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

Preds Beer Fest 2025 is in the books!

Our friends, The Foamy Heads, invited us to do a joint podcast with them at this year's Preds Beer Fest.

This is an event that Mitch and Rich have done for several years, and it was a treat to share the mics with them.

This is the actual place and event that we met these guys, 1 year ago. If you go back and listen to their 2024 Preds Beer Fest episode, we show up at the end.

We have been homies ever since, and it's been great getting to know them, and sharing many beers and sake together - whether it be in person or on virtual happy hours.

This episode had us talking about Mitch's awesome Polaroid camera (there are a couple of pics in the intro video from it), as well as Rich's Double IPA's that he recently brewed.

We also talked about some of the breweries in attendance like Marble Fox, Dark Shadow, Honey Tree Meadery, Catfish Brewing, Tennessee Brew Works, Broadcast Brewing, Hi-Wire and many more.

We shared some beers and sake at the table and then walked around and partook in some food and beers from the many beer vendors.

We even had 2 guests that sat down and chatted with us - Gnash and Armando AKA: Brew McCoy. That Gnash character never stops talking. Armando spent a lot of time with us and we got to discuss his photography and some of his processes. He was great on the mic, and we hope to have him on again soon.

Marble Fox won the day by getting voted as the best brewery of the Beer Fest by the fans, and deservedly so.

We had a lot of fun with this episode and it's always a great day when you can spend time with your friends, while being surrounded by beer.

Thanks again to Mitch and Rich for inviting us to their party and for providing the equipment and the episode file. Go checkout their podcast too!

Cheers!

Steve and Scott

If we left you wanting more of the Hilltappers after the last episode - well here it is - the conclusion of our discussion with Tom and Brad of the Hilltappers.

In this episode we talk about starting their social media account, and what their process is for adding photos to it when they go to a brewery, has anyone ever confused them or called them by the wrong name? (maybe for a whole weekend?).

We also talk about some of their favorite breweries in Louisville - including a Top 5 list that they brought, the Untappd app, getting stickers from breweries and what to do with them.

Because Oktoberfest season is somewhere between 5 and 9 weeks away - we have an in-depth discussion about it and what Oktoberfest beers they like best. We additionally roll pumpkin beers into the conversation and how they run parallel to Oktoberfest season.

We ask Brad and Tom if they have any funny stories from their many adventures - which of course they do.

We close by asking Brad to do his famous George W. Bush impression that just KILLS, every time he does it. We can't get enough of it!

These guys are will make you laugh and you'll feel like you've known them for years.

Thanks again to Tom and Brad for joining us, and this won't be the last you hear about them from us.

Cheers!

Tom Peterson and Brad Knoop are known as The Hilltappers, and they joined us on this episode for a fantastic time.

These guys are a dynamic duo of craft beer drinkers, who hail from Louisville, KY (Looavul) but will drink craft beer anywhere.

They are so awesome that they brought their own intro music, visual aids and a special cooler to the podcast.

We've gotten to know Brad and Tom over the past year and have drank a lot of beer with them on several different occasions, at a ton of different breweries, in multiple cities.

It's not often that we meet people that love craft beer as much as we do, but the Hilltappers certainly do.

In this episode we go back to the origins of The Hilltappers and where their name comes from and when they were formed.

We discuss how great beer flights are, what they like to get on them, the types of beers they tend to stay away from, "Sour" beers and their place in craft beer, some of their favorite breweries that they've been to and more.

You're also introduced to a new character that Steve has had tucked away for years, and is mentioned for the first time on The Brewery Underground Podcast. You can either thank or blame the Hilltappers for the "awakening" of this character.

If you've ever met these guys you know how hysterical they are and how much of a joy they are to be around - there is a never a dull moment.

We had such a great time with Tom and Brad and had so much content, that we had to split it into 2 parts. Part 2 will come out next week.

The Hilltappers are exactly what this craft beer community needs in passion, positivity, sense of humor, beer knowledge and camaraderie.

We're proud to call Tom and Brad friends and we have from the minute we met them. We think after listening to this episode - you will too. Cheers!

Steve & Scott

- The Brewery Underground Podcast

We covered a lot in this podcast episode!

Scott recently took a trip to Germany. He talked about his visit to places around that country serving up some tasty beer. Is craft beer as big in Germany as it is here in the United States?

While Scott was out of the country. Steve held things down in Nashville. Catching up with some great people we have met through the beer community and visiting local breweries.

Nashville BrewPass has become a great partner with breweries in our area. We talked a little more about them and how you can get involved.

We have exciting news about a new brewery opening soon in Nashville!

As 2025 is rolling along pretty fast. We have our top 5 favorite new beers and breweries so far for the year!

Cheers!

This podcast episode is from Garden Groove Recording Space in East Nashville.

It was our pleasure to interview Singer/Songwriter Tyler Boone. He currently has a new single out (Put the Hurt on Me), one of the many songs he's recorded over the years. Having opened for recording artists like Sheryl Crow and Hootie & The Blowfish, music has been a big part of his life for a while.

Music isn't his only passion! Boone's Beer is his very first craft beer, recently released. What's the story behind the beer? Is there more to come? Where can you find it? All the things we asked.

In addition, Boone's Bourbon has been making a statement for many years. The award-winning brand has a big following, and we can attest firsthand, it is pretty freaking good.

Tyler is very down-to-earth! We had so much to talk about. He carved out more time as we all sat around having some fantastic craft beer and bourbon.

Cheers!

From May 21st thru May 24th, Steve and Scott traveled from Cincinnati and made more stops in Ohio including Akron, Cleveland, Columbus and Louisville, all before returning to Nashville.

