really exciting to be a part of this.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
That’s great. You mentioned this a little bit earlier, but there are events, festivals, and music events. I guess people can expect to participate in those along the road.
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Oh, yes. Music is huge for the breweries. It’s a great form of entertainment.
There are also local festivals. Sometimes the Lake Erie Ale Trail can be a part of bigger festivals in the city, like Celebrate Erie or Blues and Jazz Fest. Anything we can be a part of, we try.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
Very cool. Again, as I mentioned, we’re in summer. What are the plans that we can expect for late summer or into fall? I would think we can expect new beers coming out and new styles. So you keep up with seasonal beers, right?
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Oh, yes. Seasonal beers are popular, and they’re always trying new things. We just had a Sour Fest recently at Erie Brewing Company.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
How did that go?
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
That went over really well. It was the first one they hosted. It was a good turnout. People loved it because it was a little bit different than your normal beer fest.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
I love sours, by the way. That’s the type of beer you either like or don’t like.
All right. Michelle News, again, is the owner, with her husband, of Twisted Elk Brewery in Lake City. Give us that website for your brewery.
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
It’s twistedelkbrewery.com.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
And for the Lake Erie Ale Trail Board, is there a website there as well?
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Yes, it will be lakeeriealetrail.com.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
Okay. That was a look inside the Lake Erie Ale Trail. This is a craft community that is helping to define a region’s identity, one pint, one pour, and one visitor at a time.
I would suggest that if you’re planning a trip, bring your curiosity and your taste buds, because there’s a lot waiting for you along that shoreline.
Michelle, I want to thank you so much for joining us here on Beverage Chronicles.
Speaker 4 – Michelle News / Guest:
Thank you so much. It was a pleasure.
Speaker 2 – Gary Monteroso / Host:
That ends this week’s episode of Beverage Chronicles. Gary Monteroso here, thanking you, as always, for joining us.
We appreciate our reports from John Mahoney, our wine expert. My special guest was Michelle News from the Lake Erie Ale Trail and also co-owner of Twisted Elk Brewery in Pennsylvania.
Please follow us if you can on social media. Also, take a look at our website at www.beveragechronicles.com, where we’re going to have a major programming announcement coming up in the next few weeks of work. We’re so happy to be able to share that with you, our listeners.
