Better On Draft | A Craft Beer Podcast

We were promised a deep cleaned studio and were the first ones in it, so we trekked to Royal Oak where Ken, Rob, and Wendy chat about what is going on in the industry.  Ken makes his pleas to those who are wondering how they can help, and we talk about how we are all doing during this weird time in hospitality.  We bring in some local beers and toast to some of the great beer makers as they are working their asses off.  Want to help?  We have plenty of links at the bottom that could help whether you're a restaurant or someone with some extra money!  Listen to the show and crack open your favorite brew.  You've earned it. Go Tip Em - http://gotipem.com/ Rally For Restaurants - https://rallyforrestaurants.com/ Stage It - https://www.stageit.com/ Toast Now (Online/Digital Ordering and Gift Cards) - https://central.toasttab.com/s/article/Toast-Now-FAQ Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com

It feels like it has been forever since we had the opportunity to sit down with John Leone from ROAK, and it was four years ago on Episode 22. No longer the new guy on the block as they enter their fifth year, we take the opportunity to catch up. He brings in new President of ROAK and Dark Horse (now named Michigan Brewers Union) and we get a historical look on his journey through craft beer at Dogfish Head, BrewDog USA, and Virtue Cider. John uses the opportunity to clear the air about some misconceptions happening with the merger of the two breweries, we discuss in short what happened with the Right Brain buyout, and Adam chats about what we should see upcoming for the two breweries in the next few years. We also try some amazing ROAK beer! 00:00- Introductions 05:34- Introduction to Adam Lambert 10:30- Cent'Anni Review 16:14- Dark Horse Acquisition 22:08- Craft Beer Loyalty 29:10- Michigan's Craft Beer Problem 40:56- Mint Milkshake IPA Review 44:40- Upcoming Changes at Dark Horse 55:20- Drinking

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: It's been nearly four years since Cary has come onto the show and he comes back to give us the details we wanted to know!  Talking to us about the new brewery in Ferndale, the differences between the two, and we get to try his Lumberjack Off Wee Heavy that is highly sought after!  Ken gives his true feelings about beer rating websites and we end the show with a game! Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/ PCI BrandCraft - https://www.facebook.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 Unt

Liz and Dani of the Detroit chapter of Girls Pint Out join us to talk about female fans of craft beer, and we learn that all beer is girl beer! We go over some news including some Michigan government updates about token laws and distro, and we try to map out how many beers you would need to drink to be one of Rate Beer's top beer reviewers. We end the show bringing back our favorite Cameo game! Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-podcast-archive/id1450538812 Subscribe to The Brewz Brothaz - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/31iofThmMV9vHblkod5qK5 iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brewz-brothaz-better-on-draft/id1443234432

We go over the life and death of Black Lotus and the last five years with him as the head brewer, what changed, and why the sudden closing.  We learn where the hardware from Black Lotus went (hint, previous guest on Better on Draft), and Nick updates us on his other fermentation work he's been doing as he looks for a new home to brew. We try his gin he made with Detroit City Distillery and we discuss a bit of news including the hype that is Pliny the Younger in bottles and we do a short dive into the black market of bottle reselling and what brewers feel about it.  Want to learn more about that conversation and what we referenced, check episode 149 with Drafting Table to see what they thought of their beer going for over $200 on the black market.   Nick is one of our favorite guests to have on the show because he's very opinionated but cares about the industry that he loves and wants to get back to that, so if you're looking for a brewer that can brew you award winning beers, slide into his D

We may have managed to cram in the most gambling puns into this episode, but Loaded Dice is a gamble that Jef Smith is willing to take.  Setting up in Troy, MI this will be the first (not national chain) brewery the city has seen, and the city is more than excited for it to open up.  Jef talks about home brewing, working in the tech industry, and maxing out information to his guests with the Open Source concept.  Not only will you get to know the ingredients, but you'll know how the process went from start to finish as Jef has plans to not hide any of his work behind closed doors.   We talk a bit of news to end the show and talk about the things we learned during our dry (or damp) January.  Pop that 40 and hop into this journey of the upcoming 2020 brewery, Loaded Dice. Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on

