Wendy and Rob talk to Roman from Tapster, a self-serve beer bar that is popping up across the country. Roman talks about how he came to start such a business and some of the decisions that had to be made in an attempt to make the space more friendly to all levels of beer-enthusiasts from those who want to tick every beer, get a deep appreciation for particular beers, or were dragged along by friends.

More information about Tapster including how to find one near you (if there is one near you): https://tapstertastingroom.com/

Wendy and Rob talk to Benny and Tony from Hear.Say Brewing and Theater, a not-quite-a-year-old establishment in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Come audially explore this unique space. Head brewer Benny gives us a lot of insight into what he's looking for when he brews (and he says "dropping trub" a few times). Tony talks about the experience of working with different communities and how fulfilling it can all be.

Hear.Say Brewing and Theater: https://www.heardotsay.com/

The book mentioned, Unreasonable Hospitality, can be found at its website: https://www.unreasonablehospitality.com/

Tony played Flamecraft: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/336986/flamecraft

Benny played Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/253664/taco-cat-goat-cheese-pizza
Benny, if you're reading this, Rob did not get to recommend That's Not a Hat which is a game kids can play with adults who have been drinking for great hilarity: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/375651/thats-not-a-hat

In 2025 Better on Draft will be recording on the second and fourth Friday of the month at 8:30 Eastern. You can watch us live to share your questions, opinions, and drinks on Facebook, Twitch, and Youtube.

Ken and Matt Bush discuss the March Draftness brackets now that we're at the round of 32 and heading into the Stout 16.

Let us know your predictions!

You can participate in March Draftness by voting for your favorite brewery in each matchup over in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterondraft

You can connect with Matt Bush of Re/Max First at https://www.mifirsthouse.com/ where he would like to help you find a home.

Wendy and Rob talk to Courtney and Derek Guggenberger of Guggman Haus Brewing, a well-regarded and decorated brewery just outside downtown Indianapolis. Starting as a small brewery in 2019 and growing to a slightly larger brewery recently, hear about their brewing philosophy and their unique and interesting brewhouse. 

In 2025 Better on Draft will be recording on the second and fourth Friday of the month at 8:30 Eastern. You can watch us live to share your questions, opinions, and drinks on Facebook, Twitch, and Youtube.

Guggman Haus Brewing: https://www.guggmanhausbrewing.com/

Wendy and Rob talk to Anni of Naptown Trivia about what it's like to create and run a successful trivia business and how instrumental it can be for newer breweries as they grow their regular clientele. If you're unfamiliar with pub trivia maybe this episode can help you understand the appeal. If you're familiar with pub trivia then you're going to hear all the tropes and secrets behind running trivia and dealing with "those" teams (you know the ones).

In 2025 Better on Draft will be recording on the second and fourth Friday of the month at 8:30 Eastern. You can watch us live to share your questions, opinions, and drinks on Facebook, Twitch, and Youtube.

Wendy and Rob catch up on recent doings, discuss drinking the alphabet, and the odd occurrence of having things thrown at you unexpectedly.

Articles in the show:
 - Greg Hall and Virtue Cider: https://chicago.eater.com/2024/11/27/24306883/virtue-cider-greg-hall-renovations-fennville-michigan-inbev-independent-sale
 - Beer Choir: https://www.kimt.com/news/beer-choir-makes-its-north-iowa-debut-on-monday/article_38fbc1da-ead0-11ef-b737-6748bdf6a7ee.html
 - Hulk Hogan Beer: https://www.newsweek.com/sports/wrestling/wwe-news-hulk-hogan-real-american-beer-being-sued-negligence-2030974
 - Peas in Beer: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/02/pea-sugars-can-speed-up-sour-beer-brewing/
 - VinePair's article on consolidation: https://vinepair.com/articles/craft-brewing-consolidation/
 

In 2025 Better on Draft will be recording on the second and fourth Friday of the month at 8:30 Eastern. You can watch us live to share your questions, opinions, and drinks on Facebook, Twitch, and Youtube.

Rob and Wendy talk to Mark Lasbury of Indiana On Tap about the Tasting Society Marketplace, working with breweries, On Tap tickets and festivals, and beer around Indiana and Michigan and beyond!

In 2025 Better on Draft will be recording on the second and fourth Friday of the month at 8:30 Eastern. You can watch us live to share your questions, opinions, and drinks on Facebook, Twitch, and Youtube.

