Craft Beer Republic

40 Episodes
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By: Greg Jones

Why join the Craft Beer Republic? Because we are a nation of beer lovers. Every week, we're tapping a fresh keg of double-digit fun with the best dry-hopped topics to keep you well-hydrated! We're mashing in all the week's booze news, researching the tastiest beers, getting nerdy with Beer Science, and whirlpooling all the latest info! We also hang out with the brewers of some of the best craft breweries in the nation; we sample their brew and take a deep dive into the nerdier side of the industry. Make sure to stay hydrated with us every Wednesday by following...

Beer So Nice I Bought It Twice
#477
Last Wednesday at 7:05 AM

Time to get those last beers of summer, crack open and join us! We’re talking pocket pancakes at ballgames, party houses outside Lambeau, and beers so bad they come with a trauma response. A listener shares the legend of a poop-flavored pint, which spirals into confessions about dirty lines, old cans, and hazies that somehow pour clear. Big breweries are calling it quits, Florida Man takes to his lawn mower, and it’s time to vote for beer!

Beers We’re Drinking:

Flex is drinking: Watermelon Wavelength – More Brewing Co. A tart, juicy gose so good he...


Seltzers, Saisons, and Shenanigans
#476
09/03/2025

Welcome in, thirsty traveler! Greg and Shannon are back with stories from a birthday party full of tacos, drinks, and questionable cornhole. Erica and the Beer Babes call in after pulling off the ultimate group icing, and the conversation somehow drifts into Coors-branded denim and which beers deserve a spot in the hall of fame.

Beers We’re Drinking:

Greg & Shannon – Bottle Logic Brewing Stellar Mass Hazy IPA: Fruity nose, hot burn, mystery citrus vibes.

Greg and Shannon start off laughing about podcast quirks that drive them nuts, then relive Big Nick’s birthday party...


Not All Free Beer Is Good Beer
#475
08/27/2025

Flex ditched us for baseball, so Greg called in the big guns—his wife Shannon’s back behind the mic! While he drinks against doctor's orders, they dive into Denver beer adventures, reflect on the magic of Odell, and realize maybe... just maybe... “Krush” is a pretty great name for a hop. There’s also some pineapple sculpin slander, an airport golf cart chase, and a beer that tastes suspiciously like fake orange juice. It’s basically date night with more booze and fewer vegetables.

Beers We’re Drinking:

Greg & Shannon – Grateful Dead by Dogfish Head Craft Brewe...


This Hop Deserves Better
#474
08/20/2025

Belly up, beer friends! This week we’re raising a glass (a black one, no less) to beer research, 90s nostalgia, and the fine art of being pleasantly hydrated. Greg’s got beef with hazy IPA ratings, Flex lets the Tongue-jobber run wild, and Erica schools us on peak beach beer game. Also, Oktoberfest vibes are already rolling in, and someone might’ve confessed to loving banana Runts. Might’ve. There’s a whole lot of laughing, a little education, and a surprising amount of cargo short appreciation. Grab a beer, open your mind, and maybe skip the Irish car bomb.<...


What’s the Worst Seltzer?
#473
08/13/2025

Welcome in, thirsty friends! We’ve got Flex, Greg, and the one and only Erica back in the mix—and things get juicy real quick. From wild seltzer collabs and trivia smackdowns to birthday shenanigans and beer with literal Swedish Fish in it, this episode covers all the essentials: beer, banter, and questionable karaoke decisions. Also, turns out Greg and Flex are both pretty passionate about Taylor Swift, and Erica may or may not have danced sober at a silent disco. Don’t judge—just pour yourself something delicious and jump into the good times.

 Beers We’re Drinking...


In the Taproom with Jan Chodkowski of Our Mutual Friend Brewing
#472
08/06/2025

Greg took the Craft Beer Republic mics on the road to Denver for a sit-down with Jan Chodkowski, head brewer and co-owner of Our Mutual Friend Brewing Company (aka OMF). What started as a casual morning tasting turned into a full-on deep dive into Jan’s beer journey, from knocking back High Life in high school to running one of the most respected breweries in Colorado.

