Episode 178 of the Taproom Podcast: a thank-you episode hosted by Mike with co-host Luis. They recap recent brewery visits, brewroom updates and the festival run — including stories from TapYard Tulare, 1852 brewco aka Footy & Brews, Salty Bear and many more guests and breweries featured throughout the year.

Topics include Level Up’s expansion and taproom plans, competition wins and entries (Brewer’s Cup, California State Fair, GABF submissions), road trips to Russian River, Morgan Territory and other standout taprooms, and behind-the-scenes talk about brewing, collabs and secret seltzer experiments.

Key points: gratitude to the craft-beer community and listeners, the sacrifices of running a brewery, upcoming two-year anniversary plans and merch, ways to support the show, and a preview of future collabs and recordings on the road.

Join Mike for episode 177 of the Taproom Podcast recorded live at the L.A. Independent Beer Fest in Long Beach. Mike chats with brewers and brewery reps from Beachwood, Feathered Serpent, Old Stump, Gladiator, Beer Paper, Ambitious Ales, La Bodega, Tapyard, and more. Expect tasting notes on pilsners, West Coast IPAs, rice lagers, fruited sours, and unique beers like Secret Stash, People Pills, and specialty Japanese lagers.

The episode features interviews with Jeremy (Beachwood), Jerome (Peachwood), Chew, Garrett (Ambitious Ales), Abraham (La Bodega), Steven (Gladiator), Jeff (Old Stump), Yvette (Feathered Serpent), Alex Lucio (Smog City/Lucio Brewing) and others. Topics include festival memories, favorite beers of the day, collab wishes, beer style debates (hazies vs. West Coast), pool-day beer picks, and tips for new podcasters.

Expect a lively, informal vibe with on-site festival ambience, behind-the-scenes chat about pouring and brewing, shout-outs to local taprooms, and a few sloppy, slurred moments that capture the day’s fun. Perfect for craft-beer fans who want brewmaster insights, festival recaps, and recommendations for what to drink next.

Host Mike sits down with Jeff Alworth, author of The Beer Bible, in a lively Father's Day episode exploring craft beer culture around the world. Expect stories from Fuller's in London to lager country in Germany and the Czech Republic, plus the deep dive that went into writing and updating The Beer Bible.

Topics include beer traditions (Belgian lambics, German lagers, Czech styles), the rise and plateau of hazy IPAs, fresh-hop season in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, modern hop products and brewing technology, and the difference between brewery vibe and product. Jeff also answers the show’s “Four Pack” and “Six Pack” rapid-fire segments.

Listeners will get travel anecdotes, recommendations for overlooked styles and breweries, reflections on how beer reflects culture, and practical takes on what to keep in your fridge. A friendly, approachable hour of beer history, tasting notes, and insider perspective for fans and curious drinkers alike.

Episode 175 of the Taproom Podcast — host Mike sits down with Dylan Prater of Mother Road Brewing in Flagstaff to explore the brewery’s story, history, and community role. Dylan shares how Mother Road started in 2011, the growth to a production facility, and the taproom’s focus on "radical hospitality."

Topics include the Arizona 250 lager (the state celebration beer), the flagship Tower Station IPA, the pilot brew system and creative one-offs (including a massive quad IPA), the diner-style pub menu, and local collaborations and events like the Amp Ale and the Flagstaff Brewery Trail.

Expect casual behind-the-scenes stories, beer recommendations (Daily Driver, Double Six, Tower Station), reflections on building community in Flagstaff, Dylan’s outdoor lifestyle (climbing and local trails), and tips for visitors — all delivered with a warm, conversational vibe.

Episode 174 of the Taproom Podcast: host Mike sits down with Mike Durrant and head brewer Kevin Wright of Hops and Fog Brewing (Pacific Grove) to trace the brewery’s origin story from homebrewing to opening day, changing brewers, and building a community-focused taproom.

They discuss standout beers (the Kolsch KPA, Westie, Crush Mike, Tidal Haze), brewing challenges and day-to-day maintenance, evolving beer trends and yeast science, the local food scene and chef-driven menu, pub culture, events and collaborations, and why community matters to a small brewery. Guests share behind-the-scenes stories, favorite beers, and tips for newcomers to craft beer and brewing.

