The Taproom Podcast

Episode 175 - Inside Mother Road Brewing with Dylan Prater

Episode 175 of the Taproom Podcast — host Mike sits down with Dylan Prater of Mother Road Brewing in Flagstaff to explore the brewery’s story, history, and community role. Dylan shares how Mother Road started in 2011, the growth to a production facility, and the taproom’s focus on "radical hospitality."Topics include the Arizona 250 lager (the state celebration beer), the flagship Tower Station IPA, the pilot brew system and creative one-offs (including a massive quad IPA), the diner-style pub menu, and local collaborations and events like the Amp Ale and the Flagstaff Brewery Trail.Expect casual behind-the-scenes stories, beer recommendations (Daily Driver, Double Six, Tower Station), reflections on building community in Flagstaff, Dylan’s outdoor lifestyle (climbing and local trails), and tips for visitors — all delivered with a warm, conversational vibe.

Episode 174 - w/ Mike Durrant and Kevin Wright of Hops & Fog Brewing in Pacific Grove

Episode 174 of the Taproom Podcast: host Mike sits down with Mike Durrant and head brewer Kevin Wright of Hops and Fog Brewing (Pacific Grove) to trace the brewery’s origin story from homebrewing to opening day, changing brewers, and building a community-focused taproom.
They discuss standout beers (the Kolsch KPA, Westie, Crush Mike, Tidal Haze), brewing challenges and day-to-day maintenance, evolving beer trends and yeast science, the local food scene and chef-driven menu, pub culture, events and collaborations, and why community matters to a small brewery. Guests share behind-the-scenes stories, favorite beers, and tips for newcomers to craft beer and brewing.

Episode 173- w/ Marin Slanina and Spindle Tap’s Beverage Revolution in Houston

Episode 173 of the Tap Room Podcast: host Mike sits down with Marin Slanina of Spindle Tap (now Spindle Tap Beverages) in Houston to explore how a decade-old brewery evolved into a diverse beverage destination. Maren walks through their coffee roastery, THC/delta‑9 drinks, non‑alcoholic taps, ready‑to‑drink cocktails, Cosmic Ice Cream, and the new branding that reflects all offerings under one roof.
They discuss Spindle Tap’s community focus and event-driven approach—Spindle Park’s activities (putt‑putt, pickleball, disc golf), private event spaces, and specialty releases tied to events like Micro Wrestling. Maren also covers hospitality challenges, running a taproom, production logistics, and how craft beverage experiences are curated from menu presentation to team training.
The episode includes quick segments—favorite beers and guilty pleasures, situational beers, rapid‑fire “six pack” questions, and upcoming events like LA Beer Fest. Tune in for a lively behind‑the‑scenes look at building community, creativity, and resilience in today’s beverage world.

Episode 172 - w/ Dustin Baker: From Classroom to Craft the story of Roadmap Brewing

Episode 172 of the Taproom Podcast features Dustin Baker, co‑founder and head brewer of Roadmap Brewing in San Antonio. Host Mike and Dustin cover his path from middle‑school teacher to brewery owner, the story behind the Roadmap name, and how the taproom and brew house were built and developed since opening in 2018.The conversation dives into Roadmap’s brewing philosophy—quality over quantity—favorites like lagers and West Coast IPAs, their award‑winning pilsner “All Right All Right,” tank names, community events, local collaborations, and the challenges of running a small, community‑driven brewery in the evolving San Antonio beer scene.

Episode 171 - Terroir, Hops & Community: w/ Shanleigh Thomson

Episode 171 of the Taproom Podcast: host Mike sits down with Shanleigh Thomson (aka @shan.ferments) for an in-depth conversation about her brewing journey — from agriculture and protein chemistry to Diageo, UC Davis Master Brewers, roles at BSG, Yakima Chief and Roy Farms, and her work teaching brewing programs at Washington State University and UC Davis.
The episode covers hop terroir and Terroir Tuesdays, sourcing and supply-chain challenges, fresh‑hop practices, international brewing curiosities (including New Zealand harvests), and the role of education in the craft industry. Shanleigh also shares stories from regional beer scenes, festival life (CBC, World Beer Cup), and how the brewing community supports innovation and resilience.
Listeners will hear Shanleigh’s beer preferences (West Coast IPAs, dry‑hopped pilsners, ESB), chats about style evolution and naming, practical tips on reading ingredient sourcing, her current curiosities (hangover aids like ZBiotics, low‑ABV yeast developments), and lighthearted segments on travel, guilty pleasures, and situational beers.
Key takeaways: the value of transparency in sourcing and malt/hop origins, why community and education matter in craft beer, and a rallying call to support local breweries — plus what to expect from upcoming Taproom episodes and festival appearances.

Episode 170 - w/ Todd Baldwin & the RedLeg Brewing Story

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 mission and community impact, investments in quality and QA (laboratory and shelf-stability work), the new pilot brew system that enables creativity, award and competition strategy (GABF/world beer events), and the challenges of scaling a taproom and distribution business. Todd also shares stories about signature beers (Springs Light, Mexican lager, barrel-aged brews, Belgians), collaborations, and the brewery’s big Memorial Day fundraiser for veterans.The episode also features lighter segments — the Four Pack rapid-fire questions, Todd’s guilty pleasure (college football officiating), tips for entrepreneurs, and host notes about the Colorado tour, upcoming episodes, and ways listeners can support the show.

Episode 169 - w/ Ashleigh Carter Inside Bierstadt Lagerhaus

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 year-round lineup (pils, Helles, dunkle), collabs and seasonals like the Hana Select lager, ingredient experiments, hiring and training beer tenders, festival experiences (GABF, Little Beer Fest), and Ashleigh’s thoughts on craft beer culture. The episode also shares Mike’s travel stops (San Antonio, Houston), memorable beer-tender moments, and light personal anecdotes.

Episode 168 - Andrew Crowe from Howling Rabbits Returns

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 anniversary.
 
Topics include competition feedback (Texas Craft Beer Guild), hop trends and experimental varieties, using terpene hop extracts to preserve aroma without losing beer, production and distribution challenges for a 10-barrel system, creative freedom vs. commercial demand, strict cleaning practices to avoid infections, and local taproom culture (live music, merch, 3D-printed tap handles). The episode also touches on personal hobbies (miniature painting, Warhammer), tour plans, and tips for new podcasters (Podbean). Expect a lively, friendly conversation about trends, tasting notes, and the realities of running a growing regional brewery.