The BrewsLine Roadshow: Tasting America’s Craft Breweries

EP 42: From Beer Pimp to Brewery Owner - Meet Adam Fine of Tarpon River Brewing, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

 Tarpon River Brewing Company is a brewery located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The name comes from the Tarpon River, a popular fishing spot in the area. The owner,  Adam Fine, has been in the beer business for almost 30 years and has a history of brewing, distributing, and promoting craft beer throughout Florida, where he became known as the "Beer Pimp". The brewery restaurant hosts community-driven events and is well-connected with local businesses. The atmosphere is family-friendly and dog-friendly. Tarpon River Brewing's founder talks about starting the brewery,  the dedication it takes to deliver every day for his guests, and the unique techniques and ingredients they use when brewing,  Finally, I get a taste of  Honey Love, a unique 9.5 ABV Imperial Cream Ale.
Learn More at tarponriverbrewing .com
 
The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewery trail with over 650 participating breweries. TagaBrew is a copper memory tag & brewery specific charm you collect from each brewery you visit on the trail. Check out brewsline.com/tagabrew or download the free Tagabrew mobile app on Apple or Android and start your craft brew journey today!  
If you have an idea for a brewery to be featured on the show email me at darryl@brewsline.com 

EP: 41 Building community and brewing award winning beer Riverlands Brewing Company St Charles IL

Riverlands Brewing Company is a story that captures everything that we love about not only beer, but life. I met Head Brewer and co- founder Eric Bramwell and Taproom Manager Jeremy Teel. The brewey is located in St. Charles, Illinois, is just a couple miles from the Fox River about 45 miles west of Chicago Riverlands goes beyond being a great place to have a fresh craft beer hosting unique events from turtle races to knitting clubs.  In a family friendly environment with a great outdoor beer garden Jeremy and his team make all who enter feel at home. With a focus on supporting the local community and making great beer, Riverlands Brewing Company has become a great new addition to the TagaBrew Illinois Trail. To learn more listen in and visit riverlandsbrewing.com
 
The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewery trail with over 650 participating breweries. TagaBrew is a copper memory tag & brewery specific charm you collect from each brewery you visit on the trail. Check out brewsline.com/tagabrew or download the free Tagabrew mobile app on Apple or Android and start your craft brew journey today!  
If you have an idea for a brewery to be featured on the show email me at darryl@brewsline.com 

EP 40: History and Hops, A visit to First Flight Island Restuarant & Brewery , Key West FL

First Flight Brewery in Key West Florida, has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century when it was the PanAm Airlines ticket office hosting the first passenger flight outside the U.S.  In this episode, we meet Andrew, brewmaster, and Damien, owner, of First Flight. They share the story of how they came to open the brewery in this popular tourist destination. Formerly a restaurant owned by actress Kelly McGillis, of Top Gun fame, it opened as First Flight in 2017. The brewery produces a wide range of popular beers, has a chill outdoor beer garden, and a great selection of island dishes. First Flight is the southernmost brewery in the continental United States.  During my visit, I also tasted two popular beers, the Maverick IPA and the Oreo Cookie Stout and sampled some great local seafood. To learn more visit firstflightkw.com
The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewery trail with over 650 participating breweries. TagaBrew is a copper memory tag & brewery specific charm you collect from each brewery you visit on the trail. Check out brewsline.com/tagabrew or download the free Tagabrew mobile app on Apple or Android and start your craft brew journey today!  
If you have an idea for a brewery to be featured on the show email me at darryl@brewsline.com 
 

EP 39: East Meets West and Two BrewTubers bond over a Sea Cow = A visit with Gary and Josh at Chubby Mermaid Brewing, Bonita Springs FL

On a cold Sunday in December your host visited Chubby Mermaid Brewing Company in Southwest Florida  Chubby Mermaid was started by Gary after he retired from the military. He quickly recruited Josh. Originally from opposite coasts, the two met through an online brewing club called BrewTubers, visit brewtubers.com.  We discussed their business, its growth, and the challenges they've faced in their first 13 months of operation. The guys also talked about their commitment to the Bonita Springs community and their initiatives to bring in new patrons. We shared some of their flagship beers and chatted about the importance of finding the right team members. We finished our discussion with a round of "gluten or no gluten", where your host tried to intentify which beers contained gluten and which did not. (Spoiler alert : I failed because they all tasted great!). To learn more visit chubbymermaidbrewing.com
The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewery trail with over 650 participating breweries. TagaBrew is a copper memory tag & brewery specific charm you collect from each brewery you visit on the trail. Check out brewsline.com/tagabrew or download the free Tagabrew mobile app on Apple or Android and start your craft brew journey today!  
If you have an idea for a brewery to be featured on the show email me at darryl@brewsline.com 
 

EP 38: 20 degrees outside. A tropical clubhouse inside..Introducing Northern Tropics Brewing - Muncie, Indiana

I sat down with Ted Burrell, owner and brewer of Northern Tropics Brewing in Muncie, Indiana. Ted tand I discussed how he got into brewing and his personal story. He also discussed the challenges of opening a brewery and some of the unique aspects of his taproom which is really a cozy tropical clubhouse designed to encourage conversation and community among his customers. He also shared his love for golf, cigars and passion for brewing pilsners. We discussed the benefits of being on the TagaBrew Indiana Trail. I tasted a couple of Northern Tropics favorites, Palm Tree Pils and Undead Ted IPA. So raise a glass to craft beer, and to getting to know each other better on a cold day at Northern Tropics. Cheers!
The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewery trail with over 650 participating breweries. TagaBrew is a copper memory tag & brewery specific charm you collect from each brewery you visit on the trail. Check out brewsline.com/tagabrew or download the free Tagabrew mobile app on Apple or Android and start your craft brew journey today!  
If you have an idea for a brewery to be featured on the show email me at darryl@brewsline.com 
 

