Podcasts about beer news

Greg and Sorcerer Chromatic drink and review beers from Greenwood Brewing (Phoenix, AZ) and Firestone Walker (Paso Robles, CA). After a couple of quick Beer News story, Sorcerer Chromatic rundown the first half of the list on Beer Vendors at this year's Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest on May 31st, 2025 in Paso Robles, CA. Recorded May 19, 2025

The team at 3 Tier Beverages breaks down hot trends in bev-alc heading into the summer selling season on the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast.   3 Tier Beverages founder Donn Bichsel, consultant Danelle Kosmal and CGA VP Matthew Crompton share a complete look at trends in the off- and on-premise, including continued momentum for non-alcoholic beer, hard juice's rocketing growth and the growing simplicity movement within craft.    “The biggest opportunity for this summer and within the next year is just engaging new consumers and creating new drinking occasions,” Kosmal said of NA beer.    Kosmal also covers why craft lagers are working, how flavored lagers such as lime are performing and what opportunities still exist in the space. Bichsel cautions craft brewers against playing the pricing game with mainstream lager brands.    “When most of your revenue is coming from 4-packs, 6-packs and you start playing in the 12-packs, 15s, 18s, 24s, I think you're chasing a losing proposition,” he said.  “You've got to be very careful or be prepared to have a high price and just give up some of your turns.”   Kosmal and Crompton explore why ABV and style remain among the key factors driving consumer purchases. They also cover the three pillars of innovation growth – NA beer, flavor and craft line extensions – and explain why flavor is leading the way within new products, led by AriZona's Jumex Hard Nectar.   Before the conversation, Brewbound editor Justin Kendall and senior reporter Zoe Licata analyze 2024 craft brewery production data, which the Brewers Association released last week, including New Belgium leapfrogging Anheuser-Busch InBev's craft portfolio, big losses for Boston Beer, big gains for Athletic Brewing and the regional craft breweries leveling up.

National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) executive director Kevin Asato explains how obstacles have mounted for the trade group's members as diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have come under fire during the Trump administration.    “The beautiful thing is, I was Black yesterday. I'm Black today. And god willing I wake up tomorrow, I'll be Black tomorrow,” he said. “The point being, just because there isn't a tagline like DEI available, doesn't mean our challenges and our need for diversity and our need to help our Black brewers in this space has gone away. Nothing has changed. Not a single thing has changed for our space here.”   Asato shares with Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante how the NB2A is supporting its 86 Black-owned brewery members and its nearly 400 overall members during a special bonus edition of the Brewbound Podcast. He also explains why equipment donations have been key for up-and-coming Black breweries, teases ancient grain fonio's potential inclusion in Volume 3 of the Black is Beautiful collaboration efforts and talks about why some retailers are doubling-down on diverse brands.    Following the conversation with Asato, Yonder Cider founder Caitlin Braam joins Brewbound senior reporter Zoe Licata to explain how experimenting with events at her brand's taproom has broadened her hard cider brand's consumer base.    A shared taproom partnership with craft beer brand Bale Breaker has also helped Yonder breakthrough with new audiences, she explains. It's all about “not being exclusive” and “making spaces and places for various audiences, not just one.”   “There isn't just one audience for your brand. There are many. And you have to find ways to talk to them each individually,” she said.   Both conversations were recorded during the 2025 Craft Brewers Conference in Indianapolis.

Grabs your clubs, we're cracking NA beers and putting up bogeys! Alex and Stephen try a wholesome foursome of NA beers from Resident Culture Brewing, Fieldwork Brewing Co., Burial Beer Co., and Golden Road Brewing. Alex reveals he knows nothing about the world of fine art. In the Beer News, PH1 lands in the hands of John Laffler at Off Color Brewing which is very exciting news if you were old enough to drive a car when 9/11 happened, Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout will make their 10oz bottle debut this year, and Campari enters the RTD NA cocktail game.  To get involved with the  "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer.  If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe.  For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation.  Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Leaders from Sierra Nevada and New Trail discuss their craft portfolios, innovation, packaging and recent wins during the 2025 Craft Brewers Conference.   Sierra Nevada chief commercial officer Ellie Preslar and chief brewing officer Brian Grossman sit down with Brewbound editor Justin Kendall for a chat about new offering Pils, Pale Ale's limited edition National Parks packaging and Big Little Thing's recent glow-up.   Then, New Trail chief operating officer Mike LaRosa joins Brewbound managing editor Jessica Infante for a chat about the fast-growing Pennsylvania brewery's volume gains, IPA-heavy innovation slate and debut on the Brewers Association's top 50 list.   But first, Jess and Zoe break down all the beer industry news, including distributors' not-so-sunny outlook on the category as we enter summer, DoorDash's findings that more people want booze delivered to their homes and the latest brands to leave RNDC in California.   They also discuss new Masshole Light Lager in depth and reveal appreciations for greater Boston's gruff reputation and … seagulls.

