Respecting the Beer

Hosted by McFleshman's Brewing Co

Entrepreneurship Arts Food History

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Episodes

131

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

The smartest podcast for nerdy brewers and beer lovers in under thirty minutes. Hosted by owners of McFleshman's Brewing Co, Bobby and Allison Fleshman with special apparances from Ciceron and historian, Joel Hermansen. Kept on subject by Gary Arndt, host of Everything Everywhere Daily. In our first few episodes, we cover the origins of McFleshman's brewery and brew master, Bobby Fleshman. While studying for a PhD in astrophysics, Bobby fell in love with homebrewing. After consistently winning brewing competitions, he and his wife Allison decided to start a brewery with a different type of experience. Thus McFleshman's was born! Other topics covered include: craft brewing, the chemical make up of beer, the differences between the huge variety of beers, how color affects beer's taste, homebrewing, starting a brewery, why beer get's skunked, the origins of hops, the business of brewing, Benedictine Monk's effect on brewing, Hildegard of Bingen, Charlie Bamforth, Louis Pasteur, contract brewing, remote beer pumping, getting a business loan, brewery operations, creating stand operating procedures, Sierra Nevada Brewing, brewing collaboration, Dry January, Reinhehtsgebot, beer history, New Realm Brewing Co, Mitch Steele, and much more.

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60 recent

October 10, 20265 min

Voicemail: Why We ALMOST Didn't Brew for Appleton's Oktoberfest

Allison and Bobby sit outside Il Bar Coffeehouse and debate whether to brew large volumes of Oktoberfest beer for Appleton’s 200,000-person Oktoberfest. A huge cash down payment for something that may not pay off 6 months later? Here's a quick highlight reel. Listen to the full conversation over on Patreon, for free! Consider subscribing and build the craft beer community! PATREON SUPPORT patreon.com/respectingthebeerpodcast Uncut episodes with bonus content Access to exclusive beers Access to 50-minute video tour of McFleshman's FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer QUESTIONS? Email us at respectingthebeer@gmail.com -- CREDITS Hosts: Bobby Fleshman - https://www.mcfleshmans.com/ Allison Fleshman -https://www.instagram.com/mcfleshmans/ Joel Hermansen Gary Ardnt - https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ Music by Sarah Lynn Huss - https://www.facebook.com/kevin.huss.52/ Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow - https://davidkalsow.com/ Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

September 12, 202641 min

Exploring Our Wild Rice Collaboration w/ Sway Brewing’s Matt Sampson

Fellow PhD turned brewer, Matt Sampson, sits down for an impromptu voice memo recording in the Sway Brewing cellar! Origin stories, brewing philosophies, and the recent collaboration is explored! Visit Sway Brewing + Blending in Door County, WI! https://www.swaybeer.com/ PATREON SUPPORT patreon.com/respectingthebeerpodcast Uncut episodes with bonus content Access to exclusive beers Access to 50-minute video tour of McFleshman's FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer QUESTIONS? Email us at respectingthebeer@gmail.com -- CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Respecting the Beer! 00:53 Sway Brewing Overview 01:56 Matt Chemistry to Beer 03:54 Door County Move Pivot 06:05 Hacienda Origin Story 10:33 Foeders and Cellar Tour 12:29 Cleaning and Oak Benefits 16:41 From Brewer to Owner 18:53 Meeting and Collab Setup 22:34 Wild Rice Collab Idea 25:52 Building The Rice Lager 26:26 Pause For A Pour 27:30 What to Name It? 29:15 Cereal Mash And Hops 31:28 Fermentation And Flavor 33:09 Recipe Tweaks And Foam 34:38 Future Collabs And Lessons 38:07 Death Row Beer Picks 40:38 Support us on Patreon! -- CREDITS Hosts: Bobby Fleshman - https://www.mcfleshmans.com/ Allison Fleshman -https://www.instagram.com/mcfleshmans/ Joel Hermansen Gary Ardnt - https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ Music by Sarah Lynn Huss - https://www.facebook.com/kevin.huss.52/ Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow - https://davidkalsow.com/ Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

