Beer In Front – Episode 310 Show Notes

This week on Beer In Front, we're mixing things up with a conversation that isn't about beer...at least not at first. Dave welcomes Nicole Bentler, founder of Pocono Mountain Farms, to talk about one of the beverage world's most intriguing newcomers: maple water. Nicole explains how this naturally hydrating drink is harvested straight from maple trees before it becomes syrup, why athletes and health-conscious consumers are embracing it, and what it's like running a 450-acre certified organic maple farm in Pennsylvania. From sustainability and fireflies to bourbon pairings and recovery drinks, it's a fascinating look at a product you may not have considered before.Of course, there are plenty of beer discussions as well, including:

• Pollyanna Brewing's expansion into Chicago and the return of several Alarmist Brewing favorites.
• Maui Brewing's first non-alcoholic beer, Maui Lite.
• Firestone Walker and Toppling Goliath teaming up on a collaborative West Coast Double IPA.
• A preview of Goose Island's 2026 Bourbon County Apple Crisp variant.
• New Belgium collaborations featuring peach bellini and tropical-inspired summer beers.

Beer ReviewsBKS Artisan Ales – Counterculture IPA (Kansas City, MO)
A flavorful hazy IPA with bright fruit character, a creamy mouthfeel, and excellent balance. A standout beer from one of Kansas City's top breweries.

Revolution Brewing – Supermassive Café Deth
A bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout infused with Dark Matter Coffee that delivers rich coffee, bourbon, chocolate, and creamy sweetness in every sip. Another exceptional release from Revolution's celebrated Deep Wood Series.

Whether you're curious about innovative beverages, looking for new beers to hunt down, or just want another entertaining conversation from the world of craft beer and beyond, Episode 310 has something for everyone.Grab a beer...or maybe a maple water...and enjoy the show!

Pocono Maple Water

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Chicago Brewing History of the 1990s with Andrew Mason

Chicago's craft beer scene didn't happen overnight.This week, Dave sits down with longtime brewer Andrew Mason to discuss his new Kickstarter project, Chicago Brewing History: The '90s, an ambitious documentary series preserving the stories, people, and breweries that built Chicago's modern beer culture. Andrew shares his own journey through breweries including Flossmoor Station, Mickey Finn's, Three Floyds, Solemn Oath, and beyond before explaining why now is the time to capture the memories of the pioneers who shaped one of America's greatest beer cities.They discuss:

• Why the 1990s were the defining decade for Chicago craft beer
• Goose Island, Three Floyds, Real Ale Fest, and other influential breweries and institutions
• The brewers whose stories deserve to be preserved
• How Chicago's neighborhood tavern culture helped shape today's beer scene
• The challenges facing modern breweries—and why local taprooms remain so important
• Why documenting brewing history matters before these stories disappear

Andrew also explains how listeners can support the Kickstarter campaign and help bring this project to life.
After the interview, Dave cracks open a classic Three Floyds Zombie Dust Pale Ale and reflects on the beer's legendary status—from the days when it was nearly impossible to find to becoming one of the Midwest's defining craft beers.Dave also gives a recovery update following elbow surgery, previews upcoming episodes on Pocono Maple Water, Tang, and the history of Chicago taverns, and asks listeners to send along future show ideas while he's recovering.
Featured Beer🍺 Three Floyds Zombie Dust Pale Ale
Learn MoreSupport Andrew Mason's Chicago Brewing History: The '90s Kickstarter project through the links in this episode's description.

Have an episode idea or guest suggestion? [email protected] Follow Beer In Front on social media for new episodes, beer reviews, interviews, and everything happening in the craft beer world.If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow beer lover. It helps more people discover independent beer podcasts.Cheers!

Chicago Beer History

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Beer In Front – Episode 309
Homebrew Con Returns, Riverbend Malt & The Brew Depot

Homebrew Con is back, and this week I'm talking with two people who are helping shape the future of homebrewing.After a quick update on my recent elbow surgery (and an apology to anyone I may have unintentionally offended while under anesthesia), I share a few stories from the beer world before diving into conversations from Homebrew Con in Asheville, North Carolina.
First, I talk with Tina Hoffert of Riverbend Malt House about the growing craft malt movement, why locally sourced malt matters, and how malt contributes far more than just fermentable sugars. We also recap Homebrew Con, discuss regional ingredients, and explore how Riverbend is connecting farmers, maltsters, brewers, and homebrewers.
Then I'm joined by Joshua Lord, owner of The Brew Depot in Georgia. Joshua shares his journey from homebrewer to homebrew shop owner, discusses why local homebrew shops remain vital to the brewing community, and explains how craft malt is changing the way homebrewers think about ingredients. We also recap Homebrew Con and talk about why the future of homebrewing looks brighter than many people realize.Also in this episode:

• Recovery update after elbow surgery
• Great American Beer Festival ticket news
• Three Floyds and Binny's collaboration: The Morrigan
• Four Roses Experimental Series finished in Mizunara oak
• Pipeworks introduces a non-alcoholic Lizard King Pale Ale
• National Homebrew Competition highlights
• Beer In Front Beer Review: Classic Fat Tire Amber Ale returns

Whether you're an experienced homebrewer, a craft beer fan, or simply curious about what goes into making great beer, this episode celebrates the people and ingredients that keep craft brewing moving forward.Featured Guests

• Tina Hoffert – Riverbend Malt House
• Joshua Lord – The Brew Depot

Beer Reviewed🍺 New Belgium Classic Fat Tire Amber AleIf you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share the episode with the beer lovers in your life.Put it in the cart!

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Beer Media Group

This week, Dave chats with Kim Vavrick from Revolution Brewing about everything happening this summer at Chicago's largest independent brewery. First up is Fundraiser Friday on June 26th, benefiting the Brave Space Alliance. Kim explains how the program works, why supporting local organizations is important to Revolution, and how beer lovers can help simply by enjoying a draft beer. The conversation also covers:

• Fundraiser Fridays and upcoming partnerships
• Community-focused events like Physical Media Night and the International Language Café
• The new Cold Time Mix Pack
• The success of Ante Zero, Revolution's non-alcoholic version of Anti-Hero IPA
• Deep Wood Series Season Tickets and what barrel-aged beer fans can expect in 2026
• Collaborations with Dark Matter Coffee, Private Press, and More Brewing
• Summer beer releases, Oktoberfest plans, and World Cup watch parties at the taproom
• How Revolution continues to strengthen its connection to Chicago through community involvement, partnerships, and great beer

Featured Beers Dave samples all four beers in the new Cold Time Mix Pack:
🍺 Cold Time Premium Lager
🍺 Cold Time Amber Lager
🍺 Cold Time Extra Export Lager
🍺 Cold Time Dry Crisp Rice Lager

Check Out Million Podcasts for more top beer related shows! 

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Beer Media Group

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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