The Capital of Craft Podcast

Gene Fielden, manager of Bottlecraft North Park, joins Erik and Jeff to talk about how curated beer retail experiences are adapting to the evolving tastes of craft beer drinkers. From his background in archiving to managing one of San Diego’s top bottle shops, Gene shares his journey into beer, how Bottlecraft balances on- and off-premise sales, the comeback of lagers, and what breweries should know when pitching their beers.Whether you’re a brewer, beer enthusiast, or just curious about the changing craft landscape, this episode offers thoughtful insight from the intersection of retail and community.📍 Bottlecraft Locations: Little Italy, North Park, Liberty Station, Oceanside, Long Beach🍺 Visit: https://www.bottlecraft.comTopics Covered:• The evolution of Bottlecraft and its role in San Diego’s beer scene• The “death of the bomber” and rise of 16oz cans• Why lagers are back—and why they matter• On- vs. off-premise licensing• Distribution pathways: self-distribution, importing, and working with reps• Creating a curated beer experience• How aging drinkers are reshaping the craft landscape• Advice for breweries pitching to bottle shops

Request a sample or get support at https://cytiva.link/70gnb. Want to reach Craig directly? You can email him at  [email protected].⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷ ⏷

In this Capital of Craft podcast episode, we sit down with Craig Nelson, Lab Filtration and Genomics Sales Specialist at Cytiva. Craig shares his journey from homebrewing in Florida to leading quality control programs in San Diego’s brewing and biotech industries.

Learn how Craig went from Funky Buddha Brewery to launching Resident Brewing in downtown San Diego, and how he eventually pivoted into public health and biotech sales, while staying rooted in the beer world. Now at Cytiva, Craig helps breweries implement better quality control systems to preserve shelf life, improve consistency, and avoid costly mistakes.

Whether you’re a brewer, beer fan, or just curious how science meets suds, this episode is packed with industry insights and career reflections.

Topics Covered:

• Craig’s transition from brewing to biotech
• Founding Resident Brewing in San Diego
• Importance of quality control in craft beer
• Tools and techniques for brewery lab testing
• How Cytiva supports brewers with lab filtration
• Why QC matters for shelf life and consistency
• Advice for small breweries starting QC programs

In this episode of the Capital of Craft podcast, we sit down with Rob Vetere, COO of Bay City Brewing, to talk about the brewery’s relaunch after COVID-19 and how his background in hospitality has helped shape Bay City’s future. Rob shares insights on running dual tasting rooms in Point Loma and East Village, navigating the three-headed beast of hospitality, distribution, and manufacturing, and what it takes to create lasting exposure in a crowded beer market.We also get into Bay City’s major role in hosting the annual Pucks & Pints fundraiser—how it brought together the San Diego brewing community for a good cause, built connections, and proved that beer really is about more than just what’s in your glass.Whether you’re a fan of San Diego beer, a brewery operator, or someone who just loves a good comeback story, this episode delivers real talk from behind the bar.Topics Covered: • Bay City Brewing’s post-COVID relaunch strategy • Running hospitality, manufacturing, and distribution simultaneously • Community engagement through events like Pucks & Pints • Lessons from the restaurant industry applied to beer • Managing cash flow, inventory, and production • Building brand awareness in a competitive market • Collaborations and future releases from Bay City

Season 3 continues with Cody Gagnon, owner and head brewer of Michi Brew Co., one of the freshest faces in San Diego’s ever-evolving beer scene.In this episode, Cody shares the whirlwind journey of opening Michi Brew Co. in just a few months, the learning curve of taking over an existing space, and how his background in hospitality shaped the guest experience at his tropical-themed tasting room in San Marcos. From navigating equipment quirks to organizing a grand opening with 500+ guests, Cody reflects on what it takes to launch a community-focused brewery today — and what he’s planning next, from tiki mug clubs to can releases and summer luaus.🍺 Topics discussed:– Opening a brewery fast by taking over an existing space– The importance of community, branding, and guest experience– Challenges of transitioning into ownership– The inspiration behind Michi Brew Co. and its tropical theme– Beer naming tied to geography and style– Future events, membership plans, and low-ABV innovationsWatch the full episode now and subscribe for more insider stories from the people building San Diego’s world-renowned beer culture.

In the Season 3 kickoff of the Capital of Craft podcast, we sit down with Jorge Torres—local beer writer, Brewers Guild Education Committee member, and associate producer of this very show. Jorge shares his story of growing up in Escondido, serving in the Navy, and returning home with a passion for craft beer and community connection.

From volunteering at Stone Brewing to helping organize educational events for the Guild, Jorge shows that you don’t need to be a brewer to make a real impact in the industry. We talk about the value of beer education, why creating welcoming taproom spaces matters, and how local passion keeps the San Diego beer scene thriving.

