PODCAST · arts
Craft Beer Conversations
by Zach Clark
Join Zach Clark as he explores metro Detroit’s craft beer scene by interviewing the brewers and craft beer / bar owners that make it flow along with those that inspire and celebrate the flavors we love.
Episodes
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Metropolitan Variety Store & Ashley
It's been a year in the making -- a Detroit variety store with a bar and kitchen attached. The Metropolitan Variety Store in the West Village is now open and I was eager to get down there and talk to co-owner Ashley Price, a veteran of the retail side of the craft beer industry. He and I spoke...
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Good C.O.P. & Ryan
In November of 2016, Wayne State Police Officer Collin Rose was shot and killed in the line of duty. As we approach the five year anniversary of Officer Rose's murder, The Officer Collin Rose Memorial Foundation teamed up with Copper Hop Brewing Company to honor Officer Rose's memory and help…
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Well Whiskey Wishes & Jason
Detroit punk rock group the Suicide Machines hooked up with Detroit City Distillery to collaborate on a whiskey AND on a Halloween concert (information on both here). I met up with Jason Navarro, the lead singer of the Machines -- he and I went to DCD's Eastern Market tasting room to have a...
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The 2 Way Inn & Danielle
There is a little spot on Detroit's east side that serves as a time warp -- things have changed around the 2 Way Inn since it began serving alcohol back in 1876, but little about the 2 Way itself have changed. Danielle Pantallersco is the current caretaker (or General Manager, your choice) -- her...
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Norden Aquavit & Robyn
Norden in Chelsea makes craft Aquavit, a centuries old Scandinavian cousin of gin. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Norden teamed up with Mothfire Brewing Company in Ann Arbor to benefit The Pink Fund. I went to the Ugly Dog Distillery where Norden is made to hang with President and Distiller,...
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Hop Runner & Michael
What happens if during your next party you run out of craft beer? Or, maybe you're looking to put a spread of beers together ahead of time. Regardless, Hop Runner has you covered. I sat down with owner Michael Groebe to pick his brain and learn more about how I can get beers delivered to my door!
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Drinking With Nick Drinks
Nick Britsky, AKA Nick Drinks, has been showcasing the local spirits, cocktails and our favorite places to enjoy them for years. He joined me for a couple of flights at Loaded Dice Brewery and we talked about the vibrant craft cocktail scene in Detroit and what's behind it. Of course we talked...
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The 140 Club & Dave
Nothing surprising about a craft beer mug club. They're everywhere. But about a mugless club? One that's based on a secret society? That's what's about to happen at Brew Detroit. Their marketing and branding wiz, Dave Cicotte, invited me to the Corktown taproom to learn more. But not too much…
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DCD Four Grain Bourbon & Michael
Yes, this is a beer podcast but it turns out things other than craft beer taste awesome too. Detroit City Distillery is introducing a new permanent spirit to their lineup -- Four Grain Bourbon. I went down to the Whiskey Factory on Gratiot to talk to DCD co-owner Michael Forsyth to learn about…
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Urbanrest Downtown & Zach
The original Urbanrest opened 4 years ago on Woodward Heights in Ferndale. Instead of growing outward, Zach and Mary Tympinski decided to dig more deeply into Ferndale, opening a second location -- this one downtown on 9 Mile -- this week. You can expect the amazing craft beers but you'll also…
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The Fat King + Dank Vegas & Jef
Jef Smith at Loaded Dice Brewery in Troy is always up to something which makes his spot so much fun. As the 1-year anniversary of Loaded Dice approaches, Jef is releasing some crowd favorites -- A 3-part Fat King series and the ever popular Dank Vegas IPA. These releases are a big deal for Loaded...
