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

In Episode 16 of The Brewery Underground Podcast, Steve Sullivan and Scott Touron sit down with Scott Mertie of Nashville Brewing Company for Part 1 of a conversation about the rich history of beer and brewing in Nashville, Tennessee.

Recorded on location at Blackstone Brewing on St. Patrick's Day, this was also the first Brewery Underground Podcast episode recorded inside a brewery.

Scott Mertie brings a wealth of knowledge about Nashville's brewing history and shares stories about the breweries, people and beer that helped shape the city's beer culture.

We discuss Nashville Brewing Company, the history of brewing in Nashville, how the city's beer scene has evolved over the years, and the past, present and future of Nashville craft beer.

Whether you're interested in Nashville history, craft beer, local breweries or the stories behind the city's brewing traditions, this conversation offers a fascinating look at Nashville's beer heritage from someone who has spent years researching and preserving it.

Join us for Part 1 of our conversation with Scott Mertie of Nashville Brewing Company.

Cheers!

Chris Shields, Director of Education at Rhinegeist Brewery in Cincinnati, Ohio, returns for Part 2 of our conversation about one of the city's best-known craft breweries.

In Episode 15 of The Brewery Underground Podcast, Steve Sullivan and Scott Touron talk with Chris about Rhinegeist's involvement in one of Cincinnati's biggest traditions—the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day festivities—and the connection between the brewery, baseball and the local community.

We also dive into the evolution of Rhinegeist's barrel-aged beer program and how those beers have developed over the years.

Chris shares another important side of Rhinegeist through the brewery's community outreach and involvement with charitable organizations and events throughout the Cincinnati area.

From Cincinnati craft beer and Reds Opening Day to barrel-aged beers and giving back to the community, Part 2 gives us another look at Rhinegeist Brewery and its connection to the city it calls home.

Cheers!

In Episode 14 of The Brewery Underground Podcast, Steve Sullivan and Scott Touron head to Cincinnati, Ohio, for a conversation with Chris Shields, Director of Education at Rhinegeist Brewery.

In Part 1 of our Rhinegeist conversation, Chris takes us through the history of the brewery and the Cincinnati neighborhood and building that Rhinegeist calls home.

We talk about the history behind this iconic Cincinnati brewery, why Rhinegeist's rooftop has become such a popular destination, and some of the unique events that have taken place inside the brewery—including the time they managed to fit a dinosaur skeleton inside!

Chris brings his knowledge of Rhinegeist, Cincinnati history and craft beer together for a fascinating look at the brewery and its connection to the city around it.

Join us as we explore Rhinegeist Brewery and learn more about one of the breweries that has become part of Cincinnati's craft beer identity.

And this is only Part 1—there's plenty more Rhinegeist conversation to come.

Cheers!

What happens when a group of Nashville craft beer friends gets together to talk beer? We call it the Drunks of the Round Table!

In Episode 13 of The Brewery Underground Podcast, Steve Sullivan and Scott Touron are joined by friends from Nashville for a laid-back conversation about some of our favorite beers, breweries and craft beer experiences.

We share the beers we've been enjoying, talk about breweries that have made an impression on us, swap stories from our brewery adventures and probably wander off topic a few times along the way.

There may not be much order at this Round Table, but there are plenty of opinions, laughs and conversations about the thing that brought us all together in the first place—craft beer.

Grab a beer and join this group of Nashville beer lovers for the Drunks of the Round Table!

Cheers!

Rhizome Productions has been bringing craft beer festivals and events to Nashville since 2011.

In Episode 12 of The Brewery Underground Podcast, Steve Sullivan and Scott Touron sit down with Rhizome Productions founder and president Matt Leff and event manager Kendall Joseph to talk about their work in Nashville's craft beer community.

Matt and Kendall share the story behind Rhizome Productions, what goes into producing beer festivals and events, and how the craft beer industry—and the people attending these events—have changed over the years.

We also discuss the evolving landscape of craft beer, the role festivals play in connecting breweries with beer drinkers, and what they've learned from more than a decade of producing events in Nashville and beyond.

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at craft beer festivals, event production and the changing Nashville beer scene with the team from Rhizome Productions.

