From Healthcare to Master Brewer: Danny Smith | The Responsibly Rowdy Podcast - 04/30/2026

Stephen Callahan sits down with Danny Smith, Head Brewer at Tennessee Hills, for the story behind one of the quietest builders in our operation.Before Danny had a beer named after him in our lineup, he had a career in healthcare. He walked away to chase craft beer, and ended up running the brewing program at America's largest privately-owned Brewstillery. He was instrumental in standing up Tennessee Hills' brewing operation when "Brewstillery" was still just a concept on a whiteboard. Today he's brewing the beers that anchor our taproom, helping shape ETSU's Brewing & Distillation Studies Minor inside the College of Business and Technology, and training the next generation of East Tennessee brewers.This episode covers the pivot that started it all. The early days of building a brewing program inside a distillery. The science conversations between Stephen (the chemist) and Danny (the brewer) that shaped how we brew today. Danny's Irish Stout, the beer that bears his name, and what makes it his. The most interesting thing he's learned since Tennessee Hills added brewing. And a first taste of the Bristol Session West Coast Pilsner hitting the taproom this spring.If you've ever thought about leaving a stable career for something you actually love, this one's for you.New episodes every month. Follow Tennessee Hills Distillery on Instagram @tnhillsdistillery for clips and behind-the-scenes content from the brewhouse.Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Stay #ResponsiblyRowdy.