Podcast
Craft Beer Republic
Hosted by Craft Beer Republic · EN
A Craft Beer Podcast exploring great brews, better company, and the stories behind every pour.
Craft Beer Republic is the weekly beer podcast brewed for everyone who loves great beer, better company, and a little bit of fun between pours.
Dropping every Wednesday, we’re mashing in all the week’s beer news & booze news, reviewing the latest beer drops, conducting the best beer science, and talking shop with the people behind your favorite craft breweries.
Whether you call us a craft beer podcast, your favorite beer podcast, your go-to for booze news, or just the most important thing to happen to beer since hops, we’re here to make beer fun, approachable, and a little smarter every pour.
So grab a pint, follow the show, and join the Republic — In Beer We Trust!
Craft Beer Republic, a beer podcast for beer lovers.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Pool Water Pale Ale
Yesterday00:36:57Tap to summarizeWelcome back, craft beer people. Flex gets bullied by a cookie butter beer that smells like cookies and drinks like regret, Ryan sends in a pale ale that tastes like the YMCA, and Pilot Tom accidentally tells Dick Leinenkugel how mid his beer is. There’s also debate over whether Keystone Ice should’ve stayed dead, PBR catches stray bullets again, and Greg ends up defending 805 to a diehard Bud Light drinker.Beers We’re Drinking:Flex is drinking Speculoos Cookie Butter Beer from Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, a Trader Joe’s imperial dessert beer with serious consequences.Greg is drinking Me Again from Urban Roots Brewing, a clean West Coast IPA with Citra hops and a much better life outlook.Flex spends most of the episode trying to survive a Trader Joe’s cookie butter beer. Greg reads an email from a listener who got served a pale ale that tasted exactly like the YMCA pool. Pilot Tom checks in with a story about accidentally telling Dick Leinenkugel that his beer lineup is fine at best after he covered everyone’s tab. Greg follows that with his own story about tanking a job interview after admitting he hates country music before learning the entire job was editing country music shows. Meanwhile, Keystone Ice is coming back for reasons nobody understands, PBR gets roasted repeatedly, and Greg confirms wakeboarding still feels like getting hit by a car.Booze News:Crazy Mountain Beer Gets Clooney MoneyKeystone Light Apple Is Coming for Memorial DayKeystone Ice Returns to Hurt College AgainDrunk Campground Chainsaw Guy Makes Camping WorseFollow your favorite beer podcast on the socials:Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beerCraft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.comInstagram: @CraftBeerRepublicFacebook: CraftBeerRepublicPodThreads: CraftBeerRepublicVoicemail: (805) 538-2337Follow & Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyMore links
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Do I Feel a Saison Coming?
1w ago00:44:32Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Oregon Trail of craft beer. Flex drains two bad beers before a saison finally turns the night around, Greg checks out a brewery soft opening where every beer tastes suspiciously similar, and listener Steph joins the growing campaign to drag Flex to Great Taste of the Midwest. There’s also a coffee stout made with poop-adjacent beans, Cinco de Mayo drinking regrets, glow-in-the-dark 15% malt liquor light bulbs, and a DUI story featuring a .349 BAC that really should’ve come with a priest.Beers We’re Drinking:Flex is drinking Supermoon Beer Company’s Saison, a crisp farmhouse ale with light funk and old-school saison character.Greg is drinking Altamont Beer Works’ Cali Hop Trip, a modern West Coast IPA collaborate with Firestone Walker and Hollingbery & Son Hops.Flex accidentally assembled the worst beer lineup imaginable before the show, including a metallic peach Berliner and an expired IPA that both ended up down the drain. Greg recaps a local brewery soft opening where the beers tasted unfinished and somehow nearly identical despite being different styles. Listener Steph leaves a voicemail demanding Flex stop dodging Great Taste of the Midwest, which turns into a full-on intervention once Pilot Tom gets involved. Greg and Flex also debate poop coffee beer, relive disastrous Cinco de Mayo drinking decisions from their younger years, and question why anyone thought glow-in-the-dark 15% malt liquor light bulbs needed to exist.Booze News:Lord Hobo moves production to Rhode IslandMichelob Ultra becomes Cinco de Mayo’s top draft beerNew Belgium brings back original Fat TireBoston Beer launches 15% “electric coolers” in plastic light bulbsFolsom driver arrested with a .349 BACFollow your favorite beer podcast on the socials:Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beerCraft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.comInstagram: @CraftBeerRepublicFacebook: CraftBeerRepublicPodThreads: CraftBeerRepublicVoicemail: (805) 538-2337Follow & Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyMore links
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Two IPAs Six Hours Ago
