What happens when millions of people simply stop wanting that second beer? In this episode of Beer In Front, I take a deep dive into the rapidly growing world of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound—and explore how these drugs are reshaping the food and beverage industry. While most coverage focuses on weight loss, the bigger story may be changing consumer behavior. Research suggests GLP-1 medications don't just reduce appetite, they may also reduce cravings for alcohol, snacks, and other highly rewarding foods by affecting the brain's dopamine reward system. 

• Why GLP-1 users are drinking significantly less alcohol
• New research showing dramatic reductions in alcohol cravings
• How wine, beer, and spirits are being affected differently
• Why bars and restaurants are seeing smaller checks and fewer repeat drink orders
• The projected $30-$55 billion impact on the food and beverage industry
• How grocery shopping habits are changing
• The opportunities for premium alcohol, craft beverages, and non-alcoholic alternatives
• Why GLP-1 medications could become an important tool in treating alcohol use disorder
• What breweries, bars, restaurants, and food companies need to do to adapt

As adoption continues to grow and new oral versions of these medications reach the market, the effects on consumer spending and consumption habits may only accelerate.Whether you're in the beer business, restaurant industry, food manufacturing, or simply curious about how emerging health trends shape the economy, this episode explores one of the most important consumer shifts happening today.

Statistic Sources
1 in 8 U.S. adults currently on a GLP-1 drug KFF Health Tracking Poll, Nov 2025
Up to 75% potential reduction in alcohol consumption Morgan Stanley 
25% of GLP-1 users stopped drinking entirely Morgan Stanley
41% reduction in daily drinking (clinical trial) JAMA Psychiatry
2025 Wine down 52%, beer 43%, spirits 40% EY-Parthenon Survey
10% of adults = 50% of all alcohol sold U.S. alcohol consumption data
$30–55B projected F&B revenue loss by 2030–34 J.P. Morgan
Feb 2026 23% of households contain a GLP-1 user CNBC / industry data
2026 Dinner traffic down 6% among regular users Restaurant industry analysis, 2026

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This week on Beer In Front, I sit down with Israel Dominguez, President of Merican Light Beer, to talk about building a modern lager brand with old-school appeal. After nearly a decade at Anheuser-Busch, Israel took what he learned from one of the biggest beer companies in the world and launched a brand focused on authenticity, community, and a simple mission: make a great American light lager.

In This Episode:

• Israel's journey from Anheuser-Busch executive to beer entrepreneur
• The inspiration behind Merican Light Beer
• Why nostalgia, familiarity, and Americana are central to the brand
• How Merican grew rapidly through community-focused marketing
• The challenges of building a beer brand in today's crowded lager market
• Expansion into North Carolina and Tennessee and plans for future growth
• Merican's commitment to supporting veterans, family farming, clean water initiatives, outdoor recreation, and youth sports
• Why light lagers continue to be one of the strongest segments in beer today

Beer Review: I get my hands on a can of Merican Light Beer and puts it to the test. The verdict? A crisp, crushable lager with subtle notes of wood and apple that make it stand out from the crowd. It's  a perfect summer beer and could become a future fridge staple once it reaches Chicago.

Also On The Show

• Birthday weekend recap at Old Irving Brewing
• An update on the upcoming elbow surgery and recovery plans
• A preview of next week's special solo episode examining how GLP-1 medications are changing alcohol consumption and impacting the food and beverage industries.

Learn More Visit the official Merican Light Beer website:  Merican

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Dave is back with a Memorial Day weekend episode featuring beer news, craft beer chatter, and a wild conversation with Devon Douglas, the man attempting to convince Jason Kelce to run with the bulls in Pamplona by drinking a Garage Beer every single day until the event. Dave also checks in with updates on his elbow recovery, birthday week plans, and dives into some of the latest stories from around the beer world.

Kelce To Pamplona

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In episode 304 of Beer In Front, Dave heads to Washington State for a conversation with Emrys Beer & Mead Works founder Thomas Croskrey. The discussion dives deep into the world of mead, historical brewing traditions, local sourcing, and how Emrys is blending beer, mead, and elevated pub food into one unique destination. Dave also reviews a new Korean-style lager from Hopewell Brewing Company and says goodbye to an old favorite with one final Schlitz.

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This week on the Beer In Front podcast, Dave celebrates both Illinois Craft Beer Week and American Craft Beer Week with a packed episode full of beer news, local brewery updates, playoff beer gimmicks, a killer lager from Goldfinger Brewing Company, and finally… a long-awaited review of the legendary Zima. Plus, a quick detour into punk rock with thoughts on the new album from Social Distortion.

In This Episode

• Celebrating Illinois Craft Beer Week and American Craft Beer Week
• Illinois Craft Beer Week passport program and brewery promotions
• Thoughts on the new Social Distortion album Born to Kill
• Brewers Association concerns over tariff refunds and aluminum pricing
• Ball Corporation’s can supply reportedly committed through 2030
• Illinois brewery updates from Hop Butcher For The World and Maplewood Brewery & Distillery
• Michigan brewing collaboration between Brewery Vivant and Saugatuck Brewing Company
• New West Coast pilsner “Boat Plane” from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
• Beer bats, hockey beer skates, and playoff drinking vessels taking over sports
• AB InBev posts first quarterly beer sales increase in three years
• New NA collaboration “Baller Melon” from Go Brewing and Hop Butcher
• THC beverages arriving at select Target Corporation stores
• Summer release preview from Goat Patch Brewing Company
• Big-format Chelada releases from Modelo

Beer Review: Goldfinger – Danube Swabian Dave cracks open Danube Swabian, an historical Vienna-style lager from Goldfinger Brewing. Rich toasted malt character, balanced hop spice, and classic lager drinkability make this one an instant winner. If you see the red can, Dave says one thing: “Put it in the cart.” Retro Review: Zima Returns After years of searching, Dave finally gets his hands on Japanese-market Zima thanks to a hookup from a coworker and friends at Japan Airlines. Does the iconic lemon-lime malt beverage still hold up after all these years? Spoiler alert: absolutely. Expect nostalgia, carbonation, and zero tolerance for people putting Jolly Ranchers in it.

