Fore our mini-milestone 150th episode we returned to Mad Chef Craft Brewing in East Petersburg, PA and brought along an entourage of our patrons. Returning to the podcast were co-owners Francisco Ramirez and Greg Kendig, and making their debut were brewer Sean Raney and manager Tom Shuler. Over samples of every single beer on tap (that’s 15, if you’re keeping score), we chatted about Mad Chef’s recent accolades, expansion plans, and much more. Dan reported on Dogfish Head’s new sour series, a $5...
Sep 22, 2018•1 hr 54 min
Our podcast took a trip down the shore for Labor Day weekend to stop in at Ship Bottom Brewery in Beach Haven, NJ. Robert Zarko, returning to the podcast after appearing at the AC Beer and Music Fest this year, sat down with Head Brewer Jake Stablein to chat about the trials and triumphs of this (almost) beach front operation. Plus, an interview with one of the next generation of Yuenglings at America’s oldest brewery , Jen Yuengling. We discussed Yuengling’s newest year-round beer in 17 years, ...
Sep 07, 2018•1 hr 57 min
This episode we paid a visit to the still-under-construction Workhorse Brewing in King of Prussia to chat with founder and owner Dan Hershberg. Dan is a man with big ideas and an ambitious plan for this rather enormous new brewery. The project is set to include a variety of amenities and events, a solid distribution plan, an eye toward future expansion, and is already pumping out quality beer – thanks to the hard work of award-winning brewer, Nate Olewine, formerly of Devil’s Backbone. We’ve rar...
Aug 24, 2018•1 hr 44 min
Our traveling podcast of wonders finds itself at another Philly brewery this episode, Urban Village Brewing at Schmidt’s Plaza in Northern Liberties. Joining us are Owner and Head Brewer Dave Goldman and Assistant Brewer Christian Ruggeri. We talked about the brewery’s inception and build, canning, events, the food, inklings of future expansion, cinnamon stick advocacy, and much more. In the news, Dan reported on cannibis infused “beers” and some other stuff too. In Happy Fun Time Games, Wayne c...
Aug 12, 2018•1 hr 56 min
We kick it root down on this episode at Root Down Brewing in the burgeoning beer mecca of Phoenixville, PA, with co-owner and brewer Mike Hamara. In the awesome and impressively sized tap room, we discuss the brewery’s aesthetic, recent expansion of distribution into Philadelphia, various events hosted in the space, and much more. In the news, Dan reported on Constellation Brands’ acquisition of Four Corners Brewing, and beer delivery by text coming to Citizens Bank Park. We took a look at some ...
Jul 27, 2018•1 hr 50 min
On this episode we traveled to the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia to chat (and brew) with Meredith Williams, co-founder of Home Brewed Events – a company that produces tailored, high-end events from small corporate team building events to large-scale festivals. We chatted about the company’s beginnings, services and signature events, as well as the local beer and food scene. Also, we brewed a beer while recording, cause we’re cool like that. In the news, Dan reported on a new co...
Jul 13, 2018•1 hr 47 min
Another basement episode. You know what that means. Lots of beer. Patrons in the house. Madness. This time around we lured founding members of Saints Homebrew Club into our dungeon of bottle sharing. Two of them have appeared on the show before, representing various interests. One has not. That one is Brad. He cannot grow a beard. Poor guy. In this episode Dan reports on a baseball fan who chugged a foul ball and brewer Chris Wilson leaving Weyerbacher to join Free Will. Happy Fun Time saw us ta...
Jun 29, 2018•1 hr 51 min
This episode holds the record for the shortest distance Wayne and Dan have ever travelled for a podcast recording. Just down the road, we spent an evening at Brewery ARS in South Philly with co-founder Sean Arsenault, plus Jon and Micah, founders of brewery tour company Liberty Brew Tours . Our conversation swung back and forth between the history and goings-on at ARS and the history and services offered by Liberty Brew Tours. Dan reported on Stone Brewing cutting ties with punk band NOFX, and a...
Jun 15, 2018•2 hr 4 min
After far too long, we finally returned to St. Boniface Brewing in Ephrata, PA to sit down with Jon, Mike and Dain. This episode is again short one Beer Buster, as Wayne was otherwise engaged and unfortunately had to miss this episode. We discussed St. Boniface’s expanding distribution, continued offerings in cans, new equipment, tap room updates and more. Dan reported on Sony Pictures lawsuit against Knee Deep Brewing over their Breaking Bad inspired beer. Rich sat in for Wayne to host Happy Fu...
Jun 01, 2018•2 hr 3 min
We return one again to the culmination of Harrisburg Beer Week , an intimate fest celebrating boozy brews, Little Big Beer Fest. This time, the festivities were held at a new location, the National Civil War Museum . Unfortunately, Dan couldn’t be at this recording, but one of our esteemed Patreon supporters and good friend James sat in as guest host. Our line up of interviewees included some of the founders of Harrisburg Beer Week as well as the peeps pouring beers from several of our favorite ...