Over a lineup of OMF’s finest pours, including their fresh-from-the-tank Keller Pils, sunshine-in-a-glass Sunny Kölsch, dangerously drinkable Stingray Jesus West Coast IPA, pillowy Neon Nail Hazy IPA, and Little Chara...


Foeder? I Hardly Know Her
#471
07/30/2025

Buckle up, tap heads, we're going on a beer trip! Flex returns from a whirlwind trip to Nashville that involved banjos, birthday beer, and a suspiciously bougie breakfast buffet. Meanwhile, Greg brings tales from Colorado where he drank his way through the Rockies, crushed trivia, and found himself in the middle of a country concert and a lightning storm at Red Rocks. Plus, one of them may have developed a deep spiritual bond with a beer bottle that looks like it belongs in a drawer marked "private." Let’s just say it’s one hell of a ride this week...


Kentucky Drinking
#470
07/23/2025

Crack open a cold one and settle in—you're hanging with the Craft Beer Republic!

Greg’s rocking a forehead bruise after losing a fight with a boat trailer, Flex is giving Kentucky beer some serious love, and a guy at the airport got so obliterated he took an unexpected exit—escorted, of course. Greg also discovered the mystery of the half-pint pour while wandering the Bay Area, and the guys debate who’d make the best beer buddy among the founding fathers (spoiler: Ben Franklin’s a party). Lots of stories, lots of laughs, and even more reaso...


Top Floor is Bottom Shelf
#469
07/16/2025

Welcome in, country road travelers! This week on Craft Beer Republic, Flex, the Louisville Chugger, is back from his road trip all over the east-ish part of the south. He’s got tales of missed opportunities, life-changing beers, and kids riding ponies. Greg is currently on a road trip and is drinking local to pass the time. Hulk Hogan is being sued over his beer, breweries are closing up shop, and a driver in California is really drinking on the go!

Beers We’re Drinking:

Greg visits the local bottle shop and picks up Recursion IPA from...


Drunk Outlaws in Alaska
#468
07/09/2025

Welcome in! Greg’s rocking an ice pack and Flex is diving into seltzer science—but don’t worry, this is still very much a beer podcast. The guys compare notes on wild beer adventures, including a boys' day out that turned into a Casa Agria treasure hunt and a seltzer experiment involving soft serve ice cream. Plus, Erica calls in drunk from Alaska to challenge the state’s infamous beer laws, and the guys debate whether Yuengling is actually just “meh” or just hard to get. Also, Greg’s trying to age gracefully while still launching off wakes, and Flex’s kid...


The Ultimate Beer Roulette
#467
07/02/2025

We’re keeping it juicy and unfiltered this week—just like Greg’s IPA. Flex’s kids play a dangerous game of beer roulette, Greg recounts his wakeboarding-induced soreness (and pride), and both share 4th of July plans that include everything from action movie marathons to borderline-illegal fireworks. Plus, we finally find out how many hot dogs America can throw down in one day and dive into the chaotic brilliance that is Buc-ee’s. Also, someone might’ve created the worst beer game ever—thanks, Malort.

Beer’s We’re Drinking:

Flex is drinking Fogsicle from Abomination Brewin...


Open a Tab, You Animals
#466
06/25/2025

Welcome to the Show That’s More Dank Than Your Favorite Hop!

This week on Craft Beer Republic, Greg and Flex are feeling extra old, extra nostalgic, and just the right amount of buzzed. We're talking Muppets, dry grad parties (gross), and why opening a tab isn’t just polite—it’s efficient, damn it! Plus, Greg dabbles with a THC experiment, and Flex gets his mind changed mid-sip by a honey-drenched DIPA. Also, Psycho Bear emerges from hibernation with a voicemail challenge that includes horses, darts, and hopefully nothing that ends with Greg on a true crime po...


Wisconsin: Where the Alcohol is Cheaper than Water
#465
06/18/2025

Welcome in, craft beer lovers! This week’s episode is tart, tangy, and packed full of laughs—Greg and Flex accidentally twinsies their way into a sour-off, proving once again that great minds drink alike. Greg gets VIP treatment at a local beer fest (even if he has no idea what that means), there’s a hunt for Flex in the wilds of Milwaukee, and somehow Chew Your Beer runs into Coley and BDN in the middle of a baseball circus. There’s also some family time, a little heat, and Flex has to go on a big apology tour.


