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The BeerWise Podcast, hosted by Mark DeNote, editor of Florida Beer News, delves into the dynamic world of craft beer, offering listeners a comprehensive look at industry trends, news, and in-depth interviews with key figures shaping the beer landscape.
Each episode explores the past, present, and future of brewing, providing insights into the evolution of beer styles, brewing techniques, and the stories behind renowned breweries. Whether you're a seasoned beer enthusiast or new to the craft beer scene, BeerWise serves as an engaging platform to expand your knowledge and appreciation for the art of brewing and craft beer culture.
50 Episodes
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Send us a text A crumbling Ybor firehouse. Three brick walls and a floor of dirt. A bronze bat that sparked a movement. We sit down with Danielle Vergnaud-McKinnon of Sky Puppy Brewing for a vivid look at how design, community, and patience turned near-ruins into one of Tampa’s most thoughtful taprooms. Danielle shares how her retail and visual design background shaped the brewery’s “brewhouse vista,” a mezzanined stage that lets guests see stainless, follow the process, and connect the dots...
Send us a text The history of a city lives in its landmarks—some beautiful, some painful, all part of the collective story. For Khris Johnson, head brewer and co-owner of Green Bench Brewing in St. Petersburg, reclaiming one such symbol became the foundation of a brewing philosophy that balances exceptional beer with social responsibility. Green Bench draws its name from the 3,000+ green benches that once dotted downtown St. Petersburg, marketed as symbols of community but tainted by segrega...
Send us a text What happens when rare treasures become everyday finds? Jimmy DeFrank, beer buyer for Lukens Liquors since 2001, takes us on a journey through craft beer's evolution from obscurity to mainstream and beyond. When Jimmy convinced his boss to let him stock $9.99 Belgian beers in 2001, skepticism quickly turned to amazement as weekend beer sales surpassed typical weekly numbers. Those early days—when Sierra Nevada Pale Ale constituted a "good beer section" and outdated bottle laws...
Send us a text Jack Hendler of Jack's Abbey Craft Lagers shares his journey from an ice manufacturing family to becoming a pioneering force in American craft lager brewing. His vision goes beyond recreating European styles, challenging American brewers to develop their own lager identity using local ingredients and innovative techniques while honoring traditional processes. • Family background in ice manufacturing shaped Hendler's commitment to quality and manufacturing excellence • Jack's A...
Send us a text Tampa Bay's beer scene continues to evolve in remarkable ways, with the Halfway There Beer Festival marking its 11th year and an exciting new Cask Festival joining the calendar. Sean Nordquist of the Tampa Bay Brewers Alliance shares the vision behind both events, detailing how they showcase the region's maturing craft beer community. Halfway There transforms the historic St. Petersburg Coliseum each August into an air-conditioned beer lover's paradise. This year features a cr...
Send us a text What if brewing beer the traditional way wasn't just nostalgia, but the path to superior flavor? Chip McElroy, founder of Live Oak Brewing Company, has been proving this point since 1997 in the heart of Texas. When most craft breweries were chasing new flavors and shortcuts, Live Oak doubled down on decoction mashing, traditional European brewing techniques, and styles that have withstood centuries of scrutiny. "These beers have already been crowd tested for a couple hundred y...
Send us a text Brad Clark, the brewing mind behind Private Press Brewing Company, pulls back the curtain on his remarkable journey from homebrewing enthusiast to barrel-aging virtuoso in this deeply personal conversation about craft beer evolution, artistic brewing philosophy, and entrepreneurial courage. From his teenage experimentation with imported beers to his formative years at Jackie O's Pub and Brewery in Athens, Ohio, Brad reveals how a scrappy brewpub in Appalachian coal country bec...
Send us a text In the bustling St. Petersburg craft beer scene, Grand Central Brewhouse has carved a unique identity by embracing tradition in an industry often chasing trends. Join host Mark DeNote as he sits down with Zach Collins, Eric Trinosky, and Travis Rebstock to uncover how this relatively new brewery is making waves with its focus on lagers and classic beer styles. The conversation begins with each brewer sharing their unexpected journeys into professional brewing—from homebrewing ...
Send us a text From late-night homebrew sessions to downtown Tampa's newest craft beer destination, Jordan Copher's journey with Late Start Brewing embodies the passion and persistence that defines Florida's craft beer scene. The name "Late Start" began as a joke about how Jordan and his cousin Tyler Sankey would begin brewing after 9 PM, continuing until sunrise. Over time, it evolved into a wry commentary on their decade-long path to opening a brick-and-mortar location. Now, as the current...