Greg and Sorcerer Chromatic drink and review beers (3:20) Belgian beers brewed by monks. In the Beer News (13:10), Greg goes over some of the Brewers Association award winners at the 2025 Craft Brewers Conference. For the Cöld Brüe list, Sorcerer Chromatic runs down the 2025 inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. (Recorded May 10, 2025)

  Craft Brewers Conference conversations continue on the Brewbound Podcast with a pair of interviews featuring Right Proper Brewing co-owner and Brewers Association board chairwoman Leah Cheston and Hi-Wire Brewing co-owner Adam Charnack.   Cheston and Brewbound managing editor Jessica Infante discuss Executive Order Me a Beer – Right Proper's pay-it-forward program to support laid off federal employees with beers and networking – and the unique experiences of parents in the beer industry. Charnack discusses the recovery process of Hi-Wire's flagship location in Asheville in the wake of Hurricane Helene with senior reporter Zoe Licata.   In addition, Zoe and Jess discuss the last gasp of Q1 earnings season, the cooler selection at Zoe's parents' most recent gathering and Instacart's new party platform, Fizz.

Greg & Sorcerer Chromatic drink and review beers (3:43) from Founders Brewing (Grand Rapids, MI). In our Beer News (13:17), we talk about Sierra Nevada's Pale Bock, this year's World Beer Cup, and bid adieu to two bay area breweries. For our Cöld Brüe List (28:36), we rundown the fastest times the winner of the Kentucky Derby finished the race. And in our Drunken Shenanigans (46:37), we talk a little about baseball and Greg talks about drinking at Knott's Berry Farm. (Recorded 5-04-2025)    

Alex assembles four NA domestic beers featuring Schlafly, Fremont Brewing, Boulevard Brewing Co., and Bonn Place Brewing. How will the two Missouri favorites stack up in the power rankings against a Seattle powerhouse and a nice brewery for nice people in Pennsylvania. In the Beer News, a couple long-time, well loved breweries close down but a Catholic themed brewery rises up in Connecticut, and in Tater news, a new BTAC E.H. Taylor drops and lights up the trade boards. To get involved with the  "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer.  If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe.  For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation.  Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Brewers Association (BA) president and CEO Bart Watson entered the Brewbound Podcast studio last week fresh off stage from giving his State of the Industry speech at the 2025 Craft Brewers Conference (CBC).   Watson discussed key takeaways from his speech, including why the 4% volume decline for craft last year wasn't everyone's experience, as 43% of craft breweries found growth last year.   “You can have a number where yes, the middle it is negative, but there's still lots of people on the positive side,” Watson explained during a conversation with Brewbound's Jess Infante and Justin Kendall on the Brewbound Podcast.   Watson also discussed why the growing number of closures has hit the long-tail of craft breweries – those making fewer than 500 barrels of beer – the hardest.    “Running a small business is hard,” Watson said. “They're just on the smallest line of, ‘OK, the landlord changes the rent when our lease is up.' … Main Street gets torn up because the city is doing construction. It disrupts our traffic.'    “A 2,000-barrel brewery is going to have resources and options to weather that; a 500-barrel brewery might not,” he continued. “Those are members that we're trying to think about how we help, how we drive foot traffic and what we can do to improve their conditions.”   The conversation touches on several topics, including: How the BA is advocating for its members with the Trump administration in Washington, D.C., and why it's important for brewery owners to connect with lawmakers; Why full-strength spirits are being added to the Great American Beer Festival and how that's manifesting in a way to support BA members; Whether the event could move away from Denver in the future;  Why there is a perception versus reality issue with consumers when it comes to the flavors that craft offers beyond IPA; And his overall read on the vibe of CBC. Ahead of the interview, the Brewbound team also discusses recent headlines, including Rhinegeist's NA beer venture and Tilray CEO Irwin Simon's honest thoughts on the company's stock price. Plus, the team plays Another Round or Tabbing Out on the commercialization of B.O.R.G.s, and Zoe dishes on her motorsport adventures.

Greg and Sorcerer Chromatic drink and review (2:36) beers from Catalyst Crafted Ales (Tempe, AZ) and Boomtown Brewery (Los Angeles, CA). In our Beer News, we talk about the one and only microbrewery in the British Virgin Islands (10:49) as well as the change Sierra Nevada is making to its iconic Pale Ale (15:10). For our Cöld Brüe List, Sorcerer Chromatic runs down the top reaches of the 2025 NFL draft (19:03) We rate our beers on Untappd (37:51) And in our Drunken Shenanigans (40:17), we talk about baseball, Knotts Berry Farm, and Santa Monica, CA. Recorded April 27, 2025.

