Tap the Craft Podcast - Craft Beer Education

Craig Snyder and Tyler Weddle from Pontoon Brewing are back for their third appearance on Tap the Craft Podcast—and this time, we're diving into the spooky, flavorful, and downright creative side of fall at the brewery!

With Halloween around the corner and Spooky Smiggles Fest on the calendar, we're exploring how breweries turn imaginative beer concepts into memorable events. Craig and Tyler share the thinking behind themed festivals, the challenges of brewing creative and unconventional flavors, and what it takes to bring an entire taproom experience together.

Then we switch gears for some fall beer education. What's the difference between a Märzen and a Festbier? What makes a great Oktoberfest lager? And how do brewers strike the right balance when experimenting with pumpkin, spices, and other seasonal flavors? It's a conversation about creativity, seasonal brewing, and the many ways a brewery can bring people together—one great beer and one memorable experience at a time. We also drink three beers along with Craig and Tyler and get a look behind the scenes on how they were made.

If you would like to contact the show you can reach the hosts through email at [email protected], or interact with us on Facebook at facebook.com/tapthecraft and for all our links visit tapthecraft.com/linktree. We have a voicemail number...you can call 208-536-3359 (208-53ODDLY) to leave feedback or questions and have your voice heard on the show. We invite you to visit our website at tapthecraft.com for more craft beer content. If you enjoy our content and want to Toast Your Hosts, then please visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/tapthecraft  

You can follow Denny on Instagram and Untappd @lucescrew. You can follow Kris on Untappd at @K9Hops and on our Facebook page. Find more links at tapthecraft.com/linktree. Discord server at tapthecraft.com/discord 

BEERS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Pontoon Brewing Autumn Mist Oktoberfest Marzen

Pontoon Brewing Scary Lake Milk Stout

Pontoon Brewing I-P-Alien NEIPA with Citra and Galaxy

LINKS TO ARTICLES DISCUSSED:

Visit Pontoon Brewing website

On this episode of Tap the Craft Podcast, Denny and Kris sit down with William “Scotty” Scott, founder and Braumeister of BierKraft, to explore his fascinating journey from homebrewer to professional brewer. We are also joined by Bret Cable, business partner and assistant brewer at BierKraft. Denny and Kris sample a Kölsch, 80 Shilling and Goose & Gridiron, while getting Scotty's insight into the ingredients, brewing techniques and traditions behind each one.  Now grab a beer and enjoy the show! 

If you would like to contact the show you can reach the hosts through email at [email protected], or interact with us on Facebook at facebook.com/tapthecraft and for all our links visit tapthecraft.com/linktree. We have a voicemail number...you can call 208-536-3359 (208-53ODDLY) to leave feedback or questions and have your voice heard on the show. We invite you to visit our website at tapthecraft.com for more craft beer content. If you enjoy our content and want to Toast Your Hosts, then please visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/tapthecraft  

You can follow Denny on Instagram and Untappd @lucescrew. You can follow Kris on Untappd at @K9Hops and on our Facebook page. Find more links at tapthecraft.com/linktree. Discord server at tapthecraft.com/discord 

BEERS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

BierKraft Kolsch

BierKraft 80 Shilling Scottish-Style Export Ale

BierKraft Goose & Gridiron English-Style Brown Ale

LINKS TO ARTICLES DISCUSSED:

Visit BierKraft website

In this episode of Tap the Craft Podcast, Denny and Kris explore the do’s and don’ts of collecting and traveling with craft beer. How bad is it really to leave beer in a hot car for a few days? What happens when your hotel mini-fridge accidentally freezes your prized cans? And is an insulated bag enough to protect your beer from temperature swings? We also sneak in a couple tasting segments with the Resurgence Brewing White Ale and CitMo NEIPA. Now grab a beer and enjoy the show! 

