Brewbound Podcast

Smog City Brewing co-founder Laurie Porter is a prepper. Even during craft’s days of double-digit growth in the middle 2010s, Porter, who calls herself “an incurable optimist,” was eyeing a future when that growth wouldn’t be there. So Porter and her husband, Jonathan Porter, built Torrence, California-based Smog City with diversified revenue streams – distribution, exports to international markets, four taprooms with over-the-bar sales and an intentional cap on production around 10,000 barrels – that allow the company to shore up its business if things go sideways. “At our level, between the 5,000 and 12,000, 13,000 barrel, a lot of our revenue is built off the taproom, direct-to-consumer, which has a little bit higher profit margin, it helps us float that wholesale,” Porter says in the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, recorded on location at the California Craft Beer Summit. “So if wholesale is struggling or we’re seeing dips and changes in seasons and customer changes, we have a little bit more buffer.” Porter admits that Smog City has looked at what life would be like as a 15,000-barrel brewery but has been “apprehensive to break that” ceiling due to the loss of the ability to pivot, flex and manage costs. “When you hit 15,000 barrels, you are playing so deep in the chain world because it’s all about volume,” she explained. “Chain can be very fickle. It can be really difficult to maintain. A beer buyer changes and boom, you’re off the shelf. And that’s now, whatever, 450 barrels of beer for that one style of beer that you had committed to that grocery, and it’s gone. And you can’t just predict it.” In the interview, Porter discusses the pressures on LA locations, consumers heading back into taprooms, the impending closure of its Steelcraft Long Beach facility after a decade due to being unable to extend the lease and the launch of a new restaurant concept in December to replace it. Before the interview, Jess, Zoe and Justin cover the latest news, including the Siebel Institute of Technology’s planned exit from Chicago and move to Montreal; Athletic Brewing’s big 2025 and new products coming in 2026; and a Gen Z take on the rumored Anheuser-Busch InBev acquisition of BeatBox. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

Nearly a year on the job, new-ish Lagunitas CEO Bernardo Spielmann is seeing opportunities for the legacy California craft beer brand. Those opportunities include expanding Lagunitas Hazy IPA from a draft-only release to package, building on the successful launch of 9% ABV Hazicus Maximus hazy IPA, which now boasts 20,000 points of distribution, and revamping the packaging for non-alcoholic hop water Hoppy Refresher. On the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, Spielmann shares that it’s also about listening to consumers, who demanded the return of seasonal Unrefined Shugga’, the 10% ABV strong ale that returned this year as a national play in bottles and club packs. Spielmann tells Brewbound managing editor Jess Infante that the goal is to see what resonates and respond quickly. “More and more as the craft segment matures, we’re going to have to be sharper per channel, per market, per SKU how you want to build your proposition,” he said. “There will be a rationalization and that’s the expected approach. We need to facilitate that for retailers but also our distributors. It’s also part of our strategy to be very sharp on how we launch or roll out innovations and the tradeoffs.” Spielmann also discusses the beer category’s need to bring back socializing and capture those occasions. He explains how Lagunitas is doing its part with its “Party Legend” brand activation, which celebrates consumers who are the life of the party. But first, Brewbound editor Justin Kendall and managing editor Jess Infante discuss the sudden closure of Rogue Ales & Spirits and why the shuttering of a top 50 craft brewery is jarring for the public and industry. They also dig into the rumored sale talks of party punch maker BeatBox to Anheuser-Busch InBev. Jess and Justin also share their experiences, including a visit to Tree House’s country club/golf course/taproom and the scuttlebutt from the California Craft Brewers Association’s Summit and the Iowa Craft Brewers Guild’s I-Best meeting. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

