Claim OwnershipThe Taproom Podcast
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© 2023 The Taproom Podcast
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The Taproom is a podcast thats all about Craft Beer, You will hear interviews, with Brewers, Owners, and beer lovers alike! It’s all about the journey and finding your beer. Logo design by @wildrileysupply
176 Episodes
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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.
The Taproom Podcast Episode 161: Mike and co-hosts (including brother Josh, Kai and Family) take listeners on a tipsy San Diego brewery crawl and a Tulare tap yard visit. Expect beer reviews of Pure Project, Salty Walrus, Bay City, Burgeon, North Park and Societe, plus playful single-hop tasting notes, pilsners, hazies and blondes. The episode also features recurring — and wildly popular — "pisser reviews" from Tyler and Kai, local brewery shout-outs, stories about running taprooms, podcasting tips with Podbean, and plenty of behind-the-scenes banter, hangovers, and food recaps. Key takeaways: local craft scene highlights, tasting impressions and ratings, taproom culture, and an honest, unfiltered look at a beer-filled weekend.
Host Mike sits down with Kevin Limon, brewer at Highland Park Brewing, for a candid conversation about his journey from homebrewing and Cal Poly’s brewing program to leading production at Highland Park. Kevin discusses sensory-driven brewing, daily beer mission statements, recipe development (including his Mexican lager “Futbol”), and the team culture that keeps them improving.
The episode covers technical topics like hop selection (Crush), fermentation checks, and packaging, plus lighter moments about favorite beers (Timbo, Hello LA, Borts), collabs with Russian River and others, Pink Boots Brew Day, and Kevin’s outside interests. Mike also shares trip highlights from San Diego and upcoming recordings, giving listeners a sense of the taproom scene and what to expect from the brewery.
Episode 159 of the Taproom Podcast with host Mike and guest Mike Bielawski of Homeland Brew Co. (Anthem, AZ). Conversations cover Mike’s brewing journey from homebrew to opening a hybrid taproom, the Homeland West Coast IPA, brewing influences (Firestone Walker, Bottle Logic), and the taproom’s community-focused approach—supporting veterans, first responders, local collabs, food trucks, mug club perks, and events like Copperstate and Strong Beer Fest.
Listen for practical brewery and taproom insights—menu curation, beer education, contract brewing, hop preferences, pairing ideas, memorable brew-day stories, and the importance of building experiences that keep locals coming back. Expect a mix of personal stories, business lessons, and beer talk in a relaxed, conversational hour-plus.
In episode 158 of the Taproom Podcast, host Mike sits down with Joe and Nick from the Hopin' We're Drinking podcast as they near their one-year anniversary. The trio talk about how the show began via social media and virtual happy hours, the challenges of launching a podcast, and the pair’s focus on homebrewing stories that connect listeners around the world. Guests discuss favorite episodes, regional beer trends from West Virginia to Waikiki, can’t-miss beers they always keep on hand, and their plans to revisit past guests and expand internationally.
Topics covered include podcasting tips for beginners, guest booking and scheduling, the therapeutic power of conversations over beer, collaborations, and the welcoming craft-beer community. Joe shares his background as a retired Coast Guard member now working at Waikiki Brewing, while Nick explains how the show evolved into its current format. Expect laughs, beer talk, rapid-fire questions, and encouragement for listeners to support local breweries and try homebrewing themselves.
Episode 157 of the Taproom Podcast: host Mike sits down with Jasper Gallardo of Bottle Logic Brewing for an inside look at his journey from canning-line work to head brewer. Jasper shares how mentorship, self-study and hands-on learning during COVID led him into brewing, his time at Harlan Brewing, and his return to Bottle Logic to lead R&D and production growth.
Topics include recipe development (from Italian pilsners to double-mashed outs), balancing core beers with experimental and barrel-aged releases, running a pilot system, beer naming and label art, and the brewery’s national expansion and recent collabs (including visits to Firestone Walker, Vector, Windmill, Celestial and False Idol). Jasper also discusses his love of coffee, favorite beers to keep stocked, brewing playlists, hangover cures, and the team-focused leadership approach that guides his work.
Listeners can expect behind-the-scenes brewing stories, practical notes on consistency and QA/QC, insights into market strategy for different regions, and a candid conversation about passion, creativity and the craft beer community.
Episode 156 celebrates the Taproom Podcast’s three-year anniversary with special guest Mike Crea of Unsung Brewing. Mike joins host Mike to reflect on the podcast's beginnings, read a meaningful passage from The Tender Bar, and share personal stories about how craft beer shaped his life.