If you would like to contact the show you can reach the hosts through email at [email protected], or interact with us on Facebook at facebook.com/tapthecraft and for all our links visit tapthecraft.com/linktree. We have a voicemail number...you can call 208-536-3359 (208-53ODDLY) to leave feedback or questions and have your voice heard on the show. We invite you to visit our website at tapthecraft.com for more craft beer content. If you enjoy our content and want to Toast Your Hosts, then please visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/tapthecraft  

You can follow Denny on Instagram and Untappd @lucescrew. You can follow Kris on Untappd at @K9Hops and on our Facebook page. Find more links at tapthecraft.com/linktree. Discord server at tapthecraft.com/discord 

BEERS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Wander Back Beerworks Hugo Pilsner

Kirkland Signature Deschutes Brewery Helles Style Lager

Resurgence Brewing White Ale Witbier

Resurgence Brewing CitMo NEIPA

On Episode 316 of Tap the Craft Podcast, Denny and Kris welcome Cal Larson of Soluble Oak to explore a fascinating approach to oak aging that starts with…well, oak! Cal's journey is anything but conventional. Coming from a background in the international lumber business, his experience with white oak eventually led to a question: What if you could extract the desirable characteristics of oak without having to use the entire barrel? That question ultimately became the foundation for Soluble Oak and its all-natural Oak + Nothing extract.

We dig into how Soluble Oak got started, what's actually happening inside that bottle, and how brewers can use oak extract to influence flavor, aroma and mouthfeel. Cal explains the differences between American and French oak, how brewers approach dosing and bench trials, and what goes into creating consistent, controlled oak character. We also sneak in a tasting segment with the Resurgence Brewing Buf IPA. Now grab a beer and enjoy the show! 

If you would like to contact the show you can reach the hosts through email at [email protected], or interact with us on Facebook at facebook.com/tapthecraft and for all our links visit tapthecraft.com/linktree. We have a voicemail number...you can call 208-536-3359 (208-53ODDLY) to leave feedback or questions and have your voice heard on the show. We invite you to visit our website at tapthecraft.com for more craft beer content. If you enjoy our content and want to Toast Your Hosts, then please visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/tapthecraft

You can follow Denny on Instagram and Untappd @lucescrew. You can follow Kris on Untappd at @K9Hops and on our Facebook page. Find more links at tapthecraft.com/linktree. Discord server at tapthecraft.com/discord 

BEERS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Bold City Brewing Killer Whale Cream Ale

Mother Earth Brew Co  Odin’s Ally Hazy IPA

Resurgence Brewing Buf IPA Hazy IPA

Bert’s Brewing Juke Joint Vol.1 IPA

Mother Earth Brew Co Small Swells Session IPA

Sockeye Brewing Double Mosaic Single Hop Pale

Sierra Nevada Brewing River Ride IPA

Pontoon Brewing Pink Skies and LoFi NEIPA 

Pontoon Brewing Infinite Smiggles 

Wander Back Beerworks Future Proof Pils

LINKS TO ARTICLES DISCUSSED:

Soluble Oak website

Buffalo, New York, has a rich brewing history—and today, Resurgence Brewing is helping write the next chapter. In this episode, Denny and Kris sit down with Head Brewer Nick Torgalski to explore the beers, brewing philosophy, and Buffalo culture behind one of Western New York's best-known craft breweries.

Nick takes us behind the scenes at Resurgence, sharing his journey into brewing, the brewery's evolution, their approach to recipe development, and how Buffalo's food, traditions, and personality inspire some of their most distinctive beers. We taste Resurgence Cream Ale, Smells Like Buffalo Pilsner, and The Surge NEIPA, digging into the brewing techniques, ingredients, styles, and creative decisions that make each beer unique.

We'll also raise a glass to Resurgence's 2026 World Beer Cup Gold Medal for 4 The Ward, exploring what goes into brewing an award-winning American-Style Cream Ale and what that recognition means to the brewery and the Buffalo beer community. Now grab a beer and enjoy the show! 

If you would like to contact the show you can reach the hosts through email at [email protected], or interact with us on Facebook at facebook.com/tapthecraft and for all our links visit tapthecraft.com/linktree. We have a voicemail number...you can call 208-536-3359 (208-53ODDLY) to leave feedback or questions and have your voice heard on the show. We invite you to visit our website at tapthecraft.com for more craft beer content. If you enjoy our content and want to Toast Your Hosts, then please visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/tapthecraft

You can follow Denny on Instagram and Untappd @lucescrew. You can follow Kris on Untappd at @K9Hops and on our Facebook page. Find more links at tapthecraft.com/linktree. Discord server at tapthecraft.com/discord 

BEERS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Resurgence Brewing Cream Ale

Resurgence Brewing Smells Like Buffalo Pilsner

Resurgence Brewing The Surge NEIPA

LINKS TO ARTICLES DISCUSSED:

Resurgence Brewing website

Ever walked into a brewery and wondered what all those shiny stainless-steel vessels actually do? In this episode of Tap the Craft Podcast, Denny and Kris go behind the brewhouse to explore the different systems that turn grain, water, and hops into wort—and ultimately, beer. And perhaps most importantly: does a bigger, more sophisticated brewhouse actually make better beer? We also do a couple tastings from beers provided by Pontoon Brewing. Now grab a beer and enjoy the show! 

