The Sight Glass

In this episode, we'll talk with brewer Jack Wilson of Flix Brewhouse in Urbandale. We'll talk about beer service in a movie theater. We'll talk about brewer worries during a global pandemic. And we'll talk about much, much more.

In this episode, we'll talk with brewer Chris Flenker of Thew Brewing Company in Cedar Rapids. We'll talk about cask and nitro beer service. We'll talk about considerations for a production schedule. And we'll talk about much, much more.   This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we'll talk with owner/brewer Marshall Redmond of Full Fledged Brewing Company in Council Bluffs. We'll talk about his diverse brewing background. We'll talk about the importance of dialing in recipes and quality before a push for growth. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we'll talk with brewery Andy Joynt of Big Grove Brewery in Solon and Iowa City. We'll talk about the multi-faceted challenges of brewery expansion. We'll talk about Tailwind, the official beer of RAGBRAI. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we'll talk with owner/brewer Susan Frantz of Fenceline Beer Lab in Huxley. We'll talk about setting up a small brew pub in a small town. We'll talk about biscuits and gravy. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we'll talk with owner Scott Selix of Lua Brewing Company in Des Moines. We'll talk about process and ingredients. We'll talk about attention to detail. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we'll talk with Sean Christensen and Jennifer Nance of Lark Brewing Company in Waterloo. We'll talk about community involvement. We'll talk about session beer brewing strategies. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we'll talk with Brewmaster Eric Sorensen of Keg Creek Brewing Company in Glenwood. We'll talk about Midwest ingredients—especially hops. We'll talk about some packaging changes on the horizon for Keg Creek. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we'll talk with co-head brewers Justin Teff and Bob Slack of Pulpit Rock Brewing Company in Decorah. We'll talk about the working under a boss who allows broad creative control. We'll talk about their upcoming expansion. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by Visit Decorah.

  In this episode, we'll talk with Owner Craig Neuzil of PIVO Brewery in Decorah. We'll talk about the tourism synergy of multiple distinct breweries in a given area. We'll talk about existing as a niche within the niche of craft beer. And we'll talk about much, much more.   This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by Visit Decorah.  

In this episode, we'll talk with Owner Clark Lewey and Executive Brewmaster Mike Saboe of Toppling Goliath Brewing Company in Decorah. We'll talk about the lab's role in making great beer. We'll talk about maintaining small batch magic despite strong growth. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by Visit Decorah.

In this episode, we'll talk with Grant Wulf and Shane Knipper of Dimensional Brewing Company in Dubuque. Grant's the 2019 Iowa Brewers Olympics MVP and catalyst behind Dimensional, while Shane serves as head brewer. We'll talk about their path into beer nerds' hearts. We'll talk about wigs and jorts. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board. Thanks for listening.

In this episode, we'll talk with Head Brewer Brian Zeimet of 7 Hills Brewing Company in Dubuque. We'll talk about sciency stuff. We'll talk about drinking responsibly. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we'll talk with Andrew Frana and/or Molly Frana of Brightside Aleworks in Altoona. Homebrewers-turned-pro in this central Iowa nano, the husband-wife team puts out a wide selection of flavorful beers, and drinkers have noticed. We'll talk about transitioning from homebrew to commercial brewing. We'll talk about marital bliss with a brewhouse backdrop. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board. Thanks for listening.

In this episode, we'll talk with Brian Vaughan of Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company. Head brewer and Assistant General Manager of the oldest brewery in Des Moines, Vaughan also serves on the IBG Board of Directors. We'll talk about the brewery/restaurant balance for a brewpub. We'll talk about remaining relevant in a changing beer scene. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board. Thanks for listening.

In this episode, we'll talk with Josh Olson and Tony Wynohrad of Limestone Brewers in Osage. Inhabiting a historic building that originally housed a Buick dealership before many other businesses—including a brewery—Limestone Brewers started putting beers out in 2017 and opened their taproom in August of 2018 after Josh and Tony connected on the local volunteer fire department. We'll talk about brewing in the middle of everywhere. We'll talk about goal-setting and growth for a small town brewery. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board. Thanks for listening.

In this episode, we'll talk with Megan McKay of Peace Tree Brewing Company. With locations in Knoxville, Des Moines, and Grinnell, Peace Tree's a popular Iowa brewery with plenty of access for fans. We'll talk about the rapidly changing beer industry. We'll talk about contract brewing to meet demand. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board. Thanks for listening.

