Craft Beer Republic

Holiday chaos, strange beer laws, and plenty of laughs—Greg and Flex are here to keep things fun and boozy. They swap stories about classy (and not-so-classy) wine adventures and some unexpected marathon strategies involving pork chops. With debates over the best pizza, insider beer tips, and all the usual banter, this episode has something for every craft beer fan.

Beers We’re Drinking:

• Flex: One Cat on the Chessboard by Fat Orange Cat Brewing – A New England-style single-hop IPA showcasing Eldorado hops with notes of pear, peach, and candied watermelon.
• Greg: Celebration Fresh Hop IPA by Sierra Nevada Brewing – A holiday classic, blending piney hops and rich caramel malt for a crisp, bitter blast of holiday cheer.

Greg shares his latest wine party escapades, this one at a swanky restaurant, while Flex marvels at the magic of single-can purchases at Trader Joe’s. Did you know that you can break cans off at Trader Joe's? We also cover quirky Connecticut laws in Ludicrous Libation Law, debate the best pizza styles (sorry Chicago), and recount hilarious marathon stories involving pork chops and our friend Lou. We also reflect on what makes a holiday beer truly special.

Booze News:

• The Leinenkugel family isn’t happy about recent closures at their iconic brewery.
• MobCraft Beer has been sold, raising questions about the challenges of surviving in today’s craft beer market.
• Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium in Asheville faces indefinite closure due to hurricane-related water outages.
• The Brewers Association adds a new style to its guidelines: the Italian-style pilsner.
• We break down the price of a beer at every NBA arena, with Boston taking the top (and most absurd) spot at over $20.

Follow us:

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

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·      Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

Crack open a cold one and pull up a seat—this week, Greg and Flex are back with another round of laughs, mystery, and beer-fueled adventures! In this episode, we dive into tales of questionable beer ratings, Flex’s joy over the triumphant return of Miller High Life Light, and the mystery behind an unexpected jar of jelly that showed up at Greg’s door. Plus, Flex reveals why having a craft beer-loving pilot as a friend might be the ultimate beer perk and the sad news coming to Wisconsin. 

Beers We're Drinking:

• Greg: Just Haze, Baby by Four Legs Brewing – even the questionable can art couldn’t ruin this pillowy, citrus dream.
• Flex: Konky Dong 4UP Evolution by Hoof Hearted Brewing – Flex cracks open this triple IPA that is full of algorithm approved flavor.

America, we’re disappointed in you—you had the chance to vote in Flex and Greg for 2024, and you didn’t! Greg shares stories from his family road trip and the stash of beer he managed to smuggle back home. After the grape jelly talk with Erica in Batch 431, a mysterious jar showed up at Greg’s door—who’s the culprit?! Flex had an epic day treating himself and introduces us to his new pilot friend, a top-tier beer mule. Turns out, pilots might be the ultimate beer lovers. And it turns out were’ both two peas in a pod when it comes to watching movies. 

Booze News:

• Lord Hobo Brewing and Lone Pine Brewing merge to combine their strengths and up their craft game.
• Revolution Brewing is closing its original Chicago brewpub, marking the end of an era.
• Lawless Brewing seeks investors to weather financial challenges.
• Abita Brewing gives Saints player Alvin Kamara quite the beer-tastic surprise.
• Molson Coors shuts down operations at the historic Leinenkugel’s brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

Shoutout to Pennington, NJ for topping our charts again!

Follow us:

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic

Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod

Threads: CraftBeerRepublic

Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

Hey beer lovers, grab your Dynaboost and get ready for the latest in craft beer! Boris (Pedals & Pints) is back with Greg and Flex, and he’s got some hop knowledge to drop. Plus, we’re diving into those horrendous Costco advent calendars, drinking on the job, awkward brewery comedy nights, and drunk Florida man ghost riding the whip. 