Mark runs and writes for Indiana On Tap: https://indianaontap.com/

Running Ken-less, Rob and Wendy will talk to Joel Geier of Brewery Travels about his new book, Flights Across America: A Brewery Lover’s Journey. Hear about his travels and experiences in breweries across the country!

In 2025 Better on Draft will be recording on the second and fourth Friday of the month at 8:30 Eastern. You can watch us live to share your questions, opinions, and drinks on Facebook, Twitch, and Youtube.

Flights Across America is available at many locations and Amazon is one of them: https://www.amazon.com/Flights-Across-America-Brewery-Journey/dp/B0DN3RH9KJ

Joel can be found on many platforms as Brewery Travels. His Bluesky profile is https://bsky.app/profile/brewerytravels.bsky.social

Sponsors:
Visit Detroit – The Detroit Brew Trail – https://visitdetroit.com/food-drink/breweries-wineries-distilleries/detroit-brew-trail/
Zetouna Liquor – https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/
Craftapped (Code BOD for 15% Off At Checkout) – https://craftapped.com/join-page-by-state/
Rochester Mills Beer Co – https://www.beercos.com/

Join The Michigan Beer Discord – https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT

Download the MI Beer Map – http://www.mibeermap.com

Subscribe to Better on Draft – https://plnk.to/BOD
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6AlzP1BH0iykayF856bGRc?si=xXZzdd3CTPqgUq_KYTnBKg
iTunes – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft
Untappd – https://www.untappd.com/user/betterondraft
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/betterondraft
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/betterondraft
Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/betterondraft
Tik Tok- https://www.tiktok.com/@betterondraft

For Ken's last podcast as a regular host he invited Eric Briggeman of Rochester Mills Brewing, the first guest on Better on Draft ever. Join us for a bit of nostalgia and catch up on Rochester Mills and Eric's (and Amanda's) current activities.

In 2025 Better on Draft will start recording on the second and fourth Friday of the month at 8:30 Eastern. You can watch us live to share your questions, opinions, and drinks on Facebook, Twitch, and Youtube.

Sponsors:
Visit Detroit – The Detroit Brew Trail – https://visitdetroit.com/food-drink/breweries-wineries-distilleries/detroit-brew-trail/
Zetouna Liquor – https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/
Craftapped (Code BOD for 15% Off At Checkout) – https://craftapped.com/join-page-by-state/
Rochester Mills Beer Co – https://www.beercos.com/

Join The Michigan Beer Discord – https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT

Download the MI Beer Map – http://www.mibeermap.com

Subscribe to Better on Draft – https://plnk.to/BOD
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6AlzP1BH0iykayF856bGRc?si=xXZzdd3CTPqgUq_KYTnBKg
iTunes – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft
Untappd – https://www.untappd.com/user/betterondraft
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/betterondraft
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/betterondraft
Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/betterondraft
Tik Tok- https://www.tiktok.com/@betterondraft

358

The Better on Draft team checks in with long-time friend of the show Kevin DeGrood. You may know him from North Central Brewing or from his presence within the Michigan craft beer scene or maybe you are meeting him for the firt time (like Rob). We'll hear about the hardships of running a brewery, even a successful one, and what Kevin sees in the industry and market.

This is Ken's penultimate episode and he will be missed greatly. Better on Draft will continue in 2025 with live recordings every second and fourth Friday of the month at 8:30pm ET on Twitch, Kick, and Facebook.

Sponsors:
Visit Detroit – The Detroit Brew Trail – https://visitdetroit.com/food-drink/breweries-wineries-distilleries/detroit-brew-trail/
Zetouna Liquor – https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/
Craftapped (Code BOD for 15% Off At Checkout) – https://craftapped.com/join-page-by-state/
Rochester Mills Beer Co – https://www.beercos.com/

Join The Michigan Beer Discord – https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT

Download the MI Beer Map – http://www.mibeermap.com

Subscribe to Better on Draft – https://plnk.to/BOD
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/6AlzP1BH0iykayF856bGRc?si=xXZzdd3CTPqgUq_KYTnBKg
iTunes – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft
Untappd – https://www.untappd.com/user/betterondraft
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/betterondraft
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/betterondraft
Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/betterondraft
Tik Tok- https://www.tiktok.com/@betterondraft