Better On Draft | A Craft Beer Podcast

SHOW INFO: A special Thursday night episode where we bring in former brew master and current owner of Virtue Cider Greg Hall, along with Brand Ambassador of Bourbon County Brand from Goose Island Mike Smith to talk about a slew of topics. We talk about the upcoming Bourbon County Brand Stout lineup, the Grit & Grain book and video series, winning the 2020 Good Food Award, and their true feelings of the beer black market. We talk so much more but it's a must listen for anyone in the industry, fans of Goose Island, or even if Goose Island has left a bad taste in your mouth for the past decade but want to see what has happened since. 00:00- Introduction to Ken & Mike Smith 02:02- 2020 BCBS Release During COVID 03:55- Introduction to Dan & Greg Hall 04:55- Utilizing Liquor Barrels To Make Beer 08:20- Introduction to Wendy & Cooking with Mike Smith 10:08- Introduction to Rob & Products From Virtue 12:15- Is The Cider Market Growing & Seltzer Market 16:53- Sourcing Local Ingredients &am

As we've reached 242 episodes, we decided to spruce things up a bit, change up the format, and change out how we bring you content.  This episode is different as we forwent the news segment to continue talking with our guest! You can watch us live at https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft. You can also watch us live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/betterondraft, on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/bodpodcast, or on our website www.betterondraft.tv. SHOW INFO: A long history in the industry, Bryant Goulding has done everything from brewing, selling, marketing, and now owning a brewery.  While he only gets into the brewhouse once a year for his birthday, Bryant's innate gift of business with his passion for beer has created one of the fastest growing breweries in Ohio and the country.  We dive deep into the ethos of Rhinegeist, the culture of the brewery and it's over three hundred staff, and see what the future will hold.  He gives his old self some advice as well as those who want to open

As we've reached 242 episodes, we decided to spruce things up a bit, change up the format, and change out how we bring you content.  This episode is different as we forwent the news segment to continue talking with our guest!  Stay tuned for part two on monday!  You can watch us live at https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft. You can also watch us live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/betterondraft, on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/bodpodcast, or on our website www.betterondraft.tv. SHOW INFO: A long history in the industry, Bryant Goulding has done everything from brewing, selling, marketing, and now owning a brewery.  While he only gets into the brewhouse once a year for his birthday, Bryant's innate gift of business with his passion for beer has created one of the fastest growing breweries in Ohio and the country.  We dive deep into the ethos of Rhinegeist, the culture of the brewery and it's over three hundred staff, and see what the future will hold.  He gives his old self some advi

CRAFT BEER PODCAST NEWS EPISODE!  News Topics: Best in Beer's Top 20 (beerandbrewing.com) Pairing Beer w/ Halloween Candy (wbtv.com) Jon Lester Buys Chicago Beer (radio.com) Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/ Join The Michigan Beer Discord - https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT Download the MI Beer Map - http://www.mibeermap.com Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6AlzP1BH0iykayF856bGRc?si=xXZzdd3CTPqgUq_KYTnBKg iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft Untappd - https://www.untappd.com/bodpodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/betterondraft Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterondraft Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/betterondraft

As we've reached 241 episodes, we decided to spruce things up a bit, change up the format, and change out how we bring you content.  While this episode is delayed (Saturdays will be the new release date), on Mondays will release the news segment.  Both will still be recorded We are live Fridays at 7pm EST on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft. You can also watch us live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/betterondraft, on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/bodpodcast, or on our website www.betterondraft.tv. SHOW INFO: - Barb Baker, the Siren of Stout joins us to talk about being a woman and person of color in an industry dominated by white men, the future she wants to see with being more inclusive with craft beer, and her history of the industry that started from one Heineken and ended with her telling everyone about stouts.  We also talk about the origin of her name, voice acting, and the change of Michigan beer over the last 20+ years. Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcente

SHOW INFO: – The four hosts discuss the intricacies of how judging works, what the medals mean to beer fans, and if Michigan has fallen behind on the times. We also talk about the intricacies of giving away free beer in the USA. Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/ PCI BrandCraft - https://www.instagram.com/pcibrandcraft/ Join The Michigan Beer Discord - https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT Download the MI Beer Map - http://www.mibeermap.com Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6AlzP1BH0iykayF856bGRc?si=xXZzdd3CTPqgUq_KYTnBKg iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft Untappd - https://www.untappd.com/bodpodcast YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/betterondraft Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterondraft Twitter - https://www

As we've reached 240 episodes, we decided to spruce things up a bit, change up the format, and change out how we bring you content.  While this episode is delayed (Sundays will be the new release date), on Tuesdays we will release the news segment.  Both will still be recorded We are live Fridays at 7pm EST on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft. You can also watch us live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/betterondraft, on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/bodpodcast, or on our website www.betterondraft.tv. SHOW INFO: - We welcome Jeffrey Stuffings from Austin Texas to talk about his decade plus running of Jester King, his aspirations of being a professional basketball player, and his love for Ron Jeffries up at Jolly Pumpkin.  He talks about his travels, the difference between some very close beer styles, and even touches on the situation that occurred when Wicked Weed was purchased by ABI. Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.

