Learn about mild ales, the nuances of English hops and the influence of terroir on flavor, and why “beer is for everyone.”

01:33 Beer Myth: Are craft beer taprooms unwelcoming? Katherine discusses the idea that going into tap rooms full of house-produced beers as a novice in the craft beer community is intimidating and you may or may not be welcomed with open arms. Learn the truth behind the intimidation factor of craft beer spaces and how you could use your newfound knowledge to discover new beers, make friends, and become part of a vibrant community without fear.

09:02 Flipside Brewing: Eric Pizer, owner and head brewer of Flipside Brewing, shares his journey of getting into brewing, including a hilarious story about watching a DVD with a friend and how it’s possible that he’s worked at two completely different breweries located at the exact same address in Tinley Park. He also discusses his experience brewing his first beer, an amber ale, and what led him to the philosophy that “beer is for everyone.” The discussion also touches on the language of beer tasting, common misconceptions about dark beers, the significance of staff education in breweries, brewing with personal flair, and the cultural quirks of craft beer.

During the conversation, listeners are introduced to a variety of beer styles and hops, including the British styles with balanced hop and malt profiles, the nuances of English hops like East Kent Goldings and the influence of terroir on flavor, and unique offerings at Flipside like their inventive mild ales. 

40:16 Beer Behavior: What’s going on with beer in the south suburbs of Chicago? Brian, Katherine, and Eric discuss the beer community that's developed in the region and the customer and brewer behavior that have cultivated it.

49:37 Today’s Featured Merchandise: “I drink and I learn things” hoodie, available in multiple colors! Every purchase you make directly supports the show's production and hosting costs. https://3b8877-3.myshopify.com/products/drink-learn-hoodie 

You can find other amazing merchandise and learn more about Crafty Brewers on our official website, https://craftybrewerspod.com 

About Flipside Brewing: Located in Tinley Park, Illinois, at Flipside Brewing you’ll see a variety of classic beer styles along with current and emerging trends. They strive to provide quality food and beverage in an inviting and friendly space, where the community can gather together over a beer and some wings. Learn more on their website at https://www.flipsidebrewing.com/ 

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If you enjoyed this episode, then please tell at least one friend about the show! And if you’re a brewer or know any brewers who would like to share their story on the podcast, then email craftybrewerspod@gmail.com. We’re always happy to hear from you!

You can also follow Crafty Brewers on Instagram at https://instagram.com/crafty_brewers_pod 

Crafty Brewers is produced by award-winning podcaster Cody Gough. He insists that we tell you that in this episode, you’ll learn about: craft beer, craft brewing, craft beer community, taproom culture, beer tasting, craft beer trends, beer collaboration, brewing traditions, beer styles, mild ale, sour ales, wild ales, English ales, beer education, beer conversations, craft beer culture, Flipside Brewing, beer myths, beer tasting language, beer jargon, craft beer scene, artisanal beer, beer trends, craft beer collaborations, and local breweries in Chicago’s south suburbs.