Episode 164 features Brian “Herbie” Herbertson, head brewer at Lucky Luke Brewing (Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster). Mike and Herbie dig into his path from homebrewing and touring with bands to commercial brewing, winning awards, and pivoting through COVID to grow Lucky Luke’s three locations.

The conversation covers brewing philosophy and techniques (yeast management, tank scheduling), favorite hops and styles (Simcoe, Eldorado, HBC 630, Dulcita; lagers, West Coast IPAs, hazies), balancing creativity with consistency, and industry trends like lower‑ABV session lagers. They also discuss community-focused initiatives — local music, food trucks, fundraisers, disc golf collaborations — and brewery identity (tap handle tools, song‑inspired beer names).

Highlights include stories from memorable brew days and events, Herbie’s favorite beers and guilty pleasures, his Mount Rushmore of influential breweries, and why craft brewers should engage their neighborhoods to build sustainable brands. Expect a friendly, wide‑ranging chat about beer, music, pizza, and life in the brew house.

In episode 163 Mike reconnects with guest Chris Leguizamon (Instagram: chris.thebeereducator) for a wide-ranging, conversational episode that feels like two friends catching up over beers. They discuss Chris’s move from San Diego and Pure Project to brewing and hospitality work in North Carolina, differences in regional beer culture, and the role of beer education in building community and trust.

Topics include judging beer at major competitions (Great American Beer Fest, World Beer Cup), trends and favorite breweries in North Carolina (Burial, Maine Brewing, The Veil, Burial, Fontaflora), current hop varieties to watch (Dulcita, Luna, Crush), situational beers, and Chris’s favorite local spots and guilty pleasures (Cookout, Pizza Baby, Bojangles). They also chat about brewery strategy, storytelling, and how to grow an audience as a podcaster.

Expect personal anecdotes, brewery recommendations, food pairings, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on judging, collaborations, and the craft beer industry’s ebbs and flows — all wrapped in easygoing banter and practical takeaways for beer fans and industry folks alike.

Episode 162 of the Taproom Podcast features host Mike with guest Lynisha Hyche of Angry Horse Brewing and Nathan McCusker. They discuss Lynisha’s transition from a 15-year corporate career and kombucha-making into craft brewing, her experience at Rio Hondo College’s fermentation program, and the path from homebrewing to a professional role.

Topics include brewing education and hands-on training, sensory work, wet-hop harvest trips, favorite hops and styles (Cascade, Cashmere, Mosaic, Nectar on, West Coast Pilsners, stouts), and a memorable s’mores stout brew day. The episode also touches on taproom culture, brewery collaborations, supporting local breweries, and practical tips for new podcasters (Podbean).

Expect a warm, conversational interview with brewing insights, personal storytelling, and recommendations for anyone curious about breaking into the industry or exploring beer culture. Cheers and find your beer.

The Taproom Podcast Episode 161: Mike and co-hosts (including brother Josh, Kai and Family) take listeners on a tipsy San Diego brewery crawl and a Tulare tap yard visit. Expect beer reviews of Pure Project, Salty Walrus, Bay City, Burgeon, North Park and Societe, plus playful single-hop tasting notes, pilsners, hazies and blondes. The episode also features recurring — and wildly popular — "pisser reviews" from Tyler and Kai, local brewery shout-outs, stories about running taprooms, podcasting tips with Podbean, and plenty of behind-the-scenes banter, hangovers, and food recaps. Key takeaways: local craft scene highlights, tasting impressions and ratings, taproom culture, and an honest, unfiltered look at a beer-filled weekend.

Host Mike sits down with Kevin Limon, brewer at Highland Park Brewing, for a candid conversation about his journey from homebrewing and Cal Poly’s brewing program to leading production at Highland Park. Kevin discusses sensory-driven brewing, daily beer mission statements, recipe development (including his Mexican lager “Futbol”), and the team culture that keeps them improving. 

The episode covers technical topics like hop selection (Crush), fermentation checks, and packaging, plus lighter moments about favorite beers (Timbo, Hello LA, Borts), collabs with Russian River and others, Pink Boots Brew Day, and Kevin’s outside interests. Mike also shares trip highlights from San Diego and upcoming recordings, giving listeners a sense of the taproom scene and what to expect from the brewery.