EP 37: This brewery is quite the catch...A visit to Cassopolis Beer Company in Southwest Michigan

In this episode Darryl visits The Cassopolis Beer Company, located in Cassopolis, Michigan, is a brewery and restaurant that is housed in a historic building that was once a fire station and town hall. Ted Romanetz, the owner, grew up in the area and returned home after working at breweries in Colorado. Ted discusses how he got interested in brewing, the process of starting his own brewery, and the different types of beer they offer. He is passionate about the local community, his beer and fishing Ted also shares the story about his best catch that inspired the brewery's logo.
The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewery trail with over 600 participating breweries. TagaBrew is a copper memory tag & brewery specific charm you collect from each brewery you visit on the trail. Check out brewsline.com/tagabrew or download the free Tagabrew mobile app on Apple or Android and start your craft brew journey today!  
Cheers, Darryl
P.S. If you would like your favorite brewery to be featured on The BrewsLine Roadshow, email me at darryl@brewsline.com and I'll be happy to reach out.

EP 36: Every Chimp Needs A Brother, Introducing Brother Chimp Brewing - North Aurora, IL

 In our interview with Steve Newman, the owner of Brother Chimp Brewing, a small craft brewery located in North Aurora, Illinois. The owner, who also has a background in home brewing, talks about the challenges of running a small brewery and the increase in competition in the area. He also discusses the community in the Fox Valley area and what makes a great team member for his business. 
The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewery trail with over 600 participating breweries. TagaBrew is a copper memory tag & brewery specific charm you collect from each brewery you visit on the trail. Check out brewsline.com/tagabrew or download the free Tagabrew mobile app on Apple or Android and start your craft brew journey today!  
 

Live From the CBC Part 2 - The Guests - Brewers from Maine to New Mexico

In this episode, I interview  breweries from Maine to New Mexico live at the Craft Brewers Conference in Indianapolis. Our guests are:
Elizabeth Johnston and Danny McGovern from Monhegan Brewing and Lake Saint George Brewing, Maine  
Adam Drager from Inventor's Brew Pub in Port Washington  WI
Jen Levasseur from Ponderosa Brewing Company in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
They discuss the challenges of starting a brewery and give advice to potential entrepreneurs.The group also shared thoughts on the craft beer industry and insight to those looking to enter the industry today
Sit back and enjoy a taste of American craft beer, live from the CBC!
 
The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewery trail with over 600 participating breweries. TagaBrew is a copper memory tag & brewery specific charm you collect from each brewery you visit on the trail. Check out brewsline.com/tagabrew or download the free Tagabrew mobile app on Apple or Android and start your craft brew journey today!  
Cheers, Darryl
P.S. If you would like your favorite brewery to be featured on The BrewsLine Roadshow, email me at darryl@brewsline.com and I'll be happy to reach out.

Live from the CBC, Part 1 "The Hosts"

This is Part 1 of our "Live from the CBC" episodes! I had the pleasure of visiting with several Indiana craft brewers on the floor of this year's Craft Brewers Conference, held in Indianapolis in late April.
My guests included:
Aaron West from Westwind Brewery in Elkhart, Indiana westwindbrewery.com
John Mills from Damsel Brew Pub in Evansville, Indiana ( 10:10) www.damselbrewpub.com
Tom Carpenter and Duffy from 2Toms Brewing in Fort Wayne, Indiana (21:50) 2tomsbrewing.com
Jonathan Mullins from the Broad Ripple Brew Pub in Indianapolis (37:43) broadripplebrewpub.com
Sit back and enjoy a taste of Indianapolis hospitality, live from the CBC!
The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewery trail with over 600 participating breweries. TagaBrew is a copper memory tag & brewery specific charm you collect from each brewery you visit on the trail. Check out brewsline.com/tagabrew or download the free Tagabrew mobile app on Apple or Android and start your craft brew journey today!  
Cheers, Darryl
P.S. If you would like your favorite brewery to be featured on The BrewsLine Roadshow, email me at darryl@brewsline.com and I'll be happy to reach out.
 
 

A History of muck & mud inspires a great community brewery - A Visit with Great Black Swamp Brewing, Toledo OH

Centuries ago, this part of the Midwest was a wild expanse of wet forest and marsh stretching across a million acres, and early settlers who slogged through the muck and mosquitoes called the place the Great Black Swamp. The swamp's history inspired flagship beers such as Mosquito Red Ale , Bullfrog Stout and Wild Duck IPA. I met with Andy and Tom and learned about Toledo's Great Black Swamp Brewery's history and commitment to making quality beer and creating community. 
The BrewsLine Roadshow is presented by TagaBrew USA, the nation's largest craft brewery trail with over 600 participating breweries. TagaBrew is a copper memory tag & brewery specific charm you collect from each brewery you visit on the trail. Check out brewsline.com/tagabrew or download the free Tagabrew mobile app on Apple or Android and start your craft brew journey today!