Beer with Fred

The conversation covers a range of topics including brewing, entrepreneurship, business operations, beer creation, community involvement, local events, family, and sports. Ben's passion for brewing and entrepreneurship is evident throughout the discussion, along with his active engagement in community events and fundraisers. Takeaways Passion for brewing Entrepreneurship and business Community inv...

Discover inspiring stories of local business growth, regulation challenges, and the future of entrepreneurship with a focus on real estate, hospitality, and AI innovations. This episode highlights the importance of positive attitudes and proactive problem-solving in today's dynamic landscape. Key Topics The evolution of Ted's Fried Clams and small-town entrepreneurship Real estate developments and...

This interview explores Billy McGeehee's remarkable journey from professional tennis to sports management, community service, and life-saving initiatives. Discover how his diverse experiences and passion for giving back are shaping a safer, more connected world through innovative programs like Athletes for America and pickleball events.

This interview explores the deep roots of community, family, and entrepreneurship through personal stories and shared experiences at Sea Dog in Maine and Florida. It highlights the importance of relationships, legacy, and adapting to new environments while maintaining core values. Takeaways Childhood connections shape lifelong relationships Transitioning to a new location can lead to unexpected op...

Everyone remembers where they were on September 11. For some, the story is deeply personal. In this episode we hear one of those near misses, how a last minute change saved a life, and how that moment inspired a lasting commitment to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Having a Beer with Fred is about more than stories. It is about passion, purpose, and conversations that remind us what matters most.

What begins as posting music on TikTok quickly turns into thousands of views, a growing fanbase, and brand partnerships with more than 100 companies. In this episode of Having a Beer with Fred we talk about how unexpected opportunities can shape a career, and why honest conversation over a beer often reveals the real passions that drive people forward.

Can you really get THC drinks shipped straight to your door? In this episode we unpack the patchwork of state laws, why Tennessee banned direct to consumer sales, and how Alt Bev is changing the game with custom bundles, subscriptions, and variety packs. The future of cannabis might not be smoking. It might be sipping.

The team behind Dog Wear & Care to explore the world of speed dating for dogs. They reveal how energy and temperament checks, pop-up meetups and targeted matchmaking are pairing pups with perfect families. From service dog placements to digital training programs and community pack walks, discover how this innovative approach is keeping dogs out of shelters and building forever homes. Pour your...

Jim Ciampi, an adopted “bar band kid” turned dueling pianos sensation, pours his heart out on how a warm family home, chance late-night gigs with jazz legends, and fearless entrepreneurship sparked a full-blown music empire. Jim pulls back the curtain on the secret sauce behind his community-building events, church revival projects, and the unstoppable passion that transformed basement jam session...

Join Fred for a beer and a deep dive with solo ocean racer Ronnie Simpson to learn why piloting a $3 million yacht around the world can feel tougher than summiting Everest. In this episode you’ll hear: How a war veteran swapped combat for a mast, only to discover that in yacht racing “the race can end for you at any moment” The high-stakes drama of leading solo across the Atlantic, then watching y...

Join veteran storytellers Fred and Reggie as they pull back the curtain on the powerful—and sometimes haunting—stories that shaped their careers and the lives they’ve touched. In this episode you’ll hear: A 15-year-old survivor from Rwanda who forgave the very man who hacked off his hands How a raw, 11-episode series on addiction earned a New England Emmy nod and now sparks life-saving conversatio...

Watch Jim Chiampi live on Friday, July 25th. Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dueling-pianos-with-jim-ciampi-and-seth-holbrook-tickets-1369002737039 Fred sits down with Jim Ciampi, an adopted “bar band kid” whose childhood love of Sinatra and Saturday night gigs blossomed into a booming music empire. From house parties and dueling pianos in Portland to sold-out weddings and community fun...

She knew at five years old she was meant to sing – and she never looked back. What does it actually take to turn your voice into a career… to play 35 gigs a month and feel like you’re retired because your “work” is making people smile over a beer? In this episode, you’ll hear her unfiltered story about persistence, timing, and the hidden truth of “making it” in music. She shares the moments that a...

