Episode 167 - w/ John Jackson Wild Parrot Brewing

Host Mike sits down with John Jackson of Wild Parrot Brewing in Pasadena for a wide-ranging conversation about launching a neighborhood brewery, the story behind the name, and surviving a pandemic-delayed opening. They discuss Wild Parrot’s rotating one-off tap philosophy, favorite styles and hops, experiments with malts, and standout beers from their menu. John shares practical lessons from his brewery build—shared space with a coffee shop, frugal ‘frankenbrew’ approaches, permitting headaches, and funding—and offers advice for aspiring brewers. The episode also features fun brew-day anecdotes (including a stuck mash and a messy valve mishap), local community events, a Route 66 cream-ale collab, and light-hearted segments on situational beers, guilty pleasures, and tailgate culture. Tune in for beer nerd talk, startup tips, neighborhood stories, and a warm, conversational interview that captures the spirit of a small, community-focused craft brewery.