Beers We’re Drinking

• Boris is drinking Dank Meter, a dank, tropical West Coast IPA collab from ISM Brewing and Riip Beer Company. 
• Flex is sipping What’s the Triple in the IPA? from Evil Twin Brewing—a monster triple IPA with a smooth pour and a budget-friendly price tag. Triple the hops, triple the fun!

Boris dives into hop geekdom with a rundown on the latest in hop tech, like Dynaboost. We talk about old school IPAs and not missing those protein shakes. We crew swaps holiday horror stories about the infamous Costco advent calendar disaster—yes, Boris went back for more, year after year. He also gets basic on us, professing his undying love for New Glarus Spotted Cow—it’s Midwest royalty, after all. Greg spices things up with a question about the most horrendous beer flavors possible, with nightmare brews like liverwurst lager and nacho cheese ale making the cut. And, if that’s not enough cringe, Greg shares a painfully awkward experience at a brewery comedy night,

Thanks to Missouri for this week’s Ludicrous Libation Law.

Booze News

• Oskar Blues is (for some reason) rolling out a new non-alcoholic Dale’s Pils as well as a session IPA.
• New Glarus Brewing is starting a $55 million expansion project.
• And a Florida Man goes to Pennsylvania, get’s hammered, and ends up on top of his car. 

Shout out to our top listening city, Dallas, TX. 

Follow us:

Boris: Instagram: @BorrietheBlade

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

• Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic
• Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod
• Threads: CraftBeerRepublic
• Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

Pour yourself a cold one and get ready to dive into the latest from Craft Beer Republic! Greg, Flex, and Boris—the new head brewer at Pedals & Pints—kick back with stories from the brewery trenches, a few epic beer fails, and plenty of laughs. Boris spills on his journey to head brewer, Flex keeps things fresh with a killer autumn lager, and Greg’s got a new hazy that’s almost too drinkable. Join the crew as they serve up everything you love about craft beer: good friends, great brews, and even better stories.

Beers We’re Drinking

• Greg is enjoying Psychedelic Vibes from Shred Beer Company, a 6% hazy pale ale that’s bursting with notes of peach, orange, and citrus.
• Flex drinks up with Frisbee from Eagle Park Brewing, a juicy New England-style IPA at 8.5% with heaps of mosaic hops and a smooth, fruity finish.
• Boris brings Foilage, an autumn lager from Enneagram Brewing, with a hoppy, malty body perfect for fall.

Greg shares his recent appearance on the Taproom Podcast with Mike, then spills on a mini beer adventure with Erica and McDreamy, hitting up High-Hand Brewing, Shred Beer Company, and Track 7. We dive into Boris’s story and his new role as head brewer at Pedals & Pints, where he’s crafting new brews and planning for holiday stouts, fresh hop blends, and the ultimate Christmas beer lineup. The crew debates the perfect spot for a brewery, and the homie Chew Your Beer calls in with some critical advice on burgers and beer—and a spot you’ll definitely want to avoid.

Booze News

• Modern Times is getting a shake-up as Maui Brewing’s parent company spins off the beloved brand, handing it over to two new partners who promise a fresh start.
• Speaking of Modern Times, they’re currently having a garage sale if anyone needs brewing equipment.
• Alesmith Brewing stirs up curiosity (and some skepticism) by introducing a hard cider to their year-round lineup, raising questions about what craft drink fans are looking for next.

Follow us:

Boris: Instagram: @BorrietheBlade

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

• Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic
• Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod
• Threads: CraftBeerRepublic
• Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

Welcome back, thirsty friends! This week, the Craft Beer Republic crew brings the laughs and a whole lot of beer talk. Greg has an awkward run-in during Uber Eats duty, Flex sips on a PB&J-inspired sour, and Erica gets worked up over grape jelly (Midwest vs. West Coast, anyone?). Plus, the gang comes up with ridiculous beer names based on their last texts—Flex’s “Boo to Fake Boobs” might just take the cake! And in Booze News, we dive into the latest updates from Stone Brewing, Tilray's big acquisition, and the shocking tale of a teacher hitting the bottle a little too hard.

