Kentucky Commons Podcast

What do one of Louisville’s oldest breweries, Great Flood Brewing, and one of Carmel Indiana’s finest breweries have in common? They both have had the pleasure of this week's guest, Mike Abel, (Head Brewer, Fork + Ale House, Cellarman, Ash & Elm) gracing their taprooms. Known for his quick wit and unquenchable thirst for beer knowledge Mike has built a thriving career across multiple citie...

After drinking all the Louisville Beer during Louisville Beer Week, the guys were incredibly excited to take a “booch’ break” this episode with the incredible duo that is Corey and Danielle Wood, owners and founders of Elixir Kombucha. We got the rundown on their recent growth into their new production home, the story of how Corey’s kombucha-loving aunt launched them on their journey, and got very...

“Your job is so cool.” While it has its perks, the beer industry has its challenges too. Introducing the Louisville Beer For All Panel, brought to you by 78 Social in partnership with Kentucky Guild of Brewers. Dive deep into real stories from individuals across the Commonwealth. Hear from those who've faced, or is facing, barriers in the industry - be it financial, geographical, gender-relate...

For Louisville Beer Week 2023, Louisville Ale Trail organized a barrel panel discussion to talk about all the ways wood impacts flavor. Hear from experts in the beer, spirits, and barrel space. Panelists included Jackie Zykan (Hidden Barn Whiskey), Marty Scott (Revolution Brewing), Andrew Wiehebrink (Independent Stave Co.), and Roger Huff (Gallant Fox Brewing). Moderated by Jessica Adkins (H&A...

Extra, extra! KY Commons Podcast Welcomes Award-Winning Journalist Olivia Krauth. This week, the guys are honored to welcome Olivia Krauth, Kentucky Education & Politics reporter, to the show ahead of Kentucky's gubernatorial election in November. Olivia has been breaking and breaking down Kentucky news for years now. It was fascinating to get her take on how the news happens. In addition...

We hope you’re hungry, folks, because this week’s guest, Russ Meredith, owner of The Beer Syrup Company, came packing a spread! Russ is famous around town for his delicious concoctions, all inspired and derived from his favorite beers. In this episode, he guides us through a multi-course meal - each dish incorporating his products in unique and delicious ways. In addition to getting stuffed, we al...

This week, we are on location to bring you a very special episode with Mike Semenec (Brand Director) and Vince Tursi (Head Brewer), the co-founders of DSSOLVR! We get the inside story on DSSOLVR’s birth, how they found a home in Asheville, what drives their creativity, and how they continue pushing for every batch to be the best.  We also get the scoop on their upcoming expansion, the deeply nuanc...

This week was an incredibly special episode for us as we got to sit down with two exceptional people from one of our absolute favorite companies, White Labs Yeast. Pablo Gomez, Technical Account Manager, and Devin Tani, Technical Education Coordinator, join the show to tell us what got them into the wild world of yeast & share how White Labs has built and continues to grow a “culture” of quali...

This week we welcome a veteran of the Louisville beer scene, Vince Cain, co-founder and former co-owner of Great Flood Brewing, and Owner of Right Mind Consulting. We also welcome guest host Alex Vogt (owner, Awry Brewing). Vince, with his other partners, opened Great Flood all the way back in 2013 and kicked off the second wave of growth in Louisville’s modern brewery scene. In his many years bui...

Road Trip! This week the guys are on the road down to Asheville, NC to visit our friends at Hi-Wire Brewing and brew a collab beer for this year’s Louisville Beer Week. We are joined on this episode by Hi-Wire’s Head of Sour and Specialty, Peter Batinski. We talked to Peter about his impressive and diverse career in breweries all across the country, how his passion lead him to Asheville and his cu...

Have you felt it? That subtle shift in the air hinting at the first taste of fall? We have, and this week we are incredibly excited to embrace it by welcoming Katie Jo Glesing to the show. Katie is the Founder (and possible Physic Vampire) of Boo812: Paranormal Research and Edutainment. Katie embraces her affinity for all things Woo to explore beyond the veil with fellow researchers and individual...

Gracing the microphone this week is the man you may know as “The Voice of Ohio Valley Wrestling,” Bryan Kennison. In this episode, we discuss how Bryan and his production partner Steve got their start in the world of OVW, get the inside scoop on what it was like making the upcoming Netflix series “Wrestlers,” and learn about his love for fruity sours and Disney cruises.  We also get into the mind...

This week the guys were honored to welcome Kenny Coleman, host of Bourbon Pursuit Podcast and owner of Pursuit Spirits, into the studio to discuss his journey of turning his college passion into a successful podcast, the lessons he learned along the way, and the development of the new Pursuit Spirits line. We also uncover Kenny’s secret passion for spooky season and put his years of Bourbon experi...