September 3, 202613 min

Voicemail: Internal Marketing Meeting Over Coffee

Allison and Bobby discuss marketing for McFleshman’s, how to stand out when the local craft brewing scene continues to grow. Listen to the full conversation for FREE on our Patreon page! This is an interlude episode between seasons recorded on a phone. We’ll be back with full interviews with brewers in our next season. PATREON SUPPORT patreon.com/respectingthebeerpodcast Uncut episodes with bonus content Access to exclusive beers Access to 50-minute video tour of McFleshman's FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer QUESTIONS? Email us at respectingthebeer@gmail.com -- CREDITS Hosts: Bobby Fleshman - https://www.mcfleshmans.com/ Allison Fleshman -https://www.instagram.com/mcfleshmans/ Joel Hermansen Gary Ardnt - https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ Music by Sarah Lynn Huss - https://www.facebook.com/kevin.huss.52/ Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow - https://davidkalsow.com/ Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

August 13, 20261 min

Announcement: Summer Break 2026

We're taking a break from the podcast for a bit. But we're not leaving you empty handed. Bonuses are coming your way! Get your tickets to Lager Fest 2026: https://www.mcfleshmans.com/lagerfest/ PATREON SUPPORT patreon.com/respectingthebeerpodcast Uncut episodes with bonus content Access to exclusive beers Access to 50-minute video tour of McFleshman's FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer QUESTIONS? Email us at respectingthebeer@gmail.com -- CREDITS Hosts: Bobby Fleshman - https://www.mcfleshmans.com/ Allison Fleshman -https://www.instagram.com/mcfleshmans/ Joel Hermansen Gary Ardnt - https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ Music by Sarah Lynn Huss - https://www.facebook.com/kevin.huss.52/ Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow - https://davidkalsow.com/ Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

August 6, 202636 min

Vinnie Cilurzo's Woes on Opening a Second Russian River Brewing Location

Vinnie returns for part 2 of our conversation! He digs into their sour beer program, what it took to open a second brewery, and experimental hops usage. We also get our classic Mt. Rushmore of Brewing. Pick up some Russian River Brewing Co: https://www.russianriverbrewing.com/ PATREON SUPPORT patreon.com/respectingthebeerpodcast Uncut episodes with bonus content Access to exclusive beers Access to 50-minute video tour of McFleshman's FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer QUESTIONS? Email us at respectingthebeer@gmail.com -- CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Respecting the Beer! 02:14 Barrels Bacteria Coolship 04:21 Market Shift and Quality 06:57 Pilot Brewery Hop Trials 08:56 Hop Breeders Shape IPA 12:16 Russian River 110 Fundraiser 14:03 Building the Dream Brewery 19:45 Independence and Growth Mindset 22:11 Needed or Wanted Windsor 24:18 Sustainability CO2 Water 27:51 Construction Mistakes and Support 29:36 Food and Restaurant Realities 31:02 Death Row Beer Flight 35:33 Support us on Patreon! -- CREDITS Hosts: Bobby Fleshman - https://www.mcfleshmans.com/ Allison Fleshman -https://www.instagram.com/mcfleshmans/ Joel Hermansen Gary Ardnt - https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ Music by Sarah Lynn Huss - https://www.facebook.com/kevin.huss.52/ Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow - https://davidkalsow.com/ Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

