Welcome back to The DC Beer Show! This week, our hosts Michael Stein, Jacob Berg, and Brandy Holder take you on a flavorful journey with brewery aficionado Joel Geier. Renowned for his extensive "brewery travels," Joel shares his adventures and insights from visiting a staggering 1,367 breweries across all 50 states, and yes, that includes our very own Washington D.C.!

Joel's new book, "Flights Across America" will be out December 17 and is available for pre-order now.

Joel kicks off by reminiscing about his early love for craft beer, sparked by his father’s influence and further ignited during his college years. His move to Oregon with his wife opened new beer horizons, and their subsequent relocation to Milwaukee became a springboard for documenting his brewery escapades via his popular Twitter account, "brewery travels."

Ever wonder what it's like to dive into the craft beer scenes across America? Joel’s wife, working as a travel nurse, allowed them to crisscross the country, pushing his brewery counts through the roof. They’ve lived in 14 states over 9 years, each stint providing new local brewery experiences. Joel’s dedication led to his first book, "Flights Across America," where he showcases over 400 brewery visits expanded to include an awesome 200 breweries in Wisconsin alone!

Did you know Joel's kids tag along on these beer quests? That's right, he's a big advocate for responsibly managed kid-friendly taprooms, sharing touching stories of family outings with breweries providing inclusive, family-centric atmospheres.

As the conversation flows, Joel spills his Milwaukee favorites—shoutout to the affordable and varied beers from Lakefront and 3rd Space, the latter celebrated for its wins at the Great American Beer Festival. And who can forget the beloved New Glarus beers?

It's not just about the brews; Joel appreciates the historical and community fervor attached to each taproom and brewski stop. His methodical approach to note-taking and storytelling keeps listeners hanging on every word.

The hosts also dive into upcoming DC beer events that you won't want to miss. They hype up trivia nights at Other Half, celebrate Right Proper’s 11th anniversary with a diverse lineup of events, and the infectious festive vibes at Wheatland Spring holiday markets complete with live music. And don’t forget to grab your tickets to the 12 Beers of Christmas at Metro Bar!

They even touch on a poignant story of entrepreneurial spirit and community support: Avery Swanson’s quest to open her brewery amidst financial setbacks, with a fundraiser pouring Keeping Together beers at the Sovereign.

Lastly, our hosts chat about their drink picks, Jacob's beer trade tales, and passionate sips from favorite brews. They leave you with a heartfelt nudge to contribute to the DC beer scene through their Patreon, nurturing the metro area’s craft beer culture.

So, pour yourself a frothy pint, kick back, and hop aboard another enriching episode of The DC Beer Show! Cheers! 🍻