The Taproom Podcast

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.

In episode 168 host Mike sits down with Andrew Crowe of Howling Rabbits Beer Works (McAllen, TX) to catch up on brewery life and beer experiments. They taste and discuss current pours — a fresh Kolsch, the 26/27 Rabbits IPA, a berry-forward milkshake IPA, Coconut Porter (toasted with a flamethrower), a Guava Sour, and a Dusseldorf-style Alt — and preview an 11% American barley wine for the brewery anniversary.

Topics include competition feedback (Texas Craft Beer Guild), hop trends and experimental varieties, using terpene hop extracts to preserve aroma without losing beer, production and distribution challenges for a 10-barrel system, creative freedom vs. commercial demand, strict cleaning practices to avoid infections, and local taproom culture (live music, merch, 3D-printed tap handles). The episode also touches on personal hobbies (miniature painting, Warhammer), tour plans, and tips for new podcasters (Podbean). Expect a lively, friendly conversation about trends, tasting notes, and the realities of running a growing regional brewery.

Host Mike sits down with John Jackson of Wild Parrot Brewing in Pasadena for a wide-ranging conversation about launching a neighborhood brewery, the story behind the name, and surviving a pandemic-delayed opening. They discuss Wild Parrot’s rotating one-off tap philosophy, favorite styles and hops, experiments with malts, and standout beers from their menu.

John shares practical lessons from his brewery build—shared space with a coffee shop, frugal ‘frankenbrew’ approaches, permitting headaches, and funding—and offers advice for aspiring brewers. The episode also features fun brew-day anecdotes (including a stuck mash and a messy valve mishap), local community events, a Route 66 cream-ale collab, and light-hearted segments on situational beers, guilty pleasures, and tailgate culture.

Tune in for beer nerd talk, startup tips, neighborhood stories, and a warm, conversational interview that captures the spirit of a small, community-focused craft brewery.

Episode 166 brings a lively roundtable with Mike and special guests Raul (Solorio), Leo (Steady), and Luis (Level Up). The group discusses their beers entered in the California Craft Brewers Cup—from Mexican lagers and Irish reds to hazies, fruit fruited ales, and creative seltzers—plus brewing techniques, recipe tweaks, fermentation strategy, and competition preparation. They share stories about airline travel mishaps, brewery tours, and local industry camaraderie, and highlight standout beers like Gottsoul (Mexican lager), Mr. Ed’s (Irish Red), Juicebox Hero (hazy IPA), and experimental pours including ube and pineapple fruited brews.

Listeners can expect behind-the-scenes insights on dialling in recipes for competitions, how judges’ feedback shapes future batches, the challenges of running and scaling a brewery, the importance of community among California brewers, and light-hearted banter full of tasting notes and friendly bets on who will medal. The episode is equal parts technical, inspirational, and entertaining, featuring real brewer stories, tasting reactions, and the camaraderie that pushes local craft beer forward.

Host Mike sits down with Will Perry of False Idol Brewing (North Richland Hills, DFW) for a lively episode about starting a brewery during COVID, False Idol’s laid-back “wolf den” vibe, named tanks (Shoresy, Regina George), and the cans and collabs that made the visit memorable.

They cover Will’s brewing journey (Oklahoma, Denver, Colorado Springs), False Idol’s core beers and rotating lineup (West Coast IPAs like To Live and Die in LA, Ragnarok, Blue Magic, pilsners and saisons), hop and process preferences (Nectaron, Thor, Simcoe, Citra), and the brewery’s recent GABF medals and World Beer Cup entries.

Expect brewery stories, tough brew days, taproom culture, hop-harvest anecdotes, recommendations for visitors to DFW, and why False Idol is a must-stop for travelers and locals alike.

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.