Why do so many beer and liquor sales jobs treat employees like prisoners? In this episode, Fred and Alan expose how traditional distributors lock salespeople into strict routes, GPS tracking, and micromanagement that kills freedom. They introduce a new independent model with Alt THC and Icepic Vodka that lets you build your own accounts, keep ownership, and create an income stream on your terms. I...

Discover how Nine Stones Spa stays fully booked without worrying about competition. In this episode, you’ll learn the neighborhood strategy that keeps them thriving, the power of genuine community relationships, and why prioritizing team culture and authentic service experiences leads to long-term success. Hear how the new owner plans to expand services with retreats, sound healing, and wellness p...

In this episode of Having a Beer with Fred , Don Campbell talks about how he built a career in music without giving up control. He shares how growing up in a musical family shaped him, what it took to go full-time, and why treating music like a business matters. Don also talks about giving back through his Flotilla to Fight Cancer concert, which has raised over $100,000. If you’re thinking about t...

Alexander Prie turned his passion for raves into a business and is transforming Portland’s event scene one party at a time. From underground DIY shows to full-scale immersive experiences, we talk creative entrepreneurship, music culture, and how Hive Events is reviving nightlife in New England. He even threw a rave in a brewery just for us.

What does it take to thrive in one of the most volatile industries in America? In today’s episode of Having a Beer with Fred , we sit down with Bobby, a hospitality veteran who’s managed everything from beach bars in Florida to ice-cold taverns in Maine. He shares the unfiltered playbook that kept his venues alive—through staffing chaos, busted pipes, and post-pandemic burnout. This isn’t just a s...

From washing dishes to running one of Bangor’s busiest restaurants, Charles shares how growing up in a family-owned bar led him to discover his passion for cooking and ultimately leadership. In this episode of Having a Beer with Fran , we explore the highs and challenges of restaurant life, the thrill of concert season, and the importance of loving what you do. With 80 staff, 300 guests at a time,...

In this episode of Having a Beer with Fred , we visit the team at Sea Dog Brewing Co. in North Conway to chat about what makes this mountain town pub such a beloved local spot. General Manager Heather Milbourne and Head Chef Adam Hiles share insights on seasonal challenges, community favorites like fish tacos and Cajun pasta, and exciting summer updates including outdoor dining and live music. We...

What started as a simple $2 bill turned into a personal brand, a sales strategy, and a way to give back. Steve Rehman, a national window executive with a passion for connection, shares how a quirky idea became a calling card in business and philanthropy. From sauna meetings to surprise donations, this conversation is full of unexpected ways relationships can scale impact. If you care about persona...

How do you actually get a city to back your business? In this episode, former Portland mayor George Campbell shares the real strategies that open doors at city hall. From navigating local politics to reshaping entire communities, George breaks down what works, what fails, and why relationships matter more than ever. Entrepreneurs, developers, and public leaders will get a rare look into the playbo...

Ex-Navy captain Dean DeMont lost his marriage, properties, and fledgling hospitality empire when divorce and a Gulf-coast hurricane struck in the same year. Camping on a 13-berth charter boat, he clawed back—quitting cigarettes, rebuilding docks, and transforming Marine 13 into Treasure Island’s go-to outfit for dolphin cruises, offshore fishing, and sunset hops. Dean shares how birdsong, loyal fr...

Former Maine Governor Brennan’s appointee to the Board of Environmental Protection outlines a three-bucket model: collaborative rule-making, customer-oriented permitting, and evenhanded enforcement. He recalls BEP reforms—delegating major site reviews to “qualified cities” and creating a “permit-by-rule” path where applicants self-certify minor work and face random audits—and urges Portland to ado...

Third-generation restaurateur Matt Loder Sr. (Krabby Bill’s, Bonefish Grill, Jake’s Coastal Cantina) joins Fred to ask a blunt question: can tiny Gulf-coast cities still run themselves? Post-pandemic labor shortages and back-to-back hurricanes have erased workforce housing, snarled permits, and left mayors pleading for county takeovers of planning, inspections, and transit. Loder details how one s...