Beer People

The Washington, DC beer scene is on the rise. Red Bear Brewing, with a dedication to providing a warm, welcoming, and oftentimes adventurous space is a key player in the developing community. At the heart of Red Bear is Simon Bee. While this transplant from the Pacific Northwest may appear to be a lumberjack at first sight, quite literally, his insistence on creating a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as anyone who wants to have fun and drink a good beer, sets him apart from the rest. Through Simon and his team's efforts, Red Bear has become a community partner for many organizations, helping them build relationships that strengthen the DC beer scene. Find Red Bear on Instagram and their website. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Up in the north Philadelphia neighborhood of Germantown, Laura and Todd Lacy are building something special at Attic Brewing Company. With an eye on highlighting local history and bringing more attention to their community, the Lacys are creating a welcoming and inviting space where award-winning beer and unconventional collaborations are the norm. Follow Attic, Laura, Bad Nina's, and of course, Bad Nina herself. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

We chat with Melissa Walter, co-owner and co-founder of Philadelphia's Love City Brewing, about the latest developments for the brewery and for her. Melissa's background as a social worker comes out in her balanced approach to grief, her business acumen is on full display in her ability to steer the ship toward Love City's upcoming 6th anniversary, and her future-focused vision is seen as she describes what is sure to be an exciting 2026 for Philadelphia (yes, 2026). Love City's IG, Melissa's IG Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Beer People John and Richie return for a new episode format in which we discuss the state of the beer industry over the past year. John’s now into the second year of running The Daily Beer Bar, after gigs at Hop Culture and Cool Material, and Richie’s making BIG career moves after leaving Victory Brewing. Their unique perspectives on the industry shed light on 2023’s style trends, economic competition in the beer market, non-alcoholic beer, whether we’ve *finally* reached the year of the lager, and more. We end with each person's hot takes for 2024, and a couple wish list items, too. IG handles: The Daily Beer Bar, John, The Brewedat Podcast, Richie Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Believe it or not, Andrew Foss wasn't always the brewing legend he is today. His background includes drilling wells, bartending, and house flipping before networking and just plain hard-working his way into brewing. Andrew's contemplative approach to finding his path is punctuated with interesting tidbits and a thoughtful discernment for how best to contribute to change-making movements. To find more info about Human Robot, check out their website or IG. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

When a t-shirt maker and a landscaper offered Paul some homebrewed beer, few could have predicted it would spawn the legendary Great Notion Brewing. Now the CEO and a cofounder, Paul handles the business side of things while channeling creativity and hustle from his roots in hip hop. Coverage has said they "changed Portland beer forever" with their hazy IPA, and the innovation extends to their technology - give their immersive app a try - and to their focus on humanity - their fundraising goes to great causes. Paul Reiter is a dynamic storyteller whose story you don't want to miss. To find more info about Great Notion, check out their website, IG, FB, X, or YouTube. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Veteran freelance journalist Tara Nurin trains her eyes, ears and typing fingers on the places where food and beverage intersects with business, culture, history, sustainability and identity. Often using liquid lubricants as her mirror to reflect broader societal trends, the former Forbes beer and spirits contributor files her stories from some of the world’s most colorful breweries, bars and boardrooms and appears as a frequent presenter on broadcasts and live panels hosted by entities like the Smithsonian and Colonial Williamsburg. Passionate about promoting women’s challenges and achievements, the former TV news reporter published her first book, a history of women in beer entitled A Woman’s Place Is in the Brewhouse: A Forgotten History of Alewives, Brewsters, Witches, and CEOs, in September 2021. It won first prize from the North American Guild of Beer Writers. She has volunteered with the Pink Boots Society non-profit for women in the alcoholic beverage industry for more than a decade and founded Beer for Babes, New Jersey’s original beer education group for women. In addition to public speaking and writing for media outlets like USA Today and Food Network, Nurin is a certified beer judge, designs and teaches for-credit beer and spirits courses for Wilmington University (DE) and provides marketing consulting services for a client roster that includes Visit Philly and NZ Hops, Ltd. She is frequently quoted as a beverage expert in publications such as Wine Enthusiast and Food & Wine. After spending her first 26 winter holidays in Puerto Rico and residing in 11 states and countries, the trilingual Nurin has chosen to live as an urban pioneer on Camden, NJ’s, riverfront. To find more info about Tara, click here. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In a 300-year-old Victorian house/ former brothel/ former speakeasy, Kevin Margitich and family operate a brewery and restaurant that are just next-level. While you plot your drive to Douglassville, PA, listen to Kevin tell the story of how he left print news journalism to take on brewing professionally. Along the way, you'll learn about how he purposely did an extra year of college to spend more time with his now wife, you'll hear about her family's ghost tour business, and you'll want to try many, many cans of the beer they so passionately craft. Find Hidden River on Instagram, Facebook, and the web. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Started from the bottom (interning), now she's here: Anne talks about her journey to becoming the Director of Operations for Cerebral Brewing in Aurora and Denver, CO. Along the way she covers living in Japan, her love of dogs and mixology, managing packaging at Drake's Brewing Co, and taking active steps to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the beer industry. Check out Cerebral on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠their website⁠. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Kenny Gould (Founder) and Grace Weitz (Sr. Content Editor) of the legendary Hop Culture Magazine talk about how it all got started, the Queer Beer Box, hosting beer festivals, Kenny's upcoming fantasy novel, and bringing to life Grace's vision for Beers Without Beards. Check out Hop Culture on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and their website. Follow Kenny on IG here. Watch Kenny's episode of Next Exit in Philly here. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠⁠.

