In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, host sits down with Michael Williams, Brand Development Manager at Great Lakes Brewing Company, for their second conversation — and this time the focus shifts from the beer to the people who love it.
We dig into how Great Lakes Brewing Company has cultivated one of the most loyal craft beer communities in the Midwest, what it takes to grow a craft beer brand in today's competitive market, and the strategies behind turning first-time visitors into lifelong fans.
If you're a craft beer enthusiast, a brewery owner, or someone interested in beverage brand development — this episode is packed with insight.
🎙️ What we cover:

How Great Lakes Brewing Company builds and retains customer loyalty
Brand development strategies in the craft beer industry
Growing a craft beer audience in the Midwest market
What makes the Great Lakes community unique

📍 Great Lakes Brewing Company | Cleveland, Ohio
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In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we sit down with Elliot Thompson (Founder) and Neil Blair (Brewer) from Alluvial Brewing in Ames, Iowa. We dig into the story behind one of central Iowa's most exciting craft breweries — from its founding and early days to the vibrant taproom atmosphere and the live music scene that keeps locals and visitors coming back.
Whether you're a craft beer lover, a fan of the Ames community, or just looking for your next great Iowa brewery to visit, this episode has something for you.
In this episode we cover:

The founding and formation of Alluvial Brewing
What makes the Alluvial taproom atmosphere so unique
How live music has become a cornerstone of the Alluvial experience
Neil and Elliot's passion for craft beer and community

🎙️ Guest: Neil Blair & Elliot Thompson — Alluvial Brewing
📍 Location: Ames, Iowa

Join me for an exclusive conversation with Jeff Kraft, Head Brewer at Titletown Brewing Company in downtown Green Bay, Wisconsin. Discover how this beloved brewery saved a historic train depot from demolition 30 years ago and transformed it into one of Wisconsin's premier craft beer destinations.

Join me for an in-depth conversation with Sam Lewey, Marketing Director at Toppling Goliath Brewing Company in Decorah, Iowa. Discover the incredible story of how a simple Christmas homebrew kit in 2009 transformed into one of America's most acclaimed craft breweries.

The Toppling Goliath Story:
What began as a hobby in a family garage has evolved into a 100-barrel brewing powerhouse distributing to 36 states and 9 countries. Sam shares how his father's passion for hoppy beers led to opening a tiny half-barrel taproom, and how their legendary barrel-aged stouts between 2012-2015 put this small Iowa town on the craft beer map.

Flagship Beers & Must-Try Brews:

Pseudo Sue - The iconic pale ale that became their most popular beer, blending tropical hop character with approachable flavor
King Sue - Their award-winning double IPA, described as "the perfect liquid translation of hops"
Dorothy's Lager - The beer that started it all, named after Sam's grandmother
Dragon Fandango - A vibrant kettle sour that launched their entire fruited sour series
Barrel-Aged Stouts - World-renowned stouts aging 1-3 years in a dedicated barrel room with hundreds of barrels

What happens when a "Dogfish Head" veteran brings his expertise to the heart of Iowa? 🍺🌾

In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we travel to Oskaloosa, IA, to sit down with Jeremy Hunt, Head Brewer at NoCoast Beer Co. Known for their bold, unpretentious branding and high-quality production, NoCoast has become a powerhouse in the Iowa craft scene by focusing on technical excellence and Midwestern grit.

Jeremy shares his journey from academia to the brewhouse and explains why he believes in "going full nerd" when it comes to the science of beer.

In this interview, we explore:

The "No Coast" Identity: Rejecting coastal pretension and celebrating the "flyover country" attitude.

Consistency at Scale: How Jeremy uses his deep industry experience to ensure every can of NoCoast is perfect.

The "Midwest IPA": Why they refuse to choose between East and West, and how they created an IPA for everyone.

The "Go Full Nerd" Philosophy: Jeremy’s approach to lifelong learning, from experimental Belgian projects to homeschooling his six children.

The Core Lineup: Deep dives into Yoga Poser, Low Brow Brown, and the award-winning Trend Bucker Stout.

Can a town of 500 people support a thriving craft brewery? 🍺🌾

In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we travel to Titonka, Iowa, to interview Jeff Brandt from Titonka Brewing Company. Jeff’s story is a testament to the idea that if you brew great beer and build a welcoming space, people will come from miles around to experience it.

Titonka Brewing isn't just a place to grab a pint; it's a labor of love that has revitalized a piece of rural Iowa and created a destination for beer travelers and locals alike.

In this interview, we discuss:

The Rural Brewery Dream: Why Jeff chose Titonka and how he transformed the space.

Community-First Brewing: How the local community rallied behind the brewery from day one.

The Beer Lineup: Breaking down their approachable, high-quality brews and what makes their "flagships" stand out.

The "Worth the Drive" Factor: What visitors can expect when they make the trek to north-central Iowa.

In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we’re in Dyersville, IA, at Textile Brewing Company. We sit down with Ashley Althoff and Head Brewer Joel Null to talk about the incredible journey of this historic taproom and their commitment to sustainable, high-quality craft beer.

Textile is a "time machine" of a brewery, where the industrial past meets a high-tech, eco-friendly future. As the first small brewery in Iowa to hit Platinum Green Brewery Certification, they are proof that great beer and a small footprint go hand-in-hand.

In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we head to Central City to chat with Scott Whitson from BIT Brewery. BIT (which stands for Best In Three) was founded by three friends with a simple mission: brew great beer and build a space the community loves.

Scott takes us through the journey of opening a nano-brewery in a small town, the art of the perfect wood-fired brick oven pizza, and the creative process behind their rotating tap list.

In this interview, we cover:

The "BIT" Philosophy: How three friends (Jason, Jeff, and Scott) built the brand.

Community & Membership: The "Brewer In Training" program and their legendary Mug Club.

Small Town, Big Flavor: Why Central City is the perfect home for their renovated historic taproom.

The Menu: From the dark, rich Black Betty Stout to their famous Taco Pizza.

In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we sit down with Andy Joynt, the Brewmaster at Big Grove Brewery in Iowa. Big Grove has one of the most incredible growth stories in the craft beer industry, evolving from a local favorite to a massive operation with a footprint that’s hard to miss.

Andy takes us behind the scenes to discuss:

The Story of Massive Growth: How they scaled up without losing their soul.

The "Secret Sauce": What truly makes Big Grove stand out in a competitive market.

The Best Beers: A look at their current lineup and the staples that put them on the map.

Whether you're an Iowa local or a craft beer enthusiast from afar, this interview offers a deep dive into the business and the art of brewing at a high level.

What makes a brewery more than just a place to grab a pint? In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we travel to Peoria, Illinois, to chat with Brian Buss, the Brewmaster and co-owner of Busted Brewing.

Brian takes us behind the scenes of one of Central Illinois' most unique taprooms. We discuss their standout beer lineup, how they’ve mastered a family-friendly atmosphere that welcomes everyone, and the philosophy that sets Busted Brewing apart in the thriving Midwest craft beer scene.