Once upon a time, American brewers traveled to Europe, rediscovered beer, and became inspired. They came home and started the craft beer revolution, disrupting the homogenous macro brew industry. Approximately 30 years later they returned the favor. My next guest tells his story of infusing American Craft into the Dutch beer culture.  It never ceases to amaze me that beer culture is a global thing. As different as we are, we’re still very much alike. But, while trends spread across the planet, those differences inspire us to keep beer interesting and new. I would argue that it’s these dif ..read more

It’s a dream, to spend the day doing the activities you love with the people you love. Then, cap it all off with a great conversation, a meal, and a very good beer. My next guest tells the story of his pursuit of this dream and creating this experience for his guests.  The joy of the Pura Vida, or the good life, is sometimes just out of reach. In our fast-paced societies, I believe we need to find ways to cultivate more it. Slowing down enough to taste good food and great beer, and to share it with loved ones is the way.  These are the stories of us, of great food and the beer that ..read more

The middle of a desert may be the last place you’d find a brewery, but it's the best place to find a drink. Except, in this desert, there is a vast mix of cultures, affluence, and a complicated relationship with alcohol. My next guest has navigated through the challenges to create a brewery with a taste of the Middle East. If beer is a representation of culture, can we rely on beer to be the ambassador between cultures? Can the fusion of flavors guide our way as we find a peaceful and joy-filled existence? This may be too much to ask of a beer, but I’m grateful for breweries like Side Hustle f ..read more

There’s an old quote that goes something like, “Tell me what you eat and drink, and I’ll tell you who you are.” This truly could be applied to any culture, but I think it especially applies to a culture so deeply rooted in their beer that the entire nation owns a brewery. My next guest tells an extra special story because it’s about a nation, their beer and a decades long lawsuit that continues to threaten all of it.   Admittedly, the Czech Republic may not be know for the latest, but it’s definitely one of the greatest when it comes to beer.  I haven’t traveled there yet, but any p ..read more

Sure, I’d love to take a trip to Britain, find a pub and settle into an old wooden chair with a pint of real ale in my hand. But if you end up on the American West coast, specifically in Central Oregon, that same UK experience is waiting for you. My next guests are keeping up with traditional ale, and are here to remind us why it matters. I understand consumers don’t want what’s old. We want the new and we want it now. Cask ale might seem a thing of the past, but it ought to be a thing of the future. It may be something our grandmothers and grandfathers drank, but frankly, I think granny and g ..read more

Many of us are fortunate to have to choose between a number of breweries near our home. And, beer travel has not only become a thing, but planning destinations around access to beer is a normal criterion. But, with good beer becoming so ubiquitous, how do we find those out of the way and worth-staying-for-awhile experiences that stand out above the rest? My next guests have a tip or two to share with you when it comes to seeking out a truly great beer destination. There are beers perfect for every day drinking and there are some that are better reserved for special occasions. The same goes for ..read more

I’m going to level with you. I originally didn’t want to get into beer as a profession. I was an athlete and associated the beer business with excess and a growing belly. Not only was I wrong, but my next guest proves that athleticism and beer can go hand in hand. Between alcohol and abstinence lay nothing more than a foul-tasting stigma. At least, that’s how it used to be. Alcohol is still a choice, but flavor and experience don’t have to be compromised in the wake of that choice. Either way, we can have our beer, and drink it too. Show Links Athletic Brewing AFicioNAdo certification program ..read more

I wish you and I could have been there, sailing the Straits of Florida toward Cuba, when the idea came to my next guest. An idea that serves a niche, solves a problem, and promotes better living. My next guest tells the origin story of the raddest fast-growing lifestyle beer brand today. Beer is like a tool. And there’s the right tool for every job. Sometimes we need a high-gravity Barrel Aged blah-de-blah. And sometimes we need something lighter and more refreshing to get the job done. But, if beer is a tool, doesn’t it depend on the knowledge and talent of the user to construct a great exper ..read more

With the Good Beer Matters Podcast, I intended to keep the stories about beer and not about the news. Sometimes these two intersect. Sometimes there are news stories that are far bigger than beer. This time, however, it’s through the heartache of war, that we find the story of a people and their beer. For this episode, I need to step out of my usual routine and ask everyone listening to support the end of the war in Ukraine and anywhere else. I’m not naive, bad stuff happens in the world. But there’s a better way to deal with differences. Maybe, just maybe, if we put Ukrainian Golden Ale on t ..read more

When we think about beer and beer culture, our thoughts naturally drift toward the classics and the current global beer hot spots. But, as we look to the future, this is all going to change. My next guest is one of these change-makers, and the first Advanced Cicerone in India. As we travel the world, or at least watch travel shows from our couch, we gain a sense of other cultures. Like Anthony Bourdain told us, “You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.” Just make sure you wash it down with a great beer from wherever you are. Show Links Abierguy on Instagram Abierguy on You ..read more