Big news: The I Like Beer podcast is moving to video, thanks to a new partnership with the San Diego Brewers Guild, and we're kicking things off with our very first field trip episode. We head to Guadalupe Brewing Company to hear the unbelievable story of owner Raul, whose craft beer journey began by getting turned away at the border while trying to smuggle a homemade brew system—complete with a "cool" flammable sticker that officials didn't appreciate—into Mexico in his pickup. The trip culminates in a taste of the legendary "Drunk Elvis," a massive 12.3% ABV imperial stout that unleashes a circus of peanut butter, banana, and chocolate on your palate.

Our last classic episode of the year, one of our all-time favorites, this isn't just another brewery interview; it's the story of finding our 'spirit human' in a magical outdoor brewery in the Irish countryside. It's one of our favorite episodes ever, filled with heart, humor, and a deep love for doing things the right way, not the easy way. You don't want to miss this one.

What does it take for a brewery to become a true industry leader—a place so respected that 50 of the nation's best brewers all show up for your party? We're on location at Burgeon Beer Company, one of the most revered breweries in the San Diego beer mecca, to get an exclusive look inside their biggest event of the year. In this special episode, we're pulling back the curtain to answer one simple but powerful question: What's the secret sauce that makes a brewery the undisputed "cool kids" of craft beer?

Welcome to another special "Classic" edition of the I Like Beer podcast. We're reaching into the archives to re-release one of our most popular field trips ever: a visit to the legendary AleSmith Brewing Company. At the time of this recording, AleSmith was not only a six-time Great American Beer Festival and five-time World Beer Cup gold medalist, but was also officially rated the #1 brewery in California and #6 in the entire world. A brewery so integral to the city's identity, San Diego even renamed the street it's on in their honor. Join the Jeffs on-location as they sit down with Head Brewer Ryan Crisp for an exclusive look inside one of craft beer's most revered institutions. This episode is more than a conversation about beer; it's the story of a journey. We trace Ryan Crisp's incredible path from a 21-year-old homebrewer volunteering his time to becoming the fifth employee and, eventually, the Head Brewer of this world-renowned brewery. Ryan shares the powerful, behind-the-scenes stories of how AleSmith's most iconic beers came to be, including the heartfelt and historic collaboration with San Diego's beloved hall-of-famer, Tony Gwynn. Discover AleSmith’s guiding philosophy of balance—an approach so refined they can craft a 10% Triple IPA that remains "deceptively smooth" and harmonious, proving their mastery over classic styles and modern innovation. Listen in for an insider's tour, hear the stories you can't get anywhere else, and taste along as Ryan Crisp guides you through the exclusive beers that define San Diego craft.

Enjoy this classic episode from 2019 - How do you go from running a coffee shop to building one of the most iconic breweries in America's finest city? Go inside Coronado Brewing, one of the original founding fathers of the San Diego scene, to hear how they turned a love for beer into a million-dollar business and created an IPA that took home bronze in a category of 342 entries. What does it take to stay relevant after 25 years? Listen now to find out.

What happens when you crack open a beer from a brewery that's long gone—will it be a perfectly preserved blond ale or a Mexican lager that’s completely off the rails? Join us as we taste these "ghost beers" and ricochet from the odd-ball story of AI-powered teddy bears gone rogue to the sobering statistics behind nationwide brewery closures. It's a powerful reminder of why it's more important than ever to support your local breweries, so pour yourself a pint and join the conversation.

Before we press play on this encore presentation, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to you, our listeners. Your support is what makes this podcast possible, and we are incredibly grateful for the community that has grown around this show. As we’ve mentioned before, "Every time we've asked, you've done it and those numbers are really showing that. So thank you." So as we re-share this special conversation from our visit to Karl Strauss Brewing Company with Master Brewer Paul Segura, please pour yourself a beer, pull up a bar stool, and join us. From all of us here at I Like Beer, have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.

The Jeffs thought they were just stopping by for Taco Tuesday, but they walked straight into a "Hall of Fame day" at Weirbeer. Turns out, Mo from Viewpoint and Ryan from Dos Desperados were joining host brewer Hayden for a special collaborative brew day. Listen in for the inside scoop on their three-way "Going Broke" beer series, hear the unfiltered stories you won't get anywhere else—like the time a bad Mexican logger had to be saved with salt and lime—and get their expert take on the future of San Diego craft beer.

