The Craft Beer Bubble and State of the Industry with Bart Watson

A pint of plain is your only man...

Drinking holidays are the best holidays.  St. Patrick's Day is a drinking holiday now, but it wasn't always that way.  The story is kind of crazy.

Join us as we talk about the lore and legends of St. Patrick and St. Patrick's Day while we sample some Irish beers and whiskey.

The Beer (and Whiskey) List

• Guinness & Smithwick's - Blacksmith (“Pint of Special”)
• StillFire - O’Farrell’s Irish Red (Red Ale)
• Sullivan’s - Black Marble (Dry Irish Stout)
• Sullivan’s - Maltings Irish Ale (Red Ale)
• Fat Orange Cat - Baby Leprechauns (Session IPA)
• Evil Twin - Even More Irish Jesus (Dry Irish Stout)
• Guinness Foreign Extra Stout
• Slane Irish Whiskey
• Whistle Pig 10, 11, and 12 (OK, not Irish, but tasty.)

TRIVIA! Order a ‘Black Bulldog’ in Malaysia and you’ll be handed a bottle of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout. This is because the first export bottlers of Guinness used to add their own symbols to the label to distinguish their bottles and exclusive territories. There were dozens of different symbols, the most famous of which were the bulldog, the wolf, the dog and a cat

Sláinte!

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.

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Wooden Robot co-founder dies in brewery fall

We send our sincere condolences to the family of Dan Wade and his brewery family at Wooden Robot.  Dan tragically lost his life in a fall at the brewery last week.  If you'd like to help support his wife and newborn son with immediate and long-term expenses you can give to the GoFundMe here.

The weather here has been crazy lately.  This would be expected if it was the end of March or beginning of April, but this is (or was) February.  We've had temps hit nearly 70°.  The madness brought storms through here and got Brian excited to see a tornado.  A sentiment only expressed by those that haven't been through a tornado, or maybe storm chasers.  Brian is in Group A.  I brag about my new fancy pants bath towels.  Seriously, they're really nice.  Y'all drop me a line if you want to come by for a shower some time.

AB InBev brewers were going strike, but they didn't

So, this story updated right after we recorded the show.  ABI brewers were close to a strike, but reached a deal to stop that happening.  Just ignore this part of the show.

Fishwife partners with Keystone Light

This was a collab we didn't expect.  We're not mad at it, just a bit confused.  Tinned seafood purveyor Fishwife has partnered with Keystone Light to launch The Smooth Snackle Pack.  The combo gets you three tins of smoked trout, and insulate snackle box, and a coupon to get you some Keystone Light from Uber Eats.  We'll get one (update: we did) but Fishwife is not to be very proud of their upscale image.  Kind of a surprise to see them partner with Keystone Light.

Dry February > Dry January

Non-alcoholic beer continues to grow.  Sales are still up through February showing some people are stretching out that Dry January.  Whole Foods Market now sells more Athletic Brewing than any other brand.

Beer laws are stupid everywhere

No matter what state you live in you're likely face some type of stupid beer laws.  A bill to improve laws in Georgia (SB 163) failed to get out of committee this year.  Leaving the state's brewers struggling with current regulations.  A bill in Tennessee propose to ban the sale of cold beer with the intention of combatting drunk driving.  However, recent updates suggest that one the sponsor learned about the impact

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.

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We sat down with our friends Zach and Cliff at Truck & Tap along with our new friend Tiffany Dillon of Gwen Tajz wine bar.  We poked some beers, we mulled some wines (wine wine and barleywine) and we talked about serving traditionally cooler beverages warmer.  Luckily, when we recorded the show it was a seasonally-appropriate cooler temperature, the only cool day in the last couple of weeks actually.

While the image of a frosty mug overflowing with cold beer might be the first thing that comes to mind, the history of enjoying warmed brews stretches back centuries. Tonight, we're venturing beyond the icebox and exploring the comforting world of hot drinks, with a special focus on the surprising (and potentially delicious) realm of hot-poked beers.

A Toasty Tradition: Hot Drinks Through the Ages

From mulled wines enjoyed by medieval nobility to steaming cups of tea that fueled revolutions, hot beverages have long held cultural and practical significance. In colder climates, they provided warmth and comfort, while spices and herbs added flavor and potential health benefits. Even beer, that seemingly summery beverage, has a warm past. In fact, some historians believe that heated ales were the norm in ancient Europe, offering a safer alternative to potentially contaminated water.