July 30, 202632 min

Russian River Brewing Co's Vinnie Cilurzo on Pliny the Elder and Hops

Vinnie shares the origin story of Russian River Brewing Company, how he and his wife, Natalie took over and kept it alive. He also tells all about their most popular beer: Pliny the Elder, the standard for IPAs. Part 1 of 2! Pick up some Russian River Brewing Co: https://www.russianriverbrewing.com/ PATREON SUPPORT patreon.com/respectingthebeerpodcast Uncut episodes with bonus content Access to exclusive beers Access to 50-minute video tour of McFleshman's FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer QUESTIONS? Email us at respectingthebeer@gmail.com -- CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Respecting the Beer! 01:27 Welcome Vinnie Cilurzo! 04:20 Founding Russian River 05:14 Pliny the Elder Origins 09:40 Pliny Younger Releases 11:02 Inspired Brewers and Tornado 15:40 Decker Slash Story 18:46 Early IPA Influences 22:55 Simcoe Hop Deep Dive 27:48 STS Pils and Lager Focus 31:52 Support us on Patreon! -- CREDITS Hosts: Bobby Fleshman - https://www.mcfleshmans.com/ Allison Fleshman -https://www.instagram.com/mcfleshmans/ Joel Hermansen Gary Ardnt - https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ Music by Sarah Lynn Huss - https://www.facebook.com/kevin.huss.52/ Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow - https://davidkalsow.com/ Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

July 23, 202643 min

Taplist: Scapegoat Bock LIVE at Tardigrade's Bookshelf

Live form the Tardigrade's Bookshelf, the gang dives into bock beers and the story of Scapegoat, McFleshman's take on a bock. Bonus content that didn't make the main feed, Q&A with the audience and business owner woes as we interview the owner's of the venue. Visit the Tardigrade's Bookshelf in Appleton, WI: https://www.tardigradesbookshelf.com/ PATREON SUPPORT patreon.com/respectingthebeerpodcast Uncut episodes with bonus content Access to exclusive beers Access to 50-minute video tour of McFleshman's FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer QUESTIONS? Email us at respectingthebeer@gmail.com -- CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Respecting the Beer LIVE 01:04 Venue Vibes 02:10 Bock Beer History 04:44 Goats and Doppelbock 06:59 Water and Yeast 08:56 Augustiner Yeast Love 12:36 Yeast Drift and Repitching 18:28 Malt Builds the Bock 23:09 Sweetness vs Maltiness 26:21 Beer Poker Tradition 27:42 Decoction and Melanoidins 29:04 Scapegoat Name Story 32:45 Hops for Balance 34:36 Ingredient Sourcing Small Brewery 35:10 Why Hop Farms Matter 35:40 Scapegoat Vibe Pairings 37:02 Maibock Versus Bock 38:34 Minty Hops And Timing 40:15 Golden Bock Market Talk 41:09 Tardigrades Tap List 42:21 Tardigrade's Bookshelf Plugs 43:03 Support us on Patreon! -- CREDITS Hosts: Bobby Fleshman - https://www.mcfleshmans.com/ Allison Fleshman -https://www.instagram.com/mcfleshmans/ Joel Hermansen Gary Ardnt - https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ Music by Sarah Lynn Huss - https://www.facebook.com/kevin.huss.52/ Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow - https://davidkalsow.com/ Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

July 16, 202640 min

Taste Testing First Time Homebrew w/ Screaming Hound Homebrewers

Jamison and Delaney of Screaming Hound Home Brewing join us for some candid feedback from a pro! Bobby and Decker share some notes on some samples and offer some encouragement to these two young homebrewers. Bonuses you won't hear on the main feed: Taste test brew #3, an iteration of the amber and Jamison's solutions for highly pressurized bottles. Want to try Screaming Hound brews? Join the Green Bay Rackers Homebrew Club! https://www.rackers.org/ PATREON SUPPORT patreon.com/respectingthebeerpodcast Uncut episodes with bonus content Access to exclusive beers Access to 50-minute video tour of McFleshman's FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer QUESTIONS? Email us at respectingthebeer@gmail.com -- CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Respecting the Beer! 01:42 Why They Started Brewing 04:02 Apartment Brewing Gear Talk 06:47 First Brews and Saison Disaster 09:37 Oktoberfest Tasting and Bottle Conditioning 16:20 Extract Sweetness and Boilovers 21:35 Next Sample Corn Amber Experiment 22:21 Taming the Corn Flavor 22:46 Carbonation Chaos and Aging 23:55 California Common Breakdown 25:48 Hops Choices and Storage 29:44 Hop Sensitivity and Gruit Ideas 33:46 Bottle Reuse and New Glarus Tips 35:28 Homebrew Club and Water Chemistry 38:56 Brewing Advice and Wrap Up 39:58 Support us on Patreon! -- CREDITS Hosts: Bobby Fleshman - https://www.mcfleshmans.com/ Allison Fleshman -https://www.instagram.com/mcfleshmans/ Joel Hermansen Gary Ardnt - https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ Music by Sarah Lynn Huss - https://www.facebook.com/kevin.huss.52/ Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow - https://davidkalsow.com/ Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

