October was a busy month for us and Brooklyn Brewery co-founder and chairman Steve Hindy, with Mash Tour stops in both Washington, DC and Philadelphia. In our time on the Atlantic Seaboard, we learned a lot from craft brewers from the old guard and the new wave alike at our State of Craft Beer programs in each city. Our friends at First We Feast have released both cities on our State of Craft Beer podcast, and they’re ready for you to listen in.
Our DC Panel: Jeff Hancock of DC Brau, John Holl of All About Beer Magazine, Mari Rodela of DC Brau, Steve Hindy, Greg Engert of Churchkey and Bluejacket, and Justin Cox of Atlas Brew Works.
In both cities, the upcoming AB InBev/SABMiller merger was a hot issue. As a whole, the brewers seemed wary, but ultimately confident that craft could weather whatever storm might come their way in the aftermath of the deal. Several of the breweries involved were intensely local operations, and their strong grassroots presence will help them retain their share in the face of whatever conglomerate emerges from the deal. There may be bumps, to be sure, but the panelists agreed that with a strong focus on quality they would power through.
Our Philly Panel: John Holl of All About Beer magazine, Tim Patton of St. Benjamin Brewing Company, Bill Covaleski of Victory Brewing Company, Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Brewing Company, Christina Burris of St. Benjamin Brewing Company, and Steve Hindy.
What else is on the minds of today’s leading craft brewers? What challenges are facing one of Philadelphia’s newest breweries? And where the heck did the Philly panel get that big hammer? Hear more from all of our panelists by tuning in to the Brooklyn Brewery and First We Feast State of Craft Beer podcast. Listen, subscribe, and catch up on the other cities from our Mash tour as we prepare for Steve to hold forth in Austin on Thursday, November 12.