Midwest Microbrew

Scott Whitson, head brewer and owner of Bit Brewery in Central City, Iowa, returns to Midwest Microbrew to break down exactly what's working (and what's not) in small-town craft beer marketing. From wrapped golf carts that flopped to a "brewer in training" program that's bringing in new customers every month, Scott shares real numbers and real lessons from six years of run...

In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, I sit down with Sam Goerdt, co-owner and brewer at Goerdt's Brewhaus in Galena, Illinois. Sam shares his journey from the Marine Corps to brewing school to opening his own craft brewery, and we dive into his European-inspired lagers and ales, his BBQ menu, and what's coming up next at the brewery. 🍺 What we cover: Sam's path from the Marines to...

In this short interview, Henry Nosek of Midwest Microbrew sits down with Russ Klisch of Lakefront Brewery to discuss what it truly takes to start and run a successful craft brewery. Russ shares his hard-earned wisdom on managing cash flow, choosing the right business partners, building a distribution strategy, and why passion and personality are just as important as making great beer. Whether you&...

How does a small craft brewery build a fiercely loyal customer base in a competitive market? Brian Buss of Bust'd Brewing in Peoria, Illinois breaks down exactly how he's done it. In part two of our conversation, Brian shares the strategies and tactics Bust'd Brewing has used to attract all kinds of people to their taproom and keep them coming back — from die-hard beer geeks to tota...

Dan Carey co-founded New Glarus Brewing in 1993 with no money, no investors, and no roadmap — just a passion for world-class beer and the work ethic to match. This is part two of our conversation with one of the most respected brewmasters in the Midwest. In this episode, Dan opens up about the brutal early years of building New Glarus from scratch using dairy equipment bought at auction, the legen...

In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, host sits down with Michael Williams, Brand Development Manager at Great Lakes Brewing Company, for their second conversation — and this time the focus shifts from the beer to the people who love it. We dig into how Great Lakes Brewing Company has cultivated one of the most loyal craft beer communities in the Midwest, what it takes to grow a craft beer brand i...

In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we sit down with Elliot Thompson (Founder) and Neil Blair (Brewer) from Alluvial Brewing in Ames, Iowa. We dig into the story behind one of central Iowa's most exciting craft breweries — from its founding and early days to the vibrant taproom atmosphere and the live music scene that keeps locals and visitors coming back. Whether you're a craft beer l...

In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we’re in Dyersville, IA, at Textile Brewing Company. We sit down with Ashley Althoff and Head Brewer Joel Null to talk about the incredible journey of this historic taproom and their commitment to sustainable, high-quality craft beer. Textile is a "time machine" of a brewery, where the industrial past meets a high-tech, eco-friendly future. As the fi...

Can a town of 500 people support a thriving craft brewery? 🍺🌾 In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we travel to Titonka, Iowa, to interview Jeff Brandt from Titonka Brewing Company. Jeff’s story is a testament to the idea that if you brew great beer and build a welcoming space, people will come from miles around to experience it. Titonka Brewing isn't just a place to grab a pint; it's...

What happens when a "Dogfish Head" veteran brings his expertise to the heart of Iowa? 🍺🌾 In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we travel to Oskaloosa, IA, to sit down with Jeremy Hunt, Head Brewer at NoCoast Beer Co. Known for their bold, unpretentious branding and high-quality production, NoCoast has become a powerhouse in the Iowa craft scene by focusing on technical excellence and M...

Join me for an in-depth conversation with Sam Lewey, Marketing Director at Toppling Goliath Brewing Company in Decorah, Iowa. Discover the incredible story of how a simple Christmas homebrew kit in 2009 transformed into one of America's most acclaimed craft breweries. The Toppling Goliath Story: What began as a hobby in a family garage has evolved into a 100-barrel brewing powerhouse distribu...

