Welcome to the New Year chaos! Greg, Flex, and Mel are here to kick off 2025 with plenty of laughs, questionable resolutions, and beers that make us glad our tongues can’t talk back. Flex reminds everyone why Wisconsin is the Fresh Coast (it’s real, he swears), Mel educates us on the dos and don’ts of edibles at weddings, and Greg channels his inner David Attenborough during a stoned encounter with whales. Plus, they’re petitioning to make 2025 the Year of the Gose, debating when craft beer really peaked, and roasting chestnuts—well, metaphorically. Cheers to another year of beers, nonsense, and mildly useful advice!

Beers We’re Drinking:

• Mel: Chestnut Praline Imperial Ale by Southern Tier Brewing Co. – A buttery, praline-filled dessert beer that screams holidays and feels like a warm hug on a cold day.
• Greg: Short Lived Hazy IPA by MadeWest x Highland Park Brewing – Tropical juicy fruit vibes with a silky smooth mouthfeel that Greg calls the perfect California sipper.
• Flex: Fresh Coast Pale Ale by Three Sheeps Brewing – A light, crushable pale ale with bright citrus notes, perfect for any season.

The gang dives into the nostalgia of the “good old days” of 2019, arguing over the true peak of craft beer. Greg and Flex trade stories of hilariously high experiences with THC drinks, including a memorable balcony whale encounter that may or may not have been real. Mel reminisces about her edible misadventures at a wedding, where she learned the hard way to read the dosage warnings.

In a heartfelt New Year’s brainstorm, they pledge to rekindle the camaraderie of the craft beer community, resolve to post on social media more often (no promises), and petition to make 2025 the year of the Gose. And in true CBR fashion, they somehow turn beer reviews into a conversation about roasted chestnuts, door decor, and why juicy IPAs should just be labeled correctly already.

Booze News:

• Craft breweries are closing faster than they’re opening for the first time—so much for new year optimism.
• A woman runs the New York City Marathon drunk. Goals?
• Castle Island Brewing rescues Cambridge Brewing’s IP—because good beer deserves a second chance.
• Diageo considers selling off P Diddy’s vodka. Uh, who’s still drinking that?

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Merry chaos, beer nerds! Greg, Flex, and Mel are back for a Christmas episode filled with hilarious rants, beer-fueled nostalgia, and just enough holiday cheer to keep the Grinches entertained. From cantaloupe debates to wrestling belt coolers, the crew dives headfirst into the absurdities of the season. Flex shares a Christmas beer that’s as festive as his short shorts, Mel cries into boxed wine (again), and Greg realizes he might need to hit the lake with his new championship fanny pack. It’s a holiday hangout full of bad movies, great beers, and questionable decisions—cheers to that!

Beers We're Drinking

• Greg: Love Hazy IPA by Almanac Brewing, bursting with cantaloupe and tropical vibes, this IPA supports a great cause—and Greg’s cantaloupe obsession.
• Mel: Everything Naughty by Ommegang Brewery, a smooth, caramel-forward blonde stout with festive vibes, but the white chocolate didn’t RSVP.
• Flex: Christmas Ale by Abita Brewing, a malty holiday ale that looks great on the table, even if it tastes like liquid bread.

The gang kicks off with a heated debate over the best Grinch (Jim Carrey vs Timothée Chalamet) and why long Christmas movies are the absolute worst. Mel celebrates her three-year CBR anniversary, reflecting on how far they’ve come… and how much boxed wine it took to get here. Flex proudly unveils the ultimate holiday gift—a championship belt fanny pack cooler—while Greg dreams of strapping one on for a day on the lake. Holiday drinking traditions get hilariously weird with Heineken, boxed wine, and the most questionable wrapping strategies you’ve ever heard. Plus, Mel shares a wild dad story involving fake hockey players, proving that nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a good J-ism.

Booze News

• Brewers Association gets a new CEO—can he save craft beer?
• Chuck Schumer’s “Bubble Bill” might lower taxes for cider and mead.
• Enlightened Brewery in Milwaukee shuts its doors after 10 years.
• Budweiser kills RateBeer—RIP to another OG beer site.

