Better on Draft | Craft Beer Podcast · Better On Draft Podcast

Better on Draft 381 | Beer News

·1 hr 2 min·4 clips

Brewery Vivant is at 20% of its pre-pandemic volume.

Rob and Wendy kick off the show with seasonal drinks and a holiday mood. Wendy is on Mad Elf Grand Cru. Rob brings a Glitter Blizzard cold IPA, and they joke about the beer's name and the line about hops being the glitter of beer. The conversation settles into a news show format. One of Wendy's stories focuses on places with the most breweries per capita, including an article about 20 towns with the most breweries per capita. The discussion stays grounded in what it takes for breweries to survive, especially the need for large, cheap space where they can make the numbers work. The episode keeps circling back to local support. They talk about drinking craft beer instead of big brands, buying beer in stores, buying merch again, and picking up gift cards when possible. There is a little sadness in the way they talk about worn-out glasses and fading logos, which turns into a joke about a merch drop. From there, the show shifts into Christmas beer talk. Wendy says she is not usually big on Christmas beers, but Mad Elf still comes up as a favorite. They also mention a Jackie O's spiced brown pack, Shiner Holiday Cheer, Alagash Ski Patrol, and other seasonal beers that show up this time of year. The episode stays conversational and unhurried, letting side comments breathe. Near the end, they mention the next episode date, December 26, and say it might be another news show or a roundup of Christmas stuff and what's coming. They close by inviting listeners to share what they're drinking and who they want to hear from in the new year.

As heard by us

Holiday beer news, brewery realities, and Christmas cheer with the rough edges left in.

Better on Draft 381 keeps to beer news and holiday chatter without trying to dress it up. Rob and Wendy move easily between brewery headlines, Christmas beer talk, merch that wears out, and the habits that keep drinkers coming back in December.

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Want beer news that feels like a real brewery conversation?

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