Chugging Through the Humidity
#464
06/11/2025

Welcome in, beer lovers! This week, Greg returns from his Florida “vacation” with tales of heat-induced hallucinations, a surprise parking ticket sting operation, and chain restaurant dining nightmares. Meanwhile, Flex endures a major letdown from one of his most hyped beers, and Greg thankfully redeems the week with a dreamy Colorado hazy. We’re also diving into some ludicrous libation laws and a Florida-fueled Booze News lineup that includes public urination (of course), karaoke belts, and Hulk Hogan’s potential empire expansion. It’s sweaty, it’s silly, and it’s exactly the escape you need. Join the Republic!!

Beer Revi...


Superdelic Hops, Bro!
#463
06/04/2025

Grab a pint and pull up a seat, because this episode is a straight-up hangout. Greg and Flex are talking Memorial Day misadventures, from Flex dominating the annual backyard game of HORSE (while drinking, of course) to Greg accidentally attending a fired coworker’s awkward wedding reception-only party. There’s sangria, journey cover bands, Uber pukers, meth pants (yes, really), and a whole lot of laughs. This one is packed tighter than Flex’s fridge on a Friday night.

Beers We’re Drinking:

Flex is drinking Talking About Talking by Forbidden Root – a hazy pale with IPA-level hops...


What’s Your Beer Sign?
#462
05/28/2025

Kick off your shoes and crack a cold one—you're hanging with Craft Beer Republic. Greg’s got his lab coat and is back on his “beer research” grind, while Flex finds out what happens when brunch in a can goes sideways. The guys dive into beer horoscopes, swap stories from their younger (dumber) days, trade booze for cheeseburgers, and try to make sense of a USPS driver who decided vodka pairs well with mail delivery.

Beers We’re Drinking:

Flex is drinking Mmm…OSA from Equilibrium Brewing – promised brunch, delivered bland.Greg is drinking Werking Theory by Weld...


What’s Wrong With This Beer?
#461
05/21/2025

Welcome to the land of beer! Greg and Flex are reunited and it feels so good! Greg's got travel stories, Flex gets philosophical about Four Loko, and there's a surprise “icing” that might go down in family history. We talk about doing beer research (the hard-hitting journalism the people deserve), weird off-flavors thanks to shipping beers, and Greg’s never ending beer trip. We’ve got a listener voicemail, and Florida Man get’s an ATV.

Beers We're Drinking

Greg is sipping Grazing Clouds by Mountains Walking—a juicy banger with a suspicious funky twist.Flex cracks Muscl...


42 Pizzas, 8 Beers, All the Pepperoni
#460
05/14/2025

Welcome in, tap heads! This week we’re serving up hazy beers, homemade pizzas, and some wild wedding dilemmas. Greg gets hydrated while dishing up a ton of pizzas at a birthday bash, while Flex is rollin’ down the street in a new land yacht. He’s also got a drunken wedding conundrum that he needs your help with. We’ve also got some big World Beer Cup winners, a drunk driver came in through the window, and a teacher shows up drunk with plenty of party favors in her purse.

Beers We’re Drinking

Greg is drinkin...


The Price of Wine, The Power of Beer
#459
05/07/2025

Bienvenidos amigos! This week on Craft Beer Republic, Greg and Flex are celebrating Cinco de Mayo in peak craft beer fashion—with tacos, questionable Spanish, and beers that made them emotional. Greg relives a hilariously overpriced glass of hotel wine, Flex gets gifted a beer born from Arbor Day insanity, and they both spiral into stories about painkillers, Vicodin-induced brother fights, and how not to behave on an airplane. Plus, they dish on the proper tipping etiquette, bobble some beer history, and maybe crown Wisconsin as the birthplace of beer (move over, monks).

Beers We're Drinking

Gr...


IPA Dorks
#458
04/30/2025

Welcome to the Taco Guy Industrial Complex

Welcome in, beer nerds! This week is packed with laughs, swishes, and suds as Flex may or may not swirl his stout, Greg brags about his elite-level taco guy, and Steph returns to shake things up with her crispy takes and Kolsch-fueled wisdom. Steph also drops her wisdom from the brewers guild and is knee-deep in beerfest planning while Flex is letting his kids pick out his beer and Greg gets classy drunk (again). 

