Craft Beer Republic – Details, episodes & analysis

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?

Beers We’re Drinking

• Greg – Meanwhile Brewing's Tender Robot. A gold medal winning hazy out of Austin.
• Flex – Toppling Goliath Pseudo Sue – the Nectarine Hop Variant, jammed with tangerine goodness.

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.

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

• Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic
• Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod
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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!

Beers We’re Drinking

• Greg – Frost Quake by Smog City Brewing – A hazy IPA with a surprising bitterness and a touch of old-school malt. 
• Flex – Jinxproof Lager by Three Floyds Brewing – Crisp, crackery, and crushable with a touch of noble hops. 

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??).

Booze News:

• Super Bowl Shotgun Showdown – Saquon Barkley just put on a beer-chugging clinic, but did he really finish it?
• $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.
• Super Bowl Beer Wars – The top-selling beer in Kansas City and Philly might surprise (and disappoint) you.
• Another Drunk Government Worker Loses Sensitive Files – When are they going to learn their lesson?

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

• Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic
• Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod
• Threads: CraftBeerRepublic
• Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

Welcome to the holiday chaos! Greg and Flex are back with plenty of laughs, holiday traditions, and beers that’ll make you question your life choices. Flex shares how his kids are basically his beer sommeliers, picking out a beer that pairs perfectly with… Crocs? Greg’s beloved annual “Dropping of the Yule Log” returns, and yes, it still sounds like the most festive dump. Plus, an actual super hero gets arrested, Christmas train shenanigans, and a surprising list of brewery ingredients that no longer need government approval. It’s a sleigh ride of stupidity, beer, and holiday spirit—ho ho hops!

Beers We're Drinking:

• Flex: Croc Couture by Little House Brewing Co. Flex’s kids picked this hazy IPA for its sparkly Croc can, but the beer’s maltiness left him on the fence.
• Greg: Fort Point Pale Ale by Trillium Brewing Co. A pricey pale ale that delivers citrus and mango vibes, but Greg questions if it’s $28-good.

Flex dives into “Dad Life Goals” by letting his kids pick beers at the liquor store based solely on their shiny cans—what could go wrong? Greg, meanwhile, brings back his favorite holiday tradition, the Dropping of the Yule Log, leaving listeners in tears over its unintentional bathroom noises. The guys get real about hyped breweries charging insane prices, the sexiness of affordable beer, and Greg’s surprising champagne fiasco that ended with Uber Eats saving the day. Meanwhile, Flex daydreams of getting arrested in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume. Priorities.

Booze News:

• TTB Gets Cool: Brewers no longer need approval to use ingredients like bananas, nuts, and rhubarb—less red tape, more beer.
• Goat Patch Takes Over Pike’s Peak: Colorado Springs’ Goat Patch Brewing is acquiring Pike’s Peak Brewing, turning schools into breweries and keeping things local.
• No Fun on the Train: A UK train company launches a low-alcohol beer campaign to stop people from getting shmammered mid-ride.
• Constellation Sells Svedka: Sazerac adds yet another booze brand to its ever-growing liquor empire.
• Batman Gets Booked: A man in a full Batman costume crashes his car, flees the scene, and fails sobriety tests—justice was served.
• Drunk Driver Ratted Out by Mom: A 20-year-old claims he’s sober, but his own mom tells officers he can’t even walk straight.

Follow us:

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

• Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic
• Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod
• Threads: CraftBeerRepublic
• Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

Get ready for another hoppy episode of Craft Beer Republic! In this week's episode, we're joined by the fabulous Erica from NeckNosh, as we dive into the world of sour beer festivals, Utah’s hatred of fun, beer pokers, stolen beer, and the best Cold IPAs.

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Kicking things off, Erica tantalizes our taste buds with Chance of Crowds, a hazy IPA from Alibi Ale Works, while Greg indulges in the juicy goodness of Ectogasm, a hazy from Drekker Brewing.

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Flex tells us about his invite to a sour beer festival at Mobcraft, and we debate the best fruit for sour beers. We pitch more pretzel necklace ideas to Erica. Someone left us a glowing review on Apple Podcasts; we needed to share it! And why are the B52s so awful?! Also, Flex LOVES Sabro hops. 

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Fontana Jim calls in to share his hatred of beer pokers. It turns out Erica owns multiple! Click here to see the video he is talking about.

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We love to harp on Wisconsin for its weird laws surrounding underage drinking, but it turns out most states allow some form of teenage drinking. Are you in one of those states? In a real act of heroism, Fontana police recovered pallets of stolen beer. Constellation Brands beats Anheuser-Busch in a battle over the rights to Corona seltzer. Figueroa Mountain Brewing is releasing a non-alcoholic beer. And a list of the Best Cold IPAs.

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Erica: 

Instagram: @Neck_Nosh_llc

NeckNosh.com

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Flex:

Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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Craft Beer Republic: 

www.CraftBeerRepublic.com 

Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic

Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod

Twitter: CraftBeerRepub

(805) 538-2337 

Who’s ready to get salty? Erica is back, and we’re talking about our St. Patrick’s Day hangovers, brewery anniversaries, upcoming beer festivals, more NA beers, the best Pale Ales, and the SunnyD seltzers are here to ruin your life.

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Greg is reaching back into the fridge and pulling out a classic porter from Russian River Brewing: Shadow of a Doubt. Erica is going home with her beer choice; she’s drinking Haze Tron from Deschutes Brewing. 

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Greg talks about his first experience with a growler, walking around downtown Seattle. Pedals and Pints had their third anniversary, which was quite the party! 14 Cannons held their Pink Boots collaboration brew day. We all talk about our St. Patrick’s day shenanigans and how we fared the next day. Lagerville is coming up in a few weeks, and we’ll be there. Use our code for a nice little discount.

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Michael calls in to propose a show idea. And Beergirl Melissa drunk dials us to ask a question of the team.

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SunnyD is coming out with a vodka seltzer, and no one is looking forward to it. Corona is coming out with a non-alcoholic version of its beer, just in case you love the taste. It turns out Heineken lied and never stopped selling productions in Russia. And we have the 13 Best American Pale Ales that you can grab in a store.

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Erica: 

Instagram: @Neck_Nosh_llc

NeckNosh.com

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Flex:

Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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Craft Beer Republic: 

www.CraftBeerRepublic.com 

Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic

Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod

Twitter: CraftBeerRepub

(805) 538-2337 

It doesn't even have a last name; it just says McFlexin! Flex and Greg are the captains now! We're talking about booze-to-go, St. Patrick's Day fun facts, $250 beers, getting drunk with gift cards, more lunch beers, and dinner with famous people!

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Thanks to Bryan from Titletown Brewing, we're all drinking Blizzard Bay Cold IPA.

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Flex hung out with Bryan and did some lunchtime research with some tasty beer. Greg digs up some old gift cards and gets drunk at a fancy steak house. He also dined with a celebrity. We talk about our favorite fancy cocktails and how great booze-to-go is. And why is it such a pain to get alcohol at a baseball game? And if you need some Vegas tips, we've got the best-kept secret in sin city!

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Our listener submitted Ludicrous Libation Law takes us to Michigan. 

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Not-so-punk BrewDog has a beer that's over $200 and doesn't even mess you up. The National Advertising Division puts an end to MolsonCoors calling Bud Light "water." And a drunk driver gets arrested after complaining about a cop's emergency lights. 

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Flex:

Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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Craft Beer Republic: 

www.CraftBeerRepublic.com 

Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic

Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod

Twitter: CraftBeerRepub

(805) 538-2337 

We’re so excited to be joined by Brandon Hernández, Founder and Executive Editor of San Diego Beer News. We’re talking about up-and-coming San Diego breweries, new trends in craft beer, Pink Boots collabs, the big shakeup at Los Abbey brewing, and the drunk guy on a plane who took it too far.

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Greg is drinking Pure Project Brewing’s Monteverde murky IPA, in honor of their 7th anniversary. Flex is sipping Westwise, a west coast IPA from Casa Agria Specialty Ales.

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Flex talks about how old he is and what he did to throw his back out. Brandon tells us about San Diego Beer News and his take on up-and-coming and new San Diego breweries. The crew discusses Seek Beer Co, Helix Brewing, and New English Brewing as must-visit spots. Greg recaps his weekend of brewing with Pedals and Pints for the Pink Boots collaboration and talks about all the insanely big and delicious beer he drank over the weekend. 

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Chew You Beer calls in from the line to get Pliny the Younger.

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The Lost Abbey is downscaling even more than initially expected, and Brandon talked to founder Tomme Arthur about the new plan. We also talk about the advantage of contract brewing and not paying rent. BrewDog doesn’t look so punk after becoming friends with Budweiser. Bill Gates buys a stake in Heineken. And a drunk student urinates on a business class passenger on an overseas trip.