Beers We’re Drinking:

• Erica is drinking Fresh Juicy Strata from Moonraker Brewing, a hazy IPA bursting with fresh, sticky hop goodness.
• Flex is enjoying We Go Together Like from 1840 Brewing, a PB&J-inspired sour that perfectly balances peanut butter and grape flavors.
• Greg is sipping on Code Breaker from Trademark Brewing, a West Coast IPA that’s dank, piney, and refreshingly bitter.

Greg goes on a rant about how gross it is to find yeast cakes at the bottom of your hazy cans. Erica does some beer research at a few less-than-stellar breweries and shares her sadness over Monica leaving Pedals. The gang has a blast coming up with ridiculous beer names like “Missing Plug” and “Boo to Fake Boobs” based on their last texts, and they want to hear yours—send us your most ridiculous beer names! Plus, Flex’s beer choice sparks an epic debate: which jelly reigns supreme—grape or strawberry? Oh, and did you know it’s illegal to serve beer and pretzels together in North Dakota? Yeah, the crew has some thoughts on that, too.

Booze News:

• Stone Brewing reveals their new business model-bye-bye to all their fun beers.
• Jack's Abby is set to acquire Night Shift Brewing, making it the largest craft producer in Massachusetts.
• We finally find out how much cash Tilray dropped to acquire those Molson Coors breweries (and how much they owe Neck Nosh!).
• And an Iowa teacher gets arrested for being absolutely hammered in class.

Shoutout to Seattle, WA for being our top listening city of last week!

Follow us:

Erica: www.NeckNosh.com 

• Instagram: @Neck_Nosh_LLC

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

• Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic
• Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod
• Threads: CraftBeerRepublic
• Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

Flex and Greg are back; no hurricane can stop us! Flex is just off the plane from his hurri-cation. We're basking in the final glow of Oktoberfest, waiting in long lines for cookies, and drinking all around the world! There's also too much money being spent on crappy booze, a prime example of how accurate the Flex Algorithm is, a weird offering from Sam Adams, and getting hammered to watch hockey.

Beers We're Drinking:

• Flex is drinking On the Loose, an IPA from Tripping Animals in Miami, FL.
• Greg is chugging Alesmith’s Oktoberfest Märzen as Oktoberfest season comes to a close.

Flex tells us all about his Disney trip to the infamous Dick Hotel! He also got to drink around the world at EPCOT, pound some foreign beers, eat the best fish and chips, and get hurricaned out. Greg recaps a brewery baby shower (because beer makes everything better) and shares his experience seeing Something Corporate live. Unfortunately, the concert left him with more than just great memories—food poisoning hit hard, and it was rough! And Flex confirms that the Algorithm is accurate! 

Booze News:

• Monica is out as the head brewer at Pedals & Pints, and Greg is left piecing together the story.
• Beer distributors donate $75,000 to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund.
• Sam Adams is selling a limited-edition seance kit, because apparently, summoning dead brewers is the new fall trend.
• Hockey fans in Utah break the stadium beer sales record. Who knew Utahns could drink that much?!
• And we've winners from the 2024 Great America Beer Festival!

Follow us:

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

• Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic
• Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod
• Threads: CraftBeerRepublic
• Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

Greg and Flex are back, and this time they’ve got a lot to get off their beer-filled chests. Greg’s fresh off a "relaxing" vacation that somehow left him more exhausted than when he left, while Flex can’t get over how some breweries think slapping “world-famous” on their labels makes it true. The guys also dive into some serious topics, like why lazy grammar makes their eye twitch, and how Greg accidentally ordered an IPA that tasted like a Flintstone vitamin—because apparently, nostalgia is now on tap. Plus, the guys take a detour into a ridiculous conversation about Dildo Brewing in Canada, because of course they did. Crack open a cold one and join the fun—you won’t want to miss this!

