Better On Draft | A Craft Beer Podcast

NOTICE: We are aware of the background noise in this episode and are unable to fix it. We were left with the choice of scrapping the episode or continuing our goal of pushing breweries and their stories. We hope you enjoy! We are live Fridays at 7pm EST on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft. You can also watch us live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/betterondraft, on Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/bodpodcast, or on our website www.betterondraft.tv. A long time in the making, but we have such a great show for you.  We sit down with Jonathan 'Danger' Cole for about two hours talking about his time in the industry and we get to sample five (of the six) upcoming Fury releases from Witch's Hat.  We get a inside perspective of the new laws and changes within the industry as well as get the opportunity to try some more amazing Witch's Hat Beers and to our surprise, Witch's Hat full kitchen of amazing food (don't sleep on the spent grain pretzels).   We reach to

As we continue to branch off into more non-local non-Michigan breweries, we bring in Jason Brewer (yes, real name) from Listermann Brewing to chat about their well sought after beers, the future of distribution, and working from the ground up at the brewery. We try a few of their beers including Pride which coincides with Cincinatti Pride, and we also talk about the collaboration with our guest for next week, Witch's Hat. Segment two we go over the news and segment three we bring back the Cameo game but add a little twist to it! Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/ Join The Michigan Beer Discord - https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT Download the MI Beer Map - http://www.mibeermap.com Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6AlzP1BH0iykayF856bGRc?si=xXZzdd3CTPqgUq_KYTnBKg iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-cr

We are live Fridays at 7pm EST on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft. With a short staff this week we bring in Michael and PJ from Saugatuck Brewing to chat about the changes in life since COVID, how they're still pushing out kegs of beer, and what Michiganders look for from breweries outside of the state, and what outside of Michigan drinkers look for in Saugatuck Brewing.  We learn their reach gets all the way to Nevada and Colorado, and PJ talks about the process changes that have occurred recently to keep Saugatuck brewing at full capacity.  We learn how they are a guest brew on-site premise where you can pay to brew your own beer there. Segment two we talk a little bit about the news including the fines AB Inbev is levied for sponsorship laws broken, Oksar Blues mustard beer, and the aluminum shortage and its effect on all forms of liquid sales and what Coke/Pepsi are already doing proactively.  Support MI Brewing - http://www.supportmibrewing.com Subscribe to Better on Draft - h

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: Wes and Josh from Odd Side Ales join us to chat about the revolution that is seltzer including Odd Side coming into the game hard. Josh gives us a run down on the transformation of his position during COVID from kegging to packaging nearly all products, and Wes gives us some insight on how breweries get out to other states and how we as Michiganders are true homers and how we treat out of state breweries after they come in. Josh also gives us an update on the distilling program and goals of Odd Side to double in size in the next 18 months. Segment two we play a game with our guests of over/under and continue drinking some amazing Odd Side Seltzers Segment three we bring in the news to talk about what we need as a state to keep breweries in business and how while the new laws are helping, we need to move faster to getting more laws on the books to support them. Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fi

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: Debi joins us from www.tagabrew.com to tell us the story of how a little keepsake from a brewery turned into this multi-hundred brewery trend where people can go to a brewery and collect a little charm for their attendance. Tagabrew was founded on just promoting the local industry and each other, and as Michigan Beer continues to grow, so does Tagabrew as they reach into over ten different states. Now Debi just keeps up the energy every where she goes while promoting tagabrew and the ambassadors of Tagabrew show their support in our live chat! Segment two we talk about the news around the beer world including the Stone lawsuit, and segment three we try a new game to test our knowledge of brewery names in the country. Sponsors: North Center Brewing - https://northcenterbrewing.com/ Zetouna Liquor - https://www.facebook.com/Zetouna-Liquor-Fine-Wine-Cigars-146021445420374/ Join The Michigan Beer Discord - https://discord.gg/vEEDyzwdjT Download the MI Beer Map - http://www.mibeermap.com S

We are live Fridays at 7pm EST on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft.   Chris from The Mitten Brewing Company sits down to talk with us about opening up a brewery, expansion, and the different cultures of working during COVID in three very different cities across Michigan.  He talks to us about the haunted building his Grand Rapids brewery sits in, and that after COVID there is intention of a major Ghost Hunters show to come record there.  While things don't seem to happen until really late into the night, we talk about the belief in ghosts and the spooky things that have happened there.   Segment 2 Matt joins us early and we play a game.  Wendy tries to get us to guess what beers are real versus what beers are from pop culture. Segment 3 we chat about the news and go over the Omnipollo Yellow Belly controversy and discuss where (if) the blame should be placed. Support MI Brewing - http://www.supportmibrewing.com Go Tip Em - http://gotipem.com/ Subscribe to Better on Draft - https:/

