The Brewery Underground Podcast | Craft Beer Interviews, Reviews and Beer Travel

Greg and Abbey Anderton joined us. We did this show on location from Deep South Growlers in south Nashville. Deep South has two locations in Middle Tennessee.

We discussed what brings people into their taproom. The process for selecting the beers, ciders and seltzers you see on the menu. Oh yeah! Scott plays a part in what they sometimes decide to make available!

This was a great conversation with two people we have known for a few years.

Cheers!

Who are the biggest craft breweries in America, and what do the latest Brewers Association rankings tell us about the state of craft beer?

In Episode 74 of The Brewery Underground Podcast, Scott and Steve dig into the newly released Brewers Association U.S. craft brewing industry figures and brewery rankings, including the Top 50 craft brewing companies and Top 50 overall brewing companies in the United States. We look at some of the biggest names in American beer, including Yuengling, Boston Beer Company, Sierra Nevada, Rhinegeist, Great Lakes Brewing, Three Floyds, Athletic Brewing and more.

We also tackle an interesting question: What actually qualifies as a craft brewery anymore? With major companies and multi-brand ownership groups appearing in the rankings, we look at the Brewers Association's definition of a craft brewer and how ownership, production and consolidation are changing the American craft beer landscape.

Plus, we talk about the 2025 World Beer Cup, including award-winning breweries from Tennessee and Ohio, the continued growth of non-alcoholic beer, Nashville's brewery community, PB&J beers, and our upcoming Cincinnati and Cleveland beer travels.

If you follow craft beer, brewery rankings, beer industry trends, American breweries or beer travel, this episode gives you plenty to drink—and think—about.

Cheers! 🍻

Nick and Joe from Hop In, We’re Drinking are back for Part 2, and the craft beer conversation goes everywhere—from West Virginia and Hawaii to San Diego and some of the most hyped beers in America.

We debate the hype surrounding Pliny the Elder, Tree House and other hard-to-find craft beers, and ask whether scarcity makes a beer seem better simply because it's difficult to get. We also get into Untappd ratings, why judging a beer solely on personal taste can hurt local breweries, and why sometimes it's better to put the phone down and just enjoy the beer.

Nick shares some of his favorite West Virginia breweries, while Joe takes us inside Hawaii's growing craft beer scene beyond the familiar national brands. Then we talk brewery travel, their upcoming San Diego beer adventure, seasonal beer releases, podcasting across a six-hour time difference, and plenty of the random beer-fueled conversation you'd expect when these four get together.

Cheers!

Nick and Joe from Hop In, We’re Drinking join The Brewery Underground Podcast for a craft beer conversation that stretches from Nashville to West Virginia and Hawaii. We hear how the two met through the beer community, became friends from opposite sides of the country, and eventually turned their shared passion for beer into a podcast.

We also dive into homebrewing—how to get started, why it doesn’t have to be complicated, finding inspiration for new beers, learning from mistakes, and why brewing your own beer can quickly go from a hobby to a passion.

Plus, Joe talks about working at Waikiki Brewing Company, and we get into IPAs, beer releases, and plenty of beer-fueled conversation along the way.

Cheers!

It takes more than 1 day to celebrate the Foamy Heads 6th Anniversary. Let's call it an Anniversary WEEK! Sounds good to us.

If Part 1 left you wanting more, here is Part 2 of our interview with Mitch and Rich of the Foamy Heads, as we continue to celebrate the 6th Anniversary of their Podcast.

In this episode Steve starts by asking about their podcast during Covid, and how the local beer scene looked during that time.

We also present the 3rd of 3 tribute videos from some friends of the Foamy Heads (after Scott figures out how to do it - considering he already did it twice before ;-) ),

We do a deep dive into Untappd, and we all discuss our opinions of it and how we each use it.

You can tell we start to come off the rails a little bit - as we were consuming a lot of alcohol during the entire episode - but having soooo much fun while doing so.

We reference one of Scott's favorite Foamy Heads episodes, which was Episode 56 - Heaven and Hell, where the Foamy's combined and drank a 2017 Dogfish Head 120 Minute and a Dogfish Head Worldwide Stout - for the world's strongest Black and Tan. We recommend checking out that episode, as well as all of their others.

If you notice in several of the 9 tribute videos (also audio) to Mitch and Rich, there are a lot of "Thank You" 's to them for their contributions to the craft beer world, and rightly so.

