Better on Draft | Craft Beer Podcast

It's summer and that's a great time for beer festivals! Rob and Wendy talk about two upcoming (or already-passed depending on when you hear this) beer festivals. Whether you attend these festivals or not you may learn some strategies to apply to your next fest - or have strategies to share with us. July 19: Indiana Brewers Guild presents Summerfest 2025 - https://drinkin.beer/event/summe...

Rob has often stated that Books & Brews Brownsburg is the best beer bar in Brownsburg. Wendy and Rob get to talk to Nick Valentin, the owner and proprietor of the best beer bar in Brownsburg! Books & Brews Brownsburg can be found on Facebook if Brownsburg, Indiana alone isn't a big enough draw for you to visit in person: https://www.facebook.com/BnBBrownsburg

Rob and Wendy talk to Chris Overlay, founder of Get Hoptimized about what a marketing company can do for breweries. You can learn more about Get Hoptimized and listen to their podcast at https://www.gethoptimized.com/

Rob and Ed talk to Adam Ross about his involvement in Twin Span Brewing in the Quad Cities area.  Twin Span Brewing Adam's playing HuntAKiller games, Rob suggested Grand Gamers Guild 's 18Escape series.

Your winners of the 2025 March Draftness competition decided to throw a big party at their venue on Saturday May 17th in Portage Michigan, and Ed, Ken, Wendy, and Bill all came down to check it out.  Ed and Ken sat down with the owners and head brewer to talk about the business, fighting through the 2020's, and how they are able to keep progressing forward with a great fanbase and even better...

Adrienne Banka of Cerveceria Punta Sur joins us (from her distillery) to talk about opening the first brewery in Cozumel, Mexico. From educating the politicos to educating the local community, hear how she has grown a business that serves the local community while managing the tourists in a vacation destination. You can also hear about the joys of learning to make things work when you are brewing...

Rob talks at great length about the things he saw and did at and around the Craft Brewers Conference. Sessions, the show floor, events, and other beery trips all show up. Hear his (not an expert) advice to small taprooms based on what he thinks he heard in some of the educational sessions! Most importantly, Barleywine Is Life #BIL. More information about the Craft Brewer's Conference is avail...

Wendy and Rob discuss some recent news articles and generally catch up since the last news show. Article 1, a more sustainable beer Article 2, draft beer sales are up! Article 3, more effects of tariffs Article 4, Bad Dad expansion A short quiz's source - there's more wonderful beer names here Article 5, Indiana on Tap's Sale We also discussed the Craft Brewer's Conference The...

Wendy and Rob talk to Roman from Tapster, a self-serve beer bar that is popping up across the country. Roman talks about how he came to start such a business and some of the decisions that had to be made in an attempt to make the space more friendly to all levels of beer-enthusiasts from those who want to tick every beer, get a deep appreciation for particular beers, or were dragged along by frien...

Wendy and Rob talk to Benny and Tony from Hear. Say Brewing and Theater, a not-quite-a-year-old establishment in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Come audially explore this unique space. Head brewer Benny gives us a lot of insight into what he's looking for when he brews (and he says "dropping trub" a few times). Tony talks about the experience of working with different communities and how fulf...

Ken and Matt Bush discuss the March Draftness brackets now that we're at the round of 32 and heading into the Stout 16. Let us know your predictions! You can participate in March Draftness by voting for your favorite brewery in each matchup over in our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterondraft You can connect with Matt Bush of Re/Max First at https://www.mifirsthouse.com/...

Wendy and Rob talk to Courtney and Derek Guggenberger of Guggman Haus Brewing, a well-regarded and decorated brewery just outside downtown Indianapolis. Starting as a small brewery in 2019 and growing to a slightly larger brewery recently, hear about their brewing philosophy and their unique and interesting brewhouse.  In 2025 Better on Draft will be recording on the second and fourth Friday of th...

Wendy and Rob talk to Anni of Naptown Trivia about what it's like to create and run a successful trivia business and how instrumental it can be for newer breweries as they grow their regular clientele. If you're unfamiliar with pub trivia maybe this episode can help you understand the appeal. If you're familiar with pub trivia then you're going to hear all the tropes and secret...