We are live Fridays at 7pm EST on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/betterondraft.  You can also download the Hot Mic app (Use code BOD, it is free) to watch us live if you do not have a Facebook! Still social distancing but it gives us a chance to bring Andrew in from Secret Hopper, a mystery shopper website that helps breweries better understand what they may be missing on the customer service and atmosphere side of things. We talk about the positives and negatives and bring up a topic of brew hopping while black. We talk about the hate culture in beer and the blog that Andrew wrote last month, and really dive into what we want to see when we get inside a brewery. Segment 2 we bring up the news and talk about busting up 'big beer', better ways to improve the 3-tier system for everyone (except maybe big beer) and talk about when festivals will probably get back to normal Segment 3 we brought back the game portion of Better on Draft playing a more card variation of Guesspionage.  Test your kno

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: To no ones surprise, we were not back in the studio this week.  Angie of Fermenta (https://fermentamichigan.org/) and Annette May of Fermenta and School Craft College (https://www.schoolcraft.edu/academics/culinary-arts-brewing-and-distillation-technology/brewing-and-distillation-technology) joined us live to talk about how we can do better to get women into the industry making delicious beer.  We learn about Angie's starts as a lawyer and then keg washer, as she progressed through a handful of well known Michigan breweries.  While she is currently laid off due to COVID, we appreciated the time out of the day she took to tell us about the scholarships that Fermenta offers to get more women into the industry. Segment 2 we talk about some news including some events that are still going on, we beg you all to wear masks, and we do our best to keep it up beat! Segment 3 we brought back the game portion of Better on Draft playing a more card variation of Guesspionage.  Test your knowle

Coming in a few minutes late (we won't hold it against him) Scott Newman Bale joined us to talk about his first major job working for EA, coming to the states and meeting Joe, the cycle of liking and disliking beers, and we get a timer on when we can finally talk about the "Michigan Only, Michigan Forever" ordeal from 2016.  Scott also chats us up about his feelings on some of the new laws including counting tokens, and gives us a play by play what happened the first Psychedelic Cat Grass release.   Segment 2 we discuss the news including the fact Jobbie Nooner still happened, we talk about if Michigan could ideally go to a 4am bar closing time, and we end talking about everyone's least favorite topics... Masks. We may be in studio next week.  Stay tuned for updates! Support MI Brewing - http://www.supportmibrewing.com Go Tip Em - http://gotipem.com/ Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podca

We brought in Rep Pauline Wendzel of District 79 to chat about the slew of alcohol bills that are upcoming in the state legislature of Michigan, all tied together, and all reliant on each other.  She talks about her love of sours and sneaks in some of her favorite breweries not in her area!   OWNERS NOTE** As someone who loves beer, seeing these updates happening in all aspects of the brewing (and alcohol) world is simply amazing, and great work done by our brewers who still need our help at this time and the representatives around our state looking to help these businesses from the crutches of laws that were made before we exploded in craft brewery, winery, and distilleries in our state. REP WENDZEL NOTE** Wanted to follow up on one thing that was said about coins/tokens at beer festivals and to make sure to clarify the language in HB 5347 (4) BEER THAT IS DISPENSED TO CONSUMERS FOR SHOWCASING BEER AT A BEER FESTIVAL IS CONSIDERED A SAMPLE. A HOLDER OF A SPECIAL LICENSE ISSUED UNDER THIS SECTION MAY OFFE

We learned when John Mallett speaks, you listen because he's about to drop some knowledge on you.  We sat down with John for about an hour as we talked about everything from beer, brewery making, craft beer in the 90s, and we lay down the gauntlet challenge as he said he could get any brewery equipment out, and we inform him of former brewery Etouffee, the short lived Brew-Pub above the now permanently closed AMC Star Southfield where rumor has it the brewing equipment was put in before the wall, so it's still sitting there unused! Segment 2 we talk about the Weathered Souls Brewing Black is Beautiful Collaboration.  You can look up who is doing the collaboration by going to https://blackisbeautiful.beer/ for more details  Please note Segment 3 is video only!  Head over to our Youtube or Facebook page to see it, and you can join us every Friday at 7pm EST at www.facebook.com/betterondraft Support MI Brewing - http://www.supportmibrewing.com Go Tip Em - http://gotipem.com/ Subscribe to Better on

While our guest worked out some technical issues, we went live with just the hosts to talk about what is going on in Michigan as we prepare to re-open and enter the mixture of Phase 4/5 of our plan to flatten the curve.  We were then excited to have Jason Gladfelter, Director of Brewery Mediation Network join us form Denver to chat about his profession and what he does to help breweries succeed without getting pesky lawyers involved!  We chat about the different type of disputes and what to expect as we enter this new chapter into craft brewing and restaurants.  You can check them out at www.ovaloptions.com and contact them for a free consultation by calling or testing (720) 220-8683. Segment 2 we discuss the news including if you'd hike 2200 miles for beer, and we talk about the Weathered Souls Brewing Black is Beautiful Collaboration.  So far we are aware that North Center Brewing and Brew Detroit are participating and we will update when we hear more Michigan breweries.   Please note Segment 3 is vi

