The Brewery Underground Podcast | Craft Beer Interviews, Reviews & Beer Travel

Steve Sullivan and Scott Touron
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Hobbies
  • Updated Biweekly

The Brewery Underground Podcast, hosted by Steve Sullivan & Scott Touron in Nashville, dives into brewery interviews, beer reviews, and the stories behind the people shaping craft beer. Each episode features brewers, meaderies, guilds, charities, and the Brewers Association—highlighting voices from every corner of the industry. From taproom culture to behind-the-scenes insights, it’s fun, real, and built for craft beer fans and beer travelers chasing their next great pour.

  1. 1d ago

    Streetside Brewery’s Garrett Hickey Talks Barrel-Aged Stouts, Hazy IPAs & Cincinnati Craft Beer | Part 1 | Episode 129

    In Part 1 of our conversation with Streetside Brewery owner and head brewer Garrett Hickey, we dive deep into the creativity, experimentation, and passion behind one of Cincinnati’s most innovative craft breweries. Garrett talks about balancing hype beers with classic styles, the evolution of New England IPAs over the last decade, and why Streetside continues pushing boundaries with massive barrel-aged stouts, smoothie sours, milkshake IPAs, and experimental releases. We also get into the realities of running a modern brewery — from brewing schedules and Untappd ratings to festival season, customer expectations, and deciding which wild beer ideas are worth bringing to life. We taste and discuss several standout Streetside beers including the legendary “Speak of the Devil: Decadence” barrel-aged imperial stout, “Spring Breakers” West Coast Pilsner collab with New Groove Artisan Brewery, and some of Streetside’s unforgettable fruited and dessert-inspired creations. Garrett also shares behind-the-scenes stories about brewing mistakes that accidentally became fan favorites, naming beers, social media culture, and how certain releases become part of brewery lore. If you love craft beer innovation, barrel-aged stouts, New England IPAs, Cincinnati beer culture, or hearing how breweries balance artistry with business, this episode is packed with great conversation and beer geek insight. Cheers!

    43 min

  2. 3d ago

    Complete Episode: Ska Brewing Co-Founder Dave Thibodeau: Craft Beer, Ska Music, Brewery Growth & Industry Trends

    This Episode combines Episodes #127 and #128.Join us for the complete conversation with Dave Thibodeau, co-founder and president of Ska Brewing, as we dive into the brewery's remarkable 31-year journey from a homebrewing passion project to one of Colorado's most recognizable craft beer brands.Dave shares the story behind Ska Brewing's founding in 1995, the influence of ska music on the brewery's name and identity, and how the DIY spirit of both punk and craft beer helped shape the company's culture. We discuss the early days of brewing in Durango, the evolution of Colorado's beer scene, and the challenges and opportunities that come with staying relevant in a rapidly changing industry.The conversation explores Ska's award-winning beers, including the success of True Blonde, the brewery's approach to quality and innovation, and the development of styles ranging from Mexican-style lagers and Oktoberfest beers to new low-ABV offerings designed for today's drinkers. Dave also shares his thoughts on non-alcoholic beer, THC beverages, shifting consumer trends, and what the future may hold for craft breweries.Along the way, we talk music, hockey, homebrewing, sustainability, the Legion of Ska comic-book universe, late-night ska shows in the taproom, and the community that has helped keep Ska Brewing thriving for more than three decades.Packed with brewery history, craft beer insights, music culture, nostalgia, and plenty of laughs, this is the complete Brewery Underground conversation with one of craft beer's most entertaining and influential founders. Cheers!

    1h 49m

  3. May 28

    Ska Brewing Co-Founder Dave Thibodeau Talks Craft Beer, Music & Brewery History | Part 2 | Episode 128

    Part 2 with Dave Thibodeau from Ska Brewing is here — and this one dives even deeper into the culture, creativity, and rebellious spirit behind one of craft beer’s most unique breweries. Dave talks about how Ska Brewing has evolved over 31 years while still staying true to its punk rock roots, comic book-inspired branding, and love of ska music. We get into everything from brewing hundreds of different beers over the years to the rise of Mexican-style lagers, Oktoberfest beers, low-ABV craft beer trends, THC beverages, and how changing consumer habits are reshaping the beer industry. We also explore Ska Brewing’s legendary comic book universe, the “Legion of Ska,” sustainability efforts inside the brewery, and some unforgettable stories from the brewery’s early days — including late-night ska shows inside the taproom that may or may not have been completely legal. This episode is packed with brewery history, craft beer culture, brewing philosophy, music, nostalgia, and plenty of laughs. If you’re into independent craft breweries, old-school beer stories, or the intersection of music and beer culture, this episode delivers. Cheers!