Mulled Magic: Crafting the Perfect Winter Warmer

Mulled wine, a timeless classic, remains a popular choice for chilly evenings. The process is simple: simmer wine with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and citrus, creating an aromatic and warming concoction. But did you know you can adapt this recipe for beer lovers? Experiment with different styles and spices to find your perfect match.

Beyond the Bottle: Wine for the Beer-Curious

For those open to exploring new territory, natural wines offer a fascinating journey. These unfiltered, unfined wines focus on minimal intervention, showcasing the unique characteristics of the grape and terroir. If you're a beer enthusiast looking to expand your palate, natural wines with their emphasis on freshness and complexity might surprise you.

Poking Fun & Flavor: The Hot-Poked Beer Craze

Now, let's delve into the slightly unconventional world of hot-poked beers. This trend involves heating a mug of beer with a red-hot poker, supposedly caramelizing the sugars and creating a unique flavor profile. While opinions vary, there's no denying the intrigue and potential for experimentation. We'll compare and contrast the experience of a hot-poked beer versus

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.

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If you enjoy the show we'd appreciate your support on Patreon. Patrons get cool perks like early, commercial-free episodes, swag, access to our exclusive Discord server, and more!

Disclaimer: Ride the Clydesdales at your own risk

Touchdown for Beer Commercials: The episode kicks off with a high-energy discussion about Super Bowl Sunday and its iconic beer commercials. Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, and Michelob Ultra all vie for our attention, but according to the latest buzz, Michelob Ultra emerged as the top-selling brew of the big game. It's a fascinating peek into the battle for marketing supremacy in the world of sports and suds.

Busch Gardens & Sweet Memories: From the bright lights of the stadium, the conversation takes a nostalgic turn with a visit to Busch Gardens. Memories of childhood trips come flooding back, along with a mention of Eagle Brand snacks. This unexpected pairing sparks a discussion about branding strategies and the strange yet sometimes successful partnerships that emerge in the food and beverage world.

Monster Shakes Up the Craft Beer Scene: Speaking of unexpected turns, the episode dives into the surprising news of Monster Energy eliminating Cigar City Brewing's brewmaster Wayne Wambles' position. This sparks important questions about the relationship between craft and corporate brewing, and whether such collaborations ultimately compromise the spirit of craft beer.

Tax Time for Beer?: But not all discussions are lighthearted. The episode tackles the serious issue of domestic beer tax rates, comparing 2022 and 2023 numbers. This insightful segment shed light on the challenges faced by independent breweries and the potential impact of tax reform on the craft beer industry's future.

Crafty Triumphs: Despite the tax hurdles, there's good news on the horizon! The episode highlights the positive statistic that craft beer sales are actually outpacing total beer sales in early 2024. This is a major win for the craft beer community, showcasing its resilience and innovation in the face of challenges.

Global Beers & Pinball Perfection: Beyond the United States, the episode celebrates a historic moment: the United Arab Emirates opens its first-ever craft brewery after years of contract brewing in the US. This exciting development marks a significant milestone in the global expansion of the craft beer scene.

Beyond the Brews: But brewing isn't all there is to life! The episode throws in some fun segments, including "Beer Flights, The Dadverse, & Pinball." This lighthearted diversion offers a refreshing break from the industry discussions and showcases the diverse interests of the podcast hosts and listeners.

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.

Subscribe to Beer Guys Radio on your favorite app: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS
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If you enjoy the show we'd appreciate your support on Patreon. Patrons get cool perks like early, commercial-free episodes, swag, access to our exclusive Discord server, and more!

The stovepipe is gonna take over the world.

If you follow us on Twitter, errr... X, then you've seen the posts for #LongBeerFriday.  That's Brian's doing.  He loves a good stovepipe and he's finding more beers in these 19.2 oz. cans.  North Coast just announced their Old Rasputin RIS is coming out in a stovepipe can.  Dangerous.

With the "Big Game" this weekend we explore some stats on NFL fans and their drinking habits.  Any guesses on which teams have the drunkest fans?  Not to leave out the places without an NFL team, we also take a look at which state has the drunkest residents.  I wonder if there's any correlation.

We've another Anchor Brewing update.  The Anchor Union isn't in the mix any more to buy the brewery, but they aren't totally out.  We'll keep an eye on what develops here.

The closures keep on keeping on.  New Belgium announced this week they were closing their San Francisco brewery and taproom.  Based on the surprise from some San Fran residents on the beer forums that New Belgium even had a taproom there, it seems like that's not a shocking end.

COME SEE US NEXT WEEKEND AT TRUCK & TAP DULUTH!

We have to move our Hot Drinks for Cold Weather show and drinking event to 02/17 at 2PM.  Come hang with us and have a toddy or two.