Beers We're Drinking:

• Flex is drinking Juice Shark from Lion’s Tail Brewing Company, a New England IPA with hints of watermelon, berry, and citrus.
• Greg is sipping on Wowee from Highland Park Brewery, a hazy IPA loaded with Nelson Sauvin hops and gooseberry vibes.

Greg reflects on how his so-called "relaxing" vacation left him more stressed than when he started, while Flex dives into his love-hate relationship with grammar. The guys also take shots at breweries that claim their beers are “world-famous”, and spiral into a wildly entertaining discussion about a little place called Dildo Brewing. And let’s not forget Greg’s unfortunate IPA choice, which left him with some serious childhood vitamin flashbacks—because nothing says craft beer like nostalgia for Flintstones chewables.

Booze News:

• Molson Coors is launching a new line of 8% ABV singles for convenience stores, featuring Topo Chico Max and Simply Spiked Bold.
• The Brewers Association reports that the Midwest saw a 1% decline in craft beer production in 2023, the first dip since 2020.
• Hard kombucha brand JuneShine is introducing a non-alcoholic kombucha line... which pretty much just makes it kombucha, right?
• A Long Island man, arrested for drunk driving, managed to steal a police car while handcuffed and drove it to a nearby cemetery—because why not?

Follow us:

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic

Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod

Threads: CraftBeerRepublic

Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

In this episode of Craft Beer Republic, Greg and Flex bring the laughs and beer snobbery to a whole new level! Greg shares tales of his booze-filled escapades in Portugal, while Flex reveals the latest beer that made him shout, “Holy sh*t!” They rant about airport beer prices (highway robbery, anyone?), debate the horrors of post-vacation life, and even find time to celebrate Flex’s dad's birthday in true brewery fashion. Grab a pint and buckle up - the drunk captains have turned on the seatbelt sign.

Beers We’re Drinking:

• Greg is sipping on Desert Flyer from Casa Agria, provided by Andrew, aka Ventura_County_Beer.
• Flex is drinking Wandering Into the Fog by Abomination Brewing. This one is the anchovy hops edition.

Episode Highlights: Greg takes us on a boozy tour of Portugal, detailing his stops at local breweries and the massive wine consumption that had him considering a move. Meanwhile, Flex gives us the lowdown on celebrating his dad’s birthday brewery-style, complete with some tasty Oktoberfest pours. The two swap stories about airport beers priced like fine dining, laugh over weird travel mishaps, and chat about how no one in Portugal seems to eat dinner before 9 PM (Greg's kind of people). Somewhere in there, Flex talks about a beer that left him genuinely impressed – a rare moment for our seasoned beer snob. Michael also calls in to share his drunken adventures while celebrating Naughty Pine’s third anniversary.

Booze News:

• Latitude 33 Brewing acquires Thorn Brewing, but Thorn Brewing will continue to operate independently. Huh?
• Governor Newsom signs a new law giving California craft breweries better access to public and private events.
• Hurricane Helene wreaks havoc on Asheville, closing several breweries.
• A woman was arrested for driving drunk on a runway at Riverside Airport, with a BAC four times the legal limit!

Follow Us:

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

• Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic
• Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod
• Threads: CraftBeerRepublic
• Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

This week on Craft Beer Republic, Greg and Flex are back at it with a special guest—Steph, a.k.a. Miss Tipsy Socks, who brings her signature blend of wit and beer knowledge. They kick off the episode with plenty of laughs, roasting each other over everything from intros to Steph's surprisingly small desk. But it's not all jokes—they dive into Steph's new role as the Executive Director of the Utah Brewers Guild, discuss the quirks of Utah’s beer laws, and even share some bizarre news out of Virginia. Plus, Greg and Flex debate what really makes a "classy" drinker. It’s an episode full of hilarious banter, unexpected beer finds, and, of course, a bit of chaos—just the way we like it.

Beer Reviews:

• Steph is sipping on Chin-Chillin' Cerveza from Kiitos Brewing, a complex yet refreshing Mexican lager.
• Flex reviews Spinning Plates a double IPA by Blackstack Brewing.
• Greg is sipping on LOVE, a hazy IPA from Almanac Beer Co.