If you would like to contact the show you can reach the hosts through email at [email protected], or interact with us on Facebook at facebook.com/tapthecraft and for all our links visit tapthecraft.com/linktree. We have a voicemail number...you can call 208-536-3359 (208-53ODDLY) to leave feedback or questions and have your voice heard on the show. We invite you to visit our website at tapthecraft.com for more craft beer content. If you enjoy our content and want to Toast Your Hosts, then please visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/tapthecraft

You can follow Denny on Instagram and Untappd @lucescrew. You can follow Kris on Untappd at @K9Hops and on our Facebook page. Find more links at tapthecraft.com/linktree. Discord server at tapthecraft.com/discord 

BEERS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Pontoon Brewing Pontoon Punch Fruited Ale

Pontoon Brewing Cosmic Voyager NEIPA

Gem State Brewing Oat of Office Oatmeal Stout

Resurgence Brewing White Ale Witbier

Resurgence Brewing Resurgence Cream Ale

Von Trapp Brewing & Barriehaus Beer Co collab - North German Style pilsner

In this episode of Tap the Craft Podcast, Denny and Kris explore the science behind pasteurization, explain the differences between tunnel and flash pasteurization, and discuss when—and why—craft breweries choose to use this often misunderstood process. Whether you think pasteurization is a necessary quality-control tool or believe fresh, unpasteurized beer is always best, this episode separates fact from fiction and gives you a deeper appreciation for one of brewing's most important—and debated—processes. We also have two beer tastings, one from Wander Back Beerworks with the Matchday German Pilsner and a second from Pontoon Brewing with the Not Afraid of the Smiggles Super Sour. Now grab a beer and enjoy the show! 

If you would like to contact the show you can reach the hosts through email at [email protected], or interact with us on Facebook at facebook.com/tapthecraft and for all our links visit tapthecraft.com/linktree. We have a voicemail number...you can call 208-536-3359 (208-53ODDLY) to leave feedback or questions and have your voice heard on the show. We invite you to visit our website at tapthecraft.com for more craft beer content. If you enjoy our content and want to Toast Your Hosts, then please visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/tapthecraft

You can follow Denny on Instagram and Untappd @lucescrew. You can follow Kris on Untappd at @K9Hops and on our Facebook page. Find more links at tapthecraft.com/linktree. Discord server at tapthecraft.com/discord 

BEERS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Wander Back Beerworks Matchday German Pilsner

Pontoon Brewing Not Afraid of the Smiggles 

Jim Dandy Brewing Workhorse American Brown Ale

Jim Dandy Brewing Juice Break Fruited Sour

Resurgence Brewing Citmo 250 NEIPA

In this episode of Tap the Craft Podcast, Denny and Kris take a deep dive into the aromatic compounds that have transformed hop-forward beers over the last decade. You'll learn what terpenes are, where they come from, and why they're responsible for many of the flavors and aromas craft beer lovers crave. We also have two beer tastings, one from Pontoon Brewing with The Smiggles Show Smoothie Sour and a second from Martin House Brewing with the Death by Chocolate Cake imperial pastry stout. Now grab a beer and enjoy the show! 