This week the guys are joined by the one and only David Castellon. David has seen it all in his 15 years in and around craft beer: from pounding porters in the family restaurant to building craft beer in early 2000s SoCal, guiding tours through Anchor’s historic brewery, to his current role building brand and culture with Gravely Brewing. This conversation was as fascinating as it was wide-ranging...

Ahoy there. In this week’s episode, we had the great pleasure to sit down with Paul Heintzman of Saltwater Woody to taste, talk and learn all about their amazing saltwater-diluted, real fruit-blended, line of American rums.  If you have not tried Saltwater Woody, or you would like a reintroduction to the world of rum, then we highly recommend picking up a bottle (the grilled pineapple is excellent...

This week the fellas are joined by the one and only Berto Freeman, Head Brewer of Ten20 Craft Brewery. We discuss his formative years and beers in his New York home, his natural transition to the Bluegrass State, what he sees for the future of Ten20, and so much more.  We also get a bit saucy with Berto’s handmade tomato pie and some classic New York lagers.  Featured Beverages: Kentucky Mule ft....

This week the guys are joined by Chris Johnson (AKA "DJ Money Baby") to discuss his journey through the craft beer world. From drinking Aventinus at Nachbar to representing Bell’s Brewery across the state, Chris has seen it all. In this episode, we discuss Chris’ career path and landing his current position, his recollections on the day they all learned about the New Belgium & Bell’s...

This week the guys are joined by the one and only Jeff Faith. Jeff is a fixture in Louisville for his laid-back and “dudely” presence, his skills on the bass, his fixing up of airplanes and old boats, and for resurrecting the classic Fehr’s Beer. In Louisville’s pre-prohibition era, Fehr’s was among the biggest breweries in the country, with distribution nationwide. Over the 20th century, the bran...

This week, the gang is joined by Rich Shanks from Louisville's newest brewery, Kyros Brewing, as well as special guest host Madelaine Ruggles.  We discuss: the Kyros ethos on business, family, and community, why they and their community love their Portland neighborhood, their unique secret beer garden, and more.  Rich also shares his love of bourbon and cigars. Moeller nails his J. Jonah James...

This week the guys are joined by Pete Weiss (Marketing Director, Country Boy Brewing) to talk about Country Boy’s new Louisville taproom, their growth as one of the OG Lexington craft beer brands, and what changes Pete has seen in the craft beer market over his ten years in the industry. We also reflect on the offloading of craft beer products by ABInBev and Constellation Brands and what this mean...

Bourbon and Brass in the Bluegrass! Haley Perros (National Brand Manager, Wilderness Trail Distillery) and Michaelle Perros (Singer and Saxophonist, Vinyl Richie, and Executive Director at Great American Brass Band Festival) join the show to discuss the evolution of Kentucky from a bourbon and music perspective and the buzz around the Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville. Featured Bevera...

There's a new brewery in Louisville! This week the podcast is joined by Awry Brewing co-founders Alex Vogt, Tyler Martin, and Tom Bartle. We discuss their origin story, how the founders met and became partners, how they chanced upon the perfect location, and what they hope their brewery can become. We also uncover all of our formative experiences with beer and introduce a few fun games. Featur...

The garage is always open! Zane Smith (National Sales Director, Garage Beer) joins the show to chat about Garage Beer’s new direction and tennis. Featured Beers: Oktoberfest (Half Day Brewing) Garage Beer Garage Beer Lime Support the podcast by giving us a rating and a review. Prefer YouTube? Subscribe to our channel:  www.youtube.com/@louisvillealetrail If you like what you hear, you can tip us a...

Scott Shreffler, co-owner at Mile Wide Beer Co., joins the show in this week’s episode. We talk about Mile Wide’s growth, NEIPAs, Brewers Association Top 50 Breweries, and learn about Scott’s taste in movies. Featured Beers: A Pie Called Derby (Cumberland Brews) Cathedral Kolsch (Mile Wide Beer Co.) Quiet Science Kentucky Lily (Mile Wide Beer Co.) Support the podcast by giving us a rating and a re...

In this episode, we're joined by Jackie Zykan, Master Blender and co-owner of Hidden Barn Whiskey. Our conversation explores craft distilling, the techniques of barrel blending, and Jackie's unique ODUOAK perfume line. All of us also put our senses to the test in a sensory evaluation game. PS: hope you like Cold IPAs! Featured Beverages Catacombs (Mile Wide x LAT collab) Bobsled Cold IPA (...