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Brandon: 

Instagram: @SDBeerNews

SanDiegoBeer.News

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Flex:

Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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Craft Beer Republic: 

www.CraftBeerRepublic.com 

Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic

Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod

Twitter: CraftBeerRepub

(805) 538-2337 

On Batch 345, MadeWest brewer Spencer is back to hang out with Flex and Greg. We’re talking about lunch beers, sobering up at work, walking and drinking, the downfall of seltzers, and the drunkest states in America.

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Greg and Spencer are sipping MadeWest’s newest porter, Moon Hands, with peanut butter, coffee, vanilla, cacao nibs, and peanuts. 

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Greg talks about his mid-day field trip to have lunch beers on a school day and how good they go with pizza. Then we talk about how horrible it is to wake up drunk and have to sober up while working. And walking while drinking, who can do it and who can’t? (And, of course, walking-around-beers).

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We head to Washington, DC, for the Ludicrous Libation Law.

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In booze news, it turns out that hard seltzers are tanking in sales. Urban Artifact is back at it with expensive beers. We found out who the most and least drunk states in America are. A man is charged with DUI after peeing in the street. And a drunken man is let off the hook after fleeing from his wife. 

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Spencer: 

Instagram: @s_cary_sport20

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Flex:

Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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Craft Beer Republic: 

www.CraftBeerRepublic.com 

Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic

Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod

Twitter: CraftBeerRepub

(805) 538-2337 

Don't tell anyone, but we're drinking sexy secret beers! Spencer stops by as we talk about nerdy beer thiols, partying at Emo Night, new brewery grand openings, breaking craft beer news, and drinking while drinking under the influence.

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Flex is sipping on For Flowers, a hazy Double IPA from Casa Agria Specialty Ales. Greg and Spencer are drinking a yet-to-be-released double hazy from Malibu Brewing: Tower 17.

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Spencer breaks down what Phantasm Thiol powder is for us simpletons. Flex proves that he truly is an international man of influence. Next, Greg and Spencer rocked out for Emo Night at Naughty Pine Brewing and hit up Bellringer Brewing's grand opening. They also geek out about the world's best charcuterie board! And Greg rounds out his research at Bright Spark Brewing. And Happy Birthday, Deb!

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Breaking Booze News: Drakes Brewing acquires Bear Republic. Draft beer volume was way up for Super Bowl weekend. New data shows that China is dominating global beer consumption. A man cracks a beer while being investigated for a DUI. And Jaylen Watson got so drunk at the Chiefs' Super Bowl parade he had to leave in a wheelchair.

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Spencer: 

Instagram: @s_cary_sport20

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Flex:

Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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Craft Beer Republic: 

www.CraftBeerRepublic.com 

Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic

Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod

Twitter: CraftBeerRepub

(805) 538-2337 

Get ready to raise a glass and laugh out loud with Beergirl Melissa, as she and her co-hosts dive into a wild and witty discussion of Valentine's Day activities, drunk injuries, and the latest beer trends. In this episode, Melissa, Greg, and Flex sample some of the best IPAs and brews around, while delving into a range of topics, from the perils of drinking and dangerous activities to the latest trends in beer culture.

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Join the conversation as Melissa waxes poetic about the importance of authentic pasta sauce, Greg shares his latest BBQ obsession, and Flex drops a bombshell about his upcoming vacation plans. Plus, don't miss the trio's lively and often outrageous musings on everything from boozing at weddings to the Ludicrous Libation Law in Oregon.

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As always, this podcast is packed with laughter, insights, and unfiltered opinions about all things beer. Whether you're a craft beer aficionado or simply enjoy a good belly laugh, you won't want to miss this episode. Be sure to follow Beergirl Melissa on Instagram at @Beergirl_Melissa and Craft Beer Republic on social media @CraftBeerRepublic for more fun and frothy episodes!

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Greg is drinking Juice Invader, a hazy IPA from Great Notion Brewing. Flex is sipping on Phase Three Brewing’s DDH Cryptid Haze. And Mel is reviewing On Wednesdays We Wear Pink from Tin Barn Brewing.

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Mel: 

Instagram: @beergirl_melissa

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Flex:

Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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Craft Beer Republic: 

www.CraftBeerRepublic.com 

Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic

Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod

Twitter: CraftBeerRepub

(805) 538-2337