The Taproom Podcast

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 perks, and events like Copperstate and Strong Beer Fest.
Listen for practical brewery and taproom insights—menu curation, beer education, contract brewing, hop preferences, pairing ideas, memorable brew-day stories, and the importance of building experiences that keep locals coming back. Expect a mix of personal stories, business lessons, and beer talk in a relaxed, conversational hour-plus.

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, regional beer trends from West Virginia to Waikiki, can’t-miss beers they always keep on hand, and their plans to revisit past guests and expand internationally.Topics covered include podcasting tips for beginners, guest booking and scheduling, the therapeutic power of conversations over beer, collaborations, and the welcoming craft-beer community. Joe shares his background as a retired Coast Guard member now working at Waikiki Brewing, while Nick explains how the show evolved into its current format. Expect laughs, beer talk, rapid-fire questions, and encouragement for listeners to support local breweries and try homebrewing themselves.

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 development (from Italian pilsners to double-mashed outs), balancing core beers with experimental and barrel-aged releases, running a pilot system, beer naming and label art, and the brewery’s national expansion and recent collabs (including visits to Firestone Walker, Vector, Windmill, Celestial and False Idol). Jasper also discusses his love of coffee, favorite beers to keep stocked, brewing playlists, hangover cures, and the team-focused leadership approach that guides his work.Listeners can expect behind-the-scenes brewing stories, practical notes on consistency and QA/QC, insights into market strategy for different regions, and a candid conversation about passion, creativity and the craft beer community.

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 hop products, collabs and recipe R&D, brand storytelling and can art (including the Outcast backstory), and the challenges of replicating award-winning beers. Mike also discusses recent wins at CBC, World Beer Cup and GABF, industry pressures, brewery closures, and how the team approaches consistency and process.The episode closes with rapid-fire segments (the Four Pack and Six Pack), listener-facing shoutouts, podcasting tips (Podbean mention), and candid reflections on passion, tenacity, and community in craft beer.

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 experiments—plus memorable brew-day stories, collabs, and how Salty Bear connects with the local Costa Mesa community.Along the way they nerd out about video games and Lord of the Rings, share favorite beers and guilty pleasures, and preview upcoming Taproom visits and episodes. Expect friendly conversation, brewing insights, and plenty of local beer love.

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 heartbreak, Seahawks upset), preview the college national title (Indiana vs. Miami), talk pizza and party plans for the Natty, and share listener shout-outs and upcoming guest episodes.
Expect long-form conversation, tasting notes, funny reunion stories, shout-outs to local breweries and what to look forward to on future Taproom episodes.

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 products and terpenes.
Expect behind-the-scenes brewing detail (high-gravity brewing and dilution, dry-hop techniques, rye challenges), stories about can art and naming, collaborative projects (including a joint IPA with Component Brewing), awards and scaling, Central Waters’ barrel program, and community efforts like the Yellow Blaze trail beer fundraiser. A mix of technical insight, brewery culture, and local Milwaukee flavor.

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 policy, and a 20-year IPA.
Listeners will also hear about the brewery’s culture and community focus: the long-running My Turn employee beer series, the chalet from County Stadium, iconic cheese curds, notable collaborations (including Hofbräu), Milwaukee’s lager heritage versus IPA trends, tour highlights, and Russ’s reflections on awards, camaraderie, and why he’s still a workaholic for beer.