    49 min

  4. May 21

    Ska Brewing Co-Founder Dave Thibodeau Talks Craft Beer, Music & Brewery History | Part 1 | Episode 127

    Join us for Part 1 of our conversation with Dave Thibodeau, co-founder of Ska Brewing out of Durango, Colorado! Dave takes us deep into the incredible 31-year history of Ska Brewing, from homebrewing experiments in his dad’s basement to building one of America’s most recognizable independent craft beer brands. We talk about the origins of ska music and how it became the inspiration behind the brewery’s name, branding, comic book artwork, and culture. Dave also shares stories from Ska Brewing’s early days in 1995, brewing their very first batches of beer, surviving the ups and downs of craft beer trends, and recently winning Gold at the World Beer Cup for their legendary flagship beer, True Blonde. Along the way, we dive into craft beer history, Colorado beer culture, old-school homebrewing, music, hockey, nostalgia, and what it takes to stay authentic in the craft beer industry for over three decades. If you love craft beer, brewery stories, brewing history, ska music, or just hearing passionate people talk about what they love, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Cheers!

    1h 2m

  5. May 14

    2026 First Quarter Beer Review: Top Beers & Brewery Experiences | Episode 126

    It's only May and what a busy year it has already been for us. In this episode, we are talking about many of the changes that have taken place in the brewery scene around Nashville and surrounding areas. Mergers, acquisitions, closings, and brand-new places. Very lengthy list. So far this year, Steve and Scott have attended 3 beer festivals. Our journey to each one and the great experience we had along the way. The Brewers Association recently released the Top 50 Craft Breweries in The United States. More information on that during this episode. Last but not least. Craft beer! We've already had some great choices in 2026. Each of us rate our favorites so far and other notable ones we really enjoyed. Cheers!

    1h 34m

  6. May 7

    Cincy Brew Dads - Porch Beers, Brewery Reviews & Cincinnati Craft Beer | Episode 125

    Beer Drinking is ultimately what we do, and why we started the podcast and our Brewery Adventures page. When we see other people like us, who have turned their passion for craft beer drinking into something more, we have a huge appreciation for that - and that's why we wanted to have Matt and Ryan from Cincy Brew Dads on with us. Matt and Ryan are the definitions of true craft beer drinkers, and they have turned their own love of it into a YouTube channel and Instagram page called Cincy Brew Dads. Not only do they review beers on both platforms, but they visit and record episodes from breweries, events and their front porches. In this episode we get to talk to the guys on Ryan's front porch and we learn about where their craft beer journeys started, how did a blown down fence lead to them meeting each other, and when and why did they decide to start Cincy Brew Dads? The content they are putting out is excellent, it's well thought out, descriptive and is very high quality. These are the types of guys you want to go hang out with and share beers with, and that's exactly what we're going to be doing in the near future. Keep up the good work guys! Go check out all of Cincy Brew Dads' content and reach out to them, we're sure they'll appreciate that. Cheers!

    1h 31m

  7. Apr 30

    Mr. Brews: Craft Beer Conversations with Marty & Mindy ft. The Foamy Heads | Episode 124

    What happens when a corporate career, a love for craft beer, and a desire to give back to the community all collide? You get Mr. Brews Taphouse in Smyrna & Murfreesboro. In this collab episode with Mitch & Rich of The Foamy Heads, we sit down with Marty & Mindy Bell, the family behind Mr. Brews, to talk about how they built a family-friendly restaurant with 30+ rotating taps, why they chose Tennessee for expansion, and what it really takes to run a craft beer-focused business. From Great Lakes Brewing Co. hitting Tennessee to rare pours like Bourbon County variants on draft, we get into how Marty selects beers , plus the balance between craft beer nerd culture and running a full restaurant. We also dive into the transition from corporate life to owning a taphouse, building out locations from the ground up, why Rutherford County was underserved for craft beer, and running a true family business. Events, tap takeovers, keeping the beer list fresh, bringing unique, hard-to-find beers to local drinkers, and the love/hate relationship with Untappd, are other topics we talk about during this episode. We had a great time talking to Marty and Mindi and learned a lot about their journey to Mr. Brews. We hope you enjoy the episode and even more-so, we hope you go visit them at either or both of their locations. Additionally, after our conversation with Marty and Mindi ended, we had a couple of friends join us on the mics, who were already in the building. Shane and Ryan joined us for to share some beers, talk a little beer and just hand out for a bit - for some additional bonus content. Cheers!

    2h 1m

  8. Apr 23

    Beer Glassware & Beer-Clean Glass Explained with Advanced Cicerone Michael Williams | Episode 123

    Beer-Clean Glass Day is Saturday, April 25, 2026. Our buddy, Michael Williams from Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland, Ohio joins us to talk all about it. How much do you really know about beer glasses? We suggest, wherever you get this podcast, watch the video portion. You will get to see different beer glass styles, with a detailed explanation as to how they are properly used. In addition to his marketing duties, Michael is also an Advanced Cicerone. Proper glassware is a subject he knows all about. He brought his A game to this episode. If you use beer glasses at home, Michael explains the proper way to clean them. For establishments that serve beer, the chances of being judged for the beer glass style served to customers, is pretty high. Cheers

    1h 27m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Brewery Underground Podcast, hosted by Steve Sullivan & Scott Touron in Nashville, dives into brewery interviews, beer reviews, and the stories behind the people shaping craft beer. Each episode features brewers, meaderies, guilds, charities, and the Brewers Association—highlighting voices from every corner of the industry. From taproom culture to behind-the-scenes insights, it’s fun, real, and built for craft beer fans and beer travelers chasing their next great pour.

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