Join me for an exclusive conversation with Jeff Kraft, Head Brewer at Titletown Brewing Company in downtown Green Bay, Wisconsin. Discover how this beloved brewery saved a historic train depot from demolition 30 years ago and transformed it into one of Wisconsin's premier craft beer destinations.

In this episode of the Midwest Microbrew Podcast, we travel to Cleveland, Ohio, to sit down with Michael Williams, the Brand Development Manager at the legendary Great Lakes Brewing Company. As one of the pioneers of the craft beer movement in the Midwest, Great Lakes has a story that is as rich as its porters. We dive into the brewery's historic roots in Ohio City, explore the evolution of t...

What makes a brewery more than just a place to grab a pint? In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we travel to Peoria, Illinois, to chat with Brian Buss, the Brewmaster and co-owner of Busted Brewing. Brian takes us behind the scenes of one of Central Illinois' most unique taprooms. We discuss their standout beer lineup, how they’ve mastered a family-friendly atmosphere that welcomes everyone...

In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we sit down with Andy Joynt, the Brewmaster at Big Grove Brewery in Iowa. Big Grove has one of the most incredible growth stories in the craft beer industry, evolving from a local favorite to a massive operation with a footprint that’s hard to miss. Andy takes us behind the scenes to discuss: The Story of Massive Growth: How they scaled up without losing their...

In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we head to Central City to chat with Scott Whitson from BIT Brewery. BIT (which stands for Best In Three) was founded by three friends with a simple mission: brew great beer and build a space the community loves. Scott takes us through the journey of opening a nano-brewery in a small town, the art of the perfect wood-fired brick oven pizza, and the creative pr...

We sit down with Hannah Bourgault, Marketing Director of Duluth’s Bent Paddle Brewing, to discuss the art of craft beer. Discover how the North Shore inspires their strategy and see what’s brewing next for this iconic Minnesota brewery.

Go behind the scenes with an exclusive Midwest Microbrew interview featuring Ryan Bandy, CBO of Indeed Brewing! Explore the Minneapolis brewery's rich history, current operations, and exciting future vision. Dive deep into their exceptional craft beer offerings, seasonal releases, and upcoming brewery events. Essential viewing for all craft beer lovers!

Trevor Rose-Hamblin of Old Irving Brewing shares the story behind Chicago's beloved craft brewery, what makes their beer special, and what's next.

Discover how chef-turned-brewmaster Jared Rouben created Moody Tongue, Chicago's innovative culinary brewery pairing Michelin-quality food with craft beer.

Join me for an in-depth conversation with Tom Schroeder, owner and historic preservation advocate behind Waldmann Brewery, the oldest surviving commercial building in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Waldmann Brewery Story: Built in 1857 by Bavarian immigrant Anton Waldmann and his wife Mina, Waldmann originally operated as a German lager beer saloon from 1857-1863. After serving as a residence for over...

Discover the story of Nik & Ivy Brewing with Head Brewer Chad Lindahl! We’re in Lockport, IL, to discuss the science of craft beer, community-focused brewing, and the journey of a local microbrewery. In this episode of Midwest Microbrew, we sit down with Chad Lindahl, the master brewer behind the traditional and trendy pours at Nik & Ivy Brewing. Located in the heart of historic downtown L...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Andrew McLean (Director of Marketing) and Trevor Klimek (Head Brewer) from One Well Brewing, one of Kalamazoo, Michigan's most innovative craft breweries! In this interview, we explore the story behind One Well Brewing's creative approach to craft beer, their unique taproom experience featuring board games and pinball machines, and their commitme...

In this episode, I interview one of the founders and the head brewmaster of New Glarus Brewing Company: Dan Carey. Dan tells the story of how the beloved brewery came to be, and what inspired him to create delicious beer like Spotted Cow.

In this episode, I interview Keith Hefley, the head brewmaster of 22 Northmen Brewery and Taproom. Keith talks about the creative freedoms he values when creating his beers and what led him to 22 Northmen.