BeerWise Podcast

Ep. 50: Danielle Vergnaud-McKinnon of Sky Puppy Brewing talks about bats, walls, and community building a brewery

Send us a textA crumbling Ybor firehouse. Three brick walls and a floor of dirt. A bronze bat that sparked a movement. We sit down with Danielle Vergnaud-McKinnon of Sky Puppy Brewing for a vivid look at how design, community, and patience turned near-ruins into one of Tampa’s most thoughtful taprooms.Danielle shares how her retail and visual design background shaped the brewery’s “brewhouse vista,” a mezzanined stage that lets guests see stainless, follow the process, and connect the dots from mash to pint. We dig into Sky Puppy’s rotating gallery wall—where 100% of sales go back to local artists—and the monthly nonprofit partnerships that make the space more than a bar. From a wildlife photographer’s owl showcase with Owl’s Nest Sanctuary to a year-long artist reunion, the taproom doubles as a welcoming gallery that lowers the barrier to both art and craft beer.We explore the brand story behind the bat, inspired by sculptor Copper Tritchiller’s humanized forms and a serendipitous act of generosity that pushed the brewery dream forward. Danielle walks us through the naming ethos, sky-and-bat label art, and the curated 13-tap lineup at 1313 E 8th Ave. Expect crisp lagers, pilsners, and West Coast IPAs alongside Scotch ales and side-by-side American and English barleywines—served with education-first hospitality: samples, aroma coaching, and palate mapping that build trust. We also get into the gritty build: excavating 21 inches of earth, bracing historic brick, and the hilariously stubborn reality of moving grain upstairs before the stairs existed.If you care about brewery design, Ybor City history, community-building, and style education, this conversation is loaded with insights. We talk growth without distribution, why Sky Puppy remains direct-to-guest, and how a neighborhood brewery can become a civic gallery where curiosity thrives and culture compounds. Subscribe, share with a beer-loving friend, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.

Ep. 49: Khris Johnson of Green Bench Brewing believes beer brings people together

Send us a textThe history of a city lives in its landmarks—some beautiful, some painful, all part of the collective story. For Khris Johnson, head brewer and co-owner of Green Bench Brewing in St. Petersburg, reclaiming one such symbol became the foundation of a brewing philosophy that balances exceptional beer with social responsibility.Green Bench draws its name from the 3,000+ green benches that once dotted downtown St. Petersburg, marketed as symbols of community but tainted by segregation policies that prohibited Black residents from using them. Khris explains this wasn't a name chosen lightly: "These were some serious conversations we had internally... We have to understand what we're actually saying to our community." By acknowledging this difficult history, Green Bench commits to creating a truly inclusive space that delivers on the original promise of community.This commitment extends beyond symbolism. Khris serves as a founding board member of the National Black Brewers Alliance of America and the Michael James Jackson Foundation, working to increase diversity in brewing industry ownership and production. His involvement with these organizations reflects Green Bench's holistic approach to building a more inclusive craft beer culture.The technical aspects of brewing receive equal attention as Khris offers a masterclass in decoction mashing—a traditional technique that creates distinctive flavors impossible to achieve through simpler methods. His passion for these time-intensive processes speaks to a broader philosophy: "I find tradition to be quite innovative... It's not something that most people understand because they don't do it anymore."From the development of their flagship Sunshine City IPA to their pioneering lager program, Khris demonstrates how Green Bench has evolved with the craft beer market while maintaining a clear identity. As lager grows in popularity, their commitment to traditional brewing methods positions them at the forefront of this trend.The conversation culminates with Johnson's most profound lesson from beer: "This industry is so much better with more people in it, with a more diverse crowd, with an inclusive group of ideas, histories, influences, and characters." It's a philosophy that makes both better beer and a better world—one pint at a time.

Ep. 48: The New Reality of Beer Hunting with Jimmy DeFrank of Lueken's Liquors

Send us a textWhat happens when rare treasures become everyday finds? Jimmy DeFrank, beer buyer for Lukens Liquors since 2001, takes us on a journey through craft beer's evolution from obscurity to mainstream and beyond.When Jimmy convinced his boss to let him stock $9.99 Belgian beers in 2001, skepticism quickly turned to amazement as weekend beer sales surpassed typical weekly numbers. