Why join the Craft Beer Republic? Because we are a nation of beer lovers.
Every week, we're tapping a fresh keg of double-digit fun with the best dry-hopped topics to keep you well-hydrated! We're mashing in all the week's booze news, researching the tastiest beers, getting nerdy with Beer Science, and whirlpooling all the latest info!
We also hang out with the brewers of some of the best craft breweries in the nation; we sample their brew and take a deep dive into the nerdier side of the industry.
Make sure to stay hydrated with us every Wednesday by following on your favorite podcast app. In Beer We Trust!
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Salt in the Beer?
Episode 449
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 • Duration 49:58
Welcome in, thirsty friends! Greg went full beer tourist and drank his way through Austin, and he’s here to spill all the boozy details. Meanwhile Brewing served up his favorite beer of the trip—so good it forced him to break a years-long Untappd dry spell! Flex, on the other hand, is freezing his mustache off in the Midwest, sipping on a Toppling Goliath variety pack and confirming what we already knew: people on Untappd have no taste. The guys also dig into the absurdity of TSA screenings, the power of food truck barbecue, and the ongoing battle against Big Beer’s nonsense. Plus, why is Michelob Ultra so damn popular?
Greg went on a Valentine's weekend trip to Austin, which quickly turned into a full-blown beer pilgrimage. From Meanwhile Brewing’s award-winning haze to Zilker and Lazarus Brewing, it was one tasty stop after another. Flex, meanwhile, has been battling negative temperatures and living in a hoodie. The guys discuss TSA’s fascination with Greg’s “oversized package” and reminisce about the best airport snacks (Southwest’s Maui onion pretzels for the win). Greg also recounts a wedding night in Asheville that ended with gin-fueled regrets and a long nap on the cold bathroom floor. Meanwhile, Flex reveals his grandma’s secret to beer drinking (spoiler: salt) and the guys dunk on Michelob Ultra drinkers.
Booze News (Revised)
Big Beer Strikes Again – Another craft brewery is calling out Molson Coors for some sneaky marketing. Haven’t they learned their lesson from that $56 million lawsuit?
Super Bowl Beer Sales Fumble – While the Chiefs took home the trophy, draft beer sales took a hit. But somehow, Michelob Ultra is thriving. We have questions.
New DUI Limit Proposal: Will It Change Anything? – North Carolina wants to lower the legal limit to .05. But will it actually stop drunk drivers, or just ruin happy hour?
Guam’s Most Honest Drunk Driver – When asked how much he had to drink, his answer was… refreshingly straightforward.
Greg and Flex are back, beers in hand, ready to talk about all the important things—like how much Michelob Ultra dominated the Super Bowl (gross), why THC drinks might be too much for Flex’s delicate balance, and whether dropping $10K for $1 beers for life is a genius move or a financial disaster. Plus, Greg catches an old drinking buddy in the ultimate beer hypocrisy, and we dive into some truly ridiculous booze news, including yet another Japanese government worker losing sensitive data while drunk. Crack one open, because this one’s a ride!
Greg’s Super Bowl involved beer, Mario Kart, and absolutely zero emotional investment in either team. Flex’s was a mix of a sick kid, some pretzel nuggets, and the stunning realization that his dad might actually be a white Samuel L. Jackson. But the real shocker? Greg caught an old drinking buddy slamming a certain beer that they swore off years ago!
Flex also dabbled in some THC experimentation, confirming that 6mg is his sweet spot but 10mg had him straight-up wobbly. Greg, on the other hand, revisits a dispensary freebie that was so bad it tasted like pure regret. And just when you thought things couldn’t get worse, we break down the tragic beer choices from Super Bowl Sunday (seriously, Michelob Ultra??).
$1 Beers for Life? – A brewery is offering lifetime $1 pints—if you’re willing to shell out some serious cash first. Worth it? Let’s do the math.
Drunk Principals Gone Wild
Episode 447
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 • Duration 50:41
Welcome in, thirsty friends! Greg is back from his travels, Flex is deep into his late-night Instagram scroll addiction, and Brian is here proving once again that he might actually be related to Greg (which is both alarming and hilarious). This episode is packed with road trip beer adventures, brewery letdowns, and a deep dive into the tragic fate of expensive hype beers. Plus, we’ve got some ridiculous Booze News—including an Arkansas law change that actually makes sense and a Florida story that is pure Florida Man energy. Grab a beer, sit back, and let’s get into it!
Greg recounts his Vegas trip where he didn’t step foot on the strip but did fall into the hype trap of Beer Zombies Brewing. Turns out, the can art is the best thing about them. Flex takes us on a journey of beer disappointment as he sips a $7 can that tastes like “just fine.” Meanwhile, Brian shares tales of a Portland, Maine, beer trip so good that Deb had to buy an extra suitcase for the haul. Oh, and speaking of travel, Greg is heading to Austin, Flex is hitting up Minneapolis, and Brian is plotting a bourbon-fueled birthday bash in Louisville. Get ready, America.
Booze News
Arkansas Trying to Loosen Up – Lawmakers propose raising the state’s max ABV limit from an embarrassing 5% to a respectable-ish 14%. Progress?
Connecticut’s Buzzkill Bill – A new proposal would require alcohol cans to warn that drinking beer mightincrease cancer risks. Because nothing pairs better with a cold one than existential dread.
Keeps Being Alaska – Lawmakers want to add even more alcohol warning signs in bars. Still won’t let you actually get drunk in one, though.
AHA Splits from BA – The American Homebrewers Association is separating from the Brewers Association. Because nothing brings people together like arguing over bad homebrew.
Frozen Junk & Legal Drunks
Episode 446
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 • Duration 49:42
Welcome to another frosty fresh episode of Craft Beer Republic! Greg is back from his globe-trotting adventures, Flex is still the Director of the Health Ministry (whatever that means), and we welcome the smartest beer drinker we know, Intern Brian, who’s actually a real lawyer—unlike Greg’s pretend legal expertise. We break down Pringles' questionable decision to release Miller Lite Beer Can Chicken chips (Flex is already hoarding them) and, in a story that will make you cross your legs in sympathy, a Canadian man learns the hard way why you should always wear a belt in a bar fight—especially in subzero temps. Oh, and there’s beer. Lots of beer.
Flex dives back into Phase Three Brewing with Velvet Vortex, a hazy double dry-hopped IPA.
The squad samples El Segundo’s Spark Plug Light IPA, a 4% attempt at a sessionable IPA. Brian drinks it under protest, Greg wants his hops back, and Flex didn’t miss a thing.
Greg is fresh off a Bay Area beer pilgrimage, bringing back tales of pilsners, lagers, and his ongoing battle with TSA over confiscated cans. Flex makes a triumphant return to Phase Three Brewing after a two-year beer boycott, and Brian drops way too much legal knowledge on beer label laws. Speaking of legal nerdiness, the crew continues their deep dive into what breweries are actually required to print on their cans, uncovering why some beers list their ABV and others don’t. Also, Greg debates his royal title in the Craft Beer Republic (King Greg? El Presidente? Supreme Overlord of the Haze?), and the gang somehow goes down a very passionate rabbit hole about onions.
Booze News
San Francisco’s iconic Tornado Beer Bar is up for sale! Who’s pitching in to buy it?
Good Boy, Here's a Beer
Episode 445
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 • Duration 36:17
Welcome in, craft beer lovers! This week, Greg and Flex are back with an episode that hits harder than a triple IPA after a long workday. We’ve got questionable road trips, big hearts (with a “t”), and some hilarious revelations about drunk driving, pants removal, and the unsung heroes of beer-drinking adventures. Grab a cold one because this episode is one for the books.
Beers We're Drinking:
Greg dives into There Does Not Exist – Spore, a 6.8% hazy IPA that’s all tropical vibes.
Greg shares his strategy for navigating the tap list at small breweries like There Does Not Exist, and Flex reminisces about a watermelon gose that deserves a comeback. The guys hilariously unpack the logistics of driving naked, and we raise a toast to the unsung heroes of drunken escapades—those friends who set us up with buckets, blankets, and couches when we needed it most. Plus, Greg and Flex dive into the big questions: where do beer drinkers want to buy their brews, and what can breweries do to get us to drink more? We need your answers!
Booze News:
Dogfish Head announces a 30-minute light IPA with only 95 calories. Can they really pack that much flavor into something so light? Stay tuned.
Constellation Brands is raking in the cash as beer prices soar.
Laguna Beach takes the title of DUI capital of California, thanks to its party-town vibes, endless drinking establishments, and tourists who can't resist.
Police are on the hunt for a man who drove naked and drunk after a fight.
Welcome to Craft Beer Republic, we are excited to drink today! This week, Greg and Flex are keeping it intimate with candles, Kenny G, and Pliny the Elder. Whether it’s Greg battling California wildfires and weird strangers or Flex showing off his dog whisperer dad, this episode is one wild ride. Plus, we discover why Hard Mountain Dew is… a thing? Grab a drink and dive in—it’s a beer-fueled therapy session you don’t want to miss!
Beers We're Drinking
Greg and Flex: Pliny the Elder by Russian River Brewing – A double IPA icon with crisp hops and a smooth 8% ABV that’s dangerously crushable. Finally popping Flex’s Pliny cherry.
Greg and Flex sip on a West Coast classic while catching up on the absurdities of life. Greg’s been juggling California wildfires, power outages, and an awkward beer run that included plenty of Pliny and some questionable company. Flex shares memories of college cocktail disasters and explains why some beers are worth the hype (and others definitely aren’t). It’s a mix of chaos, beer, and laughs you won’t want to miss.
Booze News
Hydration? Nah. New Belgium’s making a boozy Gatorade. It’s 5% ABV and already questionable.
Beer Dynasty Drama: The Leinenkugel family wants their brewery back, but Molson Coors says, “Nah.”
Dew the Booze: Hard Mountain Dew is here, but Greg and Flex are having flashbacks to bad decisions.
Philly Loves BYOB: Most Philly restaurants are BYOB—because why not pair that cheesesteak with your own stash?
Welcome in, beer lovers! This episode is anything but dry—because Dry January isn't welcome here! Greg, Flex, and Erica dive headfirst into hilarious conversations about wild animal encounters, disastrous brewery closures, awkward first dates, and the struggles of finding the perfect gift. Plus, they break down the latest Booze News and share their honest (and sometimes questionable) beer reviews. It’s a sloppy, salty, and crunchy good time you won’t want to miss!
Beers We’re Drinking:
Erica is repping Alaska with Rock, Paper, Citrus by Broken Tooth Brewing. A crisp pale ale with a splash of tangerine that’s perfect for fighting bears or just chilling on a cruise.
Greg dusts off Number Three by Other Half Brewing x Burial Beer. This West Coast IPA is rocking some aged piney dankness—because Greg forgot it existed.
Greg kicks things off by firmly rejecting Dry January, while Erica proudly joins the anti-dry movement with her salty snacks. Erica shares stories about mountain lions casually roaming her neighborhood and teases an upcoming Alaskan cruise (with plans to challenge local drinking laws). Greg recounts the time he drunkenly chased a coyote in flip-flops, proving that liquid courage knows no bounds. Flex opens up about the struggle of holding in gas during the early days of dating—because nothing says romance like two-minute farts in the car. The crew also dives into the recent trend of brewery closures and debates the art of giving (and receiving) the perfect gift. Plus, Greg might have started a family revolution by boycotting holiday gift exchanges.
Booze News:
Cancer Warnings on Booze? The U.S. Surgeon General wants to slap cancer warnings on alcohol. Will that stop anyone? Yeah, right.
Stone vs. Molson Coors: Molson Coors loses its appeal and now owes Stone Brewing $56 million. Plus interest. Ouch.
Beer Desperation in Abu Dhabi
Episode 442
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 • Duration 43:22
Welcome to the first episode of 2025! Greg, Flex, and Erica are here to fight the good fight against Dry January, bringing you a hotline to save beers—and lives. Erica shares wild stories from her epic Egypt and Abu Dhabi adventure, Flex faces off against some overzealous fireworks and an IPA hangover, and Greg dodges DIY disasters with his neighbors. Plus, pozole presents, beer-snob debates, and a voicemail so wild it could only come from Chew Your Beer. Let’s start the new year with laughter and liquid courage!
Beers We’re Drinking
Greg:Nelsie by Monkish Brewing – Greg’s hazy pale ale is packed with Nelson Sauvin hops, tropical aromas, and a pillowy smooth finish.
Flex:Terra Nelson by Drowned Lands Brewing – A triple hazy IPA with bright tropical notes and Sauvignon Blanc vibes. Flex calls it "Nelson perfection" despite the price tag.
Erica:Schism by Lupulin Brewing – A bold black IPA with roasty bitterness, smoky undertones, and a lingering dankness.