2w ago00:46:02Tap to summarizeWelcome in, craft beer sleuths. Greg checks out a new MLB park, survives a rain-soaked Dodgers game, and discovers that Lime scooters become a lot more fun after a few beers at Humble Sea on the wharf. Erica brings a hazy pale ale from Astoria and accidentally starts a long discussion about sea lions, Waymos, and whether pregaming ever actually saves anyone money. Meanwhile, a listener sends in an IPA horror story that tasted exactly like Band-Aids, an Idaho biologist gets arrested after claiming he only had “two IPAs,” and Florida produces another mayor story that somehow feels perfectly normal.Beers We’re Drinking:Greg and Greg are drinking Buoy Beer’s Hazy Pale Ale, a soft citrus and honeydew hazy crusher from Astoria.Flex is drinking Young Blood Beer Co.’s High Horse on a Soapbox, a pillowy hazy double IPA with muscat grape sweetness and melon-like fruit notes.Greg finally checks Oracle Park off the list, complete with rain sweeping across the field mid-game and a strategic pivot to banquet beers after the stadium’s craft selection disappointed him. Humble Sea on the wharf ended up being the highlight of the trip, followed by Greg discovering Lime scooters are much faster than expected after a few beers. A listener sends in an IPA horror story that tasted exactly like fresh Band-Aids, followed immediately by everyone debating phenolic beer flaws and whether Flex might secretly enjoy chewing on adhesive strips. Pregaming becomes a painfully familiar conversation about concerts nobody remembers, overpoured jack and diets, and realizing halfway through the night that saving money is no longer the goal. The episode closes with a completely serious discussion about why rehabilitated manatees are apparently being shipped across state lines instead of staying in Florida where the manatees already live.Booze News:Sierra Nevada jumps Boston Beer in the Brewers Association top 50.Millennials officially refuse to stop pregaming.Idaho fish biologist allegedly turns “two IPAs” into a 0.211.Florida mayor busted for probation violation after DUI and too many drugs.Make sure to follow your best friends from your favorite craft beer podcast:Erica: NeckNosh.comInstagram: @NeckNoshFlex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beerCraft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.comInstagram: @CraftBeerRepublicFacebook: CraftBeerRepublicPodThreads: CraftBeerRepublicVoicemail: (805) 538-2337
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Flex vs Corporate Beer Lady
3w ago00:37:50Tap to summarizeWelcome in, craft beer lovers! World Beer Cup winners are out, Stone changes hands again, and 21st Amendment is getting revived on the East Coast. Flex is drinking a guava-heavy sour, Greg and Erica crack into a hazy from Sacramento, and somewhere along the way a brewery wins gold for a beer made with pig heads. There’s also a listener call about flat beer, a near HR incident involving Yuengling, and a Tesla that decided it was done babysitting its drunk driver.Beers We’re Drinking:Flex is drinking Alphabetical Order Pink Guava Gose from Component Brewing.Greg and Erica are drinking Bear Hug Hazy IPA from Touchstone Brewing.Flex sticks his foot in his mouth and manages to insult Yuengling directly to someone who works for MillerCoors and has to walk it back in real time. A voicemail about a flat kölsch turns into a quick reminder that bad beers still happen, even at good breweries. Brian from Madison tries to strong-arm Flex into finally attending a real beer fest while Erica calls out Fontana Jim and the logistics of last-minute brewery meetups. Greg introduces a medal-winning beer brewed with pig heads, which somehow turns into a full discussion about eating pig brains and where the line actually is. And Busch Light Apple has been spotted in the wild.Booze News:Evil Genius buys 21st Amendment and brings it back to distribution.Firestone Walker and Duvel take over Stone Brewing.Trumer’s transition from Gambrinus leads to layoffs ahead of Firestone takeover.World Beer Cup winners roll in with OC breweries showing up strong.Tesla pulls over its own drunk driver on autopilot.Follow your favorite beer podcast on the socials:Erica: NeckNosh.comInstagram: @NeckNoshFlex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beerCraft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.comInstagram: @CraftBeerRepublicFacebook: CraftBeerRepublicPodThreads: CraftBeerRepublicVoicemail: (805) 538-2337
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Sour IPA Comeback Tour
4w ago00:40:25Tap to summarizeWelcome in, craft beer fans! Greg finds a hazy that actually delivers, Flex accidentally grabs a milkshake IPA that’s way better than expected, and “healthy beer” becomes a full argument. There’s some price shock of pints around the nation, a longing for sour IPAs, and a few beers that no one asked for. We've also got crazy Bud Light truck drivers, blind beer tournaments, and a reminder that beer prices make no sense depending on where you live.Beers We’re Drinking:Greg is drinking Anchormanatee from Humble Sea Brewing, a foggy IPA with citrus and soft tropical notes.Flex is drinking Raspberry Double Marbles from More Brewing, a milkshake double IPA with bold raspberry and smooth finish.Flex shouts out New Jersey before immediately getting into why it deserves it, while Greg locks into a hazy that actually hits. Beer prices come up and turn into a quick reality check depending on where you live, followed by a rundown of “healthy” beers that doesn’t convince anyone. Flex stumbles into a milkshake IPA that ends up being way better than