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If you didn't catch the livestream last week, here is the audio part of the Midwest Beer Show. I along with Rod J talked about how beer has changed since 2020. We spoke to people from The Brewers Association, Hop Butcher, and WildEdge Brewing Collective! 

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🍺 Episode Summary

Dave is back for Episode 301 with a conversation that might just change how you think about non-alcoholic beer. This week’s guest is Tate Huffard, founder of Best Day Brewing—a company proving that NA beer doesn’t have to feel like a compromise. From the evolution of drinking habits to the explosion of the NA category, Tate breaks down how Best Day is creating beers that stand on their own—full flavor, real craft, just without the alcohol. Plus, Dave puts a few Best Day beers to the test with honest, no-BS reviews. 

🔥 In This Episode

• The origin story behind Best Day Brewing
• Why non-alcoholic beer used to fail—and what’s changed
• The biggest technical challenge in making great NA beer
• How lifestyle (not sobriety) is driving the category
• Why NA beer is showing up everywhere—from Target to taprooms
• The future of NA beer (draft lines, new styles, and more)

🍻 Beer Reviews (Dave’s Take) Wild American (Pilsner-style)

• Clean, crisp, classic beer flavor
• Balanced malt + subtle hops
• No weird NA aftertaste
• “Lunch beer approved.”

Kolsch

• Light, refreshing, highly drinkable
• Slight citrus note on the finish
• “Exactly what you want this style to be.”

Electro-Lime (with sea salt)

• Bright lime upfront, super refreshing
• Perfect warm-weather crusher
• “Summer beer. No doubt.”

👉 Bottom line: “It’s not NA beer—it’s just beer.”

Go to https://bestdaybrewing.com/ 
Use the code INFRONT for 20% off your first order! 

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🎉 300 Episodes In

• Dave looks back on six years behind the mic and the evolution of the show
• Early beer memories: Vienna lagers, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and Dovetail Brewing
• From COVID-era rants to today’s more balanced format
• Listener feedback welcome as the show continues to evolve

🍔 Chicago Beer & Food Stop

• Visit to Hop Butcher for a charity collab event
• Smashburgers from “Biker Dude” supporting Meals on Wheels
• Verdict: absolutely worth the trip—“that flipping good”

📰 Beer & Beverage News 🔥 Big Industry Move

• Firestone Walker acquires Stone Brewing
• Production shifting to California; major restructuring of facilities
• Part of a busy acquisition streak for Firestone Walker

🏆 World Beer Cup Highlights

• Illinois breweries bringing home medals:
  • Go Brewing (NA category wins)
  • Adams Street Brewery
  • Goose Island (including Bourbon County Brand Stout)
  • Cruz Blanca, Phase Three, Industry Ales

🍺 Beer Reviews – Craft Macro Series Dave kicks off a new segment reviewing “craft macros”—easy-drinking beers from craft breweries. Pipeworks – “Beer”

• Style: Light lager (4.4%)
• Score: 31/50
• Notes: Classic macro vibe, clean but middle-of-the-road
• Verdict: Solid, drinkable, not a standout

Revolution Brewing – Cold Time Lager

• Style: Premium lager (4.8%)
• Score: 35/50
• Notes: Balanced, flavorful, crushable
• Verdict: “Put it in the cart” — strong everyday option

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🍺 Episode Overview Episode 299 is a quick solo run with Dave—no guests this week, but plenty of beer news, industry insight, and a deep dive into one of the most interesting trends in craft beer right now: non-alcoholic versions of flagship beers. From brewery closures to new collaborations and a standout NA release from Revolution Brewing, this episode covers the current state of the beer world,  plus a few “put it in the cart” recommendations.



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Beer Media Group

🎙️ Beer In Front Podcast – Episode Show Notes

Barrel-Aged Season… in April? 

Spring in Chicago… and somehow we’re talking barrel-aged monsters like it’s late November. This episode dives into a surprise wave of fresh barrel-aged releases from three legendary Chicago breweries, plus a deep, behind-the-scenes conversation with one of the best in the game. Dave sits down with Marty Scott (Barrel Program Manager at Revolution Brewing) for an in-depth look at blending, wood, and the philosophy behind one of the country’s most respected barrel programs — including a sneak peek tank pour of a brand-new Deep Wood release. Also: industry news, new (and questionable?) beer releases, and a bittersweet beer rumor that hits close to home.



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Week of April 6, 2026 A packed episode this week with a heavy focus on what really matters: the beer in front of you. 🍺 Expect a streamlined format loaded with reviews, plus some news, events, and a few things you might want to… put in the cart. 🍻

What’s On Deck

• A stacked lineup of beer reviews featuring:
  • Dragon’s Milk (New Holland)
  • Midwest Coast Brewing
  • New Belgium
  • Sound Growler
  • Sierra Nevada
• Beer news from around the world
• Chicago-area event spotlight
• Midwest Beer Show preview

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Beer Media Group