Segment one we come back to a Michigan Brewery who is starting their expansion into Florida, so we bring in Co-founder, Director of Sales & Marketing at Pigeon Hill Brewing Company Michael Brower to chat with us about the brewery including the grand opening of their new auxillary taproom which was opening as we were recording live.  Michael talks about getting into a lawsuit with LMFAO, living in Chicago, and the culture of west Michigan beer. Segment two we bring in the news including the insurance payment declines of breweries and distributors in Florida with the lack of beer sales at vacation spots like Disney.  We end the show with our first take on 'King of the Hill', a quick game to end the show that involves Ken questioning the group of hosts to declare the 'winner' of the week!  Who won? You gotta listen to find out We are live Fridays at 7pm EST on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft. You can also watch us live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/betterondr

The Michigan Hop Alliance is a large acreage farm up in Leelanau County which is one of the largest independent hop suppliers in the midwest.  Some of the top breweries in the country look to Michigan Hops for the way they're grown, so Mike comes on the show to talk about how resilient the plant is, what people look for in hops when they're brewing, and what hops can tell us about the beer we're drinking before we even take our first sip.   Mike stays on for segment two as we talk about shower beers and the news of the week. Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/ Join The Michigan Beer Discord - https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT Download the MI Beer Map - http://www.mibeermap.com Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6AlzP1BH0iykayF856bGRc?si=xXZzdd3CTPqgUq_KYTnBKg iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft

NOTE- Beginning of the show during the introductions Ken's mic was static-y.  It was fixed about 7 minutes in and was fine the rest of the show.  We apologize that we weren't able to fix it earlier. Segment 1 and 2 brought on a little bit of news as we all discussed the changes over the last five years, what COVID has done to alter the community for the rest of our lives, and what we expect to see in the coming year(s). Segment 2 Matt Bush surprises us with a 'birthday gift' Segment 3 brings an over/under game with a lot of participants! Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liqu... PCI BrandCraft - https://www.instagram.com/pcibrandcraft/ Join The Michigan Beer Discord - https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT Download the MI Beer Map - http://www.mibeermap.com Subscribe to Better on Draft -

We start the interview with Jim Schleckser, author of Professional Drinking, a book about how to drink in a professional setting.  We talk to him about wine tastings, how to approach networking events, and we begin to break down what the future holds during COVID networking sessions. Segment 2 we talk about the news and keep Editor in Chief Edwin Norton who joined us for the interview talking about what the next fad will be in beer. Segment 3 brings an over/under mix game with our cameo game! Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/ Join The Michigan Beer Discord - https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT Download the MI Beer Map - http://www.mibeermap.com Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6AlzP1BH0iykayF856bGRc?si=xXZzdd3CTPqgUq_KYTnBKg iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Facebook - ht

Every once in a while you sit down with someone in the industry and you just let them talk.  Dan Carey of New Glarus is that person.  When he speaks, you listen.  Dan joined us this week to talk about his humble beginnings, and how he's made New Glarus and Spotted Cow the Brewery/Beer of Wisconsin.  He talks about distribution, his choice to concentrate on such a small footprint, and what he learned traveling the world and brewing in another country.  We also learn the furthest his beer has traveled even though you can only get it in Wisconsin right now. Segment 2 we talk about the news including Brew Dogs +50% ABV beer, Kristen Bell's kids drinking O'Douls while at 'Zoom School' and we touch a bit more on the age restraints we have in the country vs Europe in drinking. Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/ Join The Michigan Beer Discord - https://discord.gg/vEEDyzw

With the internet back up, we bring in Buck and Cody from Grand Armory to talk about five years brewing in the state of Michigan, the hard times of a tourist town during COVID, and the future plans of distribution of beer!  Cody helps Ken learn the difference between a "Juicy IPA" and a "New England IPA", and Cody/Buck give their opinions of how they judge their fellow breweries.   Segment 2 we discuss news from retirement homes brewing beer to the Surly incident, and discuss in a world where unions are needed in hospitality, is this a clear cut case of retaliation or did COVID kill the Surly Beer Hall. Segment 3 (for video watchers we forgot to put video back on, sorry), we played Over/Under and Dan's domination of random trivia numbers continues. Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/ Join The Michigan Beer Discord - https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT Download the MI Bee