Cheers!

The Beer Babes Family is changing the craft beer industry by empowering women through community, collaboration, and education. In Episode 11 of the Brewery Underground Podcast, we sit down with founders Roxy Brissois and Rachel Benkowski, along with Beer Babes ambassadors Michelle Rumro and Rachel Trisilla, to discuss the Bay Brew collaboration program, brewery partnerships, grants for women in brewing, and how their organization is creating opportunities across the United States and Canada.

We also talk about:

• What Beer Babes Family is
• The Bay Brew charity beer program
• Supporting women in craft beer
• Brewery collaborations
• Beer festivals and community
• Nashville brewery releases
• Women-owned breweries
• Craft beer education
• Beer industry networking
• How breweries can get involved

Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast, brewery owner, homebrewer, or someone passionate about supporting women in the beer industry, this episode highlights one of the most inspiring organizations helping shape the future of craft beer.

Cheers!

Black Abbey Brewing has been part of Nashville's craft beer community since 2013, and in Episode 10 of The Brewery Underground Podcast, Steve Sullivan and Scott Touron sit down with owner Carl Meier to hear the story behind the brewery.

Carl shares how he got started in the craft beer business, the journey behind Black Abbey Brewing, and what has helped the Nashville brewery build its following over the years.

We also step back for a broader conversation about the state of the craft beer industry, running a successful independent brewery, and some of the changes Carl has seen during his years in the business.

Carl brings plenty of knowledge, passion and humor to the conversation, along with some great stories from his experience in craft beer.

Join us for a conversation with one of Nashville's longtime brewery owners as we talk Black Abbey Brewing, the Nashville craft beer scene and the business of beer.

Cheers!

Craft beer can make a real difference.

In Episode 9 of The Brewery Underground Podcast, Steve Sullivan and Scott Touron sit down with Melanie Pierce, founder of Brewbies, one of the country's most unique craft beer festivals benefiting the Keep A Breast Foundation.

Melanie shares how Brewbies grew from a single beer festival into a nationally recognized fundraiser that has raised more than $600,000 for breast cancer education and prevention, bringing breweries and beer lovers together for an incredible cause.

We also talk about bringing Brewbies to Nashville for the first time and how Nashville's craft beer community can come together to support an important mission.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The history and mission of Brewbies

• Nashville's inaugural Brewbies Festival

• Pink beer and how breweries naturally create it

• The Keep A Breast Foundation

• Craft beer festivals for charity

• Women in the craft beer industry

• Brewery collaborations

• Raising awareness through craft beer

• Behind-the-scenes festival planning

• Supporting local breweries while giving back

If you enjoy craft beer, Nashville brewery events, beer festivals, charity events and inspiring stories from people making a difference in the craft beer community, this episode is one you won't want to miss.

Cheers!

We kick off 2024 with Billy Flynn of family-owned Dog Road Brewery in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

In Episode 8 of The Brewery Underground Podcast, Steve Sullivan and Scott Touron talk with Billy about his journey as a homebrewer and his efforts to turn that passion into a place in the craft beer industry.

Billy shares how he got started brewing beer, the story behind the Dog Road Brewery name, where the project stands, and his plans for the future.

It’s a look at the homebrewing side of the Middle Tennessee craft beer community and what it takes to pursue the dream of taking beer from a homebrew setup to something bigger.

Join us as we get to know Billy Flynn, hear the story behind Dog Road Brewery and talk about his plans for the future.

Cheers!

It’s our final episode of 2023!

In Episode 7 of The Brewery Underground Podcast, Steve Sullivan and Scott Touron wrap up the year with some of their recent brewery adventures around Nashville and the Middle Tennessee craft beer scene.

We share some of the breweries we’ve visited, the beers we’ve been drinking, and then count down our Top 10 favorite beers of 2023.

Of course, we wander into a few other important topics along the way. Do people really drink beer for breakfast? And perhaps even more controversial—what’s the fascination with putting pineapple on pizza?

Join us for one last Brewery Underground conversation of the year as we talk Nashville breweries, craft beer, our favorite beers of 2023 and a few completely unnecessary debates.

Grab a beer and help us close out 2023.

Cheers!