What is it like being in a game where you are losing 79-0, or it ends 100-12? What's it like being in the AF1, your floundering sponsorship from the Hulkster holding you hostage, forcing you to watch your team get obliterated by a QB who completes 10 passes, 7 for touchdowns, for a robust 110 yards? Do you look at everything that led you to this moment: the tears on the HS practice field, the brutal Summer training sessions in college, the letdowns on practice squads with the NFL, the XFL, the UFL? Now you're here on the field for the East Kansas Pork Butts and you're losing by 100 points. Where did it go wrong? You fell into that well that one time and hit your head and discovered a bunch of 70s porno mags. Maybe that was it? It was after you'd done really bad at figuring out the Untappd ratings for a bunch of grocery store beers or something? Maybe that was the moment. But now you're in the locker room of the Buttman Arena and no one is there to interview you after the game. A gen AI model  generates some quotes that you didn't say and slaps them into a shitty article by a fake man named Lyle Biscuit. This is America in 2025 - enjoy the Beer Engine Podcast. ★ Support this podcast ★

The Brewers Association's Craft Brewers Conference has taken over Indianapolis, and the Brewbound team gives a vibe check on the first day of the largest meeting of craft brewers in the U.S.    Justin, Jess and Zoe recap early presentations from BA board chair Leah Cheston, president and CEO Bart Watson and Trillium founders JC and Esther Tetreault and the overarching theme of resilience in the face of adversity.    Plus, Jess interviews Liz Nicol, the founder of Drawdown Brewing in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood, on her brewery's embrace of women's sports, community building and running a membership club.

With the Triple IPA series in the rearview, it's time to dive into the world of NA beers again and this time it's an international affair as NA beers from Canada face off against NA beers from The UK. In the Beer News, Alex and Stephen ask the age-old question "if two breweries merge but they don't produce any tradeable, hype-worthy beers, do they make a sound?" Buffalo Trace restarts operations after sustaining flooding damage, it is just a matter of time before the Taters start clamouring for flood surviving bottles? And Anheuser-Busch pulls their sponsorship after 30 years in their hometown of St. Louis. To get involved with the  "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer.  If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe.  For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation.  Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Greg & Sorcerer Chromatic drink and review beers (3:02) from Stone Brewing (Escondido, CA) and Anderson Valley Brewing (Boonville, CA). In our Beer News, we talk about the new Millers/Pringles collab crisps (16:53). And we talk about Costco's Beer collab with Deschutes (20:51). For our Cöld Brüe List, Sorcerer Chromatic rundown the top 15 matches at Wrestle Mania. We rate our beers from Stone and Anderson Valley (53:05) In our Drunken Shenanigans, we discuss Corona Sunbrew (57:17) and Easter (60:03). (Recorded 4/20/2025)

What if there were a super league for the NCAA Tournament? Like, they took 8 teams that were just too good for the real thing and faced them off against each other. That would rock, and we did that today on the Beer Engine Pod.Also, we took down the dead pope and absolutely did not make it political! I made a live bet on the Nuggets. And some of our favorites are now top 50 breweries due to attrition. Tony is stuck in the well all week?? What's he gonna do down there?!? ★ Support this podcast ★

When Brewers Association (BA) staff economist Matt Gacioch is asked whether craft brewers are optimistic or pessimistic, his response is “brewers are realistic.”   “They are understanding that this is a new environment that they are operating in,” Gacioch said during the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast. “Mid-April 2025 is very different than mid-April 2015.”   Gacioch, who is in his first year as a full-time employee of the BA, described a maturing and challenging craft beer market for a variety of factors, from consumer consumption shifts to increased competition and variety to economic pressures and tariffs.    “The way that consumers and markets don't like uncertainty, small business owners really don't like uncertainty,” he said. “That is the environment that we're in right now. There's a lot of products that go into beer making and [the] operating of a brewery [that] can be bought from within the U.S., but the supply chain is so complex and so global that certain tariffs are going to have an impact on pricing of brewery inputs.    “So not being able to plan too far into the future because of how things have been changing so quickly has made it really tough for brewery owners to make great beer and feel like they can make a solid business plan for the year and years ahead,” he continued.   Which brings us to the 2025 edition of the Craft Brewers Conference taking place in Indianapolis next week (April 28-May 1). Gacioch anticipates that many of the conversations inside and outside of the Indiana Convention Center will center on those factors and strategies for pushing forward, including his own seminar  (1:15 p.m. ET Tuesday, April 29) discussing case studies from breweries who tapped into growth drivers in 2024.    Gacicoh also touches on new breweries making this year's top 50 craft list, potential opportunities and challenges for breweries adding food service and why he's excited for CBC. Plus, more conversation about kicking field goals than you'd expect.   But first, the Brewbound team recaps the latest news, including the BA's recent webinar on tariffs and the NBWA and Fintech's Q1 2025 webinar on beer category sales trends. Justin, Jess and Zoe play Another Round or Tabbing Out on copycat designs infiltrating the hard lemonade and iced tea space, with a hat tip to Fingers' Dave Infante.

