Streetside Brewery's Garrett Hickey on His Brewing Journey, Craft Beer & Cincinnati Beer Culture | Part 2 | Episode 130

Part 2 of our conversation with Garrett Hickey from Streetside Brewery dives deep into Garrett’s brewing journey, the evolution of Streetside over the last decade, and what it really takes to build one of Cincinnati’s most respected craft breweries.Garrett shares the full story of how homebrewing with his dad led him from minor league baseball in snowy Erie, Pennsylvania to brewing school in England, working at Rivertown Brewing, and eventually opening Streetside Brewery with his family. We get into the differences between English and American brewing techniques, why Streetside chose a direct-fire brewing system, and how modern craft beer trends have shaped the brewery’s approach over the years.We also talk about the creativity behind Streetside’s beer names, experimental brewing philosophy, hype beers, barrel-aged stouts, West Coast IPAs, smoothie sours, and why certain fan-favorite beers disappear for years before making a comeback. Garrett gives incredible behind-the-scenes insight into recipe development, collaboration brewing, Untappd culture, and the balance between making innovative beer and running a sustainable business.The episode also highlights Streetside’s strong community involvement through their “Brew Cause” charity program, Oktoberfest celebrations, and the brewery’s upcoming 10-year anniversary plans — including a massive collaboration beer featuring breweries from around the country.Packed with brewing stories, beer discussions, humor, and industry insight, this episode is a must-listen for craft beer fans, homebrewers, and anyone who loves brewery culture.Cheers!