Send us a text When Em Sauter began drawing beer cartoons fifteen years ago, she had no idea it would transform into her life's work. As an advanced Cicerone and certified beer judge, Em brings a wealth of knowledge to her visual creations, but it's her unique ability to translate complex beer concepts into approachable cartoons that has connected with audiences worldwide. "I'm a visual learner and I love to draw," Em explains, describing how Pints and Panels originated as a study tool for h...
Send us a text What does it really take to succeed in Florida's craft brewing industry today? Attorney Trevor Brewer pulls back the curtain on the business challenges facing brewery owners across the Sunshine State in this revealing conversation with Florida Beer News editor Mark DeNote. Trevor's journey into beverage law began when he noticed a local brewery's prolonged "Coming Soon" sign and later learned the owner had sold his prized toy collection to finance his dream. This entrepreneuri...
Send us a text Sean Sasser invites us into the evolving world of Cigar City Brewing, where tradition meets innovation in Tampa's iconic brewery. As technical brewing manager, Sean's journey from college homebrewer with a Mr. Beer kit to brewing leader traces the fascinating evolution of craft beer itself. Over pints in CCB's historic Tampa tasting room, Sean pulls back the curtain on what he calls the "Wild West days" working alongside Wayne Wambles, when the "rule of cool" trumped everything...
Send us a text Join us as we celebrate the vibrant Tampa Bay Beer Week! This episode explores the fascinating journey of beer enthusiasts as they immerse themselves in a unique week of craft beer events, seminars, and tastings. Host Mark DeNote interviews Sean Nordquist, the Director of the Tampa Bay Brewers Alliance, who emphasizes the exciting changes taking place this year due to a new partnership with Beer Week organizers. Sean outlines the variety of new events designed to engage ...
Send us a text Ever wondered how a small grassroots initiative can morph into a celebrated event? Discover the fascinating evolution of Orlando Beer Week as I chat with Chris Holland, the co-founder of Tactical Brewing. Chris brings his insider perspective on how the local brewing scene has burgeoned into a vibrant festival, thanks to the dedicated efforts of brewery owners and enthusiasts. Through our conversation, you'll uncover the collaborative spirit that has made this celebration a corn...
Send us a text Wayne Wambles, the founding brewer of Cigar City Brewing, joins us for an engaging conversation that promises an enlightening exploration of the craft beer world. Wayne talks us through his career from his beginnings in Dothan, Alabama, to becoming synonymous with Tampa's beer scene. Hear about his journey through unique legal hurdles and professional challenges, all the way to his innovative work at Griffin and Sphinx in Brevard, North Carolina. It's a story of passion, resili...
Send us a text David Nilsen, the mind behind "Pairing Beer and Chocolate," joins the BeerWise podcast and takes us on a flavor journey, challenging preconceived notions of traditional pairings. Discover how David’s unique path, from hosting a pairing series to launching his podcast, Bean to Barstool, led him to unravel the rich tapestry of flavors found in the unlikely union of craft beer and chocolate. Together, we peel back the layers of complexity in these pairings, blending science, cultu...
Send us a text In this episode, Mark is joined by Geordi Rauch, Vic Falck, & Jason Thompson of Calusa Brewing. Calusa Brewing is a powerhouse in the Sarasota area – the brewery that always seems to have something new and something traditional on tap. In this episode, the guys discuss the origins of Calusa, opening day, and leaving the original taproom on Derek Ave for their new digs on McIntosh Road in Sarasota in early 2024. This episode was recorded in February of 2024 when the br...
Send us a text In this episode, I am joined by James Herrholz, the co-founder of Corporate Ladder Brewing Company in Palmetto, Florida, in a conversation recorded in February 2024. Corporate Ladder Brewing has a certain appeal to everyone who wants to break away from their corporate jobs and brew beer or pursue a passion. The brewery focuses on innovative beers with two separate bottle clubs – one for fans of sour and one for fans of barrel-aged stouts. James also talks with us ab...
Send us a text In this episode of the BeerWise Podcast, I am joined by Tim Ogden, owner and brewer of Deviant Libation, one of Tampa’s newest brewers helmed by one the area’s most experienced brewers. Tim has been a part of the Tampa Bay Brewing scene since the Hops Brewpub chain hired him early on in Florida’s craft beer renaissance. Then his job shifted from brewing beer to closing brewpubs as the chain lost momentum and had to close its restaurants. From there, Tim’s journey ha...
Send us a text It’s one of the most wonderful times of the year here at the BeerWise Podcast because it’s time for our annual Tampa Bay Beer Week podcast. This year, I am joined by Elise Sweeney and Chris Fairchild from the Tampa Bay Beer Week Organization. Chris and Elise are talking about what’s new for 2024, what they are looking forward to, the new Tampa Bay Brewers Alliance, and where the organization is headed in the future. This podcast was recorded on Monday, February 26...
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