If you would like to contact the show you can reach the hosts through email at [email protected], or interact with us on Facebook at facebook.com/tapthecraft and for all our links visit tapthecraft.com/linktree. We have a voicemail number...you can call 208-536-3359 (208-53ODDLY) to leave feedback or questions and have your voice heard on the show. We invite you to visit our website at tapthecraft.com for more craft beer content. If you enjoy our content and want to Toast Your Hosts, then please visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/tapthecraft

You can follow Denny on Instagram and Untappd @lucescrew. You can follow Kris on Untappd at @K9Hops and on our Facebook page. Find more links at tapthecraft.com/linktree. Discord server at tapthecraft.com/discord 

BEERS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Pontoon Brewing The Smiggles Show 

Martin House Brewing Death By Chocolate Cake

Tampa Bay Brewing Co Inked Out

3 Floyds Brewing Zombie Ice

Wayfinder Beer Original Cold IPA

Claim 52 Brewing Wooly Breeches Porter

Straight to Ale Velvet Evil Old Ale 

Beachcrest Brewing Co Proposal Rock Porter 

Bier One Brewing 3 Goats Stout

Pull up a seat at the communal table as we explore one of the world's most enduring beer traditions—the Biergarten. In this episode, we dive into the history of Bavaria's famous beer gardens, from their origins above underground lagering cellars to the lively outdoor gathering spaces that continue to shape beer culture today.

You'll learn what defines a true biergarten, discover the stories behind some of Germany's most famous beer gardens, including the world's largest, and find out why chestnut trees, communal tables, and easy-drinking lagers became the foundation of a tradition that has lasted more than 200 years. Whether you're enjoying a pint at your local brewery patio or dreaming of a trip to Munich, this episode is a celebration of great beer, great company, and the communities built around them.  We also have two beer tastings, one from Pontoon Brewing with The Real Slim Smiggles and a second from H.H. Hinder the Guava Voom. Now grab a beer and enjoy the show! 

If you would like to contact the show you can reach the hosts through email at [email protected], or interact with us on Facebook at facebook.com/tapthecraft and for all our links visit tapthecraft.com/linktree. We have a voicemail number...you can call 208-536-3359 (208-53ODDLY) to leave feedback or questions and have your voice heard on the show. We invite you to visit our website at tapthecraft.com for more craft beer content. If you enjoy our content and want to Toast Your Hosts, then please visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/tapthecraft

You can follow Denny on Instagram and Untappd @lucescrew. You can follow Kris on Untappd at @K9Hops and on our Facebook page. Find more links at tapthecraft.com/linktree. Discord server at tapthecraft.com/discord 

BEERS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

Pontoon Brewing The Real Slim Smiggles

H.H. Hinder Brewing Guava Voom Catharina Sour

Barriehaus Beer Co Tivvy Tmave Czech Dark Lager

Phase Three Brewing & Brujos Brewing Pixel Demoliri

Phase Three Brewing & Parish Brewing Pixel in the Machine

Little Harpeth Brewing Chicken Scratch Pilsner

Alliteration Ales Remember Remember Irish Red Ale

Confluence Brewing Co ChewBOCKa Doppelbock

Powderhaus Brewing Second Breakfast American Brown Ale

This week we learn about H.H. Hinder Brewing with guests Mike Stroik, Ken Lambert and David Oldenburg. Mike brings the ownership perspective and the vision behind building H.H. HINDER into a destination brewery and community gathering place. Ken helps shape the brewery's identity through branding, events, marketing, and customer engagement. David brings decades of brewing experience, award-winning beers, national judging credentials, and a passion for brewing both classic and modern beer styles. Discover how H.H. HINDER got started, how the brewery has evolved, the challenges of operating a brewery in today's craft beer environment, and how all three of these roles work together to create the H.H. HINDER experience. And we taste two beers from the brewery..a red rye amber lager and a Grätzer smoked wheat beer. Now grab a beer and enjoy the show! 

If you would like to contact the show you can reach the hosts through email at [email protected], or interact with us on Facebook at facebook.com/tapthecraft and for all our links visit tapthecraft.com/linktree. We have a voicemail number...you can call 208-536-3359 (208-53ODDLY) to leave feedback or questions and have your voice heard on the show. We invite you to visit our website at tapthecraft.com for more craft beer content. If you enjoy our content and want to Toast Your Hosts, then please visit our Patreon page at patreon.com/tapthecraft

You can follow Denny on Instagram and Untappd @lucescrew. You can follow Kris on Untappd at @K9Hops and on our Facebook page. Find more links at tapthecraft.com/linktree. Discord server at tapthecraft.com/discord 

BEERS MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

H.H. Hinder Brewing Roofer’s Delight 2.1 Red Rye Lager 

H.H. Hinder Brewing Smokin’ Wheat Grätzer 

LINKS TO ARTICLES DISCUSSED:

H.H. Hinder Brewing website