When the Ramona Art and Wine Festival dropped "beer" from its name, hosts Jeff and Jeff took matters into their own hands, arriving with a cooler full of craft beer on a mission to correct this grave injustice. But their righteous quest gets wonderfully derailed by the town's hidden treasures, from a community mural project with secret hearts and a homegrown whiskey distillery to the stunning discovery that you can, in fact, milk a camel in Ramona. So pull up a bar stool and join two guys who prove that even the classiest festival is better with a cold one, as they celebrate the small town that's becoming the surprising heart of San Diego County.

It's that time of year again, San Diego Beer Week! The San Diego Brewers Guild is kicking it all off with The Capital of Craft Beer Festival. Kevin Hellman, event producer, and Jason Martin, head brewer at Abnormal Beer Company, join Jeff and Jeff in studio to explain the what, when, where and why of all things SD Beer Week. Jason brought a coveted, special release collab beer with its own story to tell. Pull up a barstool and join the fun! 

It's back to DogLeg Brewing for Jeff and Jeff. Co-owner Christina Lumsden chats about the DogLeg origin story and community. "You can't have golf without beer"--at least according to Christina who knows a lot about both. And then it gets wild as Brandon and Jomel from Birdies in the Outfield join the conversation and reminisce about our day of golf together. Like I Like Beer the Podcast, DogLeg and Birdies in the Outfield focus on supporting and building community, especially if laughing and making friends is involved! 

Jeff and Jeff meet up with Jeremy DeConcini, co-owner of Moto Sonora Brewing in Tucson, Arizona. The Moto Sonora origin story is an amazing tale that starts with a journey through South Africa, connects with San Diego Icon Tomme Arthur and ends in Tucson. Moto Sonora has been making award winning beers since day one and has become a centerpiece in the Tucson brewing scene. Pull up a barstool and take a listen!

The ILB Team makes the long awaited return to the studio to meet up with Producer Joe and Mateo. With Oktoberfest selections from San Diego (Karl Strauss, AleSmith) and Los Angeles (Enegren, Smog City), they Toast, Roast and Pour beer happenings and the world-at-large. Jeff pops the age-old question: Would you change your name for 19 years of Busch Light? And Talent's has his annual Ignoble Award review. Listen to the end to try and beat Doc at Beer, Or Not a Beer!? 

Don't forget to go to BEERnardo this weekend! Enjoy this classic episode: Jeff and Jeff reflect on the ILB Team's journey to 100 episodes.  ILB favorite moments and stories--Mexican jails, Irish horses, Doc's greatest hits, and what horrors lie just below the sand!  With great beer, of course, thanks to Mo at Viewpoint Brewing.

The ILB Team returns to Mother Earth Brewing in Vista to catch up with Kamron Khannakhjavani and check out the Oktoberfest offering. The Oaked Oktoberfest is the best beer of the season! Kamron has a few other things brewing, including a new podcast of his own: The Craft Equation. Hear all about it and what's new at Mother Earth Brewing in this week's episode.

The team heads to the other end of San Marcos this week to check out Michi Beer Company. The beers are top-notch which is no surprise considering the brewing resume of owner-head brewer, Cody Gagnon. The Jeffs and the Doctor head to the Tiki Room for Toast, Roast and Pour. Stay tuned to the end to get a glimpse at Doc's craic! 

Jeff and Jeff check in with Tommy Gordon at Blue Fire Brewing to see how ILB-Blue Fire Collaboration beer is coming along. The yet-to-be-named Rauchbier is already amazing with a little longer to lager. Names for the beer are discussed and plans set for the September 2th launch. To pair up with the rauchbier, Blue Fire has brewed a festbier as well. The commitment to authenticity and careful crafting means Blue Fire has two fantastic beers for the Oktoberfest season. 

After 6 years, ILB finally gets a one on one with San Brewing icon, Tomme Arthur, at the new Lost Abbey venue in Vista. Good things are definitely worth the wait! The beers were amazing, but the highlight is hearing Arthur's story and wisdom about succeeding in the beer market.  Lost Abbey has set the standard for craft beer, risk taking and incorporating story with beer. A Shawshank Beer included just to make the whole day perfect.

Join the Jeffs and Tom at Burgeon to hear all about the upcoming Oktoberfest festivities coming up in San Diego. Hear about Burgeon's Oktoberfest, Carlsbad Oktoberfest and BeerNardo. 

Listener Rod made a porch beer drop delivered all the way from Fresno. The entire ILB Team reunites to enjoy Tioga Sequoia's Half Dome fruit beers. In preparation for Oktoberfest, Doc and Talent head over to Blue Fire Brewing to brew a Bamburg specialty beer. The Doctor's in the house, so that means Beer or Not a Beer!? and Craic!