Beers We’re Drinking

Flex is sipping on Teddy Bear Kisses by Upland Brewin...


Beer So Cheap, You'll Taste the Savings
#457
04/23/2025

Welcome to Utah, Where the Beers Are Weird and the People Are Funnier

Welcome in, hydration nation! This week’s episode is bursting at the seams with hilarious stories, awkward encounters, and beer nerd gold. Greg and Flex are joined by the always-awesome Steph, executive director of the Utah Brewers Guild and part-time chalice queen. From the depths of WrestleMania weekend to a seltzer-fueled solo Vegas trip and a hilarious Riverside takedown, the gang covers it all. We’re talkin’ collab-heavy beer fests, weird assless cowboy encounters on the Strip, the Florida party that should’ve been a movie...


One Taco Short of a Six-Pack
#456
04/16/2025

Welcome to lime-ville! Flex rolls in pre-buzzed and underfed, Greg’s deep into a hazy IPA, and the beer-fueled chaos kicks off from there. There’s a brutally honest review of a lime-flavored lager, a trip to the legendary Billy Goat Tavern, and some thoughts on just how far you should go for good tacos and fresh churros. Greg shares his plans to get classy wine drunk in Malibu, Flex defends his ridiculous beer choice, and somehow we end up talking family lineage, rude bartenders, and one man’s DUI with a blood alcohol level straight out of a horror...


Breaking the Beer Fast
#455
04/09/2025

Welcome in, everybody! Greg’s breaking his beer dry spell and kicking things off with Flex, who’s fresh from some spicy tailgating. We’re diving into champagne-fueled weekends, overpriced ballpark beers, and a voicemail from a familiar voice who’s calling us out over one of the Midwest’s best beer fests. Plus, we’re brainstorming odd business ideas, sharing travel stories gone weird, and doing what we do best—cracking cold ones and cracking each other up.

Beers We're Drinking

Greg is sipping Short Lived by MadeWest & Shred Beer Co.—a clean, crushable Westy with dank hops a...


Pharmacy-Fresh Pale Ale
#454
04/02/2025

Erica makes her triumphant return as the crew dives into hazy beers, questionable flavors, and whether bingo at breweries is a bold move or a buzzkill. Greg picks apart a beer with a wall of hops, Flex describes his beer like it came from a pharmacy, and Erica tries to survive a co-ed volleyball league full of 20-something savages. And Sacramento as a beer destination? Doubt it. It’s good to be back.

Beers We’re Drinking:

Greg is drinking Double Dry-Hopped Alien Church from Tired Hands Brewing—a hazy IPA with alien lizards on the can an...


This Hazy Ain’t Hazy
#453
03/26/2025

Welcome in, you beautiful beer nerds! This week, Flex brings the beer snobbery, Greg’s hotter than a sun-soaked stout, and Erica’s fresh off the salty seas with snacks and hazies. We’re talking beer mix-ups, birthday voicemails, blackout rage gallons, and how Flex is emotionally scarred by a mislabeled IPA. There’s also news on MobCraft’s comeback, Delirium’s shipping spree, and a Florida man story that’s peak Florida. Grab your pretzel necklace and let’s party like it’s the Pink Pony—just, y’know, with less fire.

Beers We’re Drinking:

Greg cracks open Keepi...


Dr. of Drunkenomics
#452
03/19/2025

Welcome in, thirsty people! Greg and Flex are back to quench your thirst for craft beer and questionable decision-making. This week, Greg takes a “totally unplanned” trip to San Francisco Beer Week (sure, buddy) and manages to turn a simple bay cruise into an elite-level beer smuggling operation. Flex holds down the fort with some delicious Wisconsin brews and a deep dive into why Sheboygan has an odd sheep obsession. Plus, we’ve got booze news, terrible funeral director choices, and a heated (but not a baseball show) debate over the Dodgers.

Beers We’re Drinking

Greg: Fo...