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Welcome to the holiday chaos! Greg and Flex are back with plenty of laughs, holiday traditions, and beers that’ll make you question your life choices. Flex shares how his kids are basically his beer sommeliers, picking out a beer that pairs perfectly with… Crocs? Greg’s beloved annual “Dropping of the Yule Log” returns, and yes, it still sounds like the most festive dump. Plus, an actual super hero gets arrested, Christmas train shenanigans, and a surprising list of brewery ingredients that no longer need government approval. It’s a sleigh ride of stupidity, beer, and holiday spirit—ho ho hops!

Beers We're Drinking:

• Flex: Croc Couture by Little House Brewing Co. Flex’s kids picked this hazy IPA for its sparkly Croc can, but the beer’s maltiness left him on the fence.
• Greg: Fort Point Pale Ale by Trillium Brewing Co. A pricey pale ale that delivers citrus and mango vibes, but Greg questions if it’s $28-good.

Flex dives into “Dad Life Goals” by letting his kids pick beers at the liquor store based solely on their shiny cans—what could go wrong? Greg, meanwhile, brings back his favorite holiday tradition, the Dropping of the Yule Log, leaving listeners in tears over its unintentional bathroom noises. The guys get real about hyped breweries charging insane prices, the sexiness of affordable beer, and Greg’s surprising champagne fiasco that ended with Uber Eats saving the day. Meanwhile, Flex daydreams of getting arrested in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume. Priorities.

Booze News:

• TTB Gets Cool: Brewers no longer need approval to use ingredients like bananas, nuts, and rhubarb—less red tape, more beer.
• Goat Patch Takes Over Pike’s Peak: Colorado Springs’ Goat Patch Brewing is acquiring Pike’s Peak Brewing, turning schools into breweries and keeping things local.
• No Fun on the Train: A UK train company launches a low-alcohol beer campaign to stop people from getting shmammered mid-ride.
• Constellation Sells Svedka: Sazerac adds yet another booze brand to its ever-growing liquor empire.
• Batman Gets Booked: A man in a full Batman costume crashes his car, flees the scene, and fails sobriety tests—justice was served.
• Drunk Driver Ratted Out by Mom: A 20-year-old claims he’s sober, but his own mom tells officers he can’t even walk straight.

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Welcome to Craft Beer Republic, where the beers are flowing and the stories are questionable! Greg’s kicking off the show from a two-week road trip with his priorities firmly set on beer and podcast gear (who needs clean clothes anyway?), while Flex brings the Thanksgiving drama, complete with late-start drinking and smoked turkey revelations. Meanwhile, Psycho Bear calls in with beer tips and maybe a murder plot, and Kentucky proves mules aren’t meant for high-speed getaways. Grab a beer and buckle up—it’s chaos in a can!

Beers We’re Drinking

• Greg: Harmonic Energy by Radiant Beer Co. – A hazy pale ale with melon and tangerine vibes, right in Greg’s wheelhouse.
• Flex: Emperor Marlin by Evil Twin Brewing – A boozy quadruple IPA that’s big, bold, and dangerously smooth.

Greg kicks things off by proving his priorities are in order: podcast gear over clean clothes for his road trip. Flex dives into Thanksgiving tales of smoked turkey and late-drinking drama, while Greg shares the tragic saga of a $400 ham disaster and how a family pregnancy almost derailed the mimosa tradition—until a heroic champagne run saved the day. Psycho Bear calls in with beer wisdom, sass, and a potential murder plot, and the guys debate whether marriage is really just a lifelong effort to stop men from doing dumb things.

Booze News

• Blackout Wednesday Fizzles: Draft beer sales continue to slide on the biggest bar night of the year—are we losing our touch?
• Michelob Ultra Reigns Supreme: The top draft beer for the second year running… and it’s only 4.2% ABV.
• Stoli Files for Bankruptcy: Blame it on Russian interference, cyberattacks, or just bad luck—either way, vodka’s taking a hit.
• Man Drives Drunk to Police Station: Pro tip: don’t show up to complain to the cops when your BAC is 0.22.
• Drunk Mule Escape: A Kentucky man tries to flee police at 15 mph—on a mule.

