The Taproom Podcast

Host Mike sits down with Todd Baldwin, owner of RedLeg Brewing in Colorado Springs, to trace the brewery’s rise from military veteran roots to a bustling three-acre taproom. They discuss Todd’s journey out of the Army, funding the business through hardship, the decision to build a flagship facility, and lessons learned growing a brewery in a crowded market. Topics include RedLeg’s veteran-focused...

Episode 169 of the Taproom Podcast features Ashleigh Carter, co-owner and head brewer of Bierstadt Lagerhaus in Denver. Mike and Ashley discuss her brewing journey from homebrew and coaching soccer to leading a lager-focused brewery, the German inspirations behind their beers, and the meticulous SoulPort pils pour and service ritual. Topics include lager technique and consistency, the brewery’s ye...

In episode 168 host Mike sits down with Andrew Crowe of Howling Rabbits Beer Works (McAllen, TX) to catch up on brewery life and beer experiments. They taste and discuss current pours — a fresh Kolsch, the 26/27 Rabbits IPA, a berry-forward milkshake IPA, Coconut Porter (toasted with a flamethrower), a Guava Sour, and a Dusseldorf-style Alt — and preview an 11% American barley wine for the brewery...

Host Mike sits down with John Jackson of Wild Parrot Brewing in Pasadena for a wide-ranging conversation about launching a neighborhood brewery, the story behind the name, and surviving a pandemic-delayed opening. They discuss Wild Parrot’s rotating one-off tap philosophy, favorite styles and hops, experiments with malts, and standout beers from their menu. John shares practical lessons from his b...

Episode 166 brings a lively roundtable with Mike and special guests Raul (Solorio), Leo (Steady), and Luis (Level Up). The group discusses their beers entered in the California Craft Brewers Cup—from Mexican lagers and Irish reds to hazies, fruit fruited ales, and creative seltzers—plus brewing techniques, recipe tweaks, fermentation strategy, and competition preparation. They share stories about...

Host Mike sits down with Will Perry of False Idol Brewing (North Richland Hills, DFW) for a lively episode about starting a brewery during COVID, False Idol’s laid-back “wolf den” vibe, named tanks (Shoresy, Regina George), and the cans and collabs that made the visit memorable. They cover Will’s brewing journey (Oklahoma, Denver, Colorado Springs), False Idol’s core beers and rotating lineup (Wes...

Episode 164 features Brian “Herbie” Herbertson, head brewer at Lucky Luke Brewing (Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster). Mike and Herbie dig into his path from homebrewing and touring with bands to commercial brewing, winning awards, and pivoting through COVID to grow Lucky Luke’s three locations. The conversation covers brewing philosophy and techniques (yeast management, tank scheduling), favorit...

In episode 163 Mike reconnects with guest Chris Leguizamon (Instagram: chris.thebeereducator) for a wide-ranging, conversational episode that feels like two friends catching up over beers. They discuss Chris’s move from San Diego and Pure Project to brewing and hospitality work in North Carolina, differences in regional beer culture, and the role of beer education in building community and trust....

Episode 162 of the Taproom Podcast features host Mike with guest Lynisha Hyche of Angry Horse Brewing and Nathan McCusker. They discuss Lynisha’s transition from a 15-year corporate career and kombucha-making into craft brewing, her experience at Rio Hondo College’s fermentation program, and the path from homebrewing to a professional role. Topics include brewing education and hands-on training, s...

The Taproom Podcast Episode 161: Mike and co-hosts (including brother Josh, Kai and Family) take listeners on a tipsy San Diego brewery crawl and a Tulare tap yard visit. Expect beer reviews of Pure Project, Salty Walrus, Bay City, Burgeon, North Park and Societe, plus playful single-hop tasting notes, pilsners, hazies and blondes. The episode also features recurring — and wildly popular — "pisser...

Host Mike sits down with Kevin Limon, brewer at Highland Park Brewing, for a candid conversation about his journey from homebrewing and Cal Poly’s brewing program to leading production at Highland Park. Kevin discusses sensory-driven brewing, daily beer mission statements, recipe development (including his Mexican lager “Futbol”), and the team culture that keeps them improving.  The episode covers...

Episode 159 of the Taproom Podcast with host Mike and guest Mike Bielawski of Homeland Brew Co. (Anthem, AZ). Conversations cover Mike’s brewing journey from homebrew to opening a hybrid taproom, the Homeland West Coast IPA, brewing influences (Firestone Walker, Bottle Logic), and the taproom’s community-focused approach—supporting veterans, first responders, local collabs, food trucks, mug club p...

In episode 158 of the Taproom Podcast, host Mike sits down with Joe and Nick from the Hopin' We're Drinking podcast as they near their one-year anniversary. The trio talk about how the show began via social media and virtual happy hours, the challenges of launching a podcast, and the pair’s focus on homebrewing stories that connect listeners around the world. Guests discuss favorite episodes, regi...