Less has been more with BrewDog’s U.S. business over the last year and a half. On the latest episode of the Brewbound Podcast, BrewDog USA chief sales and marketing officer Eric Teodoro Franco explains how the business has “done fewer things better,” leading with a focus on its core brands, which helped the brand increase volume 26% last year, to 89,084 barrels of beer, according to data from the Brewers Association (BA). “We were very, very famous and very willing to be famous for throwing a lot against the wall and seeing what would stick for many, many years,” Franco shared. “We can do that in the U.K. where you have a 50-plus share and you can develop a lot of things and trial and try new things. “In this market, we did that and it didn’t work. We’ve really taken our range plan, we’ve taken our focuses down to really doing fewer and better things.” That’s led to improved wholesaler partnerships and led to a redeployment of BrewDog’s teams to better support its core markets, Franco said. Additionally, BrewDog USA has been given the opportunity to run its operations with some autonomy from its homebase in Scotland as its U.S. leadership team has earned the trust of the global team. “We’re running things the way we need to run them,” Franco said. “Same on the food side and on the retail side of our business. “For many years, we were very much driven by what the U.K. or international bars looked like, and we would apply that narrative, if you will, or business plan to the U.S. bars. That’s gone away as well.” Franco also discusses how the exits of founders James Watt and Martin Dickie have affected the U.S. business, how the company is approaching innovation and how the company has rethought both its distribution footprint and its taproom strategy. Before the interview, Brewbound’s Justin Kendall, Jessica Infante and Zoe Lica break down the impending closure of 21st Amendment Brewery, the removal of a study from the dietary guidelines process and the challenges of making an alcoholic version of better-for-you soda. They also dig into TikTok trends and the latest grousing about Generation Z’s bar habits. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

Kevin McGee used his law degree more than he expected when his family took over legacy California craft brewery Anderson Valley Brewing Company (AVBC), including in legal battles over distribution rights. Now that the family has sold the brewery, a move announced in March, McGee is putting his degree to use full time. On the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, McGee recounts recent franchise law cases and victories in the Golden State and shares his expectations for more challenges to craft brewers’ ability to switch distributors in the future. McGee, who acted as AVBC’s president and CEO, also shares when he and his family knew it was the right time to sell the brewery. He explains what brewery owners thinking about selling need to consider, how they should prepare and what the current buyer market looks like. Before the conversation, Brewbound editor Justin Kendall and senior reporter Zoe Licata discuss Anheuser-Busch InBev’s sale of its New York City wholly owned distributor to Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits and why they believe more moves are on the way. Plus, Justin and Zoe play Another Round or Tabbing Out on Spindrift pulling the plug on its spiked seltzer brand and the crossover bev-alc market. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

Rupee Beer founders Van and Sumit Sharma believe they’re ready to meet Indian cuisine’s moment. On the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, the brothers share their journey of launching the Indian American beer brand during the COVID-19 pandemic as an add-on purchase at their family’s restaurant. Today, Rupee has expanded distribution to 18 states – most recently California – and the Sharmas are readying for an “explosion” of Indian restaurants entering the U.S market. “We’re doing something that really directly ties it into the only story that we know, which is restaurants,” Van Sharma said. “That’s what we grew up in, more specifically, Indian restaurants.” Rupee’s beer has found its way onto menus in Thai, Middle Eastern, Persian, Latin American and Caribbean restaurants. “Anywhere global flavor, spice, those things hang out, that’s where we’re operating these days,” Van Sharma said. “Legacy brands out there definitely paved the way, but we’re doing something a little bit different, which also involves a little bit more of the local, craft American space as well.” Although the Shamras built Rupee’s business primarily through the on-premise channel, they’re now getting the attention of national retailers and they’re leaning into their chain business. Rupee is bringing new innovation to the Indian beer segment, which hasn’t seen an influx of new brands, Van Sharma added. Later in the episode, the Sharmas discuss their strategy for engaging consumers and gaining their attention in retail stores, as well as their approach to building their distribution network and where they want to go next. Plus, Justin, Jess and Zoe catch up on the latest headlines, including why it’s not time to panic despite the Gallup survey’s recent results on Americans drinking habits. They give a legal update on Uncle Nearest and the recipe agreement dispute between Schilling Cider and Incline. They also recap recent bev-alc experiences, from a growing dislike for black cherry flavors, to a sweaty trip to the Iowa State Fair. Listen here or on your preferred podcast platform.

