The BrewsLine Roadshow: Tasting America’s Craft Breweries

This episode of the Roadshow features an interview with Wyndee Forrest co-owner of Crafthaus, located in Henderson, Nevada. Wyndee and her husband, Dave, got their inspiration from their travels in Europe. Faced with some local legal hurdles to opening, Wyndee became a lobbyist for the city and successfully changed the licensing laws, making it easier for independent breweries to open in the area....

The Beer Zombie brand was created in 2013 as an Instagram page focused on beer. The owner, Chris Jacobs, has a background in art and design. He trademarked the Beer Zombies logo and began selling merchandise, and in 2020, Beer Zombies Brewing was launched.  We discuss the brewery's origins, unique beers, and the challenges of running a small brewery and the growing craft beer scene in Las Vegas. ...

Join me in my conversation with Erik Pizer of Flipside Brewing located in Tinley Park, IL in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.  Erik shares his story of closing an opening a brewery in the same location and the importance of having family and community support in making a small brewery successful.  The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewery trail with o...

In this episode I sat down with fellow Northern Illinois University alum Ike Orcutt, Owner and Brewer at Buckle Down Brewing. After sharing our mutual joy of NIU's moment of football fame, beating Notre Dame to start the 2024 season, we got down to beer business. Ike's first order of business was to stress the importance of a solid business partner. In this case, his wife Michelle co-owner of Buck...

 Tarpon River Brewing Company is a brewery located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The name comes from the Tarpon River, a popular fishing spot in the area. The owner,  Adam Fine, has been in the beer business for almost 30 years and has a history of brewing, distributing, and promoting craft beer throughout Florida, where he became known as the "Beer Pimp". The brewery restaurant hosts community-dri...

Riverlands Brewing Company is a story that captures everything that we love about not only beer, but life. I met Head Brewer and co- founder Eric Bramwell and Taproom Manager Jeremy Teel. The brewey is located in St. Charles, Illinois, is just a couple miles from the Fox River about 45 miles west of Chicago Riverlands goes beyond being a great place to have a fresh craft beer hosting unique events...

First Flight Brewery in Key West Florida, has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century when it was the PanAm Airlines ticket office hosting the first passenger flight outside the U.S.  In this episode, we meet Andrew, brewmaster, and Damien, owner, of First Flight. They share the story of how they came to open the brewery in this popular tourist destination. Formerly a restaurant owned...

On a cold Sunday in December your host visited Chubby Mermaid Brewing Company in Southwest Florida  Chubby Mermaid was started by Gary after he retired from the military. He quickly recruited Josh. Originally from opposite coasts, the two met through an online brewing club called BrewTubers, visit brewtubers.com.  We discussed their business, its growth, and the challenges they've faced in their f...

I sat down with Ted Burrell, owner and brewer of Northern Tropics Brewing in Muncie, Indiana. Ted tand I discussed how he got into brewing and his personal story. He also discussed the challenges of opening a brewery and some of the unique aspects of his taproom which is really a cozy tropical clubhouse designed to encourage conversation and community among his customers. He also shared his love f...

In this episode Darryl visits The Cassopolis Beer Company, located in Cassopolis, Michigan, is a brewery and restaurant that is housed in a historic building that was once a fire station and town hall. Ted Romanetz, the owner, grew up in the area and returned home after working at breweries in Colorado. Ted discusses how he got interested in brewing, the process of starting his own brewery, and th...

 In our interview with Steve Newman, the owner of Brother Chimp Brewing, a small craft brewery located in North Aurora, Illinois. The owner, who also has a background in home brewing, talks about the challenges of running a small brewery and the increase in competition in the area. He also discusses the community in the Fox Valley area and what makes a great team member for his business.  The Brew...

In this episode, I interview  breweries from Maine to New Mexico live at the Craft Brewers Conference in Indianapolis. Our guests are: Elizabeth Johnston and Danny McGovern from Monhegan Brewing and Lake Saint George Brewing, Maine   Adam Drager from Inventor's Brew Pub in Port Washington  WI Jen Levasseur from Ponderosa Brewing Company in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They discuss the challenges of st...