Beer of the Week

• Stillwater - Extra Dry (“Sake Style Saison Ale”)
• Sierra Nevada - Dank Little Thing IPA
• Iron Hill - Winter Warmer (winter ale w/ cinnamon, nutmeg, & star anise)
• Anderson Valley Black Light - Light Dark Ale - 95 calories, 3.8% ABV.  Brewed with Chocolate Malt, Midnight Wheat, and Black Rice
• Northern Monk - Rocket Lolly IPA (from the the UK)
• 49th State - Alaska 8 Star Lager with Cranberry & Hibiscus (“Winter Lager”)

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.

Subscribe to Beer Guys Radio on your favorite app: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS
Follow Beer Guys Radio: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

If you enjoy the show we'd appreciate your support on Patreon. Patrons get cool perks like early, commercial-free episodes, swag, access to our exclusive Discord server, and more!

We made it to FOUR HUNDRED episodes.  Whew.

This week marks the 400th episode of Beer Guys Radio. Crazy. We've been pretty steady with the show since we launched in January 2016, and here it is 2024. Thanks for joining us for the ride.

We open up with a little WTF action as Truly launched a Hot Wing Sauce Hard Seltzer "just in time" for the Super Bowl. Maybe it would pair well with our cellared Hormel Chili Cheese Beer?

Just like everything else the average price for a case of craft beer is up, and I learned there are several categories of craft beer at retail, all the way up to Apex Craft.

Bids are in for Anchor Brewing and it's expected a winner will be announced soon. The Anchor Union is still in the mix but no word on where they stand in the race.

We share some thoughts on Dry January and hop water, now that it's all behind us, and thoughts on what breweries can do to keep people coming in during those challenging months. We definitely support giving your body a break, but we sure don't want to hurt our favorite bars and breweries. In related news, NA beer is the NA beverage of choice (next to NA wine and spirits) for Dry January.

We take a little side venture into hot sauce chat, and about if listening to a book counts as reading a book.

More closures. So many more closures. Buffalo Bayou Brewing got locked out of their building for non payment of rent. The CEO says he's trying to come back. We ponder the likelihood of that happening. You gotta have a bold strategy to pull off a Lazarus move.

AB InBev continues to close down craft breweries it acquired. But it's keeping some of the brands alive at its other breweries. Let's see what they have left when it's all said and done.

Finally, a shout out to our friends Jason and Leslie from Orpheus Brewing. They're having a going away party this weekend ahead of a move to Amsterdam where they'll start up a much smaller brewing operation, The Hollows. We wish them luck!

Beers of the Week

• Scofflaw Juice Quest (Hazy IPA)
• Three Taverns Decatur 200 (Cold Pale Ale)
• Dogfish Head / Rodenbach - Crimson Cru (Red Ale, blend of Rodenbach Grand Cru and “an off-centered red ale” infused w/sumac & sweet orange peel.)
• Bearded Iris Pep Talk (Lager)

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.

Subscribe to Beer Guys Radio on your favorite app: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS
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If you enjoy the show we'd appreciate your support on Patreon. Patrons get cool perks like early, commercial-free episodes, swag, access to our exclusive Discord server, and more!

Live from the Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting!

ACAT has become a tradition for us.  We've gone every year since we launched and always look forward to it.  This year's event, the 18th, was no exception.  Plenty of awesome cask beers and great people.  It was actually pretty packed, which was nice to see with all the negative talk about craft beer and beer festivals.

In keeping with tradition we sat down with the event organizer, Owen Ogletree of Brewtopia Events.  We chatted about cask ale and why you'll sometimes see "Ale, Beer, and Stout" mentioned together as though they are distinct things. (They are, or they were.)  We talk about beer foam, lacing, and how fests like ACAT inspire homebrewers.

Georgia Craft Brewers Guild executive director Joseph Cortez sits down with us to talk beer laws and the current bill up for consideration, knows as The FOAM Act, SB163 would provide various relief for brewers in relation to self-distribution, sales limits, franchise law, and direct donations to charities.  You can view the bill here and sign a petition to show your support here.

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.

Subscribe to Beer Guys Radio on your favorite app: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS
Follow Beer Guys Radio: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

If you enjoy the show we'd appreciate your support on Patreon. Patrons get cool perks like early, commercial-free episodes, swag, access to our exclusive Discord server, and more!

Beer Mints and Potato Chips

Miller Lite always has some interesting swag.  For Dry January it's mints that are supposed to taste like Miller Lite, which I guess is a good thing.  More my taste (maybe?) are potato chips that taste like a citrus IPA.  Honestly, that doesn't sound great, but I would try them.