Greg and Sorcerer Chromatic drink and review beers (3:25) from Boneyard Beer (Bend, OR) and Firestone Walker (Paso Robles, CA). In our Beer News, we talk about Miller's vinyl LP (11:46), mixing 7Up and beer (15:26), and two Utah beer brands moving out of state (20:41). In our Cöld Brüe List, We rundown the top rap duos of all time (23:06) We review our beers (53:33). And in our Drunken Shenanigans (57:30), we discuss the fall of Floyd Mayweather. Recorded April 13, 2025

Greetings fellow pizza eaters and beer drinkers. Ah, mine pizza needeth 10 more minutes! Shan't we enjoy a flagon of ale to cure our ails? Thine titular ethos are becoming quite the pedant in thine pantaloons! (Is that something?)This week - some basketball had to be recapped as some of the basketball teams of great engines of the Beer Episode past had to be covered. The Arena Football season trudges on with an all Kansas showdown.  Griff wins the pizza group by eating the world's thinnest “pie” and “za” and Tony goes full woke mode with prosciutto. Ultimately, they reach the final showdown and most important question the podcast has ever asked - which beer is better? Toohey's Extra Dry or Hahn Premium Special Dry Light??? We'll never know. ★ Support this podcast ★

  The Brewbound team catches up on the latest headlines, including the Brewers Association's release of its top 50 breweries lists and updated data; the newest craft-on-craft merger between Fort Point Beer Co. and HenHouse Brewing in California; the closure of another Monster-owned production brewery; the surprise shutdown of a craft-centric distributor in Vermont; and the retirement of Molson Coors longtime CEO.    Jess, Justin and Zoe also play Another Round or Tabbing Out on a shower beer collaboration.    Plus, Jess and Justin interview Chris Riedy, chief revenue officer for cashback rewards app and tech and date insights firm Ibotta.

To close out the Triple IPA series, Alex and Stephen go back to the beer that inspired this series: Russian River's Pliny the Younger. They also drink Claimstake Brewing's Ain't Getting Any Younger, Boneyard Beer's Notorious TIPA, and Pure Project Brewing's Perhops Perhops Perhops and put all four beers through the Power Rankings treatment. In the Beer News, sad news about Second City Meadery closing their physical location and Alex does a April Fools roundup.  To get involved with the  "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer.  If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe.  For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation.  Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Drunk Greg and Sorcerer Chromatic drink and review beers from Cerebral Brewing (Denver, CO) and Lagunitas Brewing (Petaluma, CA). In our Beer News, we have two stories. The first is about the Beer Can Tax and tariffs. The Second is about a new Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. For our Cöld Brüe List we drink Ice drinks, Sorcerer Chromatic runsdown the Top Ten Val Kilmer Movies. And in our Drunken Shenanigans, we talk about torpedo bats and San pedro Square in downtown San Jose, CA.   Recorded April 6, 2025

Well, I'll be! That is one extremely low rated beer by the Miller Brewing Company. Congrats! Today we talked about Tony's time at GABS, how to order food for takeout  for the future and Australian triple doublers. Griff is back on the pastry stouts and Michael's Pizza, it's like 2018 all over again on this show! Then there is this week's bracket, which features some of the saddest beers you can buy at the Dollar General.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Tariffs and economic uncertainty were hot topics during the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States' (DISCUS) annual meeting in late March.    BevNET spirits editor Ferron Salniker joins this week's Brewbound Podcast to share the scuttlebutt from the meeting, including trends to watch, distributor consolidation and supplier jumps to beer distributors.    Plus, Justin and Zoe share their experiences after attending Bell's Oberon Day in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They also break down the latest craft-on-craft deal activity in Colorado with new partnerships between Left Hand-Dry Dock and Wilding Brands-Great Divide.   The show wraps up with Another Round or Tabbing Out on breweries revamping existing brands, including a taste of Sierra Nevada's transformation of Big Little Thing into a hazy imperial IPA.