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: Not even crappy weather knocking out Ken's power could stop this episode from happening.  A big thank you to Wayne of The Brewz Brothaz (See link to their podcast below) for providing me a space to set up my rig.  Sadly we didn't get the opportunity to be live but the show still went on as planned as we sat down with Marcus who talked to us about the origins of Black is Beautiful, welcoming black men and women into the industry, and how to continue the movement past these series of beers.  Harry and Wayne from The Brewz Brothaz join us and I really don't want to give too much away from the episode, this is a must listen! Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/ Join The Michigan Beer Discord - https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT Download the MI Beer Map - http://www.mibeermap.com Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify

NOTICE: We are aware of the background noise in this episode and are unable to fix it. We were left with the choice of scrapping the episode or continuing our goal of pushing breweries and their stories. We hope you enjoy! We are live Fridays at 7pm EST on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft. You can also watch us live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/betterondraft, on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/bodpodcast, or on our website www.betterondraft.tv. A long time in the making, but we have such a great show for you.  We sit down with Jonathan 'Danger' Cole for about two hours talking about his time in the industry and we get to sample five (of the six) upcoming Fury releases from Witch's Hat.  We get a inside perspective of the new laws and changes within the industry as well as get the opportunity to try some more amazing Witch's Hat Beers and to our surprise, Witch's Hat full kitchen of amazing food (don't sleep on the spent grain pretzels).   We reach to

As we continue to branch off into more non-local non-Michigan breweries, we bring in Jason Brewer (yes, real name) from Listermann Brewing to chat about their well sought after beers, the future of distribution, and working from the ground up at the brewery. We try a few of their beers including Pride which coincides with Cincinatti Pride, and we also talk about the collaboration with our guest for next week, Witch's Hat. Segment two we go over the news and segment three we bring back the Cameo game but add a little twist to it! Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/ Join The Michigan Beer Discord - https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT Download the MI Beer Map - http://www.mibeermap.com Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6AlzP1BH0iykayF856bGRc?si=xXZzdd3CTPqgUq_KYTnBKg iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-cr

We are live Fridays at 7pm EST on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft. With a short staff this week we bring in Michael and PJ from Saugatuck Brewing to chat about the changes in life since COVID, how they're still pushing out kegs of beer, and what Michiganders look for from breweries outside of the state, and what outside of Michigan drinkers look for in Saugatuck Brewing.  We learn their reach gets all the way to Nevada and Colorado, and PJ talks about the process changes that have occurred recently to keep Saugatuck brewing at full capacity.  We learn how they are a guest brew on-site premise where you can pay to brew your own beer there. Segment two we talk a little bit about the news including the fines AB Inbev is levied for sponsorship laws broken, Oksar Blues mustard beer, and the aluminum shortage and its effect on all forms of liquid sales and what Coke/Pepsi are already doing proactively.  Support MI Brewing - http://www.supportmibrewing.com Subscribe to Better on Draft - h

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: Wes and Josh from Odd Side Ales join us to chat about the revolution that is seltzer including Odd Side coming into the game hard. Josh gives us a run down on the transformation of his position during COVID from kegging to packaging nearly all products, and Wes gives us some insight on how breweries get out to other states and how we as Michiganders are true homers and how we treat out of state breweries after they come in. Josh also gives us an update on the distilling program and goals of Odd Side to double in size in the next 18 months. Segment two we play a game with our guests of over/under and continue drinking some amazing Odd Side Seltzers Segment three we bring in the news to talk about what we need as a state to keep breweries in business and how while the new laws are helping, we need to move faster to getting more laws on the books to support them. Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fi

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: Debi joins us from www.tagabrew.com to tell us the story of how a little keepsake from a brewery turned into this multi-hundred brewery trend where people can go to a brewery and collect a little charm for their attendance. Tagabrew was founded on just promoting the local industry and each other, and as Michigan Beer continues to grow, so does Tagabrew as they reach into over ten different states. Now Debi just keeps up the energy every where she goes while promoting tagabrew and the ambassadors of Tagabrew show their support in our live chat! Segment two we talk about the news around the beer world including the Stone lawsuit, and segment three we try a new game to test our knowledge of brewery names in the country. Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/ Join The Michigan Beer Discord - https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT Download the MI Beer Map - http://www.mibeermap.com S

We are live Fridays at 7pm EST on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft.   Chris from The Mitten Brewing Company sits down to talk with us about opening up a brewery, expansion, and the different cultures of working during COVID in three very different cities across Michigan.  He talks to us about the haunted building his Grand Rapids brewery sits in, and that after COVID there is intention of a major Ghost Hunters show to come record there.  While things don't seem to happen until really late into the night, we talk about the belief in ghosts and the spooky things that have happened there.   Segment 2 Matt joins us early and we play a game.  Wendy tries to get us to guess what beers are real versus what beers are from pop culture. Segment 3 we chat about the news and go over the Omnipollo Yellow Belly controversy and discuss where (if) the blame should be placed. Support MI Brewing - http://www.supportmibrewing.com Go Tip Em - http://gotipem.com/ Subscribe to Better on Draft - https:/