Topics include international beer travels (Scotland, Japan, Taiwan), brewing philosophy, hop selection and new hop products, collabs and recipe R&D, brand storytelling and can art (including the Outcast backstory), and the challenges of replicating award-winning beers. Mike also discusses recent wins at CBC, World Beer Cup and GABF, industry pressures, brewery closures, and how the team approaches consistency and process.
The episode closes with rapid-fire segments (the Four Pack and Six Pack), listener-facing shoutouts, podcasting tips (Podbean mention), and candid reflections on passion, tenacity, and community in craft beer.
Episode 155 of the Taproom Podcast features Harrison McCabe, head brewer at Salty Bear Brewing (and brewer at Beachwood). Mike and Harrison talk through Harrison’s path from homebrewing to pro brewing, the story behind Salty Bear, and the making of their West Coast IPA “Hug Me.”
Listeners will hear deep-dive brewing talk—styles like English milds, lagers, ESBs, hop selection and single-hop experiments—plus memorable brew-day stories, collabs, and how Salty Bear connects with the local Costa Mesa community.
Along the way they nerd out about video games and Lord of the Rings, share favorite beers and guilty pleasures, and preview upcoming Taproom visits and episodes. Expect friendly conversation, brewing insights, and plenty of local beer love.
Episode 154 is a Taps & Tailgates reunion with host Mike, Jizzy and Nav. The episode runs through beer reviews (Bottle Logic Fuzzy Logic, Green Cheek’s The Other Brian, Ism × Burgeon collab, Salty Bear Blonde, North Park triple and more), a lively beer trivia segment and rapid-fire opinions on West Coast vs. hazy styles.
On the non-beer side the hosts react to NFL playoff drama (Bills heartbreak, Seahawks upset), preview the college national title (Indiana vs. Miami), talk pizza and party plans for the Natty, and share listener shout-outs and upcoming guest episodes.
Expect long-form conversation, tasting notes, funny reunion stories, shout-outs to local breweries and what to look forward to on future Taproom episodes.
Episode 153 features Nate Bahr, head brewer and R&D lead at Central Waters Milwaukee. Host Mike visits the striking converted-church taproom to taste the Small Heron (a Motueka-forward small beer) and dig into Nate's brewing journey—from homebrewing to Lakefront, Bavarian Beer House and large-scale production—plus his work developing lagers, hazies, and experimental recipes using new hop products and terpenes.
Expect behind-the-scenes brewing detail (high-gravity brewing and dilution, dry-hop techniques, rye challenges), stories about can art and naming, collaborative projects (including a joint IPA with Component Brewing), awards and scaling, Central Waters’ barrel program, and community efforts like the Yellow Blaze trail beer fundraiser. A mix of technical insight, brewery culture, and local Milwaukee flavor.
Episode 152 of the Taproom Podcast features host Mike and special guest Russ Klisch, founder and owner of Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee. Russ shares the brewery’s origin story — from homebrewing and 55-gallon drum setups to buying a Cream City brick building — and walks through innovations like becoming an early certified organic brewery, creating a gluten-free beer that helped change federal policy, and a 20-year IPA.
Listeners will also hear about the brewery’s culture and community focus: the long-running My Turn employee beer series, the chalet from County Stadium, iconic cheese curds, notable collaborations (including Hofbräu), Milwaukee’s lager heritage versus IPA trends, tour highlights, and Russ’s reflections on awards, camaraderie, and why he’s still a workaholic for beer.
Host Mike sits down with Quinn Reeder of Boulevard Brewing in Kansas City for a deep, behind-the-scenes conversation. They tour Boulevard’s massive facility, taste new and classic beers (including the Space Camper IPA and taproom exclusives), and discuss Boulevard’s Belgian roots, modern IPAs, lagers, seltzers and taproom culture.
Quinn tells his personal story from pharmacy school to homebrewing and pro brewing, explains how he rose into Boulevard’s barrel program, and shares memorable brew-day moments, collaborations (Meanwhile Brewing, Tech N9ne and an Old Harbor collab in Puerto Rico) and how the barrel program grew dramatically during COVID.
The episode also highlights Kansas City’s collaborative beer scene, brewery tours and taproom experiences, beer-naming and marketing stories, and practical notes on brewing balance, tasting and craft beer culture. Mike closes with holiday notes and quick college football playoff picks.
