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 podcast. It’s everything you love about Craft Beer Republic—good beers, big laughs, and even bigger opinions.

Beers We’re Drinking:

• Greg is drinking Galaxy Traveling Scientist by Hop Butcher for the World — Dank nose, citrus tongue jobber, hazy surprise.
• Flex is sipping Mosaic Cutting Tiles by Trillium — Dry finish, honeyed shock, peachy evolution.

Episode Highlights

Flex confesses his undying love for the Swedish Chef while Greg tries to remember what the hell an Erlenmeyer flask is. They bond over dry graduation parties (ew), share tales of teenage sneaking-around, and try to figure out why today’s kids aren’t drinking or hooking up. Greg recalls his teenage genius in evading a parental walk-in, and Flex nearly sheds a tear watching neighborhood kids play his old-school drinking game. And Greg does some dabbling with a THC cocktail. Also: seltzer-mosas are officially a thing (sorry, not sorry).

Booze News

• Tilray strikes again! Red Hook’s brew lab goes dark in Seattle.
• Ska Brewing Sold—But at Least It’s Not to the Suits This Time.
• UA passenger rage-quits flight after not getting booze before takeoff.

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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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.

Beers We’re Drinking

• Greg is drinking Tropícal Brut from Blue Owl Brewing – A funky, fruity sour with a dry Brut finish that hits perfectly on a hot day.
• Flex is sipping on Ooey Gooey Guy by The Brewing Projekt – Basically a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a glass, and somehow it totally works.

There’s a full-on Flex hunt going down in Milwaukee, but Vanessa and her hubby end up at the wrong Eagle Park. Meanwhile, Greg enjoys VIP status at Topa Topa’s 10th anniversary bash and may or may not have figured out what "VIP" actually means.

Flex gets real about palate sabotage via Tex-Mex trail mix (a very specific flavor crime), and issues a heartfelt apology to the breweries he unjustly judged last week. There’s also a touching moment of family bonding—Flex celebrates a belated Father’s Day with his kids, beer shopping included, while Greg endures the mariachi madness of a boozy brunch. Plus, the guys trade stories about cheap Midwest beer, Topo Chico price hacks, and playing lawn darts like it’s 1979.

And of course, Chew Your Beer calls in with stories about his chemical engineering kids, LA Beer Week, and a wild run-in with Nicole and Big Dick Nick at a Savannah Bananas game. Peak chaos. Peak CBR.

Booze News

• Cape Cod Beer joins the Triton Beer Avengers.
• Wilding Brands snatches up another Denver brewery; Station 26 Brewing.
• The Brewers Association adds new styles to the guidelines!
• The very unofficial top 30 California Breweries list enrages Greg.

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

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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 Reviews

• Flex is drinking Voltron: Defender of the Universe Vol. 8 by 4 Hands Brewing x Three Sheeps Brewing — Anticipation turns into bitterness, and not the good kind.
• Greg is sipping Sunrise Dreams from Outer Range Brewing — Nelson & Citra juice bomb; crushable citrus delight.

Flex kicks things off with high hopes and a glorious pour, only to be betrayed by the mighty Voltron. What starts as fresh pineapple nose bliss ends in disappointment and a borderline drain pour (but hey, at least the can art slaps). Greg takes us through his humid, sweat-soaked Florida trip, complete with passing-out grandparents, a "pay for your own" graduation lunch, and a surprise parking ticket at the hands of a lurking enforcer.

Despite the chain restaurant circuit and weather described as "living in a mouth," Greg finds a few worthy brewery stops in Tampa—finally landing a winner at Ology Brewing. He also somehow manages to survive a karaoke-belt-worthy bar owned by Hulk Hogan (yep, that’s real). Along the way, Flex and Greg uncover some very scientific coffee ratio grievances and debate the merits of chain dining while dehydrated.

Booze News

• Craft Beer Giants Keep Shrinking: 6 of the top 10 lose volume in 2024.
• Boston Beer’s Big Belly Flop: 320k barrels down, ouch.
• Hulk Hogan Wants to Buy Hooters… Turns out Pastamania wasn’t enough.
• Florida Man Bingo: Drunk driver hits pedestrian, urinates in cop car, and says racist stuff—all in one night

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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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.
• Greg cracks Green Diamonds by Other Half Brewing –an Imperial that hits bitter and thick.

Flex absolutely crushes the family basketball tourney, holding court and a triple IPA at the same time. And yes, he sent a victory pic with a plastic horse as his trophy—because that’s what legends do. Meanwhile, Greg found himself in the middle of a very small, very weird wedding reception where the bride and groom were 45 minutes late and the DJ was out here cranking the volume instead of vibes. Later in the show, things take a sharp turn into backseat disaster territory as the guys swap stories about puke in cars—who’s thrown up, who’s cleaned it up, and where Uber drivers draw the line. But the weekend got saved by a lake day, backyard beers, and a gummy-powered Journey cover band concert. Also, shoutout to Riverside (the city, not the software), and hello again to our friends in the Netherlands. Apparently, we’re big in places with excellent healthcare and dial-up speed internet.