In a Brewbound podcast, Ray Latif spoke with Chris Swersey of Hop Products Australia (HPA) and Mitch Steele of New Realm Brewing about the 2025 Australian hop crop. Swersey reported a bountiful harvest for HPA, with total production up 10% and yields increasing by 30% despite reduced acreage. This success stems from favorable weather and significant investments in productivity and technology. Their new HPA HOP Central pellet plant, which processed popular varieties like Galaxy, Ella, and Eclipse, recently achieved FSSC food safety certification. Mitch Steele praised HPA’s Galaxy hops, highlighting its consistent tropical fruit intensity. After extensive evaluation, Steele found the 2025 Galaxy crop to have a complex aroma and taste, featuring classic passion fruit, lime, and a developing peach mango character. New Realm Brewing is showcasing this hop in a “less-coast pilsner,” a crisp, light beer with an intense hop aromatic profile. About Hop Products Australia HPA is Australia’s largest hop grower. Their farms have been growing hops for more than 150 years. Rostrevor Hop Gardens and Buffalo River Valley in North-Eastern Victoria together with Bushy Park Estates in Southern Tasmania cover almost 850 hectares capable of producing more than 2,400 tonnes of hops. Collectively they grow 90% of Australia’s hops, which is roughly 2% of hops grown around the world. Their hop breeding program began way back in the 1950s when the primary focus was improving alpha acid yield. Then the dawn of the craft beer movement rolled around, and HPA began to breed flavor hops for the emerging market. Since then, they have created a number of hugely successful proprietary hops including Galaxy®, Vic Secret™, Eclipse®, Ella™, Enigma® and Topaz™. HPA’s Aussie hops are available exclusively through HAAS and their authorized distribution partners.

Ray Latif spoke with Chris Swersey of Hop Products Australia (HPA) and Mitch Steele of New Realm Brewing about the 2025 Australian hop crop. Swersey reported a bountiful harvest for HPA, with total production up 10% and yields increasing by 30% despite reduced acreage. This success stems from favorable weather and significant investments in productivity and technology. Their new HPA HOP Central pellet plant, which processed popular varieties like Galaxy, Ella, and Eclipse, recently achieved FSSC food safety certification. Mitch Steele praised HPA’s Galaxy hops, highlighting its consistent tropical fruit intensity. After extensive evaluation, Steele found the 2025 Galaxy crop to have a complex aroma and taste, featuring classic passion fruit, lime, and a developing peach mango character. New Realm Brewing is showcasing this hop in a “less-coast pilsner,” a crisp, light beer with an intense hop aromatic profile. Chris Swersey has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to beer and brewing. With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, he has explored the diverse world of hops in all product formats, won awards at the WBC and GABF, served as Supply Chain Specialist and Technical Brewing Projects Manager for the US Brewers Association, and judged the WBC, GABF, Brussels Beer Challenge, Euro Beer Star, South Beer Cup, the Indies, and the AIBAs. Some would say he’s well versed in raw material and beer sensory. About Hop Products Australia HPA is Australia’s largest hop grower. Their farms have been growing hops for more than 150 years. Rostrevor Hop Gardens and Buffalo River Valley in North-Eastern Victoria together with Bushy Park Estates in Southern Tasmania cover almost 850 hectares capable of producing more than 2,400 tonnes of hops. Collectively they grow 90% of Australia’s hops, which is roughly 2% of hops grown around the world. Their hop breeding program began way back in the 1950s when the primary focus was improving alpha acid yield. Then the dawn of the craft beer movement rolled around, and HPA began to breed flavor hops for the emerging market. Since then, they have created a number of hugely successful proprietary hops including Galaxy®, Vic Secret™, Eclipse®, Ella™, Enigma® and Topaz™. HPA’s Aussie hops are available exclusively through HAAS and their authorized distribution partners.