Whether you’re a fellow beer enthusiast or thinking about getting more involved, this episode is filled with inspiration and insight.

Topics discussed include:

• Jorge’s personal beer journey and first “aha” moment
• His work on the SDBG Education Committee
• How BattleMage Brewing and other local spots build community
• The importance of volunteers in the craft beer ecosystem
• What it means to give back and grow with the industry

In this episode of the Capital of Craft Podcast, we sit down with Dan Denham, General Manager of the San Diego County Water Authority, to discuss the essential role water plays in the craft brewing industry. From the origins of San Diego’s water supply to the challenges breweries face when balancing water chemistry, we explore the vital connection between water management and beer quality.

Dan shares insights into how the Water Authority ensures a sustainable future for the region’s water supply, even during drought conditions. Learn why water quality and availability are crucial for brewing the perfect pint, and discover how local breweries can better adapt to changing water dynamics.

Topics Discussed:

• The history and infrastructure of San Diego’s water supply
• Challenges breweries face with water quality and chemistry
• How SD prepares for droughts and ensures water sustainability
• Tips for breweries on managing water costs and quality
• Collaborating with local water districts for optimal water usage

Unlock the keys to financial sustainability in craft beer with Matthew Holden, brewery consultant and former co-owner of Rip Current Brewing. In this episode of the Capital of Craft Podcast, we explore the financial strategies every brewery needs to survive and thrive in today’s competitive market.From understanding costs to long-term planning, Holden shares insights on how breweries can avoid common financial pitfalls, improve profitability, and build a sustainable business model. Whether you’re a brewery owner, operator, or aspiring beer entrepreneur, this episode is packed with real-world financial advice tailored for the craft beer industry.Topics Discussed:✔️ Why financial literacy is crucial for breweries✔️ How to track costs and avoid losing money on sales✔️ Lessons from COVID’s impact on brewery business models✔️ The importance of production planning & seasonal beer strategies✔️ How the San Diego Brewers Guild is supporting financial education

In this episode of the Capital Craft Podcast, we welcome Esthela Davila, the 2025 San Diego Brewers Guild President, to discuss her journey in the craft beer industry and the future of San Diego’s brewing community.

Esthela shares how she got started in beer—from volunteering at festivals to leading a brewery and founding advocacy groups like Pink Boots Society and a Beer Club for Women. She opens up about the challenges of representation in craft beer, the importance of making breweries more accessible, and how the San Diego Brewers Guild is working to support local brewers.

We also discuss:

✅ The evolution of San Diego’s craft beer scene

✅ Why diversity and inclusion matter in brewing

✅ The shift from beer hype culture to community-driven taprooms

✅ How breweries can attract new beer drinkers & underrepresented groups

✅ Plans for San Diego Beer Week 2025

San Diego is one of the nation’s top craft beer cities—so what’s next for its brewers? Tune in as we explore how collaboration, education, and innovation continue to shape the industry.

How can breweries and taprooms create more welcoming spaces for families and individuals with autism? In this episode of Capital of Craft, we sit down with Shahriar Afshar, Executive Director of the Autism Society San Diego, to discuss the challenges autism families face when trying to enjoy public spaces—and how breweries can take small, meaningful steps toward inclusivity.Shahriar shares insights from his personal experience as a special needs parent, the simple accommodations that can make a world of difference, and the ways breweries can foster a more inclusive, autism-friendly environment. From sensory-conscious settings to hosting Autism Happy Hours, we explore actionable ways for the beer industry to better serve this growing community.💡 Topics Covered in This Episode:The challenges autism families face in public spacesHow breweries can make small changes for big impactTraining staff to be more autism-awareThe power of patience and understandingPartnering with the Autism Society for community events

In this episode of Capital of Craft Podcast, hosts Erik Fowler and Jeff Fox sit down with Neva Parker, Director of Operations at White Labs, to explore her 20-year journey in craft beer—from her unexpected start in yeast science to becoming a leader in our industry.

Neva shares personal stories and insights about what’s kept her passionate through decades of change, the importance of people over product, and how San Diego’s beer community can continue to thrive in a shifting market. As a returning board member for the San Diego Brewers Guild (2025-2026), she also reflects on what’s changed since her first time on the board in 2011 and why engagement is more important than ever.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

✅ The evolution of San Diego beer from the “Wild West” days to today.

✅ Why connection & community are more important than ever for breweries.

✅ Lessons from White Labs on adaptability and longevity in the industry.

✅ The balance between loving beer and avoiding industry burnout.

With a unique blend of scientific expertise and deep industry experience, Neva brings a fresh perspective on what makes craft beer special—and what it takes to keep the passion alive.