Episode 159 of the Taproom Podcast with host Mike and guest Mike Bielawski of Homeland Brew Co. (Anthem, AZ). Conversations cover Mike’s brewing journey from homebrew to opening a hybrid taproom, the Homeland West Coast IPA, brewing influences (Firestone Walker, Bottle Logic), and the taproom’s community-focused approach—supporting veterans, first responders, local collabs, food trucks, mug club perks, and events like Copperstate and Strong Beer Fest.

Listen for practical brewery and taproom insights—menu curation, beer education, contract brewing, hop preferences, pairing ideas, memorable brew-day stories, and the importance of building experiences that keep locals coming back. Expect a mix of personal stories, business lessons, and beer talk in a relaxed, conversational hour-plus.

In episode 158 of the Taproom Podcast, host Mike sits down with Joe and Nick from the Hopin' We're Drinking podcast as they near their one-year anniversary. The trio talk about how the show began via social media and virtual happy hours, the challenges of launching a podcast, and the pair’s focus on homebrewing stories that connect listeners around the world. Guests discuss favorite episodes, regional beer trends from West Virginia to Waikiki, can’t-miss beers they always keep on hand, and their plans to revisit past guests and expand internationally.

Topics covered include podcasting tips for beginners, guest booking and scheduling, the therapeutic power of conversations over beer, collaborations, and the welcoming craft-beer community. Joe shares his background as a retired Coast Guard member now working at Waikiki Brewing, while Nick explains how the show evolved into its current format. Expect laughs, beer talk, rapid-fire questions, and encouragement for listeners to support local breweries and try homebrewing themselves.

Episode 157 of the Taproom Podcast: host Mike sits down with Jasper Gallardo of Bottle Logic Brewing for an inside look at his journey from canning-line work to head brewer. Jasper shares how mentorship, self-study and hands-on learning during COVID led him into brewing, his time at Harlan Brewing, and his return to Bottle Logic to lead R&D and production growth.

Topics include recipe development (from Italian pilsners to double-mashed outs), balancing core beers with experimental and barrel-aged releases, running a pilot system, beer naming and label art, and the brewery’s national expansion and recent collabs (including visits to Firestone Walker, Vector, Windmill, Celestial and False Idol). Jasper also discusses his love of coffee, favorite beers to keep stocked, brewing playlists, hangover cures, and the team-focused leadership approach that guides his work.

Listeners can expect behind-the-scenes brewing stories, practical notes on consistency and QA/QC, insights into market strategy for different regions, and a candid conversation about passion, creativity and the craft beer community.

Episode 156 celebrates the Taproom Podcast’s three-year anniversary with special guest Mike Crea of Unsung Brewing. Mike joins host Mike to reflect on the podcast's beginnings, read a meaningful passage from The Tender Bar, and share personal stories about how craft beer shaped his life.

Topics include international beer travels (Scotland, Japan, Taiwan), brewing philosophy, hop selection and new hop products, collabs and recipe R&D, brand storytelling and can art (including the Outcast backstory), and the challenges of replicating award-winning beers. Mike also discusses recent wins at CBC, World Beer Cup and GABF, industry pressures, brewery closures, and how the team approaches consistency and process.

The episode closes with rapid-fire segments (the Four Pack and Six Pack), listener-facing shoutouts, podcasting tips (Podbean mention), and candid reflections on passion, tenacity, and community in craft beer.

Episode 155 of the Taproom Podcast features Harrison McCabe, head brewer at Salty Bear Brewing (and brewer at Beachwood). Mike and Harrison talk through Harrison’s path from homebrewing to pro brewing, the story behind Salty Bear, and the making of their West Coast IPA “Hug Me.”

Listeners will hear deep-dive brewing talk—styles like English milds, lagers, ESBs, hop selection and single-hop experiments—plus memorable brew-day stories, collabs, and how Salty Bear connects with the local Costa Mesa community.

Along the way they nerd out about video games and Lord of the Rings, share favorite beers and guilty pleasures, and preview upcoming Taproom visits and episodes. Expect friendly conversation, brewing insights, and plenty of local beer love.