Ever wonder why your favorite brewery isn’t on every shelf or tap list? Maybe your'e a brewery looking to expand and don't know where to start. Distribution might be the toughest part of craft beer—and we’re breaking it down.

In this episode of The Craft Equation, we sit down with Kevin Hopkins, VP here at Mother Earth Brew Co., and Rich Collins, an industry veteran with stints at Stone Brewing, Maui Brewing, and Modern Times Beer. Together, they unpack the real challenges breweries face when trying to grow beyond their backyard—and why consumers often can’t find the beers they love everywhere.

Learn what goes into getting beer from the brewhouse to the bar, the shifting relationship between breweries and distributors, and how market trends, shelf space, and consumer habits are reshaping the business of beer.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✅ Why beer distribution is so complicated

Follow Mother Earth Brew Co.

🎧 Listen to The Craft Equation on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Ever wonder why your favorite brewery isn’t on every shelf or tap list? Maybe your'e a brewery looking to expand and don't know where to start. Distribution might be the toughest part of craft beer—and we’re breaking it down.

In this episode of The Craft Equation, we sit down with Kevin Hopkins, VP here at Mother Earth Brew Co., and Rich Collins, an industry veteran with stints at Stone Brewing, Maui Brewing, and Modern Times Beer. Together, they unpack the real challenges breweries face when trying to grow beyond their backyard—and why consumers often can’t find the beers they love everywhere.

Learn what goes into getting beer from the brewhouse to the bar, the shifting relationship between breweries and distributors, and how market trends, shelf space, and consumer habits are reshaping the business of beer.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✅ Why beer distribution is so complicated

✅ What limits breweries from expanding into new markets

✅ How distributors decide which brands get priority

✅ The impact of shelf space, pricing, and logistics

✅ How a brewery looking to grow should target markets

✅ What smaller breweries can do to stand out

✅ What consumers can do to get their favorite brands seen

Follow Mother Earth Brew Co.

🌐 Website: https://www.motherearthbrewco.com

📸 Instagram: @motherearthbrewco

📘 Facebook: @MotherEarthBrewCo

🐦 Twitter/X: @MotherEarthBrCo

🎧 Listen to The Craft Equation on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Why do alcohol laws look so different from state to state? And what exactly is a control state?

In this episode of The Craft Equation, we sit down with Jeremy Pisca, attorney, government affairs expert, and partner at Risch Pisca Law & Policy, to demystify the world of alcohol control states. From their origins after Prohibition to their impact on breweries, consumers, and legislation today, Jeremy helps us unpack one of the most influential—and often misunderstood—systems in the alcohol industry.

Whether you’re a craft brewer, industry insider, or just a curious beer fan, this conversation will give you a clearer picture of why these systems exist, how they work, and what the future may hold.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ What control states are and why they were created

✅ How control states affect breweries large and small

✅ The consumer experience—price, variety, and access

✅ Common myths and misconceptions about control states

✅ How legislation continues to evolve in today’s market

✅ What the future of alcohol regulation could look like

Follow Mother Earth Brew Co.

🌐 Website: https://www.motherearthbrewco.com

📸 Instagram: @motherearthbrewco

📘 Facebook: @MotherEarthBrewCo

🐦 Twitter/X: @MotherEarthBrCo

🎧 Listen to The Craft Equation on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

PFAS—“forever chemicals”—are making headlines in beer, but what’s fact and what’s fear? Host, and Mother Earth Founder, Kamron K., sits down with Chris Baker, Mother Earth's Brewmaster and also a biochemist, to break down what PFAS are, how they show up in beer, and why you don’t need to panic. A clear, science-driven look at one of craft beer’s hottest topics.

What does it really mean to “taste” beer? In this special live-recorded episode of The Craft Equation, we sit down at our Vista Taproom with Daniel Imdieke, Master Cicerone®, to break down the art of beer tasting in a way anyone can understand. This is an absolute masterclass.

Daniel pulls back the curtain on how beer professionals evaluate aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel—while showing how simple techniques can help everyday drinkers get more from every pint. We’ll explore:

-How to spot common off-flavors and aromas in beer

-Easy ways to identify off-flavors without overcomplicating things

-Tips for approaching beer quality like a pro, in the brewery and at home

-How to choose the right beer glass

-Beer and Food Pairing tips

-And much, much more!

Whether you’re a brewer looking to sharpen your sensory skills or a casual fan wanting to enjoy beer on a deeper level, this episode will give you the tools to taste beer with confidence.

🎧 Grab a pint and join us for this lively conversation, recorded at our Vista Taproom.

Follow Mother Earth Brew Co:

🌐 Website: https://www.motherearthbrewco.com

📸 Instagram: @motherearthbrewco

📘 Facebook: @MotherEarthBrewCo

🐦 Twitter: @MotherEarthBrew

Guest:

Daniel Imdieke – Master Cicerone®

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.imdieke

🌐 Website: https://www.cicerone.org/

#BeerTasting #CraftBeer #MasterCicerone #TheCraftEquation #MotherEarthBrewCo

What does it really mean to taste beer instead of just drinking it? In this episode of The Craft Equation, recorded live at our Vista Taproom, we sit down with Daniel Imdieke, Master Cicerone®, to break down the essentials of beer tasting for both brewers and casual drinkers alike. 

Daniel explains how beer pros evaluate flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel—and shares simple techniques anyone can use to get more from every pint. In this episode you’ll learn:

Whether you’re a brewer sharpening your sensory skills or just want to level up your beer experience, this conversation makes beer tasting approachable, fun, and rewarding.

In this episode of The Craft Equation, we sit down with Ben Edmunds, Brewmaster at Breakside Brewery, to talk all things beer collaborations—how they happen, why they matter, and what makes them truly successful.

From aligning creative visions to navigating business logistics, Ben shares insider tips on making collab brews that are more than just hype. We’ll cover everything from recipe brainstorming and branding decisions to distribution strategies and building lasting community connections.

Whether you’re a brewer, a beer enthusiast, or just curious about the craft beer industry, this episode delivers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most exciting trends in craft beer.

Follow Mother Earth Brew Co:

🌐 Website: https://www.motherearthbrewco.com

📸 Instagram: @motherearthbrewco

📘 Facebook: @MotherEarthBrewCo

🐦 Twitter: @MotherEarthBrew

Guest:

Ben Edmunds – Brewmaster, Breakside Brewery

🔗 https://breakside.com/

#CraftBeer #BreweryPodcast #CollabBrew #BeerIndustry #TheCraftEquation