The final part of our Dry January series, we bring in Eric, former owner of Ellison Brewery to talk about his adventure post brewing, Reputation Beverage, based out of Lansing/DeWitt, Eric has cultivated some of the best tasting NA drinks out there including Citra Hopped Kombucha, Rocky Road Nitro Coffee, and Sparkling Tea.  Many of his products are keto and paleo friendly with many of them coming in at 0 calories (with a whopping 200+mg of coffee).  After he leaves we go over the news, take some super bowl prop bets, and Ken gets on his soap box to talk about what he wants to see in 2020. Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-podcast-archive/id1450538812

Part 2 of our 3 Part Dry January series brings us guests from all over the industry spectrum. We welcome Shannon Long of Brew Export to talk about the NA Trend in the USA and how Europe is already light years ahead of us. Jack of Zetouna Liquor discusses what is moving and what is not over at Zetouna Liquor. And Nick Britsky of Nick Drinks discusses how bars and the industry is moving to almost make it a necessity to have NA 'mocktails' and options for those who choose not to or are unable to drink, but still want to participate in the festivities. We discuss purchasing booze on an ABV/$$ format as well as discuss caloric intake and if these 'lo cal beers' are really healthy. That and more in this two hour extravaganza!   Drinks had on Show: Lagunitas Brewing Hop Water BrewDog Punk AF BrewDog Stout AF Two Roots Brewing New West IPA Two Roots Brewing Dango Mango Labatt Brewing Labatt Blue Non Alcoholic SuperNatural Brewing and Spirits Bong Water NA Paulaner Brauerei Weizen Radler NA P

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: We came back into the studio with a goal, and that goal was not to drink, and after episode one of the year, we have kept that promise!  That doesn't mean we didn't dive into spirits, cocktails, and other near beers, so why not join us as did Jason, owner of Casamara Club, to talk about soda, cocktails, and alternatives to booze including zero proof Gin and Whiskey! 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 -

We end the year with our two main sponsors, Jack of Zetouna Liquor and Kevin of North Center Brewing.  Ed joins us for another episode and we talk about lowering the drinking age, some of the bigger news that hit this year, and recap with what 2020 may bring us!  All that and more!  You can join us every Friday night at www.facebook.com/betterondraft at 7pm EST!  We will be back January 3rd with our first Dry January special!   Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-podcast-archive/id1450538812 Subscribe to The Brewz Brothaz - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/31iofThmMV9vHblkod5qK5 iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brewz-brothaz-b

Our writer Ed just can't seem to get enough of the spotlight as he joins us for this episode of Better on Draft.  Ken brings the beer he would chase in studio as he found it while in Oakland California, and special guest Kristi comes in to ask us about some of our favorite hidden gems, and we go off the beaten path with some interesting topics and finally end the show asking how many breweries were there when Better on Draft Started until now (spoiler, both numbers are a lot).  You can find all those breweries at http://mibeermap.com/ Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-podcast-archive/id1450538812 Subscribe to The Brewz Brothaz - Spotify - https:

As special guest hosts Ed and Wendy come on the show, Jack Zetouna of the (mentioned many times) Zetouna Liquor store in Rochester Hills comes on the show to share some bourbon, some Bourbon County, and his thoughts on the business of pour houses, chasing beers, and the industry as a whole.  We discuss how far you'd go to chase a beer and we break down the time to beer ratio.   When Wendy invokes Toppling Goliath KBBS, Ken heads over to one of his favorite secondary market websites and plays a game of Price is Right with cost of some Toppling Goliath beers in the secondary market.   All this and more on episode 203 of Better on Draft Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/p

Eric from DeHops joins the show to chat about brewing in Michigan vs. Chicago, what types of beers to order at a bar, and Rob takes us through the news including the New Belgium buyout.  All that and more on this episode of Better on Draft Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-podcast-archive/id1450538812 Subscribe to The Brewz Brothaz - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/31iofThmMV9vHblkod5qK5 iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brewz-brothaz-better-on-draft/id1443234432 Subscribe to The Beer Tour Guy Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3enGxubfQFop2ppdQjuVNR iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beer-tour-guy-podcas

