Crafty Brewers: Tales Behind Craft Beer

May 09 2024 8
Crafty Brewers: Tales Behind Craft Beer Podcast artwork

Welcome to Crafty Brewers, where we’ll increase your enjoyment of craft beer. In every episode, we’ll go from grain to glass with a different craft brewery — and have fun doing it! Join hosts Brian Noonan, semi-professional beer drinker, and Katherine Valleau, co-owner of Exit Strategy Brewing Co. in Forest Park, IL, as they host candid conversations with brewers and find out what brought them to a life of beer. They explore the styles, trends, and science that makes craft beer so great, expose hilarious "bad customer behavior," and bust beer myths so you can impress your friends with facts.

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Illuminated Brew Works: “The Most DIY of DIY” Breweries? Mash Tun Welding, Moving Out of Basements and More (Plus: Strange Millennial Beer Behavior)

May 09 2024 49 mins  
Explore Illuminated Brew Works’ imaginative craft beer creations and unique tap room that’s unlike any other you’ve seen. 01:26 Beer Myth: Is the craft beer market so saturated that now all beer is boring? Learn why some say that craft beer has become monotonous and learn how you can rediscover the diverse and thrilling world of artisanal brews, enhancing your appreciation an

Barrel Aging Artistry and Unconventional Ingredients: Algae, Nutella, and Pushing Craft Beer Boundaries with 1840 Brewing Company (Plus: Does All Barrel-Aged Beer Have a High ABV?)

Apr 25 2024 51 mins  
Learn how an eclectic brewery incorporates an incredible range of ingredients in its beers, including algae and Butterfly pea flower. 01:53 Beer Myth: Do all barrel-aged beers have a high ABV? Learn the truth behind whether barrel aging equals boozy brews so you can enjoy a wider range of flavorful beers with your newfound knowledge. 05:09 1840 Brewing Company: Kyle Vetter, founder

Beyond the 10 Millionth Pour: Huge Equipment, THC Seltzers, and MKE 2.0 with Eagle Park Brewing Company (Plus: Can You Have a Beer After a Workout?)

Apr 11 2024 57 mins  
Learn about Eagle Park Brewing Company’s explosive growth, how brewing is like making music, and what’s up with THC seltzers. 01:45 Beer Myth: Is it bad to have a beer after a workout? Learn the truth behind the idea that beer hampers your fitness efforts so you know what you should (or shouldn’t) reach for in your fridge after you get home from the gym. 03:45 Eagle Park Brew

An Inside Look at Milwaukee’s Iconic Lakefront Brewery: From Gluten-Free to Barrel-Aged Craft Beers (Plus: Is All Craft Beer Specialty Beer?)

Mar 28 2024 53 mins  
Get an inside look at Milwaukee’s iconic Lakefront Brewery, from its hilarious origins to its groundbreaking craft beers. 01:28 Beer Myth: Is all craft beer specialty beer? Have you ever wondered if craft beer is too niche or sophisticated for the average beer drinker? Learn the truth behind the idea that craft beer is only for the elite so you can broaden your beer horizons and

How Do You Find the Right Brewer? Nik & Ivy’s Journey to Brewing Customer Favorites While Introducing New Brews (Plus: Can Beer Go Bad?)

Mar 14 2024 49 mins  
Delve into the story of a Lockport brewery that was established during a challenging time, and has since grown to produce much-loved local brews. 01:51 Beer Myth: Can beer go bad? Learn the truth behind the longevity of your favorite brews so you can appreciate the nuances of beer aging and storage, and know when it's best to savor that special can or bottle you've been sav

Mastering Craft Lager Techniques with Goldfinger Brewing: Pilsners, Baltic Porters, Dunkels and More (Plus: Is Draft Beer Always Better Than Canned or Bottled?)

Feb 29 2024 56 mins  
Explore lager history, techniques, and misconceptions with the head brewer of one of the best Lager breweries in the U.S. 02:00 Beer Myth: Is draft beer always better than canned or bottled beer? It turns out that draft systems and draft lines have a lot to do with the quality of the beer you’re drinking, and Katherine breaks down what you might want to consider before you order

Tapping Into Community: Funkytown Brewery’s Mission to Brew Approachable Beers and Serve a New Market (Plus: Does Your Beer’s Color Affect Its Calorie Count?)

Feb 15 2024 63 mins  
The lifelong friends who founded Funkytown Brewing discuss the strategic planning that propelled their brewery to success. 01:34 Beer Myth: Are lighter colored beers healthier? Learn the truth behind beer color’s correlation with calorie content so you can savor your brews without compromising on flavor or falling for inaccurate health claims. 06:09 Funkytown Brewery Interview: F

Imperial Strength Brews and Small Batch Experimentation w/ Imperial Oak Brewing (Plus: When and Why Should You Age Your Craft Beer, and For How Long?)

Feb 01 2024 50 mins  
Learn about a taproom-focused brewery that brews a wide variety of styles and does a lot of small batch experimentation. 01:40 Beer Myth: Should all craft beer be aged to improve the flavor? Or is craft beer ready to drink when it’s served? And how long do you need to cellar a beer before you notice a difference in how it tastes? Learn when a beer is worth aging and when it’s n

Smoked Porters, English Styles, and “Traditional” Beers w/ Carolyn Stephens, Head Brewer at Art History Brewing (Plus: How Does Glassware Change the Beer Drinking Experience?)

Jan 18 2024 45 mins  
Head Brewer Carolyn Stephens from Art History Brewing discusses smoked porters, English styles, and delicious dark beers. 01:52 Beer Myth: Does proper glassware really enhance the beer drinking experience? Or is it all marketing? Katherine and Carolyn break down the way they use glasses at their breweries and what difference it actually makes in a beer drinker’s drinking experien

A Craft Beer Legend's Journey: Wil Turner on Brewing Techniques, Trends, and the Pursuit of the Perfect Brew (Plus: Is Draft Beer Always Better Than Beer Out of a Can or Bottle?)

Jan 04 2024 66 mins  
Chicago brewing legend Wil Turner shares his craft beer journey through breweries of all sizes, from California to Europe. Wil has significantly contributed to the Chicago craft beer scene at multiple breweries and served on the board of the Illinois Craft Beer Association. 02:54 Beer Myth: Is draft beer always better than packaged beer, whether it's in a can or a bottle? Kathe