Episode 173 of the Tap Room Podcast: host Mike sits down with Marin Slanina of Spindle Tap (now Spindle Tap Beverages) in Houston to explore how a decade-old brewery evolved into a diverse beverage destination. Maren walks through their coffee roastery, THC/delta‑9 drinks, non‑alcoholic taps, ready‑to‑drink cocktails, Cosmic Ice Cream, and the new branding that reflects all offerings under one roof.

They discuss Spindle Tap’s community focus and event-driven approach—Spindle Park’s activities (putt‑putt, pickleball, disc golf), private event spaces, and specialty releases tied to events like Micro Wrestling. Maren also covers hospitality challenges, running a taproom, production logistics, and how craft beverage experiences are curated from menu presentation to team training.

The episode includes quick segments—favorite beers and guilty pleasures, situational beers, rapid‑fire “six pack” questions, and upcoming events like LA Beer Fest. Tune in for a lively behind‑the‑scenes look at building community, creativity, and resilience in today’s beverage world.

Episode 172 of the Taproom Podcast features Dustin Baker, co‑founder and head brewer of Roadmap Brewing in San Antonio. Host Mike and Dustin cover his path from middle‑school teacher to brewery owner, the story behind the Roadmap name, and how the taproom and brew house were built and developed since opening in 2018.

The conversation dives into Roadmap’s brewing philosophy—quality over quantity—favorites like lagers and West Coast IPAs, their award‑winning pilsner “All Right All Right,” tank names, community events, local collaborations, and the challenges of running a small, community‑driven brewery in the evolving San Antonio beer scene.

Episode 171 of the Taproom Podcast: host Mike sits down with Shanleigh Thomson (aka @shan.ferments) for an in-depth conversation about her brewing journey — from agriculture and protein chemistry to Diageo, UC Davis Master Brewers, roles at BSG, Yakima Chief and Roy Farms, and her work teaching brewing programs at Washington State University and UC Davis.

The episode covers hop terroir and Terroir Tuesdays, sourcing and supply-chain challenges, fresh‑hop practices, international brewing curiosities (including New Zealand harvests), and the role of education in the craft industry. Shanleigh also shares stories from regional beer scenes, festival life (CBC, World Beer Cup), and how the brewing community supports innovation and resilience.

Listeners will hear Shanleigh’s beer preferences (West Coast IPAs, dry‑hopped pilsners, ESB), chats about style evolution and naming, practical tips on reading ingredient sourcing, her current curiosities (hangover aids like ZBiotics, low‑ABV yeast developments), and lighthearted segments on travel, guilty pleasures, and situational beers.

Key takeaways: the value of transparency in sourcing and malt/hop origins, why community and education matter in craft beer, and a rallying call to support local breweries — plus what to expect from upcoming Taproom episodes and festival appearances.

Host Mike sits down with Todd Baldwin, owner of RedLeg Brewing in Colorado Springs, to trace the brewery’s rise from military veteran roots to a bustling three-acre taproom. They discuss Todd’s journey out of the Army, funding the business through hardship, the decision to build a flagship facility, and lessons learned growing a brewery in a crowded market.

Topics include RedLeg’s veteran-focused mission and community impact, investments in quality and QA (laboratory and shelf-stability work), the new pilot brew system that enables creativity, award and competition strategy (GABF/world beer events), and the challenges of scaling a taproom and distribution business. Todd also shares stories about signature beers (Springs Light, Mexican lager, barrel-aged brews, Belgians), collaborations, and the brewery’s big Memorial Day fundraiser for veterans.

The episode also features lighter segments — the Four Pack rapid-fire questions, Todd’s guilty pleasure (college football officiating), tips for entrepreneurs, and host notes about the Colorado tour, upcoming episodes, and ways listeners can support the show.

Episode 169 of the Taproom Podcast features Ashleigh Carter, co-owner and head brewer of Bierstadt Lagerhaus in Denver. Mike and Ashley discuss her brewing journey from homebrew and coaching soccer to leading a lager-focused brewery, the German inspirations behind their beers, and the meticulous SoulPort pils pour and service ritual.

Topics include lager technique and consistency, the brewery’s year-round lineup (pils, Helles, dunkle), collabs and seasonals like the Hana Select lager, ingredient experiments, hiring and training beer tenders, festival experiences (GABF, Little Beer Fest), and Ashleigh’s thoughts on craft beer culture. The episode also shares Mike’s travel stops (San Antonio, Houston), memorable beer-tender moments, and light personal anecdotes.