Dry January is the enemy, and the Craft Beer Republic hotline is here to help. Flex relives his chaotic holiday, from a four-beer hangover to a near-underwear brawl with New Year’s fireworks enthusiasts. Erica takes us on a journey from the pyramids of Egypt to Eminem concerts in Abu Dhabi—complete with desperate Heineken beer-runs. Meanwhile, Greg shares tales of pozole-filled holidays, neighbors on a DIY rampage, and his ongoing fight to keep family visits under control and over inebriated. It’s beer, laughs, and chaos to start the new year right.
Booze News
The most downloaded episode of 2024.
Jimmy Carter: The president who saved craft beer with a homebrewing Hail Mary.
PBR switches teams: Anheuser-Busch takes over brewing duties for the trashy lager.
Hulk Hogan and WWE: The Real American Beer body slams into Monday Night Raw.
New Year, New Beers, Same Shenanigans
Episode 441
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 • Duration 46:16
Welcome to the New Year chaos! Greg, Flex, and Mel are here to kick off 2025 with plenty of laughs, questionable resolutions, and beers that make us glad our tongues can’t talk back. Flex reminds everyone why Wisconsin is the Fresh Coast (it’s real, he swears), Mel educates us on the dos and don’ts of edibles at weddings, and Greg channels his inner David Attenborough during a stoned encounter with whales. Plus, they’re petitioning to make 2025 the Year of the Gose, debating when craft beer really peaked, and roasting chestnuts—well, metaphorically. Cheers to another year of beers, nonsense, and mildly useful advice!
Greg: Short Lived Hazy IPA by MadeWest x Highland Park Brewing – Tropical juicy fruit vibes with a silky smooth mouthfeel that Greg calls the perfect California sipper.
The gang dives into the nostalgia of the “good old days” of 2019, arguing over the true peak of craft beer. Greg and Flex trade stories of hilariously high experiences with THC drinks, including a memorable balcony whale encounter that may or may not have been real. Mel reminisces about her edible misadventures at a wedding, where she learned the hard way to read the dosage warnings.
In a heartfelt New Year’s brainstorm, they pledge to rekindle the camaraderie of the craft beer community, resolve to post on social media more often (no promises), and petition to make 2025 the year of the Gose. And in true CBR fashion, they somehow turn beer reviews into a conversation about roasted chestnuts, door decor, and why juicy IPAs should just be labeled correctly already.
Beer, Boxed Wine, and Bad Christmas Movies
Episode 440
Wednesday, December 25, 2024 • Duration 53:25
Merry chaos, beer nerds! Greg, Flex, and Mel are back for a Christmas episode filled with hilarious rants, beer-fueled nostalgia, and just enough holiday cheer to keep the Grinches entertained. From cantaloupe debates to wrestling belt coolers, the crew dives headfirst into the absurdities of the season. Flex shares a Christmas beer that’s as festive as his short shorts, Mel cries into boxed wine (again), and Greg realizes he might need to hit the lake with his new championship fanny pack. It’s a holiday hangout full of bad movies, great beers, and questionable decisions—cheers to that!
Beers We're Drinking
Greg: Love Hazy IPA by Almanac Brewing, bursting with cantaloupe and tropical vibes, this IPA supports a great cause—and Greg’s cantaloupe obsession.
Mel: Everything Naughty by Ommegang Brewery, a smooth, caramel-forward blonde stout with festive vibes, but the white chocolate didn’t RSVP.
Flex: Christmas Ale by Abita Brewing, a malty holiday ale that looks great on the table, even if it tastes like liquid bread.
The gang kicks off with a heated debate over the best Grinch (Jim Carrey vs Timothée Chalamet) and why long Christmas movies are the absolute worst. Mel celebrates her three-year CBR anniversary, reflecting on how far they’ve come… and how much boxed wine it took to get here. Flex proudly unveils the ultimate holiday gift—a championship belt fanny pack cooler—while Greg dreams of strapping one on for a day on the lake. Holiday drinking traditions get hilariously weird with Heineken, boxed wine, and the most questionable wrapping strategies you’ve ever heard. Plus, Mel shares a wild dad story involving fake hockey players, proving that nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a good J-ism.
Booze News
Brewers Association gets a new CEO—can he save craft beer?
Chuck Schumer’s “Bubble Bill” might lower taxes for cider and mead.
Enlightened Brewery in Milwaukee shuts its doors after 10 years.
Florida Educators Gone Wild – A Florida principal and a teacher were arrested after repeatedly hosting underage drinking ragers… and making custom party t-shirts for them. Just Florida things.
