Growing up in a small town in Ohio my experience with beer was nothing like what I have available to me now. To me drinking craft beer meant drinking Killians. That was some off-the-wall behavior back in my day. Pulling into the traditional annual summer Steve Miller Band concert at Starlake Amphitheater my friends and I proudly displayed our coolers full of Natty Light and Buttweiser. Jesus, how did we ever make it out of life alive?!?! Now granted, there is a proper time and place for every beer and what exemplifies a classic tune like "Take the Money & Run" quite like an ice cold Natty Light? Your not rocking out to that with a $15 bottle of Firestone Walker Parabola Imperial Stout. You ever try to beer bong barley wine? Of course you haven't because if you did you wouldn't be alive to read this. Nothing flows through a funnel and tube quite like Busch Light.
Fast forward to late 2007. I had made the 2000 mile trek from my hometown to the big city of Phoenix. New place, fresh start.....let's try a new beer! The local Sprouts had Shiner Bock on sale and it looked cool so what the hell?!?! And I liked it. I knew my days of drinking low grade carbonated urine water were officially over. From there things took off. Within a few months I was an adventure in a new land. And then I had my first true Arizona-brewed beer: Railhead Red from Beaver Street Brewery in Flagstaff (now Red Ale from Lumberyard). I was in love. From that day I have been all about Arizona made beer. Lucky for me the numbers of breweries has doubled since then and no end in sight for that growth. I am excited to see where this journey takes us.
However, I have always wondered how a local brewery around my hometown would go over. Would the locals accept it or soak their torches in MGD and burn the place to the ground? Well, in 2015 three brave souls opened up Birdfish Brewing Company in the small town of Columbiana, Ohio to test that theory out. And it has treated them well. These 3 crazy dudes really do some whacky stuff too. I had a dill pickle gose when I was there and it was surprisingly fantastic. They love to push the envelope and really mix things up.
In this episode I sit with 2 of the 3 owners. I talk with them about the challenges and joys of opening a microbrewery in a place where the craft beer culture barely even existed as well as how their existence is making some positive waves in the local community. I know this is an ARIZONA craft beverage podcast but I think you'll enjoy and appreciate what these guys are doing. And enjoy the Irish background music; I was lucky enough to beer there on St. Patty's Day to enjoy their Irish beers which were phenomenal.
Intro/Outro music is "La Negra Tomasa" by Arizona's own Fayuca
Want to show your support and help this show grow? Simply click here, give the show a rating and share some feedback!
Publish Date: 5/29/2017
Growing up in a small town in Ohio my experience with beer was nothing like what I have available to me now. To me drinking craft beer meant drinking Killians. That was some off-the-wall behavior back in my day. Pulling into the traditional annual summer Steve Miller Band concert at Starlake Amphitheater my friends and I proudly displayed our coolers full of Natty Light and Buttweiser. Jesus, how did we ever make it out of life alive?!?! Now granted, there is a proper time and place for every beer and what exemplifies a classic tune like "Take the Money & Run" quite like an ice cold Natty Light? Your not rocking out to that with a $15 bottle of Firestone Walker Parabola Imperial Stout. You ever try to beer bong barley wine? Of course you haven't because if you did you wouldn't be alive to read this. Nothing flows through a funnel and tube quite like Busch Light.
Fast forward to late 2007. I had made the 2000 mile trek from my hometown to the big city of Phoenix. New place, fresh start.....let's try a new beer! The local Sprouts had Shiner Bock on sale and it looked cool so what the hell?!?! And I liked it. I knew my days of drinking low grade carbonated urine water were officially over. From there things took off. Within a few months I was an adventure in a new land. And then I had my first true Arizona-brewed beer: Railhead Red from Beaver Street Brewery in Flagstaff (now Red Ale from Lumberyard). I was in love. From that day I have been all about Arizona made beer. Lucky for me the numbers of breweries has doubled since then and no end in sight for that growth. I am excited to see where this journey takes us.
However, I have always wondered how a local brewery around my hometown would go over. Would the locals accept it or soak their torches in MGD and burn the place to the ground? Well, in 2015 three brave souls opened up Birdfish Brewing Company in the small town of Columbiana, Ohio to test that theory out. And it has treated them well. These 3 crazy dudes really do some whacky stuff too. I had a dill pickle gose when I was there and it was surprisingly fantastic. They love to push the envelope and really mix things up.
