Episode 166 brings a lively roundtable with Mike and special guests Raul (Solorio), Leo (Steady), and Luis (Level Up). The group discusses their beers entered in the California Craft Brewers Cup—from Mexican lagers and Irish reds to hazies, fruit fruited ales, and creative seltzers—plus brewing techniques, recipe tweaks, fermentation strategy, and competition preparation. They share stories about airline travel mishaps, brewery tours, and local industry camaraderie, and highlight standout beers like Gottsoul (Mexican lager), Mr. Ed’s (Irish Red), Juicebox Hero (hazy IPA), and experimental pours including ube and pineapple fruited brews.

Listeners can expect behind-the-scenes insights on dialling in recipes for competitions, how judges’ feedback shapes future batches, the challenges of running and scaling a brewery, the importance of community among California brewers, and light-hearted banter full of tasting notes and friendly bets on who will medal. The episode is equal parts technical, inspirational, and entertaining, featuring real brewer stories, tasting reactions, and the camaraderie that pushes local craft beer forward.

Host Mike sits down with Will Perry of False Idol Brewing (North Richland Hills, DFW) for a lively episode about starting a brewery during COVID, False Idol’s laid-back “wolf den” vibe, named tanks (Shoresy, Regina George), and the cans and collabs that made the visit memorable.

They cover Will’s brewing journey (Oklahoma, Denver, Colorado Springs), False Idol’s core beers and rotating lineup (West Coast IPAs like To Live and Die in LA, Ragnarok, Blue Magic, pilsners and saisons), hop and process preferences (Nectaron, Thor, Simcoe, Citra), and the brewery’s recent GABF medals and World Beer Cup entries.

Expect brewery stories, tough brew days, taproom culture, hop-harvest anecdotes, recommendations for visitors to DFW, and why False Idol is a must-stop for travelers and locals alike.

Episode 164 features Brian “Herbie” Herbertson, head brewer at Lucky Luke Brewing (Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster). Mike and Herbie dig into his path from homebrewing and touring with bands to commercial brewing, winning awards, and pivoting through COVID to grow Lucky Luke’s three locations.

The conversation covers brewing philosophy and techniques (yeast management, tank scheduling), favorite hops and styles (Simcoe, Eldorado, HBC 630, Dulcita; lagers, West Coast IPAs, hazies), balancing creativity with consistency, and industry trends like lower‑ABV session lagers. They also discuss community-focused initiatives — local music, food trucks, fundraisers, disc golf collaborations — and brewery identity (tap handle tools, song‑inspired beer names).

Highlights include stories from memorable brew days and events, Herbie’s favorite beers and guilty pleasures, his Mount Rushmore of influential breweries, and why craft brewers should engage their neighborhoods to build sustainable brands. Expect a friendly, wide‑ranging chat about beer, music, pizza, and life in the brew house.

In episode 163 Mike reconnects with guest Chris Leguizamon (Instagram: chris.thebeereducator) for a wide-ranging, conversational episode that feels like two friends catching up over beers. They discuss Chris’s move from San Diego and Pure Project to brewing and hospitality work in North Carolina, differences in regional beer culture, and the role of beer education in building community and trust.

Topics include judging beer at major competitions (Great American Beer Fest, World Beer Cup), trends and favorite breweries in North Carolina (Burial, Maine Brewing, The Veil, Burial, Fontaflora), current hop varieties to watch (Dulcita, Luna, Crush), situational beers, and Chris’s favorite local spots and guilty pleasures (Cookout, Pizza Baby, Bojangles). They also chat about brewery strategy, storytelling, and how to grow an audience as a podcaster.

Expect personal anecdotes, brewery recommendations, food pairings, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on judging, collaborations, and the craft beer industry’s ebbs and flows — all wrapped in easygoing banter and practical takeaways for beer fans and industry folks alike.

Episode 162 of the Taproom Podcast features host Mike with guest Lynisha Hyche of Angry Horse Brewing and Nathan McCusker. They discuss Lynisha’s transition from a 15-year corporate career and kombucha-making into craft brewing, her experience at Rio Hondo College’s fermentation program, and the path from homebrewing to a professional role.

Topics include brewing education and hands-on training, sensory work, wet-hop harvest trips, favorite hops and styles (Cascade, Cashmere, Mosaic, Nectar on, West Coast Pilsners, stouts), and a memorable s’mores stout brew day. The episode also touches on taproom culture, brewery collaborations, supporting local breweries, and practical tips for new podcasters (Podbean).

Expect a warm, conversational interview with brewing insights, personal storytelling, and recommendations for anyone curious about breaking into the industry or exploring beer culture. Cheers and find your beer.

The Taproom Podcast Episode 161: Mike and co-hosts (including brother Josh, Kai and Family) take listeners on a tipsy San Diego brewery crawl and a Tulare tap yard visit. Expect beer reviews of Pure Project, Salty Walrus, Bay City, Burgeon, North Park and Societe, plus playful single-hop tasting notes, pilsners, hazies and blondes. The episode also features recurring — and wildly popular — "pisser reviews" from Tyler and Kai, local brewery shout-outs, stories about running taprooms, podcasting tips with Podbean, and plenty of behind-the-scenes banter, hangovers, and food recaps. Key takeaways: local craft scene highlights, tasting impressions and ratings, taproom culture, and an honest, unfiltered look at a beer-filled weekend.

Host Mike sits down with Kevin Limon, brewer at Highland Park Brewing, for a candid conversation about his journey from homebrewing and Cal Poly’s brewing program to leading production at Highland Park. Kevin discusses sensory-driven brewing, daily beer mission statements, recipe development (including his Mexican lager “Futbol”), and the team culture that keeps them improving.

The episode covers technical topics like hop selection (Crush), fermentation checks, and packaging, plus lighter moments about favorite beers (Timbo, Hello LA, Borts), collabs with Russian River and others, Pink Boots Brew Day, and Kevin’s outside interests. Mike also shares trip highlights from San Diego and upcoming recordings, giving listeners a sense of the taproom scene and what to expect from the brewery.

Episode 159 of the Taproom Podcast with host Mike and guest Mike Bielawski of Homeland Brew Co. (Anthem, AZ). Conversations cover Mike’s brewing journey from homebrew to opening a hybrid taproom, the Homeland West Coast IPA, brewing influences (Firestone Walker, Bottle Logic), and the taproom’s community-focused approach—supporting veterans, first responders, local collabs, food trucks, mug club perks, and events like Copperstate and Strong Beer Fest.

Listen for practical brewery and taproom insights—menu curation, beer education, contract brewing, hop preferences, pairing ideas, memorable brew-day stories, and the importance of building experiences that keep locals coming back. Expect a mix of personal stories, business lessons, and beer talk in a relaxed, conversational hour-plus.