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Two Birds & Kyle
Two Birds is nesselled in Detroit's West Village where it offers custard, wine, beer and cocktails. Opening earlier this spring, Two Birds has caught on quickly. I went to the city's east side and hung out with co-owner Kyle Hunt to find out where drinks meet dessert
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Jimmy John's Field & Nate
Pro baseball in Utica? The four-team USPBL has been playing at Jimmy John's Field since 2016 and it goes far beyond baseball. I went to the Macomb County ballpark to sit down with Nate Liska, the Food and Beverage Director for Jimmy John's Field, to learn about their craft beer offerings and I...
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Motor City Gas & Rich
This is indeed a craft beer podcast but we have to expand our horizons from time-to-time, right? I went to Motor City Gas Distillery in downtown Royal Oak where Rich Lockwood and his team are doing one thing and one thing only -- cranking out amazing whiskey. I toured the facility and then sat…
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Arctic Circle Opens For Business
Arctic Circle Brewing Company has been in the works for almost two years but today is the day the taproom doors swing open in Chesterfield. At their industry preview night, I spoke to co-owners Eric Lehman Jr and Deven Sills about what it's like to be at the end of the beginning of the road and...
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Brew Pipeline & Scott
Hyper-local beers are awesome, they drive the market. But, what if all beer was local, no matter where it was brewed? That's where Brew Pipeline comes in -- matching retailers and brewers while working to take the guesswork out of distribution. I spoke with Brew Pipeline President Scott Ebert…
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Altes & Eric
There was a time in Michigan when Altes was as popular as it gets when it came to beer choices. But, through consolidation and bankruptcy in the 1980s, the brand faltered and by the 90s, it was gone all together. But, a group of friends revived the brand and Altes started again appearing on…
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CBC BEER BULLETIN: Urbanrest Expands
The original plan for Ferndale's Urbanrest was to be located downtown. Plans changed but fast forward 4 years and Urbanrest says they will open a downtown facility later this summer. I spoke to co-owner Zach Tympanski to get the details.
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Brewery Faisan & Paul
Brewery Faisan is dedicated to the ancient (literally) art of brewing Belgian beer. Paul and Rachel Szlaga opened the Islandview Detroit brewery in October of 2019 and like many great craft brewers in the area, they are doing things there way, bringing a different flavor to the Bell Isle adjacent...
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Why Isn't Craft Beer More Inclusive?
In an article from May's Hour Detroit Magazine, Ryan Patrick Hooper interviewed Harry Weaver III from the Brewz Brothaz to examine what it's like being a black craft beer drinker. Plus, how can things become more inclusive? It's a tough question but Ryan Patrick and Harry did an excellent job of...
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Small Business Tap Takeover
It's been a long time since we've really been able to gather and enjoy beer in groups or a crowd. And while we aren't all of the way back yet, the Small Business Tap Takeover at Steampunk Tap Room was one of the first events, big or small, in well over a year. Loaded Dice, Copper Hop, Arctic…
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American Craft Beer Week & Aaron
We continue to celebrate American Craft Beer Week by taking a look at what makes Michigan craft beer so special - like the state's ability to grow hops. It's not all rosy -- local/state/federal regulations can be a nightmare for craft breweries. To get a better understanding, I spoke with Aaron...
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American Craft Beer Week & Motor City Brew Tours
It's been a long 14 months for Steve Johnson, owner of Motor City Brew Tours. But just over a week ago, he gave his first tour since the pandemic began last March. As things open up, Steve is offering more opportunities to learn about Detroit's beer history. But, Steve and Zach didn't spend too...
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American Craft Beer Week & The Beer Professor
Happy American Craft Beer Week! We're going to start things off by going to class. I spoke with Dr. Neil Reid, a professor of Geography and Planning at the University of Toledo. One of Dr. Reid's areas of study is how craft breweries impact communities, which is why people call him the Beer...
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Paddle For Pints & Troy
Nothing beats being on the water on a gorgeous Traverse City afternoon, right? What could make it better? How about mixing kayaks and a pub crawl? Bingo. I spoke with Paddle For Pints owner Troy Daily about how this concept came together and what a day is like on the Boardman River.