Host Mike celebrates episode 150 with Cody Gagnon, founder and head brewer of Michi Brew Co in San Marcos. Cody shares his journey from homebrewing to working at several notable SoCal breweries and eventually opening his own tiki‑inspired taproom, the Ohana Room.
Topics include the brewery launch and fast turnaround, emphasis on water chemistry and recipe development, the brewery’s identity (tropical‑inspired ales and lagers), core beers like the Shasta and Mungo, guest education and tasting‑room service, team and business lessons, favorite hops and memorable brew days, plus personal stories and holiday vibes.
Expect candid industry stories, practical advice for aspiring brewers, brewing techniques and branding insights, recommendations to visit Michi Bruco, and an uplifting reminder to support local breweries this holiday season.
Episode 149 of the Taproom Podcast with host Mike features Enrique Leveron and Miranda Gasca of Cerveceria del Pueblo and Tap Truck LA. The conversation traces their path from homebrewing to running a brewery and two vintage mobile tap trucks, covering brew days, equipment, recipe highlights (including a spicy guava–pineapple sour), and what it takes to turn a passion into a business.
They also discuss collaborations, the local brewing community, challenges of draft systems and kegging, event work (margaritas, kombucha mocktails, NA options), and their nonprofit outreach—like serving hot chocolate on Skid Row. Listeners will hear practical brewing and event tips, stories about memorable brew days, and personal reflections on perseverance, creativity, and supporting community through beer.
Episode 148 of the Taproom Podcast features the Inland Empire Brew Witches — Tiffany, Alexis, Loretta and Sandra — as they share how the group started, grew and built a fiercely supportive community. Host Mike also mixes in travel notes from Chicago and Milwaukee, with brewery highlights from Lakefront, Central Waters and a Miller tour.
The conversation covers the Brew Witches’ origins and membership, collab brews (Feathered Serpent, Stout House and upcoming Metabolic), charity beers (breast cancer benefit projects like “Save the Pear” and “Hefty Breasty”), brew days, bottle shares and what it means to bring more women into beer. Personal stories touch on community support through loss, homebrewing and industry paths, plus light-hearted riffs on beer styles, food pairings, video games and hangover remedies.
Host Mike sits down at Synth Beer Co. in Costa Mesa with founders/brewers Mitch McDuff and A. Max Salazar to talk about opening their September launch, the origin of the name “Synth,” and the first core beer, Laser Lager. They share the early planning, brewery build-out stories (including a beloved prototype brew house), and what it’s like to run a small, hands-on brewing program.
Topics include their brewing focus (drinkable West Coast IPAs, Latin American‑style lagers and pilsners, and cocktail‑quality seltzers), favorite hops and recipes, long brew days, community and neighborhood collaborations, and memorable festival moments like GABF. Guests also trade personal stories — music and video-game nostalgia (NHL HITS), nicknames, and the homemade techniques behind standout seltzers.
Listeners can expect insider tips for new breweries, tasting notes on synth’s lineup, plans for collabs, and a warm, conversational portrait of two friends turning a long‑dreamed vision into a living taproom experience.
Mike welcomes his brother Jizzy Jake Riley for a special Thanksgiving Thursday Stoutsgiving episode recorded in the taproom. They taste and rate six dark beers — including Bottle Logic’s Jam the Radar (raspberry imperial stout), Chapman Brewing’s nitro oatmeal stout, Pizza Port’s Bacon & Eggs imperial coffee porter, Aerolodge’s Voyager barrel-aged imperial stout, Great Notion’s Barbarian peanut-butter cheesecake pastry stout, and Frogtown’s Prince George bourbon-barrel vanilla porter — offering tasting notes, ABV info and personal ratings.
The conversation ranges from favorite Thanksgiving foods and side-dish poll results to nostalgic holiday memories and traditions. Mike and Jizzy debate stout styles (barrel-aged vs. pastry vs. coffee), nitro vs. non-nitro, seasonal stouts vs. year-round pours, and play Stoutsgiving trivia and games with listeners.
Key takeaways: Jam the Radar and Great Notion’s Barbarian stand out as top pours, Chapman’s nitro serves as a palate cleanser, and the hosts even blend all six beers into a surprise “stout gumbo.” The episode closes with gratitude, industry reflections, a preview of an upcoming reunion episode (150), and a reminder to support local breweries and follow @Wildrileysupply on Instagram.
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wannabe cop who likes to see kids get hurt and likes to abuse people without repercussions. wild.