Episodes
Episode 072 – Geary Brewing and the 1820 Brewing Company – Alan Lapoint
Back in March of 2017 we interviewed David Geary for Episode 019. In that episode David shared with us the unique program he had started years earlier. Each year he would run a competition at the local college where design students would compete to design the packaging for Geary’s annual Oktoberfest beer. Not only would the student who won have their art become the packaging for that year’s beer, but they would also receive a check for a portion of their tuition from David and the brewery.
Little did we know at the time that David was also working on the sale of the brewery, and by the end of 2017, the brewery would be under new ownership and David would be working on his retirement.
Listen in as we talk with Alan Lapoint, who, along with his wife Robin, purchased the Geary Brewing Company in Portland, Maine. They kept the Geary Brewing name and since the purchase have not only maintained the Geary Legacy Brands of beer, but also introducing and building their own style of beers to the Maine beer community. And, if that weren’t a big enough challenge for this young couple, they also launched a Non-alcoholic brewery named 1820 with the current brewery in 2022.
Alan walks us through all of this and more in this episode. Please also check out episode 19 with David Geary where you can hear from the founder of Geary Brewing Company himself as he shares with us more about the brewery and the special competition he held each year.
Cheers!
Episode 071 – Call Sign Able and Baker
Download EpisodeSubscribe on iTunes This brewery derives its name from the first two atomic bombs detonated at the Nevada Test Site. These two test explosions were codenamed after the military’s phonetic alphabet of the time, making them tests “Able” and “Baker”. The...
Episode 070 – Join The Herd – Jonathan Kowalske – Component Brewing
Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re diving into a unique and inspiring story. Our guest today has a personal connection to a rare disease that affects only 200 people worldwide—his 6-year-old son is one of them. Instead of dwelling on the challenges, our guest has chosen a different path, asking, ‘How can I make a positive impact on others with disabilities?’
In this episode, we’ll explore how he’s transforming his brewery into a more inclusive space for everyone. He’s not just educating himself about his son’s rare condition but also reaching out to understand the diverse needs of his community in Milwaukee.
Today, our hope is that you’ll be inspired to take action. Visit the rare disease website and consider making a donation, the equivalent of a beer or two, to support those 200 individuals worldwide. Let’s raise a glass in solidarity, showing them they’re not alone in this journey.
After all, it’s a reminder that, but for the grace of God, any one of us could face such challenges.
Cheers to empathy, understanding, and making a positive impact together!
Episode 069 – Lost Worlds
AS THE 19TH CENTURY ENDED, THE AIRPLANE, GASOLINE ENGINE, AND OTHER ADVANCES MADE THE WORLD A BIT SMALLER.
Explorers and adventurers pushed into uncharted territories and made great discoveries. Returning to their homeland, they congregated with others of a similar nature and swapped stories and shared the artifacts they’d found. In London, New York, San Francisco and other cities, explorers’ clubs were founded for these intrepid souls to delight their peers. Lost Worlds Brewing Company borrows from the history of these original clubs.
Listen in as we explore what makes Lost Worlds a unique experiential outpost of beer and adventure.
Episode 068 – Hop Butcher For The World
Luck number 13, that was the episode that todays guest originally joined us back on September 6th, 2016. In that episode we discuss their business model called an Alternating Proprietorship.
He also joined us again on October 17th, 2017 as part of our series on Beer & Baseball. A 3-part series that looked at what is involved in developing a relationship with a local professional sports team. That episode, number 35, was entitled Good Ryes Wear Black at the White Sox’s U.S. Cellular Field. The Good Ryes Wear Black, a Black IPA, was inspired by their beloved South Siders and was available in single 16oz cans at the Midwest Craft Beer Kiosk.
Well, it’s been a long time since we’ve had him on the podcast and a lot has happened since he first joined us back in 2016. But I will let you hear it all from him.
Listen in as I chat with Jeremiah Zimmer, Co-Founder of Hop Butcher for the World located in Chicago, Illinois, as he brings us up-to-date on everything at Hop Butcher.
Cheers!
Episode 067 – Brewery in the Ballpark
It only makes sense for the home of the Milwaukee Brewers to have a brewery. American Family Field is now home to the J. Leinenkugel’s Barrel Yard, which is a restaurant and brewery, that overlooks the field of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Team. The Barrel Yard is open everyday, including game days. Not only can you expect to find a long list of Wisconsin comfort foods on their menu, J. Leinenkugel’s Barrel Yard is also brewing specialty beers that can only be found at the Barrel Yard.
Episode 066 – Bullpen to Brewhouse
When his childhood dream of becoming a professional baseball player was replaced with a degree from Marquette University, he began to ask what’s next?
That started the conversation with a childhood friend and eventually lead them to Milwaukee’s first craft brewery incubator. They spent time learning the fine art of brewing, along with the business end of owning a brewery. The incubator has helped to launch several successful Milwaukee area craft breweries. This set them up for success as they began to build their small brewery into a Milwaukee destination.
Today’s guest has many great stories about the road he’s taken to get where the business is today. Listen in to the steamy story of their first breweries melt down…literally. And how that event put the wheels in motion, and eventually rolling them into their new location.
What started out as a love of the game, has become the cornerstone of the brewery, and has opened some very interesting doors. From the indoor wiffle ball field to the Field Of Dreams, and the upper mezzanine party space to baseball stitching on the building.
You won’t want to miss a minute of this podcast.
Episode 065 – Keg Creek – Randy Romens & Mitch John
Randy Romens knew his beer was good when his 6 pack sold for $100 at a fundraiser. and with their head brewer, Mitch John, constantly creating new beers, it comes as no surprise that Keg Creek has received multiple awards at the US Open Beer Championship. Listen in as we learn more about Keg Creek Brewing in Glenwood, Iowa.
Episode 064 – Bridge Up – Trent Snyder
Pizza and beer Trent Snyder from Bridge Up Brewing got a call from Sonny’s Pizzeria asking if he was interested in taking his homebrews and starting his own brewery. Trent took a chance and has found great success in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
Now, when most people get stuck behind a row of cars because a bridge is up, they would become frustrated. Listen in as we talk to Trent about why you might look forward to being stopped when the bridge is up by his brewery.