Greg and Sorcerer Chromatic drink (2:35) and review (45:30) beers from Spyglass Brewing - Nashua, NH and Epidemic Ales - Concord, CA. In our Beer News, we talk about Domestic Beer vs American Beers at ballparks (15:31) and a New York Brewery giving away free beer, but there's a catch (25:50). For our Cöld Brüe List, Sorcerer Chromatic runs down some of the more eccentric brewery names (30:08). And in our drunken Shenanigans, we talk about the Athletics, golf, and college hoops (48:48). Recorded on March 30, 2025

Looks like the Beer Engine Pod wasn't the only ones out there doing a bracket. The fine City of Chicago and their elusive Mayor have selected their favorite pizza place and it is the Pizza Group's most beloved spot. You'll just have to listen to find out. Anyways we also had some beers this week, Griff went psycho mode on Beers of the Week and a fun region in the bracket game that will have you enjoying some precious memories. ★ Support this podcast ★

What's going on in the country's second-densest craft beer state? The Brewbound team hit the road to Portland, Maine, to find out.    While in town for the New England Craft Brew Summit, Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante and senior reporter Zoe Licata checked in with 3 leaders to take the pulse of Maine's formidable (and cheerfully collaborative) craft scene.    This special Maine-centric episode kicks off with Maine Brewers' Guild executive director Sarah Bryan. Bryan dishes on the hottest topics impacting Maine brewers right now – including concerns over decreased tourism from Canada – as well as goals for her second year as executive director.    “A huge strategic goal of ours is to re-stitch-together a sense of pre-COVID[-19] camaraderie in the industry,” Bryan said.   “It's very easy for breweries to feel like they're on an island, there's always something more to be done, the work is never finished, there's never quite enough hands, you can never make enough beer and there's never enough storage. … Being in this role has impressed on me how deserving these breweries are of working channels of communication, creating pathways for them to work together.”   The team then chats with Thirsty Pig owner Allison Stevens about the craft beer bar and changes she witnessed in how the craft industry is operating, including distribution consolidation and shrinking sales teams. She also gives tips for how breweries can be the best partners for Thirsty Pig and other retail accounts.    Then, Orange Bike Brewing co-founder and CEO Tom Ruff chats about the origins of the gluten-free-dedicated craft brewery, and how the venture has opened his eyes to the amount of consumers looking for GF options, and the impact the availability of diverse beer options has on connecting the community.    Brewbound editor Justin Kendall also joins the episode to  discuss some of this week's California-centric headlines, including the formation of Sunset Distributing in LA and San Diego and the sale of Anderson Valley Brewing.

The Jeffs execute an Anchorman-style takeover of San Diego Beer News Awards followed by a flashback to last year's Sips, Spits and Let it Breath.

Greg and Sorcerer Chromatic drink and reviews beers from Rogue Ales (Newport, OR) and Dortmund Actien-Brauerei (Dortmund, Nodrhein-Westfalen, Germany) (4:22) In our Beer News, we discuss Detroit's first black-owned brewery, Roar Brewing (11:45). And we discuss the possibility that gentrification helped then hurt craft breweries (16:40) Our Cöld Brüe List is about Six New Beer Trends for 2025 (23.37) And in our Drunken Shenanigans (41:32), Greg talks about Top Golf, getting stood up, and Sana Sana Cerverceria. Recorded March 23, 2025.

For the third installment of their Triple IPA Showdown series Alex and Stephen try a foursome of California TIPAs from Everywhere Beer, Beachwood Brewing, ISM Brewing, and There Does Not Exist and the IBUs get ramped up! In the Beer News, Alex breaks down beer consumption numbers for St. Patrick's Day, Corona starts a new marketing campaign, and Johnny Walker offers a premium whiskey experience. Stephen discovers what borg is.  To get involved with the  "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer.  If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe.  For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation.  Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

The bracket contest is BACK! Everyone's favorite segment returns at the end of this show. The well is stocked with magazines and toys and Tony is doing his “very best” to keep out of there as he has to guess which is better: Michelob Golden Ultra Light Gold Bock, or Natty Daddy ICE Baddie? Good luck binch! Anyways, Tony and I spent way too much time on Bulls crap and we had a highly disjointed AF1 update of the week - it seems like the league has been around for years and yet they've only played 6 games and one team has somehow been in 3 of them? Also, the show has a bad and dangerous text message leak and we are sent to the gulag. Tony revisited some of his favorite Maffcos and Mountain Cultures and I tried to figure out if Luka Modric's brewery is as good and cool as him. Next week! The bracket returns with the RETRO BEERS!! Do you like Natty Boh? Do you like Old Style?? Do you like STAG?!?! Then tune in!!!! ★ Support this podcast ★