May 18, 2018•2 hr 20 min
After 102 episodes we finally returned to Naked Brewing in Huntingdon Valley, PA. Despite suffering a possible concussion, owner Brian Sucevic returned to the mic with as much irreverence as ever, joined by newcomer David Wood – now serving as head brewer. We talked upcoming beers, changes since our last visit, Dave’s hatred of glitter beer, Philly Beer Week, some bouts of random trivia, and more. Dan reported on New Realm purchasing Green Flash’s equipment, MillerCoors’ response to Stone Brewin...
May 04, 2018•1 hr 54 min
Our wandering podcast found itself once again at the home of Stickman Brews in Royersford, PA. This time we got both Buckman boys on the mics at the same time along with partner-in-crime Kate Sorrento. As per usual, our conversation was dominated by thoughtful, in-depth, and at times depressing, discussion on the current state and future of beer. We also argued about Wawa versus Sheetz food and made many juvenile jokes. Dan dropped some knowledge with the return of the Brewers Association Top 50...
Apr 20, 2018•1 hr 55 min
There were so many great breweries at this year's Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival that we couldn't possibly fit it into one episode, so here's the exciting conclusion! Joining fellow podcasters South Jersey Beer Scene , Jersey Beer Guys , Fear Of A Craft Beer Planet , Essential Guy Talk , and Over Beers Podcast , we interviewed a long list of breweries on hand at the second largest beer fest in the country. Among a handful of familiar voices were several New Jersey breweries new to the pod...
Apr 13, 2018•2 hr 27 min
We were super excited and honored to be picked to record at the 2018 Atlantic City Beer and Music Fest on the newly added podcast stage. Joining fellow podcasters South Jersey Beer Scene , Jersey Beer Guys , Fear Of A Craft Beer Planet , Essential Guy Talk , and Over Beers Podcast , we interviewed a long list of breweries on hand at the second largest beer fest in the country. Among a handful of familiar voices were several New Jersey breweries new to the podcast and much, much more. All the whi...
Apr 06, 2018•2 hr 14 min
We trekked out to Dallastown, PA to chat with Cidermaster Scott, Brewmaster Pete and Marketing Consultant Nate at Wyndridge Farm . Wyndridge boasts an amazing restaurant, beautiful farmland, a cidery and a brewery. We discussed the history of the business and the farm, as well as current and upcoming goings-on. Plus, we got to know our three esteemed guests and their background (and we talked – and learned – a lot about cider). Dan reported on the news, we played a new game in Happy Fun Time inv...
Mar 23, 2018•1 hr 58 min
In this episode we returned to the Hulmeville Inn , this time to sit down with long-time, acclaimed beer and whiskey writer Lew Bryson . We discussed Lew’s history with beer and writing, including his past published books and current contributions to The Daily Beast , All About Beer , The Full Pint and more. Plus, his well-known Session Beer Project, thoughts on the PLCB and liquor laws, and much, much more. In the news, Dan reported on the recent lawsuit brought against AB Inbev by Stone Brewin...
Mar 09, 2018•1 hr 54 min
Continuing our longest-running Beer Busters tradition, Greg Orth from Craft Tastings returns for his fifth annual Valentine’s Day-adjacent appearance on the podcast. Greg has continued to innovate new and exciting ways to share his beer pairing expertise. This time, we return to his roots with some chocolate and beer pairing, but with a twist. With a theme of “going in blind” we started with some blind chocolate tasting, followed by a blind pairing challenge. Continuing the theme, we played the ...
Feb 23, 2018•1 hr 52 min
We hopped across the mighty Delaware river into New Jersey once again, this time to pay a visit to Tonewood Brewing in Oaklyn. Joining us were Co-Founder and Head Brewer Eli along with special guest Kyle McHerron, microbiologist, homebrewer and beer-slinger at Village Idiot Brewing . Our conversation spanned all things Tonewood, including some exciting distribution news. Dan delivered some gloomy brew news, including Green Flash’s distribution pull back and layoffs and Smuttynose Brewing seeking...
Feb 09, 2018•1 hr 40 min
In this episode we were on site at Blueprint Brewing in Harleysville, PA. We chatted with owners Kyle the Controller, Cory the Brewmaster and Jason the Salesman about all things Blueprint. Dan got us up to speed with some news including a brewery’s overreaction to criticism on social media and a popular beer style comes full circle with a British brewery releasing a New England Style IPA. In Happy Fun Time we played Band or Beer and Steph gave us a run down of the best beers of 2017 from Draft M...
Jan 26, 2018•1 hr 32 min
Back in the Beer Busters Basement again for another marathon evening with the guys from Breweries in PA , we talked about their upcoming event at Conshohocken Brewing, the Pittsburgh Invades Philly Tap Takeover sponsored by Phoenixvlle Beer & Wine Festival. The event brings some amazing beers from the Pittsburgh area to Philadelphia, where they are not so easy to find. As always (or most of the time) we got up to speed on some brew news, we played a brand new game tentatively titled Look Wha...