Episode 157 of the Taproom Podcast: host Mike sits down with Jasper Gallardo of Bottle Logic Brewing for an inside look at his journey from canning-line work to head brewer. Jasper shares how mentorship, self-study and hands-on learning during COVID led him into brewing, his time at Harlan Brewing, and his return to Bottle Logic to lead R&D and production growth. Topics include recipe developm...

Episode 156 celebrates the Taproom Podcast’s three-year anniversary with special guest Mike Crea of Unsung Brewing. Mike joins host Mike to reflect on the podcast's beginnings, read a meaningful passage from The Tender Bar, and share personal stories about how craft beer shaped his life. Topics include international beer travels (Scotland, Japan, Taiwan), brewing philosophy, hop selection and new...

Episode 155 of the Taproom Podcast features Harrison McCabe, head brewer at Salty Bear Brewing (and brewer at Beachwood). Mike and Harrison talk through Harrison’s path from homebrewing to pro brewing, the story behind Salty Bear, and the making of their West Coast IPA “Hug Me.” Listeners will hear deep-dive brewing talk—styles like English milds, lagers, ESBs, hop selection and single-hop experim...

Episode 154 is a Taps & Tailgates reunion with host Mike, Jizzy and Nav. The episode runs through beer reviews (Bottle Logic Fuzzy Logic, Green Cheek’s The Other Brian, Ism × Burgeon collab, Salty Bear Blonde, North Park triple and more), a lively beer trivia segment and rapid-fire opinions on West Coast vs. hazy styles. On the non-beer side the hosts react to NFL playoff drama (Bills heartbre...

Episode 153 features Nate Bahr, head brewer and R&D lead at Central Waters Milwaukee. Host Mike visits the striking converted-church taproom to taste the Small Heron (a Motueka-forward small beer) and dig into Nate's brewing journey—from homebrewing to Lakefront, Bavarian Beer House and large-scale production—plus his work developing lagers, hazies, and experimental recipes using new hop produ...

Episode 152 of the Taproom Podcast features host Mike and special guest Russ Klisch, founder and owner of Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee. Russ shares the brewery’s origin story — from homebrewing and 55-gallon drum setups to buying a Cream City brick building — and walks through innovations like becoming an early certified organic brewery, creating a gluten-free beer that helped change federal pol...

Host Mike sits down with Quinn Reeder of Boulevard Brewing in Kansas City for a deep, behind-the-scenes conversation. They tour Boulevard’s massive facility, taste new and classic beers (including the Space Camper IPA and taproom exclusives), and discuss Boulevard’s Belgian roots, modern IPAs, lagers, seltzers and taproom culture. Quinn tells his personal story from pharmacy school to homebrewing...

Host Mike celebrates episode 150 with Cody Gagnon, founder and head brewer of Michi Brew Co in San Marcos. Cody shares his journey from homebrewing to working at several notable SoCal breweries and eventually opening his own tiki‑inspired taproom, the Ohana Room. Topics include the brewery launch and fast turnaround, emphasis on water chemistry and recipe development, the brewery’s identity (tropi...

Episode 149 of the Taproom Podcast with host Mike features Enrique Leveron and Miranda Gasca of Cerveceria del Pueblo and Tap Truck LA. The conversation traces their path from homebrewing to running a brewery and two vintage mobile tap trucks, covering brew days, equipment, recipe highlights (including a spicy guava–pineapple sour), and what it takes to turn a passion into a business. They also di...

Episode 148 of the Taproom Podcast features the Inland Empire Brew Witches — Tiffany, Alexis, Loretta and Sandra — as they share how the group started, grew and built a fiercely supportive community. Host Mike also mixes in travel notes from Chicago and Milwaukee, with brewery highlights from Lakefront, Central Waters and a Miller tour. The conversation covers the Brew Witches’ origins and members...

Host Mike sits down at Synth Beer Co. in Costa Mesa with founders/brewers Mitch McDuff and A. Max Salazar to talk about opening their September launch, the origin of the name “Synth,” and the first core beer, Laser Lager. They share the early planning, brewery build-out stories (including a beloved prototype brew house), and what it’s like to run a small, hands-on brewing program. Topics include t...

Mike welcomes his brother Jizzy Jake Riley for a special Thanksgiving Thursday Stoutsgiving episode recorded in the taproom. They taste and rate six dark beers — including Bottle Logic’s Jam the Radar (raspberry imperial stout), Chapman Brewing’s nitro oatmeal stout, Pizza Port’s Bacon & Eggs imperial coffee porter, Aerolodge’s Voyager barrel-aged imperial stout, Great Notion’s Barbarian peanu...