Carrie Yunker ended her more than two-decade run at Bell's Brewery on a high note Monday – Oberon Day, the annual release of the company's spring-summer seasonal wheat beer.    Yunker, who started at the Michigan craft brewery as a part-time receptionist and ended up leading the company as founder Larry Bell's handpicked successor, kicked off the festivities at the brewery's Kalamazoo taphouse and event space by raising an Oberon flag.    Hundreds of Michiganders and fans from neighboring states, many wearing costumes, lined up and waited for hours for the taphouse to open and to drink this year's Oberon and several special variants.    For Yunker, Oberon Day was a fitting way to say goodbye as employee No. 50.   “This day is the best of everything,” she says in this week's episode of the Brewbound Podcast. “It's the best of Kalamazoo, which is a city that I love so much. It's the best of craft beer, which if you throwback craft beer to its heyday, it's really about bringing people together and community. And what you will see is the streets of Kalamazoo, lined with people wearing teal, wearing orange, drinking Oberon, lighting up not just our account but accounts all over Kalamazoo.    “It really is this wonderful amalgamation. .... It's food and fun and family and community and this day represents that, not just here in Kalamazoo, but you see that spotlighted across the Great Lakes.”   Yunker described her time as EVP as “the privilege of my life to lead such an amazing, amazing team and brand.”    So why step away? Yunker explained that she and her husband became empty nesters last fall, which led to more time for reflection.    “The silence created some space for me to really think about what's next for me, what's next for our family,” she said.    “I have lots of dear friends and people that I love who are living in a place where they are fearful,” she continued. “When I think about what I could do and take some of my leadership and my business acumen and potentially apply that in a different way to go do work either in politics or nonprofit to really make sure that people can live and love the way that they like.   “That's something that really motivates me.”   In the conversation, Yunker discusses taking over for Larry Bell and how their leadership styles differed, guiding the brewery through several milestones and her favorite moments, including an off-the-cuff comment during a TV interview that led to 300 people showing up at the Comstock brewery for an impromptu job fair.    Full Disclosure: Bell's Brewery covered airfare and hotel accommodations for the Brewbound team to record this interview during Oberon Day.

Greg and Sorcerer Chromatic drink and review coffee beers from XII West Brewing (Gilbert, AZ) and Laughing Monk Brewing (San Francisco, CA). In our Beer News, we have two stories. The first is about tariffs driving up the price of beer. the second is about AB-InBev serving a Cease & Desist to Ultra Right Beer. Our Cöld Brüe List is about the 2025 NFL Free Agency. And in our Drunken Shenanigans, Greg talks about the olfactory assault he had this past weekend.

Allagash Brewing will celebrate its 30th anniversary this summer, and founder Rob Tod knows where he'll be and what he'll be drinking on the brewery's birthday, July 1 – an Allagash White at the Great Lost Bear, the taphouse that served the first pint of White in Portland, Maine.   “I remember it like it was yesterday. That was our very first draftline,” Tod tells Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante on the latest episode of the Brewbound Podcast. “I shipped eight kegs of Allagash White to Nappi Distributors on June 29, and July 1 I worked at the brewery all day and my plan was to head down to the Bear where I knew it was going on tap at 5 o'clock, and just hang out for a few hours and having a bunch of beers.   “I thought, my work's going to be done. I've spent a year building the brewery. I've written this recipe, I've brewed the beer. I'm kind of all done,” he continued.   Tod had a pint with the Bear's owners and was happy with it. He had a second pint and a realization hit him: “I've got to get back to work.”   “I got in my car and I drove right back to the brewery and kept working on whatever I was working on at the time just continuing to build and piece the brewery together,” Tod said. “I've always felt like the work isn't done.”   In the conversation, Tod Tod discusses growing Allagash into the 15th largest Brewers Association-defined craft brewery by volume. He also explains what Allagash is looking for in distributor partners, how much capacity his brewery has left for expansion and why the brewery pulled back in the early 2000s.   “We've really optimized how we can support a market, whether it's a really close local market like Boston or Minnesota, Colorado or even Los Angeles,” Tod explained. “We really do feel like we've got a strong, competitive go-to-market plan and that we can do a really solid, optimized job supporting our distributor partners.”   Tod taps into Allagash's innovation approach that checks the boxes of “balanced, drinkability, complexity and authenticity” and how the launches of a lager, hazy IPA and variety pack feed into those pillars.    Plus, the Brewbound team recaps the latest headlines and plays Another Round or Tabbing Out on Minute Maid Spiked's foray into lemonade, pink and otherwise.

Greg and Sorcerer Chromatic drink and review Rad Little Thing by Sierra Nevada Brewing (Chico, CA), where East Coast meets West Coast. In our Beer News, we talk about the inaugural class of the Craft Beer Hall of Fame. For our Cöld Brüe List, Sorcerer Chromatic gives us beer & pie pairings for you to try on National Pie Day, March 14th. And in our Drunken Shenanigans, we have our usual banter.