expected, and that gets them talking about sour IPAs and how they’ve basically disappeared. There’s some back and forth on easy summer beers, bringing back blind tasting tournaments, and the kind of beer ideas that sound better than they drink.Booze News:Shock Top goes high ABV with a double wheat twist that no one asked for.A Wisconsin brewery shuts down after short-lived revival.Target expands THC drinks just in time for 4/20.A stolen Bud Light truck chase ends in attempted murder charges.Follow your favorite beer podcast on the socials:Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beerCraft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.comInstagram: @CraftBeerRepublicFacebook: CraftBeerRepublicPodThreads: CraftBeerRepublicVoicemail: (805) 538-2337Follow & Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyMore links
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Beer Snob Allegations
Apr 1500:36:18Tap to summarizeWelcome back to Craft Beer Republic where Flex finally ends his sober run in style, Greg gets called out for being a “beer snob,” and cheap beers at the Masters become a highlight of the week. There’s a voicemail that turns into a full-on defense case, a questionable corn-chewing beer origin story, and a reminder that not every bad pour is your fault. Plus, Bapple is back, whether anyone asked for it or not.Beers We’re Drinking:Flex is drinking Supa Sumo from Toppling Goliath Brewing, hazy double IPA with bright orange and soft pineapple.Greg is drinking Short Lived (MadeWest x There Does Not Exist), West Coast IPA, light body with peach and dry citrus finish.Flex checks back in after 53 days off and wastes no time getting back into the rotation, while Greg admits his own short break ended with an all-day wine run that hit a little different the next morning. Chew leaves a voicemail calling Greg out for being too hard on beers, which turns into a full back-and-forth on bad cans, clean glassware, and whether beer festivals are actually worth it. Greg doubles down on calling it like he tastes it, Flex backs the idea of giving beers a fair shot, and somehow it all leads into a conversation about Dogfish Head making beer from chewed corn and whether that’s something anyone should willingly try.Booze News:Black Hammer Brewing shuts down after years in San Francisco.The Masters keeps beers at $6 and sandwiches cheaper than gas station snacks.Busch Light Apple returns and people are already stockpiling it.Follow your favorite beer podcast on the socials:Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beerCraft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.comInstagram: @CraftBeerRepublicFacebook: CraftBeerRepublicPodThreads: CraftBeerRepublicVoicemail: (805) 538-2337Follow & Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyMore links
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TJ Maxx Beer Dreams
Apr 800:40:06Tap to summarizeWelcome to your favorite craft beer podcast. Flex is 41 days sober, but Greg and Steph are doing enough drinking to make up for it. Greg rolls the dice on a hype 4-pack while Steph dusts off a favorite she’s been hoarding. A listener writes in about his buttered popcorn lager horror story, Flex is trying to recruit for his beer guild, Wisconsin old fashioneds get publicly dragged, a Florida man attempts his own airport obstacle course, and Flex starts pitching TJ Maxx but for beer like it’s a real business plan.Beers We’re Drinking:Steph is drinking Sour Brainless on Pineapple by Epic Brewing – barrel-aged tart pineappleGreg is drinking Apocalypse Road Trip Hazy IPA by El Segundo x Beer Zombies – tropical, mild pine bitternessFlex opens hot with a full Midwest grudge against Illinois drivers that really escalates when the Cubs and Bears fans get brough up. A listener email about a buttered popcorn lager turns into a full-on diacetyl intervention. Greg revisits Electric Limbs, his “morning piss” beer saga only to find out someone else got a perfect can, but Intern Brian found the golden ticket in a perfect can. Flex breaks down the economics of a 6-pack in the 1980s vs now while Steph and Greg team up to dismantle Wisconsin old fashioneds while Flex tries to defend them like it’s a personal responsibility. And Flex works desperately to get people to join his beer guild.Booze News:Eagle Park scoops up Soul Boxer and jumps into canned cocktails.Lost Abbey adds a fourth location and keeps things confusing.Florida man tries speedrunning airport security with DUI bonus points.The top MLB stadiums to catch a cheap buzz.Follow your favorite beer podcast on the socials:Find Steph on Beer Nerd Radio every week: @beer_nerd_radio Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beerCraft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.comInstagram: @CraftBeerRepublicFacebook: CraftBeerRepublicPodThreads: CraftBeerRepublicVoicemail: (805) 538-2337Follow & Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyMore links
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Have Your Way with a Beer
