The Taproom Podcast

Episode 183 of the Tavern Podcast with host Mike features Sam Mickles of Irrelephant Brewing. Listen for Sam’s journey from music and dancing into craft beer, his first industry breaks at Ritual, contract brewing with Three Iron and other local breweries, and how his creative background shapes unique recipes like Mama’s Dessert, his strawberry golden ale, and the signature African‑American Ale made with sorghum and cultural inspiration.
The conversation covers brewing technique and business (contract brewing, building a main menu, recipe development), Sam’s passion for community and representation, and practical advice—don’t sit on ideas; move when inspiration hits. Sam also shares favorite situational beers, what calms him at the end of the day, and how music fuels his brewing energy.
Key takeaways: how creativity and culture inform recipe choices, the importance of building community and representation in craft beer, Irrelephant’s goals to expand (including plans for multiple locations and aspirations in Africa), and encouragement for listeners to try new styles and pursue their own projects.
Expect candid storytelling, concrete brewing insights, and an uplifting discussion about identity, inclusion, and the role of craft beer in bringing people together.

Host Mike sits down with Kyle Thomas of Reformation Brewery to trace Kyle’s journey from growler shop work to running the canning line and rising to the brew stand. They cover Reformation’s roots and community-first mission in Woodstock and Canton, signature beers like the beloved "Cold One" and a creamsicle-style slushy, and why the taproom focuses on bringing people together. The episode digs into brewing styles Kyle loves (West Coast IPAs and lagers), the creativity of the Woodstock five-barrel brew house, collaborations with Abstracts, Creature Comforts and others, and recent awards including a CBC Skunk Works win and national medals. Along the way Mike and Kyle chat baseball (Braves stories), college football, touring brewery scenes (San Diego, Asheville), life in the brewery, staff culture, and how competitions and collabs shape regional craft beer. Expect an honest, personal conversation about craft, community, and what it takes to make great beer.

Host Mike sits down with Jeremy Schultz (owner) and Matt Bolden (head brewer) of 1852 Brew Co. in Visalia to tell the story of their ‘‘footy & brews’’ concept: indoor soccer fields paired with a family-friendly taproom and a locally rooted brewery. They talk brand origin, community-first design, and how soccer shaped the DNA of the business.Matt shares his path from homebrewer to head brewer, the brewery’s pilot system and brewing philosophy, and highlights core beers like the West Coast "Unite & Strengthen," Breakaway Blonde, the Bumpy Pitch pale ale and the red ale "Never Walk Alone." Jeremy and Matt discuss consistency vs. creativity, self-distribution, local food-truck partnerships and signature projects like the Todos Juntos/Unity on Tap fundraiser beer that funnels proceeds to local nonprofits.Episode takeaways: the importance of team and community, how a niche experience (soccer + beer) creates reliable foot traffic, the work behind the taproom and brew house, and the founders’ growth and franchising ambitions. Expect warm storytelling, brewing details, and practical insights for anyone building a local hospitality brand.

Episode 180 of the Taproom Podcast features hosts Mike with guests Jenna Marquez and Matt Taylor of Tap Yard (and Drybox) in Tulare. They discuss opening and building a family-friendly taproom, adding Drivebox golf simulators, the 5,000 sq. ft. patio and LED Brewview wall, and curating a local craft beer lineup featuring 1852, Salty Walrus, Crow & Wolf, Firestone and more.Key highlights include their Tap Yard Lager collab with 1852 that donates $1 to a new local nonprofit each month, rotating food trucks and events (karaoke, dueling pianos, line dancing, comedy), the penny-covered bar contest, memorable guests like David Walker, and how Tap Yard supports and revitalizes downtown Tulare.Expect stories about community-first hospitality, scheduling challenges during big events like the World Cup, and practical details for visitors—what to drink, where to sit, and why Tap Yard has become a local hub for beer, music and family-friendly fun.

Host Mike sits down with Jeremy "Jerm" Rodriguez of Beachwood Brewing to trace his decade-plus journey from bartender to brewer, blender and distiller. They discuss Beachwood’s IPA roots, the long-game patience behind the blendery’s lambic-style sours, building a distillery from scratch, and awards that validated their work. The episode also touches on brewery culture, customer experience, family life, nerdy hobbies, situational beers and behind-the-scenes stories from the brew deck.

Episode 178 of the Taproom Podcast: a thank-you episode hosted by Mike with co-host Luis. They recap recent brewery visits, brewroom updates and the festival run — including stories from TapYard Tulare, 1852 brewco aka Footy & Brews, Salty Bear and many more guests and breweries featured throughout the year.
Topics include Level Up’s expansion and taproom plans, competition wins and entries (Brewer’s Cup, California State Fair, GABF submissions), road trips to Russian River, Morgan Territory and other standout taprooms, and behind-the-scenes talk about brewing, collabs and secret seltzer experiments.
Key points: gratitude to the craft-beer community and listeners, the sacrifices of running a brewery, upcoming two-year anniversary plans and merch, ways to support the show, and a preview of future collabs and recordings on the road.

Join Mike for episode 177 of the Taproom Podcast recorded live at the L.A. Independent Beer Fest in Long Beach. Mike chats with brewers and brewery reps from Beachwood, Feathered Serpent, Old Stump, Gladiator, Beer Paper, Ambitious Ales, La Bodega, Tapyard, and more. Expect tasting notes on pilsners, West Coast IPAs, rice lagers, fruited sours, and unique beers like Secret Stash, People Pills, and specialty Japanese lagers.The episode features interviews with Jeremy (Beachwood), Jerome (Peachwood), Chew, Garrett (Ambitious Ales), Abraham (La Bodega), Steven (Gladiator), Jeff (Old Stump), Yvette (Feathered Serpent), Alex Lucio (Smog City/Lucio Brewing) and others. Topics include festival memories, favorite beers of the day, collab wishes, beer style debates (hazies vs. West Coast), pool-day beer picks, and tips for new podcasters.Expect a lively, informal vibe with on-site festival ambience, behind-the-scenes chat about pouring and brewing, shout-outs to local taprooms, and a few sloppy, slurred moments that capture the day’s fun. Perfect for craft-beer fans who want brewmaster insights, festival recaps, and recommendations for what to drink next.

Host Mike sits down with Jeff Alworth, author of The Beer Bible, in a lively Father's Day episode exploring craft beer culture around the world. Expect stories from Fuller's in London to lager country in Germany and the Czech Republic, plus the deep dive that went into writing and updating The Beer Bible.Topics include beer traditions (Belgian lambics, German lagers, Czech styles), the rise and plateau of hazy IPAs, fresh-hop season in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, modern hop products and brewing technology, and the difference between brewery vibe and product. Jeff also answers the show’s “Four Pack” and “Six Pack” rapid-fire segments.Listeners will get travel anecdotes, recommendations for overlooked styles and breweries, reflections on how beer reflects culture, and practical takes on what to keep in your fridge. A friendly, approachable hour of beer history, tasting notes, and insider perspective for fans and curious drinkers alike.