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Detroit City FC & Sean
Detroit City FC has been growing over the last decade and the wins at Keyworth have begun to pile up. To up the ante with their community involvement, they have again partnered with Brew Detroit to release a craft beer. This year it's a crushable IPA called Smoke Delay. I went to the City…
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Craft Weed?
This episode is something different. We'll turn our attention back to beer on the next episode but this time, we're taking a look at how the medical and recreational marijuana industry is mirroring the craft beer industry, at least in some metrics. I went out on 4-20 to a couple metro Detroit...
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SommBeer & John
Covering the craft beer world can be a daunting task but the folks at SommBeer.com have been doing it for years, one of the best in the country run right in our own backyard. What drives the website and their massive social media network? I hung out with co-founder John Fahrner to figure it out.
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North Center Brewing Company Turns 6
Aren't birthdays awesome? For Kevin Degrood and the folks at North Center Brewing Company, their 6th anniversary is extra sweet as the pandemic drags on. I went to Northville to chat with Kevin about how they are celebrating and how it feels to mark another year rocking in downtown Northville.
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Why Beer?
We're doing something a little different on the podcast this week. Wednesday was National Beer Day (or 'everyday' as we think of it). So, in honor of beer's day, I called some friends of mine and ask them what makes craft beer and the craft beer industry special. Big thanks to Dave Cicotte from...
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Dog and Pony Show Brewing & Kyle
The entertainment scene is rapidly expanding in Oak Park and in thanks in part to places like Dog and Pony Show Brewing. The brewery on 11 Mile Road won't open until later this spring but the work is already fast and furious. I went to the tap room to chat with one of the three Gierada brothers...
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Collect Beer Bar & Kyle
Drinking beers at Collect Craft Beer Bar is an experience unlike any other. The ambiance is serene and the selection of beer and wine (they have liquor too) is amazingly wide-ranging. I went to the Eastern Market adjacent tap room to hang out with Kyle Hunt who owns Collect with his wife Lea. We...
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Mothfire Brewing Company & Alexis
Mothfire Brewing Company in Ann Arbor doesn't have a taproom (though you can find their beers at nearby York) but their beers have been flying off of the shelves since they launched in late summer of 2020. What makes their beer so special? A big part of the answer is head brewer Alexis Jorgensen....
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CBC BEER BULLETIN: Blake's Hard Cider Adds Lemonade
Michigan summer is just around the corner and Blake's Hard Cider Company is celebrating by kicking off their new Farmstand Series with two cider-based lemonades. Zach sat down with Blake's VP of Operations, Mike McAlpine to get the inside track on their strawberry and blueberry lemonades.
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CBC BEER BULLETIN: Brew Detroit Releases New Citrus Blonde
It's that time of year when we transition from big heavy delicious stouts, to lighter, equally delicious selections that are more refreshing as the warmer months approach. Brew Detroit just released their Citrus Blonde so I bet up with their Director of Sales and Marketing, Dave Cicotte, to get a...
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Kickstand Brewing Company & Brendan + Adam
Kickstand Brewing Company in Commerce Township offers a combination of consistent flavors and experimental varietals on their beer menu. Add a full food menu along with a cocktail and beverage program and you have everybody's favorite neighborhood hangout. I hung out back in the brewery with...
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M4 CIC & Mike
If you're grabbing your favorite craft beer off of a shelf or ordering one at a bar, there is a decent chance it was delivered by M4 CIC. I hung out at their new facility with co-owner Mike Turriff to learn about how the company has grown as it has and why Michigan flavors are so hard to beat.
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The Copper Hop Brewing Company & Ryan
The Copper Hop Brewing Company is part of a set of breweries that is really making St. Clair Shores a craft beer destination. Zach hung out in downtown SCS with Copper Hop co-owner Ryan Balicki to figure out what powers the brewery and how they continue to evolve in the strange world in which we...