John and Bill from Athletic Brewing take the time out of their busy day to chat about NA beers and how the industry is starting to change. We discuss how Bill was looking to remove the alcohol from his life but still wanted to enjoy a flavorful craft beer with his food, and John discusses the intricacies of making NA beer and the very few 'happy' accidents that sadly have to be diluted and poured. We discuss how Michigan is one of five states that considers NA beer as regular beer, and we announce that Athletic Brewing will be in Michigan starting July 1st. Segment 2 we discuss the news including (as promised) a lot of upcoming bills in Michigan to update the liquor laws (this is not all of them but many who rely on each other to pass). We also go over the top ten breweries in Michigan by 2019 barrels and look into the future! All of that and more! HB 5341 BREWPUBS (Wendzel) Updates provision related to brewpub license conditions. HB 5342 MICRO BREWERS (Wendzel) Eliminates allowing certain micro

Dan Kiplinger, formerly of Olde Peninsula and Bell's, tells us his story of 30 years of brewing in Michigan.  Not much more I can say without the podcast telling you more!  Join us won't you?!? Please note Segment 3 is video only!  Head over to our Youtube or Facebook page to see it, and you can join us every Friday at 7pm EST at www.facebook.com/betterondraft Support MI Brewing - http://www.supportmibrewing.com Go Tip Em - http://gotipem.com/ Rally For Restaurants - https://rallyforrestaurants.com/ Stage It - https://www.stageit.com/ Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-podcast-archive/id1450538812 Subscribe to The Brewz Brothaz - Spotify -

Russ and Jan from Support MI Brewing stop by to talk to us about their goal to help the brewers during their time in need.  We chat with them about their approaches when they go to a brewery, we talk about the new vs old guard in breweries, and we go over a little bit of news.   Please note Segment 3 is video only!  Head over to our Youtube or Facebook page to see it, and you can join us every Friday at 7pm EST at www.facebook.com/betterondraft Support MI Brewing - http://www.supportmibrewing.com Go Tip Em - http://gotipem.com/  Rally For Restaurants - https://rallyforrestaurants.com/ Stage It - https://www.stageit.com/ Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145) - Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5EADA1tifaLAoxd6THbRRs iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-d

We are still home at week but we are catching you up on the beer news, we discuss the new normal of restaurants and bars as they slowly begin to open, we talk about no good deed going unpunished for free beer, and we finish the show with a little bit of beer news. Please note Segment 3 is video only!  Head over to our Youtube or Facebook page to see it, and you can join us every Friday at 7pm EST at www.facebook.com/betterondraft Go Tip Em - http://gotipem.com/ (Donate $25 to a server and send BetterOnDraft@gmail.com a copy, we will send you a MI Beer Box Hoodie (limited supplies) Rally For Restaurants - https://rallyforrestaurants.com/ Stage It - https://www.stageit.com/ Toast Now (Online/Digital Ordering and Gift Cards) - https://pos.toasttab.com/products/toast-now Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft

We are still home at week but we are catching you up on the beer news, what we are doing to kill the time, and we make the argument for Christopher Walken to play Tony Monatana in remake of Scarface. Listen to that and more of us as we chat this Friday and Every Friday at 7pm EST. Please note Segment 3 is video only!  Head over to our Youtube or Facebook page to see it, and you can join us every Friday at 7pm EST at www.facebook.com/betterondraft Go Tip Em - http://gotipem.com/ (Donate $25 to a server and send BetterOnDraft@gmail.com a copy, we will send you a MI Beer Box Hoodie (limited supplies) Rally For Restaurants - https://rallyforrestaurants.com/ Stage It - https://www.stageit.com/ Toast Now (Online/Digital Ordering and Gift Cards) - https://pos.toasttab.com/products/toast-now Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to

Another week and another remote show. We talk about everything from what will happen when things re-open, how will restaurants serve customers, how will sports venues serve beer, and how our lives will change dramatically over the next year. Please note Segment 3 is video only!  Head over to our Youtube or Facebook page to see it, and you can join us every Friday at 7pm EST at www.facebook.com/betterondraft Go Tip Em - http://gotipem.com/ (Donate $25 to a server and send BetterOnDraft@gmail.com a copy, we will send you a MI Beer Box Hoodie (limited supplies) Rally For Restaurants - https://rallyforrestaurants.com/ Stage It - https://www.stageit.com/ Toast Now (Online/Digital Ordering and Gift Cards) - https://pos.toasttab.com/products/toast-now Subscribe to Better on Draft - https://plnk.to/BOD Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0rofqU5VHPmEjcGLwJbocm iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-on-draft-a-craft-beer-podcast/id1091124740 Subscribe to Better on Draft Archive (Episodes 1-145

CRAFT BEER PODCAST INFO: Talking trademark disputes, covering food, Cleveland beer, and the future of the restaurant industry, Eric of Tap That AZ sits down with us to talk about running the best beer related media org out in Arizona. 00:00​- Introductions 09:20​- Ken tries to use The DraftTop 12:20​- Cleveland Beer, Football, and Breweries 16:58​- Stone Brewing Trademark Against MillerCoors 24:35​- Dogfish Head vs. Hogfish Amber 35:36​- What is Tap That AZ 41:10​- Future of Restaurants post COVID 43:55​- Eric's Lessons Learned Creating Content 49:50​- Tap That AZ Covering Food, Marshmallows 52:45​- Introductions Part 2 56:58​- Craft Marshmallows and Drafting Table Mallow