Matt puts Chris in the hot seat for this season 3 finale, and the guys talk about meeting Michael Fava on his birthday, their favorite brewery experiences, whether craft breweries should venture into macro-competitor light lager territory, and more. Next season will record this summer! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠⁠.

When it comes to origin stories, Gabriel Magliaro of Half Acre Beer has one of the more fascinating ones. From a hippie upbringing in Florida to founding one of the most well-known breweries, Gabriel's journey emphasizes the uniqueness and independent spirit that draws many to craft beer. Grab a Daisy Cutter, chill out, and give it a listen. Next episode is the season finale from Matt and Chris. Check out Half Acre on IG. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠.

Betsy Lay and her cofounders met as AmeriCorps VISTAs and founded Lady Justice to raise money for causes that benefit women, girls, and non-binary folks. Hear how they did it, including writing a law, hosting knitting nights, constructing catios, and putting on ballerina training events. Plus, meet Basil, Hops, and Blue... her cats and dog (respectively). Next episode features Gabriel Magliaro, founder of Half Acre Brewing in Chicago, IL. Hear how he went from glassblower to brewery owner. Check out Lady Justice on IG. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠.

When Dave Nissen left his role as a teacher to start Paddled South Brewing, he did it to build a sense of community as part of a revitalization effort for a de-industrialized town in North Carolina that's known as the "furniture capital of the world". Hear about his love for the outdoors and the guys' stances on whether it's cool to consume beers seasonally. Next episode features Betsy Lay, who talks about co-founding Lady Justice Brewing in Aurora, CO, as a way to raise money for organizations that benefit women and girls. Check out Paddled South on IG Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and check out our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠⁠@lotiecreates⁠⁠.

Brewing has become a lived origin story for many of our prior guests. The emergence of the craft beer industry has allowed many creators to forge their own path. Sometimes, however, brewing can be familial; passed down from prior generations and given new life within the contemporary industry. Zahra Tabatabai of Back Home Beer has tapped into her own Iranian brewing heritage to not only brew unique beers, but also to provide a voice to marginalized women both in the US and abroad. Next episode features Dave Nissen from Paddled South Brewing, who talks about using a brewery as part of a revitalization effort for a de-industrialized town. Check out the Back Home Beer IG and Zahra's IG Follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ and check out our ⁠website⁠. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes ⁠here⁠. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of ⁠@lotiecreates⁠.

Racism and sexism have no place in the beer industry (or anywhere), and Lindsay Hayes spoke with us about the importance of speaking out against those issues and the complexity of deciding when (if ever) to patronize a brewery after they pledge to stop bad behavior. She gives us insider tips on how one becomes a social media consultant (hint: algorithms matter a LOT), and we talk about her love of pets - both Moe (the grey one) and Cheddar (the orange one) make appearances. Next episode features Zahra Tabatabai, who discusses being a one-woman operation brewing beer with traditional Iranian ingredients at Back Home Beer. Check out L-Hayes' IG Follow us on Instagram and check out our website. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes here. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of @lotiecreates.

Kelly and Tom talk about overcoming a layoff, losing out on 3 properties, then lucking into an old bank that they converted into a brewery that specializes in beer with foraged ingredients... and if that weren't enough, they're also advocates for people of all ability levels and have built a neurodivergent-friendly, family-run brewery. We laughed, we cried, we got t-shirts. Next episode features social media manager, craft beer aficionado, and self-proclaimed "elder emo" Lindsay Hayes aka @hoppyhayes, who talks about the importance of advocating for beer being more inclusive and tells us the ins-and-outs of promoting a business on social media. Check out Perkiomen Valley Brewery on Instagram and Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and check out our website. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes here. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of @lotiecreates.

Matt and Chris check in with John A. Paradiso, who was the very first guest. John talks about getting married and going into business with his wife to open The Daily Beer Bar, a coffee cafe and beer bar in Durham, NC. Chris admits being scared of The Last of Us. Next episode features the owners of Pekiomen Valley Brewing who discuss building a neurodivergent-friendly brewery. It's a powerful episode. Check out The Daily Beer Bar's website and IG Follow us on Instagram and check out our website. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes here. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of @lotiecreates.

Richie is the head brewer and sole brewer at Victory's Philly Taproom, and he brings an experimental, R&D quality to his work. We discuss how he helped convert an old TGIFriday's to one of Philly's most highly sought breweries. He talks about the science of beer and the art of crafting a drink accessible to beer nerds and casual drinkers alike. Follow us on Instagram and check out our website. Follow Richie, the Victory Philly Taproom, and Victory on Instagram. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes here. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of @lotiecreates.

Head of brewing operations at New Trail Mike LaRosa talks about giving back to the PA State Park program and highlights an award-winning selection of brews. Follow us on Instagram and check out our website. Follow Mike on Instagram here and New Trail on Instagram here. Snazzy theme music by Beer Person Gerry Mayer, check out more of his tunes here. Artwork by the illustrious Lotus of @lotiecreates.