This is Part 1 of our "Live from the CBC" episodes! I had the pleasure of visiting with several Indiana craft brewers on the floor of this year's Craft Brewers Conference, held in Indianapolis in late April. My guests included: Aaron West from Westwind Brewery in Elkhart, Indiana westwindbrewery.com John Mills from Damsel Brew Pub in Evansville, Indiana ( 10:10) www.damselbrewpub.com Tom Carpenter...

Centuries ago, this part of the Midwest was a wild expanse of wet forest and marsh stretching across a million acres, and early settlers who slogged through the muck and mosquitoes called the place the Great Black Swamp. The swamp's history inspired flagship beers such as Mosquito Red Ale , Bullfrog Stout and Wild Duck IPA. I met with Andy and Tom and learned about Toledo's Great Black Swamp Brewe...

In this episode I sat down with Nathan Compton and Tim Palmer, co-owners of Primeval Brewing as they celebrate their 5th year in Noblesville, Indiana, Primeval offers fresh examples of classic European beer styles, and a few surprises like the fruity pink "Peony Days" and the slightly smokey " Smokey Bones". Opening just months before the pandemic, Primeval went from lines around the block on open...

In this episode we visit with Jan and Russ Juliette, Co-owners of TagaBrew USA, our presenting sponsor. Hear how they are have built the nation's largest brewery trail and craft beer community, stretching from northern Michigan to the U.S Virgin Islands ! See the note below to find out how you can join in the fun!  The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft bre...

As one of the the original nine US brewing companies and the second oldest operating brewery in the country Terre Haute Brewing Company is combining classic beer styles with modern craft beer creations Served on 24 taps in the historic tap room and distributed throughout Central Indiana and Illinois.  Listen in as Anthony Megali, Head of Brewery Operations, fills us in on the colorful history and...

As they enter into their second year, Tip A Canoe Brews has built a strong following in Rochester, Indiana and beyond. What started as a group of life long friends using making beer as a social activity, has grown to a popular destination for beer lovers and their families. It isn't always easy but the Tip A Canoe Crew just keeps paddling! Learn more at tipacanoebrews.com The BrewsLine Roadshow is...

Join me as I visit with Northbrook Brewing’s co-Founder Andrew “Drew” Johnson. Listen in as Drew describes how the support of family, friends, and the community of Arcadia Indiana has helped him and co-founders, Mke Ringwalt and Jenny Longnecker, turn a passion into a place dedicated to hosting good people, drinking good beer.  We are also joined by a special guest and receive a warning about not...

Join me as I visit Naples, Florida's newest brewery, Kaleidoscope Beer Company. Owner and brewer William Vaughn Is no stranger to the Southwest Florida craft beer scene.  He has applied his award-winning brewing skills at Fort Myers Brewing Company, Bone Hook Brewing, and Bury Me Brewing.  Listen in as William shares his passion for brewing and rock n roll and his excitement for making Kaleidoscop...

Brad Lincoln is a bit of an introvert, except when he's talking about beer and business. Join me in my conversation with Brad, co-founder of Funkwerks in Fort Collins, Colorado and get an insider's view into the Colorado beer industry, past, present and future. To learn more about Brad, his beers and his team go to funkwerks.com  The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's la...

Located on the beautiful certified organic Flatwater Farms, River Saint Joe is a farmstead brewery destination. Join me as I visit with brewer Danny and get a taste of true farm to glass brewing in Southwest Michigan. Find out how a walk around the farm provides fresh ideas for fun beer. You can learn more here. The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewer...

Owners Brandon and Alyssa Townsley wanted to bring great local beer to their hometown. After some unfortunate attempts with investors, they decided to go it alone and found the perfect spot on Main Street, Niles Michigan. Since then they have created a variety of creative ways to build their customer base and help  downtown Niles' resurgence as great small town destination just north of the Indian...

Fountain Square Brewing opened on January 21, 2012. Brewer Beppe Cuello and his service-industry-veteran wife Dama acquired Fountain Square Brewing in January 2023, saving the staff, taproom, and this legacy brand from dissolution. I sat down with Beppe to get caught up on the next chapter of FSB. Learn more at fountainsquare.beer   The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's...

Owner, brewer and amateur electrician, Steve Lowe shares the joys and challenges of running a local nano brewery and how he and his team are helping to make a downtown comeback in South Bend, Indiana, one beer at a time. To learn more about Steve and South Bend Brew Works visit southbendbrewwerks.com .    The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewery trail...