Tongue Jobber and the Wizard of Shnozz
#451
03/12/2025

Welcome in, you glorious beer guzzlers! Greg and Flex are back just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day with a fresh batch of beer-fueled nonsense. Greg drops a HUGE piece of industry news that he's been sitting on for weeks (seriously, the suspense was killing him). Flex reviews a hazy IPA so thick it should come with a spoon, and the guys dive into some questionable history facts (spoiler: Flex is just making things up at this point). Plus, we’ve got craft beer hot takes, trivia victories, and a deep discussion on why Rolling Rock is… well, Rolling...


1,428.6 Pints
#450
03/05/2025

Welcome to Craft Beer Republic! Greg is still recovering from a champagne-fueled blackout, Flex forgot he even had a podcast to record, and somehow, there’s a hidden Smirnoff Ice lurking in Greg’s house, just waiting to ruin someone’s day. The guys break down the math behind those too-good-to-be-true dollar pints, brainstorm ways to keep breweries alive (spoiler: trivia night is fine, but bingo might mean you’re doomed), and discuss why non-alcoholic beer had its best Dry January ever—much to their disappointment.

Beers We’re Drinking

Greg is drinking Congress Street IPA from Trillium...


Salt in the Beer?
#449
02/26/2025

Welcome in, thirsty friends! Greg went full beer tourist and drank his way through Austin, and he’s here to spill all the boozy details. Meanwhile Brewing served up his favorite beer of the trip—so good it forced him to break a years-long Untappd dry spell! Flex, on the other hand, is freezing his mustache off in the Midwest, sipping on a Toppling Goliath variety pack and confirming what we already knew: people on Untappd have no taste. The guys also dig into the absurdity of TSA screenings, the power of food truck barbecue, and the ongoing battle agai...


Beerconomics: A Study in Pour Financial Decisions
#448
02/19/2025

Greg and Flex are back, beers in hand, ready to talk about all the important things—like how much Michelob Ultra dominated the Super Bowl (gross), why THC drinks might be too much for Flex’s delicate balance, and whether dropping $10K for $1 beers for life is a genius move or a financial disaster. Plus, Greg catches an old drinking buddy in the ultimate beer hypocrisy, and we dive into some truly ridiculous booze news, including yet another Japanese government worker losing sensitive data while drunk. Crack one open, because this one’s a ride!

Beers We’re Drink...


Drunk Principals Gone Wild
#447
02/12/2025

Welcome in, thirsty friends! Greg is back from his travels, Flex is deep into his late-night Instagram scroll addiction, and Brian is here proving once again that he might actually be related to Greg (which is both alarming and hilarious). This episode is packed with road trip beer adventures, brewery letdowns, and a deep dive into the tragic fate of expensive hype beers. Plus, we’ve got some ridiculous Booze News—including an Arkansas law change that actually makes sense and a Florida story that is pure Florida Man energy. Grab a beer, sit back, and let’s get into it...


Frozen Junk & Legal Drunks
#446
02/05/2025

Welcome to another frosty fresh episode of Craft Beer Republic! Greg is back from his globe-trotting adventures, Flex is still the Director of the Health Ministry (whatever that means), and we welcome the smartest beer drinker we know, Intern Brian, who’s actually a real lawyer—unlike Greg’s pretend legal expertise. We break down Pringles' questionable decision to release Miller Lite Beer Can Chicken chips (Flex is already hoarding them) and, in a story that will make you cross your legs in sympathy, a Canadian man learns the hard way why you should always wear a belt in a bar fight...


Good Boy, Here's a Beer
#445
01/29/2025

Welcome in, craft beer lovers! This week, Greg and Flex are back with an episode that hits harder than a triple IPA after a long workday. We’ve got questionable road trips, big hearts (with a “t”), and some hilarious revelations about drunk driving, pants removal, and the unsung heroes of beer-drinking adventures. Grab a cold one because this episode is one for the books.

Beers We're Drinking:

Greg dives into There Does Not Exist – Spore, a 6.8% hazy IPA that’s all tropical vibes.Flex keeps it classic with Lakefront Brewing – Cream City Pale Ale, a retro amber...