Jan 12, 2018•1 hr 50 min
This episode we dropped in on Fetish Brewing ’s new space at Rock Lititz in Lititz, PA to sit down with co-owners Brandon and Mike. In their yet-to-be-opened new space, our conversation drifted from the cogent to the surreal and back again. Dan reported on a new collaboration beer between Dogfish Head and The Flaming Lips and a (literally) green beer from Maumee Bay Brewing Company in Ohio. In Happy Fun Time we played the inimitable Libation or Fabrication and Steph talked about how to host a su...
Dec 29, 2017•1 hr 27 min
Our favorite hometown beer fest is back again! Continuing a long-standing Beer Busters tradition, we set up at Brewphoria 15 at Canal Street Restaurant and Pub in Reading, PA to sip some brews and chat with the peeps pouring beers for the various breweries in attendance. As usual, we caught up with some old friends and met some new ones. The buffet was killer, the beer was bangin’ and the fest was a general hoot. We did, however, sorely miss our good friend and Brewphoria founder, Dusty, who has...
Dec 15, 2017•1 hr 33 min
On this episode we packed up for Malvern, PA to sit down with co-owners Tom and Jason at Locust Lane Craft Brewery . The guys told us how the brewery came to be, growing from a longstanding friendship. We also chatted about their brewing experience, distribution, and some exciting news regarding packaging (begins with a “c” and ends with “ans”). Plus, we got a brief cameo from the brewery’s live musician for the evening, Mike Muli . Dan got us up to speed with news, we played There’s Weird in My...
Dec 01, 2017•1 hr 35 min
This episode we set up at a beer fest we’ve never recorded at before, Hop Rods and Hops at Neshaminy Creek Brewing . This annual event features several local breweries, food trucks, live music from Soul Custody and, of course, lots of cool cars. We sat down with Neshaminy Creek brewer and co-owner Jeremy Myers to talk about the event and kick off the day with some stellar (and award-winning) beers. Then, we ran down the lineup of visiting breweries, chatting with some new friends and old, and sa...
Nov 17, 2017•2 hr 14 min
This episode finds us in Bethlehem, PA for a stop at Bonn Place Brewing where we sat down with owner/brewer Sam Masotto. We discussed the history of Bonn Place – including how Sam lived on a cot in the empty brewery for three months, their recently acquired GABF medals, starving artists, what exactly a podcast is, and more. Dan reported on the latest news including the Brewers Association’s Take Craft Beer Back crowdfunding campaign/PR stunt, we played The Beer Seller in Happy Fun Time and Steph...
Nov 03, 2017•1 hr 49 min
Back at Stickman Brews again, and once again New England IPAs feature prominently in our discussion. This time, it’s because they brewed one…what?! I know, we were a bit shocked too. Ethan wasn’t event there to defend himself. Scandalous. But, seriously, it was pretty tasty, and it was a collaboration with our good friends at Hop Hedz. It’s called Double Deuce, and this evening was the release party. Kate Sorrento returned to the show along with Jim Buckman, who took up the mantle from Ethan on ...
Oct 20, 2017•1 hr 44 min
In this episode we visited South County Brewing in Fawn Grove, PA to sit down with Owner and Brewer JR Heaps, who first appeared on the podcast back in Episode 30 . We talked about what’s new at South County including their awesome Gelato series, new brewing tech, love for lagers, canning plans, expansion plans and more. Dan got us up to speed in beer news, we played Band or Beer in Happy Fun Time and Steph talked about brewing with ancient grains in Know Your Beers. All amongst samples of South...
Oct 06, 2017•1 hr 55 min
With Nate Kresge and Sara Bozich at GK Visual This episode took us to GK Visual, an award-winning video production and design company in Harrisburg, PA ,to talk about their upcoming craft beer documentary Poured in Pennsylvania . We sat down with GK Visual Co-Owner and Executive Producer Nate Kresge and Writer/Producer Sara Bozich over samples of PA beers from breweries featured in the film. After producing the Harrisburg craft beer documentary, Brewed in the Burg , for the first Harrisburg Beer...
Sep 22, 2017•1 hr 47 min
With The One and Only Joe Man Back in the Beer Busters Podcast Basement we welcomed one of our oldest and biggest fans (those being descriptors of his fandom, not his physical person), the one-and-only-that’s-no-baloney Joe Man, aka Joe Mansell. The recording turned into essentially a bottle share, with several Patrons in attendance and many, many bottles of beer – including those from Joe’s hometown of Richmond, VA and some of his homebrews – passed around all night. Dan reported on the latest ...
Sep 08, 2017•2 hr 15 min
With Tim Patton, Andrew Foss, Anthony Masciantonio, Meredith Megan Williams, Josh Caputo & Tommy Kijak at Saint Benjamin Brewing Company We return to Saint Benjamin Brewing in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia for the first time since way back in Episode 65, to sit down with owner Tim Patton and many members of the growing St. Ben family. There was a lot to catch up on from the addition of the tap room to new ventures in packaging, distribution, and more. News stories this episode ...
Aug 25, 2017•1 hr 56 min