In this episode I sit with 2 of the 3 owners. I talk with them about the challenges and joys of opening a microbrewery in a place where the craft beer culture barely even existed as well as how their existence is making some positive waves in the local community. I know this is an ARIZONA craft beverage podcast but I think you'll enjoy and appreciate what these guys are doing. And enjoy the Irish background music; I was lucky enough to beer there on St. Patty's Day to enjoy their Irish beers which were phenomenal.
Intro/Outro music is "La Negra Tomasa" by Arizona's own Fayuca
Want to show your support and help this show grow? Simply click here, give the show a rating and share some feedback!
Publish Date: 5/29/2017
When they opened up the first State 48 Brewery location in 2016, the Rana family had already run great family-owned spots for generations. Now, less than 6 years later the brewery has expanded to 6 locations (and soon to be 7…listen in to learn more) and has begun to get their great beer out to the AZ masses. Join in as we explore the journey and family behind one of Arizona’s fastest-growing breweries!
Publish Date: 8/26/2021
In this episode, beer reviewer Marcus Pina, aka Brewery 602, reviews 2 beers:
1) "Wizard of The West", a collaboration between THE Arizona pizza guy Wizard of AZ and The Shop Beer Co. in Tempe 2) "Boeing 717 India Pale Lager" by Flying Basset Brewing in Gilbert.
Shout out to The Hourglass Cats for the sweet tunes for this episode!
Enjoy!
Publish Date: 8/18/2021
In this series presented by The Arizona Beer Book, we will hear the story of over 2 dozen iconic Arizona beers. These conversations were recorded in 2019 during the creation of The Arizona Beer Book for the purpose of research and were never intended to be released. Spiciness of the heat type is not a commonly used term when describing beer. Enter Chiltepin Red from Button Brew House. A tasty red ale with a kick of heat thanks to the addition of Native Sonoran Chiltepin Pepper, this one is a must-try!
Publish Date: 7/30/2021
When Kings Beer & Wine was opened years ago by Mickey Salem it quickly became a destination for any fan of craft beer and solidified its place as a staple in the Arizona craft beer community. In 2020 Kings was purchased by Mark and Sarah Fogleman. Along with the Kings crew, the Foglemans have big dream for their spot located on Thomas & Central in Phoenix. Join in as Mark and resident beer expert Alec Johnson share the vision of Kings and its place in the Arizona beer community!
Publish Date: 7/23/2021
Sometimes having roommates sucks. But sometimes, it's pretty awesome. Borderlands Brewing and Firetruck Brewing in Tucson decided recently that a shared space could pay huge dividends on multiple levels. Thus, the creation of Voltron Brewing, a shared full production facility with a beautiful spacious accompanying taproom. The main purpose of the location is to allow both brands to keep up with the demand for their beers but the vision is much bigger and this team is one to keep an eye on. Enjoy the show!
Publish Date: 7/15/2021
In this episode, beer reviewer Marcus Pina, aka Brewery 602, reviews the "Rebuild The Guild IPA" from Wrenhouse Brewing in Phoenix & "No Trabajes Tanto Amber Lager" from Harbottle Brewing in Tucson.
Also, Tap That AZ Hazy IPA is back but with prickly pear this time! Listen to hear the details of that as well as a week-long 14-year anniversary party for the great folks at Ground Control in Litchfield Park.
Shout out to The Hourglass Cats for the sweet tunes for this episode!
Enjoy!
Publish Date: 7/12/2021
When I first met Josh Archuleta I could tell this dude is driven. We've kept in touch over the past few years and finally earlier this year we were able to work together on Haka Shakalaka Session Hazy IPA. The beer itself had a community element to it in that we gave a percentage of the proceeds to Smokin' Hope who is determined to feed as many hungry people as they can. For Josh and his wife Maria to start Mindful Militia to help bring awareness to mental health & mindfulness it's the perfect fit. Enjoy!
Publish Date: 7/9/2021
It's been too long since I've published an episode so wanted to let you know I'm still here and I will see you all in July. Life is great and I have a lot of great opportunities right now that need a little TLC. Listen in to hear the vision of the show upon return as well as the rest of the exciting stuff we have going on! See you in a few weeks!
Publish Date: 6/24/2021
A podcast that introduces you to all of the amazing people behind the surging Arizona craft beer scene.
