Whether or not you're a fan of craft beer (and if you weren't a fan before 2020, honestly...what else will it take?), we can all acknowledge that the growth of the craft beer industry was unquestionably one of the defining food and beverage trends of the 2010s. The number of craft breweries in the US skyrocketed from around 1,500 to north of 8,000, and - in the process - Americans learned that beers could come in different colors beside "dehydrated urine yellow." We learned that bars could be built around things besides sports games and local cover bands. We learned not only how to pronounce gose, but also what they taste like. (Editor's Note: they're disgusting.)

Our guest on the podcast this week was there for all of it. After starting as the weekend bartender in Half Acre Beer Company's taproom, Lee McComb did just about every job in the brewery before eventually becoming the Specialty Beer Manager overseeing Half Acre's program of award winning small batch and limited release beers. (They have nearly 250 different rated beers on Beer Advocate!) 

From a simple hobby to a decade-long career, Lee has been able to translate his interest in home-brewing into not only a profession but a true craft. Lee shares a few of the things that make Half Acre so special as a brewery, the impact #COVID has had on their business, and how he balances good beer vs. good business. Give it a listen while #daydrinking at your desk this week. And then go out and buy a six-pack from your favorite local brewery! Let's all get through this mess together. 

• Lee on Instagram
• Half Acre on Instagram
• Half Acre on the web