Apr 100:42:26Tap to summarizeWho’s ready to join Flex’s beer guild? Steph stops by to hang out and share one of her favorite beers of all time. Flex just got back from a baseball game and Greg had a fight with his Uber driver over some teams. We’ve also got beer fertilizer, a dumb baseball-beer challenge, and a new gross beer origin story.Beers We’re Drinking:Greg is drinking Row 2 Hill 56 Pale Ale from Russian River, a clean, crushable Simcoe pale.Steph is drinking Secale from Red Rock Brewing, a rye barrel-aged doppelbock, rich and whiskey-forward.Flex kicks things off by unofficially launching his beer guild, complete with membership rules and it’s first member. Greg shares a rideshare that turns into a full Dodgers vs Giants argument with a driver who won’t stop talking, which explains why he’s fully out on small talk. Steph drops back in like she never left and ends up in the middle of a real debate about Idaho’s beer scene before things drift into long-term goldfish survival, backyard memorial plans, and how a $10 fair prize somehow became a permanent responsibility.Booze News:St. Patrick’s Day still boosts draft beer even on a weekdayMarch Madness lifts Busch Light, Guinness, and Blue MoonFirestone Walker takes over U.S. production of Trumer PilsBrewDog drops from billion-dollar hype to discount buyNatty Light turns spent grain into lawn fertilizerGiants’ “9-9-9” challenge isn’t actually 9-9-9Follow your favorite beer podcast on the socials:Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beerCraft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.comInstagram: @CraftBeerRepublicFacebook: CraftBeerRepublicPodThreads: CraftBeerRepublicVoicemail: (805) 538-2337Follow & Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyMore links
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Hot Dog Water Flavored Beer
Mar 2500:38:54Tap to summarizeCrack open your favorite (or coldest) craft beer! Greg is drinking a hype beer thanks to a listener, Flex backs it like he’s been waiting for this moment, and then a listener drops a story about a pilsner that tasted exactly like hot dog water. This turns into the great hotdog debate of 2026. Flex gives us the inside scoop grocery store bribes, Greg reliving a Four Loko night he barely remembers, and a Florida golf cart ride that ends about as badly as you’d expect.Beers We’re Drinking:Greg is drinking MI, MI, MI, a Triple IPA from Old Nation Brewing. Thanks listener Andrew!Greg wastes no time declaring his triple IPA a problem in the best way, while Flex basically co-signs every sip from a distance like a proud parent. A listener email about a pilsner tasting like hot dog water spirals into a surprisingly passionate argument over boiled versus grilled hot dogs, complete with ketchup crimes and Midwest speculation. Flex shares stories from his grocery days where frozen pizza reps were handing out perks like it was a low-budget mafia, including a short-lived run of unlimited free pizza that ended in a mysterious party theft. Thanks to our Obscure Beer Term, a new beer term gets fully adopted, Greg revisits a Four Loko blackout he barely survived, and Flex introduces possibly the dumbest employee he’s ever worked with, which says a lot.Booze News:Wine and spirits execs caught running a decade-long grocery store bribery gameGeorge Clooney enters the NA beer chat with “Crazy Mountain”Four Loko might be worth $400 million somehowTilray scoops up BrewDog’s U.S. spots, including that beer hotelFlorida man gets a DUI… on a golf cart… after his wife falls offFollow your favorite beer podcast on the socials:Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beerCraft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.comInstagram: @CraftBeerRepublicFacebook: CraftBeerRepublicPodThreads: CraftBeerRepublicVoicemail: (805) 538-2337Follow & Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyMore links
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This Beer Has Balls
Mar 1800:34:05Tap to summarizeWelcome in to the bat cave of craft beer. Greg is drinking free beer and it actually holds up, Flex is deep into his no-drinking stretch and catching heat for it, and Fontana Jim comes in hot with a full rules breakdown. There are some big brewery moves, a new segment featuring a beer made with bull testicles, and a reminder that DoorDashing champagne to a kid’s birthday party is always an option.Beers We’re Drinking:Greg is drinking Dad Strength IPA from Dad Strength Brewing, a low-calorie West Coast IPA with a light body and piney bite.Flex is nearly a month into no drinking and realizing warm weather, snow days, and productivity all feel like they should come with a beer, while Greg is out here DoorDashing champagne to a family party like it’s completely normal. Fontana Jim checks in just to absolutely unload on Flex for his version of Lent, which leads to a full debate about whether Sundays count and if any of it matters anyway. And thanks to Scott, Greg introduces a new segment involving beers with gross origins, which quickly turns into a full conversation about eating bull testicles with zero hesitation from Flex.Booze News:Sycamore Brewing reopens as Club West after ownership changeTilray deal closes 38 BrewDog bars and cuts hundreds of jobsHalf Acre and Maplewood merge into Chicago beverage companyMichigan moves to raise ABV cap on canned cocktailsFollow your favorite beer podcast on the socials:Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beerCraft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.comInstagram: @CraftBeerRepublicFacebook: CraftBeerRepublicPodThreads: CraftBeerRepublicVoicemail: (805) 538-2337Follow & Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyMore links
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