Everybody Gets a Pliny
#444
01/22/2025

Welcome to Craft Beer Republic, we are excited to drink today! This week, Greg and Flex are keeping it intimate with candles, Kenny G, and Pliny the Elder. Whether it’s Greg battling California wildfires and weird strangers or Flex showing off his dog whisperer dad, this episode is one wild ride. Plus, we discover why Hard Mountain Dew is… a thing? Grab a drink and dive in—it’s a beer-fueled therapy session you don’t want to miss!

Beers We're Drinking

Greg and Flex: Pliny the Elder by Russian River Brewing – A double IPA icon wit...


Dry January? Never Heard of Her
#443
01/15/2025

Welcome in, beer lovers! This episode is anything but dry—because Dry January isn't welcome here! Greg, Flex, and Erica dive headfirst into hilarious conversations about wild animal encounters, disastrous brewery closures, awkward first dates, and the struggles of finding the perfect gift. Plus, they break down the latest Booze News and share their honest (and sometimes questionable) beer reviews. It’s a sloppy, salty, and crunchy good time you won’t want to miss!

Beers We’re Drinking:

Erica is repping Alaska with Rock, Paper, Citrus by Broken Tooth Brewing. A crisp pale ale with a splash of...


Beer Desperation in Abu Dhabi
#442
01/08/2025

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! Greg, Flex, and Erica are here to fight the good fight against Dry January, bringing you a hotline to save beers—and lives. Erica shares wild stories from her epic Egypt and Abu Dhabi adventure, Flex faces off against some overzealous fireworks and an IPA hangover, and Greg dodges DIY disasters with his neighbors. Plus, pozole presents, beer-snob debates, and a voicemail so wild it could only come from Chew Your Beer. Let’s start the new year with laughter and liquid courage!

Beers We’re Drinking

Greg: Nelsie by Monkish...


New Year, New Beers, Same Shenanigans
#441
01/01/2025

Welcome to the New Year chaos! Greg, Flex, and Mel are here to kick off 2025 with plenty of laughs, questionable resolutions, and beers that make us glad our tongues can’t talk back. Flex reminds everyone why Wisconsin is the Fresh Coast (it’s real, he swears), Mel educates us on the dos and don’ts of edibles at weddings, and Greg channels his inner David Attenborough during a stoned encounter with whales. Plus, they’re petitioning to make 2025 the Year of the Gose, debating when craft beer really peaked, and roasting chestnuts—well, metaphorically. Cheers to another year of beers...


Beer, Boxed Wine, and Bad Christmas Movies
#440
12/25/2024

Merry chaos, beer nerds! Greg, Flex, and Mel are back for a Christmas episode filled with hilarious rants, beer-fueled nostalgia, and just enough holiday cheer to keep the Grinches entertained. From cantaloupe debates to wrestling belt coolers, the crew dives headfirst into the absurdities of the season. Flex shares a Christmas beer that’s as festive as his short shorts, Mel cries into boxed wine (again), and Greg realizes he might need to hit the lake with his new championship fanny pack. It’s a holiday hangout full of bad movies, great beers, and questionable decisions—cheers to that!

Be...


Dropping Logs and Drinking Beers
#439
12/18/2024

Welcome to the holiday chaos! Greg and Flex are back with plenty of laughs, holiday traditions, and beers that’ll make you question your life choices. Flex shares how his kids are basically his beer sommeliers, picking out a beer that pairs perfectly with… Crocs? Greg’s beloved annual “Dropping of the Yule Log” returns, and yes, it still sounds like the most festive dump. Plus, an actual super hero gets arrested, Christmas train shenanigans, and a surprising list of brewery ingredients that no longer need government approval. It’s a sleigh ride of stupidity, beer, and holiday spirit—ho ho hops!

B...


Kentucky Mule on the Loose
#438
12/11/2024

Welcome to Craft Beer Republic, where the beers are flowing and the stories are questionable! Greg’s kicking off the show from a two-week road trip with his priorities firmly set on beer and podcast gear (who needs clean clothes anyway?), while Flex brings the Thanksgiving drama, complete with late-start drinking and smoked turkey revelations. Meanwhile, Psycho Bear calls in with beer tips and maybe a murder plot, and Kentucky proves mules aren’t meant for high-speed getaways. Grab a beer and buckle up—it’s chaos in a can!

Beers We’re Drinking

Greg: Harmonic Energy by R...