The Taproom Podcast

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.

Episode 167 - w/ John Jackson Wild Parrot Brewing

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 brewery build—shared space with a coffee shop, frugal ‘frankenbrew’ approaches, permitting headaches, and funding—and offers advice for aspiring brewers. The episode also features fun brew-day anecdotes (including a stuck mash and a messy valve mishap), local community events, a Route 66 cream-ale collab, and light-hearted segments on situational beers, guilty pleasures, and tailgate culture.Tune in for beer nerd talk, startup tips, neighborhood stories, and a warm, conversational interview that captures the spirit of a small, community-focused craft brewery.

Episode 166 - w/ Luis of Level Up , Raul of Solorio, and Leo of Steady

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 airline travel mishaps, brewery tours, and local industry camaraderie, and highlight standout beers like Gottsoul (Mexican lager), Mr. Ed’s (Irish Red), Juicebox Hero (hazy IPA), and experimental pours including ube and pineapple fruited brews.Listeners can expect behind-the-scenes insights on dialling in recipes for competitions, how judges’ feedback shapes future batches, the challenges of running and scaling a brewery, the importance of community among California brewers, and light-hearted banter full of tasting notes and friendly bets on who will medal. The episode is equal parts technical, inspirational, and entertaining, featuring real brewer stories, tasting reactions, and the camaraderie that pushes local craft beer forward.

Episode 165 - w/ Will Perry of False Idol Brewing

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 (West Coast IPAs like To Live and Die in LA, Ragnarok, Blue Magic, pilsners and saisons), hop and process preferences (Nectaron, Thor, Simcoe, Citra), and the brewery’s recent GABF medals and World Beer Cup entries.
Expect brewery stories, tough brew days, taproom culture, hop-harvest anecdotes, recommendations for visitors to DFW, and why False Idol is a must-stop for travelers and locals alike.

Episode 164 - w/ Herbie of Lucky Luke Brewing

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), favorite hops and styles (Simcoe, Eldorado, HBC 630, Dulcita; lagers, West Coast IPAs, hazies), balancing creativity with consistency, and industry trends like lower‑ABV session lagers. They also discuss community-focused initiatives — local music, food trucks, fundraisers, disc golf collaborations — and brewery identity (tap handle tools, song‑inspired beer names).Highlights include stories from memorable brew days and events, Herbie’s favorite beers and guilty pleasures, his Mount Rushmore of influential breweries, and why craft brewers should engage their neighborhoods to build sustainable brands. Expect a friendly, wide‑ranging chat about beer, music, pizza, and life in the brew house.

Episode 163 - w/ Chris Leguizamon @Chris.thebeereducator

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.Topics include judging beer at major competitions (Great American Beer Fest, World Beer Cup), trends and favorite breweries in North Carolina (Burial, Maine Brewing, The Veil, Burial, Fontaflora), current hop varieties to watch (Dulcita, Luna, Crush), situational beers, and Chris’s favorite local spots and guilty pleasures (Cookout, Pizza Baby, Bojangles). They also chat about brewery strategy, storytelling, and how to grow an audience as a podcaster.Expect personal anecdotes, brewery recommendations, food pairings, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on judging, collaborations, and the craft beer industry’s ebbs and flows — all wrapped in easygoing banter and practical takeaways for beer fans and industry folks alike.

Episode 162 - w/ Lynisha Hyche and Nathan McCusker of Angry Horse Brewing

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, sensory work, wet-hop harvest trips, favorite hops and styles (Cascade, Cashmere, Mosaic, Nectar on, West Coast Pilsners, stouts), and a memorable s’mores stout brew day. The episode also touches on taproom culture, brewery collaborations, supporting local breweries, and practical tips for new podcasters (Podbean).
Expect a warm, conversational interview with brewing insights, personal storytelling, and recommendations for anyone curious about breaking into the industry or exploring beer culture. Cheers and find your beer.

Episode 161 - Booze, Bathrooms & Bay City: A Hammered San Diego Brew Crawl

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 reviews" from Tyler and Kai, local brewery shout-outs, stories about running taprooms, podcasting tips with Podbean, and plenty of behind-the-scenes banter, hangovers, and food recaps. Key takeaways: local craft scene highlights, tasting impressions and ratings, taproom culture, and an honest, unfiltered look at a beer-filled weekend.