MadTree Brewing Archives - The Gnarly Gnome

MadTree, even as they continue to change and evolve somehow manage to feel more and more like themselves. On this week's episode of Cincy Brewcast we talk about how MadTree fits into the picture of Cincinnati Beer today, and how they continue to do what they do. Head Brewer Brittany Frey shares her thoughts about the industry and where its going - and we OF COURSE - drink a few beers along the way.

I love cocktails, and I also like the simplicity of cracking open a can instead of mixing a whole bunch of stuff up myself. That’s why I love MadTree’s line of Sway cocktails… they make it easy for a lazy lawn ornament like me. I sat down with Brittany Frey and Sean Cox to talk about this collaboration with the folks over at New Riff.

We cover it all, and you’re going to want to hear about not just what this project is, but what other projects are coming from MadTree. This is a good one!

If you like this show, or any of the stuff that I do, please… know that you can support it all by going to http://www.TheGnarlyGnome.com/Support to help keep making it happen bigger and better than ever!

MadTree Brewing Company is certainly a household name here in Cincinnati. They make great beer, they have a killer taproom, and they provide an excellent company that is able to create a place where people can build their careers. When you look at it from the outside in, they nailed it. It’s not enough for the company, though, as it rounds the ten year mark. They’re constantly trying to improve everything. The very essence of who they are to their core has been a huge focus over the last few years – and I wanted to talk about what that means.

I sat down with Rhiannon Hoeweler, MadTree’s VP of Experience and Impact to talk about how they are doing that, what it means for the company – and hopefully what it means for us drinkers.

This is a huge topic and one that I covered this week on Drinking With The Gnome, too – with Sam Calagione of DogFish Head – we’re definitely not done talking about it.

Get out, do something for your community – give back… be better than you were yesterday!

In a big move for a brewery that’s relied on a great food partner for ten years – MadTree made a lot of waves this month when they announced that they’d be bringing their food program under their own MadTree banner starting next year.  While I’m still working on a BIG blog post to talk all about my thoughts on the changing world of food inside of our craft breweries – I couldn’t resist the urge to head out to MadTree to sit down and chat about how they feel about it, as well as what we can expect when they roll out their new food program next spring.

I sat down with MadTree’s Director of Hospitality Services, Brock McMorran for a quick chat that will hopefully get you as excited for whats coming as I am!

Aside from the beginning of this episode where it is AGAIN, me solo in the studio… this week’s episode is fantastic. I am always more than thrilled to get Brady and Kenny from MadTree on the show. They are at the helm of a brewery that has become an inspiration for breweries all across Cincinnati. When you talk to them, you can clearly see why, also. This is a brewery that pushes it’s own limits, spends a lot of time exploring who it is and that grows in the most organic way possible because of that.

The world of craft beer is always evolving, and this episode is really about how MadTree as a destination always tries to evolve with it.

It’s wonderful. I mean… we also drink some beers and make some really great tree puns along the way… its not too serious the whole time.

I was worried about a place like Madtree when all this… “stuff” hit the fan. I wasn’t sure how a brewery their size with a taproom that is as busy as it is would weather a storm in which their taproom doesn’t exist. This show made me feel good, and I hope it brings some of that to your podcast player this week, too.

We all need a smile, we need to remember that our breweries are still out there… they’re getting scrappy and they’re fighting to not only stay a live during this, but they’re looking to get creative and get better at what they do and who they are. Kenny and Brady have created a place where ideas like this thrive… and this show is a brilliant reminder of just that.

From how they dealt with things from an operational standpoint, to what you do when an old beer blogger leaves a 16oz can of warm beer on your conference table… this one is fun.

It’s a big announcement, and one that warrants a special edition of the show – MadTree is not just moving, they’re expanding exponentially.  The brewery is making a move from their lowly, small warehouse into the massive 18+ Million Dollar MadTree 2.0 facility in the former Rock-Tenn industrial site  in Oakley.

This wide ranging interview includes discussion of the plans for the expansion, including the 100bbl brew system, 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor beer garden and “more restrooms than you would ever need”! We also talk the beers, including the upcoming can releases of Rubus Cacao and Identity Crisis and the elusive and enigmatic Madtree “Funk Series”.  It’s one for the history books!