Wendy and Rob catch up on recent doings, discuss drinking the alphabet, and the odd occurrence of having things thrown at you unexpectedly. Articles in the show:  - Greg Hall and Virtue Cider: https://chicago.eater.com/2024/11/27/24306883/virtue-cider-greg-hall-renovations-fennville-michigan-inbev-independent-sale  - Beer Choir: https://www.kimt.com/news/beer-choir-makes-its-north-iowa-debut-on-mo...

Rob and Wendy talk to Mark Lasbury of Indiana On Tap about the Tasting Society Marketplace, working with breweries, On Tap tickets and festivals, and beer around Indiana and Michigan and beyond! In 2025 Better on Draft will be recording on the second and fourth Friday of the month at 8:30 Eastern. You can watch us live to share your questions, opinions, and drinks on Facebook, Twitch, and Youtube....

Running Ken-less, Rob and Wendy will talk to Joel Geier of Brewery Travels about his new book, Flights Across America: A Brewery Lover’s Journey. Hear about his travels and experiences in breweries across the country! In 2025 Better on Draft will be recording on the second and fourth Friday of the month at 8:30 Eastern. You can watch us live to share your questions, opinions, and drinks on Faceboo...

For Ken's last podcast as a regular host he invited Eric Briggeman of Rochester Mills Brewing, the first guest on Better on Draft ever. Join us for a bit of nostalgia and catch up on Rochester Mills and Eric's (and Amanda's) current activities. In 2025 Better on Draft will start recording on the second and fourth Friday of the month at 8:30 Eastern. You can watch us live to share yo...

The Better on Draft team checks in with long-time friend of the show Kevin DeGrood. You may know him from North Central Brewing or from his presence within the Michigan craft beer scene or maybe you are meeting him for the firt time (like Rob). We'll hear about the hardships of running a brewery, even a successful one, and what Kevin sees in the industry and market. This is Ken's penulti...

At most craft beer festivals you're guaranteed two things.  Amazing Michigan Beer, and seeing Chuck Marshall and his wife Brenda running around the festival grounds snapping amazing photographs and promoting the event.  Since we knew they'd be attending 4 Elf we took the time to sit down with them for an hour to go over their website and cover of craft beer and music in Michigan, as well...

4 Elf Day 2024 was on December 14th this year and we headed out to Marshall Michigan to see what is going on in the world of ROAK and Dark Horse.  The first half of the episode brings out Chuck Mascari Jr, managing partner of ROAK/Dark Horse to talk about the industry, the changes, and how they've been weaving in the murky waters of the current landscape of craft beer.  It just so happens, bi...

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: Ken, Wendy, and Rob chase the beer truck to get some BCBS, discuss alcoholic advent calendars, and lots of beery things. Join us live at our new start time, 8:30pm ET, every other Friday! Live on Twitch, Kick, and Facebook! We'll also be live at 4 Elf Party Dec 14th at Dark Horse Brewery in Marshall, MI. Sponsors: Visit Detroit - The Detroit Brew Trail - https://visit...

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: Wendy and Rob discuss some things they learned while preparing for a non-alcoholic brewery interview that will hopefully be rescheduled. They also discuss beer! in! space! and the Craft Beer Hall of Fame, certifications, removing alcohol from beer, poor decisions on a bicycle, and spiderman's alcohol-free beer. Join us live at our new start time, 8:30pm ET, every othe...

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: Join Ken, Wendy, and Rob in a conversation with Brian from Stormcloud Brewing out of Frankfort (not Frankenmuth). Brian sells us all on the trek up to Traverse City to hang out at a cool brewpub (or a taproom if the brewpub is busy). A Belgian-inspired brewery doing easy-drinking traditional styles in a fun and interesting environment. You should see them in the winter! Jo...

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: Join Ken, Wendy, and Rob in a conversation with Nick from HOMES out of Ann Arbor. Nick talks about how he came to be the head brewer doing interesting and exciting beverages, how he works within the industry, and working within the Michigan and farther beer community. Join us live at our new start time, 8:30pm ET, every other Friday! Live on Twitch, Kick, and Facebook! MIC...

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: Recorded live at Nick the Brewer's place, Nick and Ian (formerly of Cellarmen's) joins us to talk about their long history in the industry, what has changed since we've had them on last, and what the future holds for craft beer, its fandom, and its future.   Join us live at our new start time, 8:30pm ET, every other Friday! Live on Twitch, Kick, X, and Faceb...