This week, we've got a 1-2 punch of a Minnesota cider-maker on the come-up and a NYC-based brewery who has been on the forefront of innovation for years.

Out in Buffalo, Minnesota, Colin Post and his business partner Steve Hence made a cider back in 2011 that was so impressive, so magnificent, so incredibly spectacularly incredible and spectacular, it won a blue ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair and launched a business. One little problem, though: the apples were foraged so the exact recipe was unknowable.

I sat down with Number 12 Cider House's Colin Post and heard his quest to re-create that magic batch. I got a taste of something he thinks is close, learned his system, took a walk through the orchard he works with, tried a couple of his goods -- and they are goooods -- and much, much more.

I met with the guys from Brooklyn Brewery: Simon Reading, Mike Maraghy, Evan Davis. The guys have been with Brooklyn Brewery for much different lengths of time, and they different perspectives on the business. Mike has been with Brooklyn Brewery since right after college, and he compared the Brooklyn of Day 1 to the Brooklyn today.

Did you know Brooklyn Brewery has a James Beard award-winning brewmaster on staff? We discussed what he brings to the team, and the guys introduced us to Brooklyn Brewery founder Steve Hinde. We featured Brooklyn’s Summer Ale, and I asked why we don’t hear more about New York City craft beer.