Doug takes the long trip down I-75 from Gaylord Michigan to bring us some tasty beers!  He wins bonus points for bringing an altbier for Ken, while they discuss traveling in Michigan during the winter, deer season, and self distribution.  Talks about the journey from home brewing to production brewing and re-opening a Michigan staple that at one point had 4 breweries including one in Texas.  The change in recipes and being in a craft beer desert.  Listen to this discussion and more! Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-podcast-archive/id1450538812 Subscribe to The Brewz Brothaz - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/31iofThmMV9vHblkod5qK5 iTunes - h

We brought back the guests from episode 100 to chat and give us some updates on the industry.  We talk about the issues with Michigan laws, the kind of party it would be if all the alcoholic guilds of the state got together and threw one big festival, and we discuss some serious solutions the problems we may forsee in the future. 200 episodes ago I would not have imagined having the following we have today, the friends I've made along the way, and the support from both the fans and industry as we continue to lead as the best Friday night podcast about beer in Metro Detroit! So pop that 40 and join us for this very special (and long) episode. Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.

Prior to the Detroit Fall Beer Festival put on the by the Michigan Brewers Guild, we invited a lot of out of town brewers to come into studio to chat about their brewery, try some of their beers, and see what's going on in their tap rooms! This episode will have: Segment 1 - Middlecoast Segment 2 - Michigan Brewers Guild President Scott Newman Bale Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-podcast-archive/id1450538812 Subscribe to The Brewz Brothaz - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/31iofThmMV9vHblkod5qK5 iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brewz-brothaz-better-on-draft/id1443234432 Subscribe to The Beer Tour Guy Spotify - https

We entered the Griffin Claw Brewery in Birmingham Michigan the night before their Flying Buffalo Release to get a sneak peak at all the flavors of Flying Buffalo. We discuss the most recent fall beer festival, legislation in the state of Michigan, and drop some huge bombs about the future of Griffin Claw! Thanks to Shannon from Brew Export for stopping by and being our fourth host as we knew that these beers were going to come in at a high ABV and best to be shared! Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-podcast-archive/id1450538812 Subscribe to The Brewz Brothaz - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/31iofThmMV9vHblkod5qK5 iTunes - https://podcasts.a

Prior to the Detroit Fall Beer Festival put on the by the Michigan Brewers Guild, we invited a lot of out of town brewers to come into studio to chat about their brewery, try some of their beers, and see what's going on in their tap rooms! This episode will have: Segment 1 - BEARDS Segment 2 - Watermark Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-podcast-archive/id1450538812 Subscribe to The Brewz Brothaz - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/31iofThmMV9vHblkod5qK5 iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brewz-brothaz-better-on-draft/id1443234432 Subscribe to The Beer Tour Guy Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3enGxubfQFop2ppdQjuVN

Prior to the Detroit Fall Beer Festival put on the by the Michigan Brewers Guild, we invited a lot of out of town brewers to come into studio to chat about their brewery, try some of their beers, and see what's going on in their tap rooms! This episode will have: Segment 1 - Barrel + Beam Segment 2 - Midland Brewing Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-podcast-archive/id1450538812 Subscribe to The Brewz Brothaz - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/31iofThmMV9vHblkod5qK5 iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brewz-brothaz-better-on-draft/id1443234432 Subscribe to The Beer Tour Guy Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3enGxubf

As their beer fest is going on, Matt, Rob, and Nick are running the outside while Ken runs a couple of interviews inside. Talking about festivals, trends, struggles, and catching up, this episode is a fresh break from our normal one! Grab a listen and check out a couple of twenty minute interviews. Segment 1 - Rochester Mills and Brew Detroit Segment 2 - Altes Segment 3 - Rustic Leaf and Redline Segment 4 - Fillmore 13 and River Rouge. Segment 5 - Hosts wsg Harry from Brewz Brothaz Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-podcast-archive/id1450538812 Subscribe to The Brewz Brothaz - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/31iofThmMV9vHblkod5qK5 iTunes