We met up with friends and family along the way. We fought the weather on the drive up (it rained cats and dogs), we saw camels, frogs, cats, beasts and who knows what other kind of animals we didn't even notice. (no zebras were spotted here)

The ultimate reason for going to Cleveland was to visit Great Lakes Brewing Company. We previously had Michael Williams on our podcast from Great Lakes, and after talking to him, we made it a point to get there on our next Ohio Brewery Adventure.

Not only did we get to experience how "Great" Great Lakes Brewing Company was - but we got to visit so many other breweries additionally - that were all fantastic experiences. (At least 2 will be joining us on the podcast)

Some of the places we stopped at were Hoppin' Frog Brewery, Eleventhree Brewing, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Market Garden Brewery, Masthead Brewing Company, Noble Beast Brewing Company, Hoof Hearted Brewing, Henmick Farm & Brewery, and Awry Brewing.

We hope you give this episode a listen and leave us some comments.

We had a lot of fun on this entire journey and we appreciate everyone who joined us and that we met along the way.

It's great to see so many people enjoying craft beer as much as we do (and that's saying something). It's also great sharing these great Brewery Adventures with others.

Cheers!

Steve & Scott - The Brewery Underground Podcast

Cincinnati craft beer takes center stage as The Brewery Underground Podcast heads back to Ohio for our annual Cincinnati Takeover.

Scott and Steve spend five days exploring Cincinnati's craft beer scene, visiting new breweries and returning to some longtime favorites. Stops include Rhinegeist, Braxton Brewing, Sonder Brewing, Listermann Brewing, West Sixth and more as we talk beer, brewery experiences, Cincinnati neighborhoods and everything that happens along the way.

This isn't a race to check breweries off a list. We're taking the time to experience the taprooms, meet people, try the beer and explore what makes Cincinnati such a great beer travel destination. Along the way, we hit brewery rooftops, discover new spots, work in a Cincinnati Reds game and find plenty of unexpected adventures.

By the end of the trip, we'd visited more than 16 breweries, tried a ridiculous number of beers and still left Cincinnati with places on the list for next time.

If you're planning a Cincinnati brewery tour, looking for Cincinnati breweries to visit, or just love craft beer travel, come along for Cincinnati Takeover 2025.

The Brewery Underground Podcast — connecting the craft beer community one conversation, brewery and adventure at a time.

Cheers!

After having just visited Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland, OH on May 22, 2025, we wanted to re-release both episodes we recorded with Michael Williams from Great Lakes Brewing, from November 2024.

Michael is an Advanced Cicerone, Historian, and is involved in Marketing and many other things at the brewery.

We got to meet Michael on this recent trip to Cleveland, and it was a pleasure to get to. Not only did we meet Michael but we got to meet Scott also, who gave us a great tour around the brewery including the cellar.

In these episodes we talk to Michael about what he does at the brewery, how long he has been with Great Lakes, the history of Great Lakes Brewing Company and their buildings, Christmas Ale and the events that surround it.

We also discuss the legend of Elliott Ness and how he's connected to Great Lakes and why there is a beer named after him, the names of some of the other beers and how they're tied to the Cleveland area, why do they still bottle certain beers, and so much more.

Steve and Scott are on a mission to get Great Lakes Brewing Company to distribute their beer to Tennessee.

We have a petition you can sign to show your support in getting their beer in TN.

Cheers!

After having just visited Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland, OH on May 22, 2025, we wanted to re-release both episodes we recorded with Michael Williams from Great Lakes Brewing, from November 2024.

Michael is an Advanced Cicerone, Historian, and is involved in Marketing and many other things at the brewery.

We got to meet Michael on this recent trip to Cleveland, and it was a pleasure to get to. Not only did we meet Michael but we got to meet Scott also, who gave us a great tour around the brewery including the cellar.

In these episodes we talk to Michael about what he does at the brewery, how long he has been with Great Lakes, the history of Great Lakes Brewing Company and their buildings, Christmas Ale and the events that surround it.

We also discuss the legend of Elliott Ness and how he's connected to Great Lakes and why there is a beer named after him, the names of some of the other beers and how they're tied to the Cleveland area, why do they still bottle certain beers, and so much more.

Steve and Scott are on a mission to get Great Lakes Brewing Company to distribute their beer to Tennessee.

We have a petition you can sign to show your support in getting their beer in TN.

Cheers!

We are really excited to bring you this episode. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot and we hope you enjoy it.

Dru and Ross own the Honeytree Meadery in Nashville, TN and it's a phenomenal place.

In this episode, you're going to learn what mead is, how it's made, misconceptions about mead, what makes Honeytree's mead different than most (if not all) other meads in the WORLD. You're going to learn a lot about bees and how important they are - not just for making mead - but for the environment.

We also discuss their Membership meads and how you can be a part of it, their taproom and some of the different meads they serve plus the many other offerings they have - which include cocktails, beer, and a full bar - so there is something for everyone. Bad Luck Burger Club food truck is out front permanently for food options and they have an amazing backyard patio that must be visited.

You are going to love Dru and Ross, as they are the coolest dudes! We hope after listening to this episode you pay them a visit - you are going to be blown away by their mead and the overall vibe and experience of their meadery.

So throw away your preconceived notions as to what you think mead is. If you haven't had Honeytree Meadery's mead - then you haven't experienced the best.

Go visit Honeytree Meadery if you're able to, and if you can't because you're out of state - you might be able to order it on their website and have it delivered to you - as they ship to 38 states plus D.C.

Cheers!

Steve and Scott