AB InBev does Paris

As a beer sponsor backs out  in protest of Russian and Belarussian athletes being allowed to participate in the olympics, AB InBev steps in to be the beer sponsor.  Good for them, they always do make sound business decisions.  

Mikkeller goes macro and our favorite gueuze scales back

Carlsberg has acquired a minority stake in Mikkeller.  They wanted to buy them outright, but Mikkeller wasn't up for that.  More sadder for us, Drie Fonteinen announced team changes and the climate of craft beer means they'll be scaling back production.  Hold on with all you've got, 3F.

Uber drops Drizly

After acquiring the company for over $1 Billion just a few years ago, Uber is shuttering the Drizly alcohol delivery service.  Since you can still get alcohol via UberEats it may just be unloaded the name and some of the tech, but that's speculation.

New Jersey's beer bill is SIGNED!

We've followed this all year and it is done.  The governor signed the bill and brought much needed relief.

Local Scene

Here in Georgia Pontoon Brewing recently reopened.  They're one of the breweries caught up in the mess at Bevana which forced their closure last year.  Also, visitors went to Dry County Brewing to find locked doors with no comment from the brewery as to why.  We reached out to one of the owners who told us the taproom is closed temporarily and more info will be released soon.

Beer Guys on the move

If you're in the Atlanta are or ready for a trip come see us at the Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting on 01/20 and join our Hot Beer, Cold Weather show at Truck & Tap Duluth on 01/27!  See you there!

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.

Subscribe to Beer Guys Radio on your favorite app: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS
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If you enjoy the show we'd appreciate your support on Patreon. Patrons get cool perks like early, commercial-free episodes, swag, access to our exclusive Discord server, and more!

We've always been supporters of Dry January.  We love beer, but we know you need to take it easy sometimes and if you want to take January to purge your liver, we're all about it.  But... a side effect of that is that our pubs and breweries have an even slower month in a month that's already traditionally slow.

With that in mind, Jeff Alworth at Beervana suggested we make it #PubJanuary.  You can still stay dry if you choose to, but go out to your pubs (or breweries, if appropriate) and have a meal with some friends or family.  Show them love, give them business, we know it's a tough time out there and they need all the support they can get.  We're totally on board with that.

New Jersey beer bill heads to governor

We've updated this throughout the year and it looks like a bill was reached that made everyone, including the governor, happy.  It passed nearly unanimously in both houses - some chose to abstain from voting, but everyone that did vote was in support.  Now, it's headed back to the governor's desk for a signature.  Good luck, NJ!

Asahi buys Octopi Brewing

Another big acquisition.  Octopi is a contract brewer whose owner also owns Untitled Art, who offers up some tasty NA and not-NA beers.  Asahi acquired Octopi recently.  More details in the show!

Call the PPO Police!

Beer Twitter sprung into action this week when Other Half's new Chicago taproom opened with some pints costing $16.  The addressed it quickly and prices were lowered, with the highest priced pint now at $9.  But still, $16 to start.  Madness.  Related, we talk about pricing at NFL stadiums.  Where is a beer a (relative) steal and who's robbing you?

Beer Guys out and about

We've got a few events coming up soon so come see us if you're in the area. We'll be at the Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting on Jan 20th and we've got a fun event coming up (Cold Weather, Hot Drinks) with our friends at Truck & Tap on Jan. 27th.  More details coming soon!

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.

Subscribe to Beer Guys Radio on your favorite app: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS
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If you enjoy the show we'd appreciate your support on Patreon. Patrons get cool perks like early, commercial-free episodes, swag, access to our exclusive Discord server, and more!

Eight years of talking about beers

This week marks the 8th anniversary of Beer Guys Radio.  Cheers to us.  So much has changed over the last 8 years it seems like we've been at it a long longer.  Cheers to the next 8!

It's Dry January

The annual holiday of people deciding they need to chill on their drinking.  If you're playing along we've got some recommendations for you.  It's a bit more controversial this year.  Several brewers have noted that craft beer sales are down (they are) and that January is one of the tougher months for your bars and breweries.  They need you now more than ever.
 
We share an update on the lawsuit against Treee House Brewing, some news about hops and their ability to combat Alzheimer's, talk travel for beer, and how to get more Gen Z'ers in your taproom.

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.

Subscribe to Beer Guys Radio on your favorite app: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS
Follow Beer Guys Radio: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

If you enjoy the show we'd appreciate your support on Patreon. Patrons get cool perks like early, commercial-free episodes, swag, access to our exclusive Discord server, and more!