Beer In Front

291 Kalm With Kava

This week we’re doing something a little different… but don’t worry, there’s still beer involved. 🎙 Guest: Morgan Smith – CEO of Kalm With Kava. Dave sits down with Morgan Smith from Kalm With Kava to talk about kava — the traditional South Pacific root drink known for its calming, social effects. Kava doesn’t give you a “buzz” like alcohol or THC. Instead, it delivers a mellow, relaxed feeling that helps take the edge off without fogging your head. What We Covered:What kava is and how it’s been used for 3,000+ years in places like Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, and HawaiiHow kava differs from alcohol and cannabisDrug testing concerns (spoiler: generally safe, with a rare caveat)The liver safety myth and where it came fromHow kava is traditionally prepared (yes, there’s a massage involved)Modern options: instant kava, gummies, tincturesKava bars popping up across the U.S.The cultural significance of kava in Polynesian communitiesBuilding a brand responsibly within a deeply rooted traditionDave also shares his own experience trying kava:Instant mix = earthy but manageableNoticeable calming effectSlept like a championIf you’re cutting back on alcohol or just looking for something different, this is worth checking out. 👉 Learn more: KalmWithKava.com (with a K!)👉 Also available on Amazon — make sure you search the correct brand. Put it in the cart!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-in-front--5704447/support.Beer Media Group

290 Goat Patch Brewing

Sometimes the beer in front of you really is the best one yet—and this week’s episode proves it. Dave heads back to Colorado to catch up with Justin Grant, co-owner of Goat Patch Brewing Company in Colorado Springs. Since opening in 2017, Goat Patch has built a reputation for balance: balanced beers, balanced business decisions, and deep roots in the community. From award-winning Scottish ales to hazy IPAs, lagers, and Italian pilsners, Goat Patch has something for just about every palate. Justin shares the origin story of Goat Patch, how the brewery got its name, and why “Home of Balanced Brews” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a philosophy. 🍺 In This Episode:The story behind the Goat Patch name and logoWhy balance and variety have been core to their brewing philosophy from day oneNavigating the rise of hazy IPAs while still brewing classic stylesWhat it means to be a veteran-owned brewery in Colorado SpringsThe Bleating Heart Initiative and Goat Patch’s commitment to giving backAcquiring and rebranding the former Pikes Peak Brewing locationLessons learned from COVID, growth, and adding food programsAdvice for anyone thinking about opening a brewery todayJustin’s go-to shift beers (including that Italian pils 👀)📰 Beer & Beverage News:Ball Corporation selling out aluminum can inventory through 2027RadCraft hosting a media relations seminar for breweriesDovetail Brewery’s “Thank You for Smoking” rauchbier brunch in ChicagoDry January alcohol sales actually increased year-over-yearNorth Carolina & Colorado Pint Day glass designs revealedKeystone Light Apple is… a thing now 🍎🦅🍺 Beer In Front of Me: Going Places IPA from Hopewell Brewing (Chicago)A bright, balanced IPA that lands somewhere between West Coast and hazy—easy drinking, flavorful, and worth picking up if you see it. 🎧 Listen now and hear why Goat Patch Brewing continues to thrive by staying balanced—on tap and beyond. If you’d like to support the show, head over to Patreon.com/BeerInFrontThanks for listening, and remember: sometimes the beer in front of you is the best one yet.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-in-front--5704447/support.Beer Media Group

289 Get Dave A Zima!

🍺 Beer In Front — Episode 289 Wet February Begins, Brewery Closures, Zima Dreams & Barrel-Aged Beers Episode 289 kicks off with Dry January officially in the rearview mirror and Wet February underway. Host Dave Zalatoris reflects on dropping 10 pounds during January, the success of his non-drinking month, and a massive surge in YouTube growth—even without beer-heavy content. But it’s not all good news. Dave talks about troubling brewery closures in the Chicago area, urges listeners to support local breweries while they can, and dives headfirst into beer and beverage news from across the country. And yes… the quest to Get Dave a Zima is officially on. 🍻 This Episode Covers:Dry January results, weight loss, and keeping things balanced in Wet FebruaryRecord-breaking YouTube growth and why non-beer content helpedChicago brewery closures, including Alarmist and Short Fuse BrewingWhy supporting local breweries matters more than everThe nostalgia, history, and comeback attempts of Zima—and why Dave needs one nowBeer and beverage news from around the country📰 Beer & Beverage News Highlights:Short Fuse Brewing (IL) closing after 10 years due to lease and cost pressuresGreat Lakes Brewing teasing an Apple Pie variant of Eliot NessBell’s Brewery announcing Citrus Hopslam (10% ABV)Craft Maltsters Guild hosting an advanced malt production course at Montana StateTHC beverages arriving at Chicago’s United CenterBeatBox Beverages layoffs following Anheuser-Busch acquisitionNew Voodoo Ranger x Invincible Blood Orange IPAAlesmith, Societe Brewing & Modern Monk Coffee collaborationGreat American Beer Festival moving outdoors in DenverYes… a beer brewed with bear scat (and Dave has thoughts)🍺 Beer Reviews:Revolution Brewing – Deth Urana (Deep Wood Series)Barrel-aged imperial stout with cinnamon, coconut, and maple notes👉 Verdict: Put it in the cart immediatelyFirestone Walker – Double Barrel Ale (DBA)Oak-fermented classic celebrating Firestone Walker’s 30th anniversary👉 Verdict: Crushable, balanced, and outstandingBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-in-front--5704447/support.Beer Media Group