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Welcome in, fellow beer drinkers! Greg and Flex are back for another episode of Craft Beer Republic, and this time, the shenanigans are extra juicy. From brunch-induced chaos to beer trades that make us question our morals, the duo dives deep into life, laughs, and some seriously good beer. Plus, we discover Flex’s undying love for mashed potatoes and find out why Greg might owe “Not Murderer John” a little something extra for bringing him Treehouse beer. Sacramento, congrats on being our top listening city—sorry about the shade! Let’s raise a glass and get hydrated!

Beer We’re Drinking:

• Greg: Little Machine by Treehouse Brewing – A 5.5% hazy pale ale bringing strong notes of pineapple, candied tropical fruit, and grapefruit, with gorgeous lacing that is borderline pornographic.
• Flex: Spellbinder by Wren House Brewing – A 6.9% hazy IPA bursting with tangerine and stone fruit flavors, earning top marks and a spot in Flex’s dream beer lineup.

Greg kicks things off by recounting a brunch-turned-binge session that ended with some couch therapy and a bathroom confession. Flex shares his love for mashed potatoes—seriously, it’s a borderline love affair—and the two dream up a mashed potato flight that’s sure to revolutionize brunch menus everywhere. Pilot Tom earns Flex's eternal gratitude with a beer hookup, while Greg sings the praises of Non-Murderer John, whose beer generosity keeps on giving. And Greg keeps it classy with more wine drinking. Oh, and Sacramento? You may be our top listening city, but you’re still boring. Sorry, not sorry.

Booze News:

• High ABV beers boom: Big beers are outselling hard seltzers—efficiency in a can!
• Black is Beautiful creator’s next act: Marcus Baskerville is opening a San Antonio spot where fried chicken meets craft beer.
• New Belgium offloads Upper Hand Brewery: The high hand of craft changes owners, but the beer stays local.
• Tequila heist madness: 24,000 bottles of Santo Tequila vanish in an Ocean's 13-style operation.

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Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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Welcome in to a festive edition of Craft Beer Republic! ‘Twas the night before Thanksgiving, and all through the bar, everyone was drunk, from near and afar. We’re bringing you Thanksgiving week beer science, a heated debate on food vs. beer at breweries, and the ultimate guide to "Drunksgiving" boozing. Plus, we roast the bizarre world of shots (spoiler: gin shooters are the worst) and vent about Massachusetts still refusing to legalize happy hour.

Beers We’re Drinking:

• Flex is sipping on Joe Joe's Chocolate Vanilla Cream Stout by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, a smooth and sweet stout, perfect for Thanksgiving indulgence.
• Greg dives into beer science with Rolling Thunder 2024 Imperial Stout by Rogue, a boozy stout, paired with its whiskey counterpart, Dead Guy Whiskey.

Thanksgiving week kicks off with Greg and Flex sharing stories about the chaotic traditions of “Drunksgiving,” from packed bars to running into people you’d rather avoid. The debate over food versus beer at breweries sparks some laughs and unexpected takes, with Flex looking at it from a family angle and Greg holding onto his beer-first mindset. They also dig into the surprising buzz around Trader Joe’s beer selection, and all the single can fun! Finally, the duo takes on the sudden obsession with All I Want for Christmas Is You and debates whether it’s always been a classic or just recently found its fame. Are you tired of that song yet?

Booze News:

• Molson Coors Takes a $41M Hit: Divesting craft brands turns into a pricey tax write-off.
• Stone Brewing Goes Local: Say goodbye to Stone beers abroad as exports are axed.
• Massachusetts Hates Fun: The state keeps its outdated happy hour ban alive and well.
• Florida Man Strikes Again: A spaghetti toss turns into a felony—pasta has never been so dangerous.
• Thanksgiving Beer Facts: Fun trivia, including the Mayflower’s emergency beer stop.

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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.

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Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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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!

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Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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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. 

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Boris: Instagram: @BorrietheBlade

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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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

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• Threads: CraftBeerRepublic
• Voicemail: (805) 538-2337