In Part 2 of the Triple IPA Showdown, Alex and Stephen try TIPAs from Alvarado Street Brewing, El Segundo Brewing, North Park Beer Company, and Tree House Brewing Company then put them through the Power Rankings treatment. In the Beer News, a Norfolk, VA brewery that's been stealing valor for years blames the "woke mob" for their closure, Canadian brewery Moosehead releases a 1,461 pack of beer to help Canadians get through the second Trump term, and San Diego pub O'Brien's wins the USA Today's Best Beer Bar for the second year in a row.  Thanks to Masthead Brewing Co. for sponsoring this episode. Follow them on Instagram @MastheadBrewing. Catch them at the World Beer Cup and FOBAB. Look out for their collab with Brouwerij De Bradandere at Belgian Beer Week.  To get involved with the  "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer.  If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe.  For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation.  Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

I'm only giving it that title so we can catch some of those beautiful viral downloads. We need them! We kicked off our new segment today, as promised, with the AF1 Update of the Week. Another banger as usual where I had no idea where anyone was and we did a word count check and a BET. Also some amazing St. Patrick's Day content, the return of U*tra R**ht Beer to Fox News (hint: lawsuit), and Chicago Bulls - NBA Champions? Probably not. But we did have some fun with Guinness and meet some new Untappd superstars. All of that on one podcast? Well, if you meander for multiple hours and don't edit, you've got plenty of time!! ★ Support this podcast ★

Guinness is synonymous with U.S. St. Patrick's Day celebrations. National ambassador Ryan Wagner joins the Brewbound Podcast to discuss preparation for the holiday, how the Splitting the G viral phenomenon has played a role in the brand's upward trajectory and introduces it to new consumers.    Wagner also discusses the on-premise rebound following the pandemic, what goes into creating a perfect Guinness pour and consumer learnings in recent months.   Plus, the Brewbound team discusses the latest news coming out of Constellation Brands' Gold Network Summit with distributors, the New England Craft Beer Summit and the financial picture for the Brewers Association.    Jess, Zoe and Justin also play Another Round or Tabbing Out on recent beyond beer innovation plays, including Constellation's Rule of Five hard punch; Boston Beer's Sinless vodka RTDs and Just Hard Squeezed FMB; and Barrel One's latest crossover brand with Crystal Light Vodka Refreshers.

We have been forced to give up the XFL / UFL Update of the Week. Sadly, losing famous sportswriter uhh…that guy, has left us with no choice. Without 9000 words per week on each of my favorite games, and some of the worst puns I've ever heard, there's really no point. No, it's time to shift over to Kansas's #1 sports league - the Arena Football One, sponsored by Hulk Hogan. We discuss the upcoming format changes coming due to our new relationship with AF1. Oh and also there was a bunch of pizza stuff and Tony went to Melbourne and had 100 beers and pizza. There it is, 110 minutes on WAX for your listening pleasure. ★ Support this podcast ★

World Brewing Alliance CEO Justin Kissinger dishes on the global beer market, non-alcoholic beer trends, the rise of West African ancient grain fonio and emerging markets.    In addition, Kissinger dives into the dietary guidelines that are under review and may be revised. He also shares his favorite places in the world to drink beer.   Plus, the Brewbound team recaps the latest earnings reports from Boston Beer, Monster and Anheuser-Busch InBev, including standout quotes from Boston Beer founder Jim Koch.    And Another Round or Tabbing Out returns with the recent news that some major brewpub chains will begin selling domestics and imports.

Greg and Sorcerer Chromatic drink and review different vintages of Parabola by Firestone Walker (Paso Robles, CA). In our Beer News, we discuss how many beers is too many at a beer festival. And, is craft beer in a lull? For our Cöld Brüe List, we list the Top Ten college football recruits for the 2025 NFL Draft. And in our Drunken Shenanigans, we discuss SNL 50th and touch on the NBA All-Star...thing.  

It's Pliny the Younger season so Alex and Stephen sourced 12 of the highest rated Triple IPAs and are putting them head-to-head for a three-part series. In Part 1 they try TIPAs from Wonderous Brewing Co., Pizza Port Brewing Company, Green Cheek Beer Co., and Monkish Brewing Co. In the Beer News, Monday Night Brewing gets into a legal battle with Coors Light over a "Case of the Mondays," BrewDog founder fancies himself the Elon Musk of the UK, and Stone Brewing gets a stern talking to by their main investment partner Sapporo.   Thanks to Cellarmaker Brewing Company for sponsoring this episode! Follow them on Instagram @CellarmakerBrewing. Visit Cellarmaker House of Pizza in San Francisco and their taprooms in Oakland and Berkeley.  To get involved with the  "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer.  If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe.  For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation.  Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Ahh, another week in Boingo's America, or Tony's America? This week we talk about the Tonysphere hitting the USA (“sir, another weird  guy that Tony watches on TV has hit the cabinet”). Griff puts in overtime at the Stamp and pays the price for a few hours. Tony gets super sweaty, and so do some of the beers. And an absolutely unnecessary rant on aging NBA wings.We also participate in a TOTALLY NON-BEER related game called “Ernest Gets a Beer Contract.” or something, I forgot already. Did we ever see Ernest drink a beer? I bet we would have if his movies had come out in the “Dodgeball” era. Ernest makes an IPA. Ernest puts a marshmallow into a his stout. Ernest uses 2000 pounds of coconut? One of these will work.   ★ Support this podcast ★

In a very special crossover episode, BevNET managing editor Martín Caballero joins the Brewbound Podcast to break down the blockbuster Celsius/Alani Nu deal.    Marty discusses what energy deals usually mean for the beer distributors that built the acquired brands, current trends in non-alc energy and functional drinks and what brewers can learn from the space.   Then, Jess and Zoe get into recent beer news, including Brown-Forman's upcoming move to the Reyes network in California; proposed legislative changes in Georgia, Idaho and Maryland; and an upcoming departure from the Michigan craft scene (we miss you already, Carrie).