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Loaded Dice Brewery & Jef + Jen
Loaded Dice Brewery in Troy is an open book full of new and fresh ideas. Zach went to the taproom to talk to Jef and Jen Smith about why they think the way that they do and how the Loaded Dice customers make the brewery a better place. Follow Zach on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for more!
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Tilted Axis Brewing Company & Tom
Craft beer, wine, mead, spirits and pizza all coming from the same spot in downtown Lapeer -- Tilted Axis Brewing Company. Zach ventured onto I-69 to sit down with Tilted Axis owner Tom Hanson to get an inside look at why the drive to Lapeer is well worth it. Follow Zach on Twitter, Instagram,...
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Motor City Brewing Works & Pat
Motor City Brewing Works is a landmark in the Michigan craft beer scene -- around since 1994, it's Detroit's oldest craft brewery. Zach ventured to the heart of the Cultural Center to sit down with industry veteran Pat Scanlon who is overseeing MCBW's production efforts. Pat looks back on the...
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CBC BEER BULLETIN: Michigan Beer Map App Debuts
Need help finding a brewery? Curious as to what many of Michigan's 400+ breweries feature? Well, good news today with the release of the Michigan Beer Map App from Better on Draft Media and MEFTEK, Zach spoke with Ken Konarzewski Jr. from Better on Draft to get a better idea of what the app has…
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Arctic Circle Brewing Company & Eric + Deven
Arctic Circle Brewing Company plans to open in April so Zach went out to Chesterfield Township to hang out with co-founders Eric Lehman Jr. and Deven Sills. The three talk about what it's taken to get to this point, how COVID forced them to pivot (hello, Kickstarter) and what to expect when the…
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Ascension Brewing Company & Brandon, Ben, Mike + Nate
Zach found himself in Novi, talking to the four brewers at Ascension Brewing Company about what it's like to not have a head brewer, how they've progressed throughout the pandemic, what drives their popular canning line and what lies ahead for Ascension. Follow Zach on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok...
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Holiday Market & Ashley
With one of the most thoughtful selections of craft beer / spirits / wine in metro Detroit, Holiday Market is a favorite destination for our boozy favorites. Zach hit up the downtown Royal Oak grocery story to talk with Beer Director Ashley Price about how he curates their offerings. Follow Zach…
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The Year In Beer 2020
2020 was a year like no other -- the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way metro Detroit craft breweries operated in a big way. But, Michigan isn't called the 'Great Beer State' for nothing. Zach not only looks back on the coronavirus and craft beer but looks beyond, discovering what makes local...
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Brew Detroit & Dave
Brew Detroit started as a contract-only facility but the Corktown facility has been turning out it's own high caliber line of craft beers while producing some of the most notable state and regional brands. Zach toured the almost 70,000 square-foot facility with Head of Sales and Marketing, Dave...
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Frankenmuth Brewery & Steve + H
The Frankenmuth Brewery has been making beer since 1862, making it Michigan's oldest microbrewery and one of the oldest in America. Zach travels to the land of Bavaria and Christmas to chat with owner Haithem Sarafa and brewmaster Steve Buzka to find out what happens when history meets innovation...
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Batch Brewing Company & Stephen
Batch Brewing Company has been around since 2015, repping Detroit's oldest neighborhood. The standard-setting brewery has seen a lot of changes in the last 5 years, but certainly over the last several months. One of their biggest innovations has been their charitable Feel Good Tap. Zach sits down...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Craft Beer Conversations have?
Craft Beer Conversations currently has 49 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Craft Beer Conversations about?
Join Zach Clark as he explores metro Detroit’s craft beer scene by interviewing the brewers and craft beer / bar owners that make it flow along with those that inspire and celebrate the flavors we love.
How often does Craft Beer Conversations release new episodes?
Craft Beer Conversations has 49 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Craft Beer Conversations?
You can listen to Craft Beer Conversations on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Craft Beer Conversations?
Craft Beer Conversations is created and hosted by Zach Clark.
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