We thank Mitch and Rich also, for joining us and helping us create an epic 2 Part episode, that will always be one of our favorites.

Thankfully we did recorded this because I'm not sure any of us would have remembered much of the last half of it. :-)

Cheers!

Happy 6th Anniversary to our friends The Foamy Heads!

Mitch and Rich form the dynamic duo that make up the Foamy Heads Podcast, and are a force in this craft beer world.

We got together with Mitch and Rich and did an episode to celebrate them for doing their podcast for 6 years.

Not only did we chime in to wish them a Happy Anniversary, but several of their friends sent surprise messages, wishing them well, that we got to play for them.

We've gotten to know Mitch and Rich over the past year and a half that we've been doing this, and it was an honor to have them join us for an episode.

If you know anything about the local craft beer world in the Nashville area, then you know these guys.

In true fashion when the 4 of us get together - we laughed a lot, drank a lot, discussed craft beer - including some of our favorite styles (with a deep dive into sours). We also talked about how they started the podcast, where the Foamy Heads name came from, and so much more!

As Steve says at the beginning of the episode - “Holy cow, man!” Holy cow is right, we had an absolute blast with these guys, as we always do, and just think - this is only Part 1. We have another whole episode next week with Part 2.

We’re honored to call Mitch and Rich friends and hope they do keep going for at least another 6 years.

Cheers!

We continue our conversation discussing the Fermentation Sciences Program at Appalachian State University with Dr. Brett Taubman and soon to be graduate Stephen Moxley.

What exactly is fermentation? Dr. Taubman breaks it down for us and discusses a book he has coming out. 

Craft beer has been a major focus for them. But with so many changes the past few years, there is a different area of the fermentation program that has gained in popularity among students.

Speaking of craft beer, Stephen offered up some advice to Scott on a certain beer he’s in the process of making.

What role has moonshine played with the Fermentation Sciences Program?

Appalachian State is located in Boone, North Carolina. That area and surrounding communities are still recovering from Hurricane Helene in 2024. We spent a few minutes discussing its long-lasting impact, and how you can help people in need.

Cheers!

The Fermentation Sciences program at Appalachian State University is headed up by Dr. Brett Taubman. He joined us to discuss what students can expect when they enroll in this 4-year program.

Stephen Moxley will soon be graduating. We got his perspective of what he’s learned in Fermentation, Chemistry, Biology, and Brewing. What is next for him and future graduates? Dr Taubman weighs in on the evolution of it all.

We were thrilled to learn how this program was started years ago, and how successful it has been.

Cheers!

Welcome to Part 2 of our episode with Kramer Deans.

In this episode Kramer gives several reasons why taking a first date to a brewery is a good idea. (We concur)

We ask Kramer about ways breweries and the beer community can be more diverse and inclusive - including working with local black owned businesses and artists.

We also talk about the new season of "The Beerded Tastings", which is Kramer's Podcast, that is about educating and introducing black people into the craft beer world, while learning about his guest's stories as they drink craft beer.

Did you know Nashville has a hot sauce festival? We didn't either. Kramer tells the story of how he got Crazy Gnome Brewery involved with it, as the lone beer vendor in 2024, and how they hope to be involved with it for future festivals.

Kramer also discusses some things he has coming up in 2025, so keep an eye and ear(s) out.

Kramer - thanks for always being so generous with your time - not just on this podcast - but every time we see you. Also, keep putting out great content. We appreciate what you're doing and we look forward to more.

Cheers!

We have local craft beer royalty in the house!!

Kramer Deans : AKA The Beered Brotha wears a lot of hats in the craft beer community around Nashville, and we got to have a great discussion with him in this episode.

Kramer is the Taproom Manager at Crazy Gnome Brewery, a fellow Podcaster - with his Podcast called "The Beerded Tastings", a YouTuber, an entrepreneur and is full of tons of craft beer knowledge.

Kramer is also an advocate for diversity in the craft beer industry and promotes and supports black owned businesses.

In this episode we talk to Kramer about what beer got him into drinking craft beer, as well as what got him into working in the craft beer industry.

We also compare Atlanta's craft beer scene to Nashville's, we get to hear Kramer's excitement in the upcoming new Crazy Gnome Brewery that is opening this spring, and he describes what The Beerded Tasting Podcast is about.

Check this episode out and let us know what you think.

We thank Kramer for joining us and we always love chatting with him.

Cheers!!