Greg and Sorcerer Chromatic drink and review beers from Firestone Walker (Paso Robles, CA). In our Beer News, we discuss the latest Pink Boots Society beer. For our Cöld Brüe List, we list the best beers for Valentine's Day. In our Drunken Shenanigans, we discuss the Super Bowl.

January 2025 was a record month for non-alcoholic (NA) beer in grocery stores. NA beer claimed a 4.2% share of beer grocery sales during the month, according to NIQ food store data shared by Bump Williams Consulting.    The Brewbound team discusses how Dry January shook out, plus why industry leaders are bullish on regional cider; how the dots connect between the Consumer Price Index for beer at home outpacing overall inflation and beer's 2024 summer slump; and who is keynoting the Brewers Association's Craft Brewers Conference in Indianapolis.   Plus, Justin, Jess and Zoe play Another Round or Tabbing Out on a surprise bev-alc platform and the We Love LA collaboration beer effort.

Alex and Stephen head back across the pond to sip on three NA beer offerings from Europe. For the Top of the Show beer, they take it all the way back to Batch 3 with Batch 3 of Mikerphone's Chicken-N-Waffles barrel-aged stout. In the Beer News, Stone Brewing does the opposite of Alex and Stephen as they pull their distro from the European markets, a San Francisco brewery offers $1 beers for life, and Budweiser is back on top of the Super Bowl commercial mountain.  To get involved with the  "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer.  If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe.  For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation.  Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

2025 marks a milestone year for Lawson's Finest Liquids and its flagship Sip of Sunshine IPA. How will the Vermont craft brewery celebrate? CEO Adeline Druart shares details on the latest Brewbound Podcast.    Druart, who took over as CEO in June 2023, shares the keys to keeping Sip growing, including a commitment to cold-chain distribution. She also discusses the crossover of her previous life in dairy, with the addition of cheese to Lawson's taproom.    The conversation also covers Lawson's expansion into North Carolina and Virginia, if more markets will follow, additions to the Sunshine family, B-Corp status and the brewery's Airbnb.    Plus, the Brewbound team discusses Zoe's trip to CiderCon and her Super Bowl celebration, more ad talk and play a game of Another Round or Tabbing Out on Anheuser-Busch's American versus domestic and Ball recycling its aluminum cup business.

Alex sources a yet-to-be-bottled single barrel Black Tuesday aged in a 10-gallon rye whiskey barrel. How does it hold up against three non-alcoholic beer offerings from the Bottleshare in the Power Rankings? In the Beer News, Brewery De Molen is in danger of shuttering, legendary San Fransisco beer bar Toronado goes up for sale, and Alex and Stephen talk about a trio of marketing stunts from Sofia Colucci.  Thanks to Bonn Place Brewing Co. for sponsoring this episode! Follow them on Instagram @BonnPlace. Head to their store and get some GABF silver medal winner "Mooey" and bronze medal winner "Nemo."  To get involved with the  "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer.  If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe.  For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation.  Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.

Alex and Stephen put on their hardhats, grab their plastic yellow tubs, and head into the Play-Doh mines in search of apple brandy barrel-aged stouts. In the Bottleshare, they drink the worst reviewed NA cocktails they can find. In the Beer News, a New Hampshire brewery steals tips and gets shut down, the TTB expands the types of containers they allow wine and spirits to be sold in, and known racist Hulk Hogan gets booed out the building while promoting his beer brand on WWE Raw.  Thanks to Beckett's Non-Alcoholic Cocktails and Spirits for sponsoring this episode! Follow them on Instagram @DrinkBecketts. Feeling NA curious? Use code "MALTY" and get 20% off your Beckett's order through the end of January.  To get involved with the  "Life" International Barleywine Collab, click the link for info about the recipe, BSG discount, and links to help raise awareness of colon cancer.  If you'd like to make a direct donation to help support Alex, head over to his GoFundMe.  For more info about colon cancer and to help support the fight against it check out the Colon Cancer Foundation.  Head to our Patreon for weekly exclusive content. Get the Malt Couture Officially Licensed T-shirt. Follow DontDrinkBeer on Instagram and Twitter.