July 9, 202644 min

Gary Arndt on Beer, Host of Everything Everywhere Daily

We turn the tables on Gary Arndt! Beer drinker and idea man. Allison, Bobby, and Decker ask about his favorite podcast moments, curiosity driving his wildly successful podcast, and what's next for him. Listen to Gary's podcast: https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ PATREON SUPPORT patreon.com/respectingthebeerpodcast Uncut episodes with bonus content Access to exclusive beers Access to 50-minute video tour of McFleshman's FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer QUESTIONS? Email us at respectingthebeer@gmail.com -- CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Respecting the Beer 00:44 Naming McFleshmans Bits 01:51 Gary The Idea Guy 03:02 Why Podcasts Open Doors 06:34 Beer Learning And Buzzwords 09:43 Curiosity And Quantum Detour 10:21 Marketing Reality And Stairs 12:33 Mastering Many Beer Styles 14:51 Careers Focus And Entrepreneurship 19:04 Exit Plans And Employee Ownership 21:29 Gary's Most Memorable Podcast Moment 22:42 Water Chemistry And World Beer Cup 24:20 Gary's Favorite Guest 27:02 Gary's REAL Memorable Moment 27:48 Threading the Nerd Needle 29:04 Podcast Growth Plans 30:28 Completionist Club 31:54 Live Show Tour Ideas 34:50 Gary's Last Travel Goals 37:48 Marshall Islands Stories 41:10 Everything Everywhere Beer 42:32 Support us on Patreon! -- CREDITS Hosts: Bobby Fleshman - https://www.mcfleshmans.com/ Allison Fleshman -https://www.instagram.com/mcfleshmans/ Joel Hermansen Gary Ardnt - https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ Music by Sarah Lynn Huss - https://www.facebook.com/kevin.huss.52/ Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow - https://davidkalsow.com/ Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co

July 2, 202642 min

McFleshman's Flavor Adventures w/ Aaron Reimers

Meet Aaron “Flavor Baaron” Reimers! Bobby and Allison turn the mic on in-house brewer Aaron Reimers. Aaron shares his journey from sculpture artist to brewing. It's not the normal route we usually hear! He also gives you a peek behind the curtain of some of the beer experiments McFleshman's. PATREON SUPPORT patreon.com/respectingthebeerpodcast Uncut episodes with bonus content Access to exclusive beers Access to 50-minute video tour of McFleshman's FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/respectingthebeer QUESTIONS? Email us at respectingthebeer@gmail.com -- CHAPTERS 01:58 Aaron Origin Story 06:52 NA And Cider Mission 08:39 Dunkelweizen Obsession 11:38 Brewing Science Banana Notes 13:51 Oh Crap Mead Explosion 19:30 Bobby Sharpie Chaos 22:56 Pencil Paper Patterns 23:53 Brewing Without Homebrew 25:02 Hiring Trainable Talent 25:38 Pilot System Learning 27:03 Color Theory In Drinks 28:52 Purple Pink Blue Challenges 30:48 Wax Dips Presentation 32:10 Swiss Army Brewery Days 36:00 Schedules Chaos Problem Solving 37:37 Black Friday Flavor RnD 40:04 Tinctures Extract Lab 42:00 Wrap Up And Credits 42:31 Support us on Patreon! -- CREDITS Hosts: Bobby Fleshman - https://www.mcfleshmans.com/ Allison Fleshman -https://www.instagram.com/mcfleshmans/ Joel Hermansen Gary Ardnt - https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ Music by Sarah Lynn Huss - https://www.facebook.com/kevin.huss.52/ Recorded & Produced by David Kalsow - https://davidkalsow.com/ Brought to you by McFleshman's Brewing Co