Episode 147 - w/ Mitch McDuff and A Max Salazar of Synth Beer Co.

Host Mike sits down at Synth Beer Co. in Costa Mesa with founders/brewers Mitch McDuff and A. Max Salazar to talk about opening their September launch, the origin of the name “Synth,” and the first core beer, Laser Lager. They share the early planning, brewery build-out stories (including a beloved prototype brew house), and what it’s like to run a small, hands-on brewing program. Topics include their brewing focus (drinkable West Coast IPAs, Latin American‑style lagers and pilsners, and cocktail‑quality seltzers), favorite hops and recipes, long brew days, community and neighborhood collaborations, and memorable festival moments like GABF. Guests also trade personal stories — music and video-game nostalgia (NHL HITS), nicknames, and the homemade techniques behind standout seltzers. Listeners can expect insider tips for new breweries, tasting notes on synth’s lineup, plans for collabs, and a warm, conversational portrait of two friends turning a long‑dreamed vision into a living taproom experience.