Booze News:

• RIP to Highland Brewing founder Oscar Wong, the godfather of craft in North Carolina
• Great Divide is closing two Denver taprooms—RIP to post-Rockies beers
• A woman gets caught with meth in her pants and a 1970 Camaro
• Uber driver dumps drunk passengers on the highway. Drama ensues.
• Topo Chico confusion: not all seltzer is boozy, people!

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

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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 WeldWerks Brewing and Barrel Theory Brewing – juicy, pithy, and funk-free.

Greg and Flex dive headfirst into beer horoscopes, debating whether anyone actually enjoys saisons or if sweat socks are just part of the experience. What’s your beer sign? A trip down memory lane brings stories of red-light scavenger hunts and some drunken conveyor belt races at the grocery store. One late-night drive thru turns into a cheeseburger-for-booze trade that somehow pays off. Flex gets into a stare-down with traffic-blocking geese, and Greg rediscovers the lost art of beer hunting at a neighborhood spot that finally brings the fun back. And hype breweries, are they worth the hype?

Booze News:

• Bourbon County Gets a Makeover – Goose Island’s barrel-aged stout goes mini
• Anheuser-Busch’s Big Three – The top-selling beers no craft fan wants to claim
• California Kills the Party – Our drinking habits are ruining national spirit sales
• Vodka on Route 12 – A mail carrier turns USPS into BYOB
• 11 DUIs Later... – One man’s tires aren’t the only thing running on empty

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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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 Muscle for Rank from Drekker Brewing—tropical haze with mango vibes, but the peach ghosted him.

Greg get’s denied entry to San Francisco Brewing Co after a cable car and too much walking, but redeems it all with a Nerds-rimmed sour and a classic Irish coffee. Flex tests his old man drinking tolerance with a beer fridge cleanout including a 12% stout. Hangovers just hit different these days. After some winetasting and a failed wakeboard trip, Greg’s wife becomes the MVP of the family by hiding Smirnoff Ices in a baby shower diaper cake. Pablo calls in to give props to Flex and throwdown some education. Flex finally has his first Four Loko. And we break down the reasons why you should stop buying beer.

Booze News

• TTB Tax Pilot Program: Good news for brewery owners who like fewer forms and more beer.
• Instacart Launches “Fizz”: It’s like Drizly with group orders and shared tabs. Cue the lazy party planners rejoicing.
• Corona Sunbrew O: Because lime-flavored beer water wasn’t citrusy enough.
• Modelo Oro in Bottles: Light, tasty, and now bottle-ized for all your beachy needs.
• Monster’s Alcohol Sales Tank: Nasty Beast Hard Tea isn’t exactly flying off shelves. Wonder why.
• Florida Man Goes Full GTA: Drunk, shirtless, ATV joyride with finger guns and a knife. Florida’s gonna Florida.

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

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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 drinking Bone In Throat by Root + Branch—a thick and hazy banger that lives up to its name.
• Flex cracks into Temptation by Russian River—a barrel-aged sour that brings the funk and the finesse.

Greg was slangin’ dough! 42 pies to be exact. He got drunk and made a bunch of pizzas at a birthday party, full of saucy drama and ungrateful customers. Flex has a new whip and can’t stand driving around this titanic beast on his way to the golf course. He’s also got a weird wedding situation coming up; should he go to the weird food-court reception? Speaking of trips, Greg has an upcoming trip that he’s trying to get out of (any pointers?).

Booze News

• 2025 World Beer Cup: Over 8300 beers, and somehow we still didn’t win
• Drunk teen crashes truck into house, politely apologizes through bedroom window
• Substitute teacher shows up to class drunk, medicated, and weaponized

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

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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

• Greg is sipping on Enlightened Energy from Radiant Beer Co.—a hazy pale, bursting with tropical juice.
• Flex cracks open Our Bar Day from Explorium Brewpub—an American lager brewed in celebration of Arbor Day.

It’s a full-on fiesta as Greg and Flex record on Cinco de Mayo and try to remember the actual meaning behind the holiday (spoiler: not Independence Day). Greg shares a wild hotel wine story that ends with a $28 glass of regret and a serious tipping debate. Flex talks Arbor Day beers and celebrates a friend-turned-beer-delivery-guy who dropped off a hometown special. The two dive into past Vicodin adventures—including Flex falsely accusing his brother of theft during withdrawal sweats—and laugh through the horrors of wisdom teeth surgery. They also dish on the reaction from last week’s episode with Steph, clear the air about Flex’s “mad” vibes, and theorize about Utah’s new hockey team names (sadly, not the Sister Wives). And yes, they do their best to avoid sounding like drug addicts. Mostly.

Booze News

• Belgium Swaps Eggs for Beers in Giant Easter Hunt
• Boston Beer Rides Twisted Tea to a Big Q1
• Iconic Sour Brewery Blue Owl Gets Bought Out
• A Beer Can Just Sold for $111K… Yes, Really
• Drunk Ex-Cop Slaps a Flight Attendant and Drops Trou on JetBlue

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

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• Voicemail: (805) 538-2337