288 Enjoy Your Pause With Comma

🍻 Beer In Front – Episode 288 Guest: Kevin Waltermire, Co-Founder of CommaThanks to a listener assist, Episode 288 is stacked—from THC-infused non-alcoholic beer to industry news, Dry January reflections, and a pair of solid beer reviews to close things out. 🍺 🎙️ This Week’s Interview Dave is joined by Kevin Waltermire, co-founder of Comma, a THC-infused non-alcoholic beer brand built for people who love beer culture but want a different kind of buzz. What you’ll hear in the conversation:Why Comma focuses on “pauses” instead of quitting alcohol altogetherHow Comma differs from THC seltzers (spoiler: it’s actually brewed)The role of THC, CBD, and Lion’s Mane in creating a social, balanced experienceWhy Comma avoids shaming drinkers and embraces beer cultureWhere THC beverages fit into the future of craft beerThoughts on regulation, age-gating, dosage limits, and synthetic THCWhat new beer styles (and even wine 👀) Comma is exploring next🛒 Where to find Comma:Direct-to-consumer at enjoycomma.comChicago area bottle shops including Garfield’sAlcohol-alternative retailers nationwide📰 Beer & Beverage NewsA bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act could lower swipe fees for small businesses, including breweriesAllagash Brewing Company announces a Maine Blueberry Ale coming this springBoulevard Brewing Company releases a Dubai-style chocolate ale (13.5% ABV, limited availability)BuzzBallz launches a pink diamond engagement ring promo for Valentine’s DayFirestone Walker Brewing Company reveals the brewery lineup for the 2026 Firestone Walker Invitational (tickets on sale February 4)🧃 Dry January Check-InDave wraps up his final week of Dry JanuaryDown 7 pounds and feeling good heading into what promises to be a “wet February”🍺 Beer Reviews Non-Alcoholic Review:Galaxy Ripple Imperial IPA from Best Day Brewing65 caloriesWest Coast-leaning bitterness with solid hop characterA standout NA option worth grabbingRegular Beer Review:Farm to Fist Fresh Hop IPA from Revolution Brewing7.5% ABVCentennial, Crystal, Amarillo & Comet hopsA must-buy for West Coast and fresh-hop fans🍻 Final Thoughts From THC beverages and NA beer to fresh hop IPAs and industry policy, this episode hits a little bit of everything. Big thanks to Kevin Waltermire for the conversation—and as always… Sometimes the beer in front of you is the best one yet.Enjoy CommaHemp Beverage AllianceBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-in-front--5704447/support.Beer Media Group

287 The Business Of Beer

Data, Dollars, and the Business of Beer (feat. Matt Gacioch, Brewers Association) Host: Dave ZalatorisNetwork: Beer Media GroupCraft beer isn’t just passion projects and taproom vibes — it’s big business. On Episode 287 of Beer In Front, Dave digs into the numbers, trends, and realities shaping today’s beer industry with Matt Gacioch, staff economist at the Brewers Association. From rising costs and tighter margins to non-alcoholic growth and why January is brutal for breweries, this episode takes a clear-eyed look at where craft beer stands in 2026 — and where it’s headed.What You’ll Hear in This Episode The State of Craft Beer in 2026Why craft beer has shifted from “If you build it, they will come” to a Moneyball-style, data-driven industryWhat a “maturing market” actually means for breweriesWhy neighborhood taprooms and hospitality matter more than everCosts, Tariffs, and Tight MarginsHow aluminum, equipment tariffs, and inflation are squeezing breweriesWhy many breweries can’t raise prices without losing customersThe looming impact of 10-year lease renewals from the 2010s boomClosures vs. Openings: Context MattersWhy more closures than openings sounds scarier than it really isThe difference between individual brewery pain and industry-wide healthWhy shuttered brewery spaces are staying empty longerWhat Business Models Are WorkingWhy hyper-local, hospitality-focused breweries are holding up betterHow large regional craft breweries benefit from economies of scaleWhy distribution is harder — but not impossible — for new entrantsNon-Alcoholic & Low-ABV Beer GrowthWhy NA beer still has major runwayThe importance of occasion-based drinkingHow local breweries making NA versions of flagship beers could push the category forwardThe Rise of the 19.2oz StovepipeWhy high-ABV stovepipes make sense in today’s economyGen Z drinking myths vs. what the data actually showsSurviving Dry JanuaryWhy January is always the toughest month for breweriesProgramming, community, and creativity as survival toolsWhy breweries need to offer more than “just beer” in winterReasons for OptimismCraft beer’s role as a social connectorWhy community still wins — even in uncertain timesWhy beer isn’t a fad, and never has been🍻 Beers Featured on the Show Beer In Front (NA Edition)NA Ninja vs. Unicorn – Pipeworks Brewing CompanyA standout non-alcoholic double IPA with real body, foam, and bitterness — proof that NA beer keeps getting better.Additional Beer ReviewTurbo Reaper IPA – Three Floyds BrewingA West Coast-leaning IPA with bold can art, solid hop character, and easy availability (yes, even at Target).📰 Beer & Beverage News HighlightsDos Equis brings back The Most Interesting Man in the WorldGoose Island announces a new barrel-aged stout Ska Brewing enters the low-dose THC beverage spaceDogfish Head collaborates with Survivor on a new IPAAmerican Airlines adds Athletic Brewing NA beer to flightsSierra Nevada doubles down on sustainabilityAlarmist Brewing announces closure — a tough loss for Chicago beerBrewers AssociationBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-in-front--5704447/support.Beer Media Group