In this episode, we'll talk with Aaron Vargas and Luke Henriksen of Backpocket Brewing Company in Coralville. We'll talk about beer shifts, business model missteps. We'll talk about how hard math is. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board. Thanks for listening

  In this episode, we'll talk with Logan DePover, one of the brewers at ReUnion Brewery in Coralville. More cooks than bakers when it comes to recipe development, Logan and his brewing partner Pete Mullaney are churning out some fine beers, to be sure. We'll talk about transitioning from a shift brewing role to being more involved in every facet of a breweries' beers and brand. We'll talk about increasing a distribution footprint. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.  

In this episode, we'll talk with Barb Becker, head brewer at Clive's 515 Brewing Company. Originally from Michigan and arriving at brewing via a background in the restaurant industry, Becker earned two Great American Beer Festival gold medals to underscore her talent. We'll talk about an award's influence on a production schedule. We'll talk about brewing beer to contribute to Camp Fire relief efforts in California. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board. Thanks for listening.

In this episode, J. Wilson and Kelsey Seay of the Iowa Brewers Guild take a first-of-the year moment to share about the IBG. We'll talk about what the Guild is, what it does, and we'll talk about how you can get involved, whether that's drinking beer, learning about beer, or sponsoring some of our activities. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Newgard of Second State Brewing Company. After 15 years in agriculture and a decade of homebrewing, Nick turned his focus to the Cedar Falls brewery in March of 2017. We'll talk about the new kitchen. We'll talk about transitioning from a usual suspect beer lineup to the beers that a brewer is passionate about. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this special episode, we sit down with two notable names in the national brewing scene. Both recently visited Iowa in conjunction with the IBG's annual i-BEST tech conference. John Holl is an award-winning journalist covering the beer industry. He's the author of several books including Drink Beer, Think Beer: Getting to the Bottom of Every Pint and The American Craft Beer Cookbook. He is the senior editor of Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine and the co-host of the Steal This Beer podcast. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Wine Enthusiast and more. John has lectured on the culture and history of beer and judged beer competitions around the world.  Julia Herz is the  craft beer program director at the Brewers Association and publisher of CraftBeer.com. She is a homebrewer, a BJCP beer judge, Certified Cicerone®, co-author of Beer Pairing and the CraftBeer.com Beer & Food Course. In her role at the BA she serves as an educator and as a spokesperson for the association. We'll talk about industry trends. We'll talk about asking tough questions. We'll talk about flowery language. And we'll talk about much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we sit down with Dave Morgan of SingleSpeed Brewing Company. With locations in Cedar Falls and Waterloo, as well as kegs and cans now available throughout much of Iowa, SingleSpeed is a growing player in the Iowa beer industry. We'll talk about a day in the life of a brewery owner. We'll talk about wrestling And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we sit down with Bob Rolling of Lake Time Brewery in Clear Lake, Iowa. Bob started out on a half-barrel kit, and has slowly grown to a fifteen-barrel brewhouse and a new canning line to bring his potions to the people. We'll talk about brewing a beer that you don't necessarily like brewing. We'll talk about transitioning from brewer to pencil pusher. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Gerber of Big's BBQ Brewpub. Blending beer and barbeque just off the main drag in Mount Vernon, Aaron and his team have cobbled together a neat little spot not far from Cedar Rapids. We'll talk about building a brewery on a budget. We'll talk about brewing with Mother Nature. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode, we sit down with Pete Faber of Barn Town Brewing Company in West Des Moines. With a background in food and a passion for beer, Pete brought the two together at Barn Town and has received praise for both. We'll talk about building a strong team. We'll talk about learning on the fly and making adjustments for success. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board. Thanks for listening.

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Ellis of The Quarter Barrel Arcade & Brewery. A fan of both beer and old school video games, Chris has combined his passions to give Cedar Rapids another great beer option. We'll talk about family-friendly breweries. We'll talk about the place for domestic beers in a craft brewery taproom. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is brought to you by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board. Thanks for listening.

In this episode of The Sight Glass, host J. Wilson sits down with Mike Wing of Iowa Brewing Company. Born in Germany, Mike seems destined to have found success in his head brewer position at the Cedar Rapids brewery. We'll talk about offering a beer for every kind of consumer. We'll talk about winning medals in underappreciated beer categories. And we'll talk about much, much more. This episode of The Sight Glass is sponsored by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

In this episode of The Sight Glass, host J. Wilson sits down with Quinton McClain of Lion Bridge Brewing Company in Cedar Rapids. A CR native who came to brewing while living in Colorado, Quinton returned home to found in 2014 what would quickly become a notable and award-winning brewery in his home state. We'll talk about his boomerang to this 10-barrel system in the Czech Village. We'll talk about winning and not winning competitions. And we'll talk about much more, including information about the 2018 Festival of Iowa Beers and i-BEST conference. This episode of The Sight Glass is sponsored by the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.