The episode kicks off with Greg, Flex, and Steph cracking jokes and roasting each other, setting the tone for what’s to come. Steph dives into her new role as Executive Director of the Utah Brewers Guild, sharing some behind-the-scenes stories about what it’s like to wrangle Utah’s quirky beer laws. The gang also gets into the madness of beer festivals, with Steph recounting her recent trip to the Great Taste of the Midwest—complete with tales of VIP perks and beer-soaked adventures. They also tackle the details of what makes someone a classy drinker and individual. 

Booze News:

• Tilray completes its acquisition of several craft breweries from Molson Coors but immediately announces job cuts, including at 10 Barrel Brewing.
• Firestone Walker shifts its focus back to core beers, stepping away from their experimental cocktail-inspired brews.
• Anderson Valley Brewing is up for sale again, sparking a hilarious discussion about what the gang would rename it if they had the $79 million to spare.
• IPAs reign supreme in the world of craft beer sales
• Florida Man tries switching seats to avoid a DUI.
• The cost of a beer at every NFL stadium.

Shoutout to Des Moines, Iowa for being our top listening city. 

Follow Us:

Steph: on Instagram: @MissTipsySocks

Tune into Steph’s radio show, Beer Nerd Radio, Fridays 2-3 PM Utah time at KUAA-FM.

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

• Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic
• Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod
• Threads: CraftBeerRepublic
• Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

In this episode of Craft Beer Republic, Greg and Flex get their geek on by rolling out Flex’s very own beer-buying algorithm—because why not add some math to your buzz? Flex shares his desperate dash to restock on beer before football, and the guys take a few jabs at the new non-alcoholic version of 805 that nobody asked for. Plus, Chew Your Beer calls in with a rant about being stuck as the taco guy and craving some “white people food,” and they wrap things up with a classic Florida Man story that proves even trees aren’t safe from drunken shenanigans. It’s craft beer, comedy, and chaos all in one.

Beers We're Drinking:

• Greg is drinking "Conflict of Interest," a West Coast IPA from Fall Brewing Co. in collaboration with Harland Brewing. It's a juicy, slightly hazy IPA with notes of peach, red berries, pineapple, and a dry, dank finish.
• Flex is enjoying "Cashmere Sweater" from 1840 Brewing Company, a double IPA bursting with apricot and orange marmalade flavors, topped off with a soft, pillowy texture.

Episode Highlights: Greg unveils his latest creation, an online beer-buying algorithm inspired by Flex’s strict criteria—can art, price, and ABV—and the guys put it to the test with Flex’s current brew. The guys also dive into the ultimate dilemma: finding decent beer at the grocery store and what beers to look for the ease the shopping pain. We also cover the universal struggle of over-committing to brewery swag. The conversation gets even juicier with a deep dive into the ultimate white food: mashed potatoes. The homie Chew Your Beer calls in with a hilarious rant about being stuck as the taco guy at every family event and his dream of hiring someone to make him classic American meals instead. This brings up the question, what is the ultimate white-people food?

Booze News:

• Tilray Expands Again: Tilray closes on the some of the big brewery acquisitions they’ve been chasing.
• 805 Goes N/A: Firestone Walker drops a non-alcoholic version of 805, and the guys have some strong opinions on it.
• Modern Times Shakes Things Up: Major changes are underway for Modern Times, and they might not be what fans were expecting.
• Weathered Souls Says Goodbye: A beloved brewery known for a significant campaign announces it’s closing its doors.
• California Cracks Down: The state takes a hard stance on hemp-derived THC products, and the new rules could have a big impact.
• Florida Man Strikes Again: A bizarre incident involving a man, a gun, and a tree ends in a way only a Florida Man story could.

Shoutout to Pennington, NJ for being our top listening city. 

Follow Us:

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic

Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod

Threads: CraftBeerRepublic

Voicemail: (805) 538-2337