Crafty Brewers: Tales Behind Craft Beer

Explore bitter beers with Midwest Coast, including ESBs, English Pale Ales, and IPAs that cater to evolving palates.

01:48 Beer Myth: What’s a “girly drink” when it comes to beers? Katherine and Brian and their guests shatter the myth that some beers are “manly” and others are not. 

07:32 Midwest Coast Brewing: Cameron Compton, founder of Midwest Coast, and Timothy Ficken, brewery manager, talk about what brought them together to M...

Discover Azadi Brewing's unique fusion of Indian spices and American craft beer, plus debunk myths about coffee beers.

03:23 Beer Myth: Will coffee-infused beer keep you awake all night? Discover how ingredients like coffee and tea are integrated into beers and learn the truth behind the caffeine content in coffee beers.

08:14 Azadi Brewing Company Interview: Bhavik Modi and Gator Schrand from Azadi Brewing talk about the uniqu...

Mikerphone Brewing’s Mike Pallen talks beer collabs and what goes into brewing a coffee stout like Smells Like Bean Spirit.

01:24 Beer Myth:  Does beer make you full, or does it just make you feel full? Learn the truth behind what it is about beer that may be giving you a sensation of fullness, and discover how understanding this can help you enjoy your brews without feeling overly stuffed. Plus: a hilarious and super random tangen...

Jim Koblish from Hop District Community Brewing Co. shares his unique story of going from distiller to brewer. Plus: Florida’s craft beer culture shock.

01:59 Beer Myth: Does beer taste better in bottles or in cans? Discover the truth behind a persistent craft beer myth and how understanding the science of BPA-lined cans and light exposure can elevate your beer-drinking experience.

08:30 Hop District Community Brewing Co: Co-owner ...

Buckledown Brewing’s Ike Orcutt discusses customer loyalty, raspberry craft beer innovations, and eclectic craft cocktail partnerships.

02:03 Beer Myth: Are dark beers only meant for the cold winter months? Learn whether certain beers like Schwarzbiers, Dunkels and Märzen can be refreshing even in warm weather and broaden your beer palate with your newfound knowledge so you can enjoy rich, flavorful brews all year long.

07:20 Buckl...

Alarmist Brewing’s hilarious Gary Gulley brings an engineer’s lens to brewing and nerds out about cask ales, clear hazies, and what customers really want.

01:27 Beer Myth: Are cask ales all flat? What is a cask ale, anyway? Gary explains what makes a cask ale a cask ale and the role carbonation plays in it. If you’ve never heard of a firkin, spile, cast breather, or cask wedge, then you’ll walk away with a better understanding of t...

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...

Explore Illuminated Brew Works’ imaginative craft beer creations and unique tap room that’s unlike any other you’ve seen.

01:26 Beer Myth: Is the craft beer market so saturated that now all beer is boring? Learn why some say that craft beer has become monotonous and learn how you can rediscover the diverse and thrilling world of artisanal brews, enhancing your appreciation and enjoyment of every pint.

07:51 Illuminated Brew Works: ...

Learn how an eclectic brewery incorporates an incredible range of ingredients in its beers, including algae and Butterfly pea flower.

01:53 Beer Myth: Do all barrel-aged beers have a high ABV? Learn the truth behind whether barrel aging equals boozy brews so you can enjoy a wider range of flavorful beers with your newfound knowledge.

05:09 1840 Brewing Company: Kyle Vetter, founder and brewer of 1840 Brewing, discusses his origins ...

Learn about Eagle Park Brewing Company’s explosive growth, how brewing is like making music, and what’s up with THC seltzers.

01:45 Beer Myth: Is it bad to have a beer after a workout? Learn the truth behind the idea that beer hampers your fitness efforts so you know what you should (or shouldn’t) reach for in your fridge after you get home from the gym.

03:45 Eagle Park Brewing Interview: Jake Schinker, the brewery’s brand directo...

Get an inside look at Milwaukee’s iconic Lakefront Brewery, from its hilarious origins to its groundbreaking craft beers.

01:28 Beer Myth: Is all craft beer specialty beer? Have you ever wondered if craft beer is too niche or sophisticated for the average beer drinker? Learn the truth behind the idea that craft beer is only for the elite so you can broaden your beer horizons and find new favorites that suit your taste – regardless ...

Delve into the story of a Lockport brewery that was established during a challenging time, and has since grown to produce much-loved local brews.

01:51 Beer Myth: Can beer go bad? Learn the truth behind the longevity of your favorite brews so you can appreciate the nuances of beer aging and storage, and know when it's best to savor that special can or bottle you've been saving. Understanding this myth can enhance your beer-...

Explore lager history, techniques, and misconceptions with the head brewer of one of the best Lager breweries in the U.S.

02:00 Beer Myth: Is draft beer always better than canned or bottled beer? It turns out that draft systems and draft lines have a lot to do with the quality of the beer you’re drinking, and Katherine breaks down what you might want to consider before you order your next beer. The myth busting leads to a discussio...

The lifelong friends who founded Funkytown Brewing discuss the strategic planning that propelled their brewery to success.

01:34 Beer Myth: Are lighter colored beers healthier? Learn the truth behind beer color’s correlation with calorie content so you can savor your brews without compromising on flavor or falling for inaccurate health claims.

06:09 Funkytown Brewery Interview: Funkytown Brewery’s Richard Bloomfield (co-owner and C...

Learn about a taproom-focused brewery that brews a wide variety of styles and does a lot of small batch experimentation.

01:40 Beer Myth: Should all craft beer be aged to improve the flavor? Or is craft beer ready to drink when it’s served? And how long do you need to cellar a beer before you notice a difference in how it tastes? Learn when a beer is worth aging and when it’s not, and get some ideas for when and why you might want ...

Head Brewer Carolyn Stephens from Art History Brewing discusses smoked porters, English styles, and delicious dark beers.

01:52 Beer Myth: Does proper glassware really enhance the beer drinking experience? Or is it all marketing? Katherine and Carolyn break down the way they use glasses at their breweries and what difference it actually makes in a beer drinker’s drinking experience.

07:10 Carolyn Stephens Interview: Carolyn Stephen...

Chicago brewing legend Wil Turner shares his craft beer journey through breweries of all sizes, from California to Europe. Wil has significantly contributed to the Chicago craft beer scene at multiple breweries and served on the board of the Illinois Craft Beer Association.

02:54 Beer Myth: Is draft beer always better than packaged beer, whether it's in a can or a bottle? Katherine and Wil discuss the nuances of draft versus pa...

Hear what it’s like to finally drink cellared barrel-aged beers, then hear a legendary tale of bizarre customer behavior.

3:06 Drinking Cellared Beer: Brian, Katherine, and Cody discuss the ins and outs of cellaring beer, from how long you need to hang onto your beer in order to consider it “cellared” and what actually happens to the beer while it’s in your cellar. They also describe what it’s like to finally drink several differen...

Brother Chimp Brewing’s Steve Newman helps bust a myth about IPAs, shares the secrets of his brewery’s name, and more.

02:29 Beer Myth: Are all IPAs bitter? Katherine breaks down IPA misconceptions and explores the various types of IPAs that exist, including hazy, juicy, dank, sour, white, black, and mountain style IPAs. You’ll also learn about the different factors that can affect the bitterness of an IPA, such as the amount of ho...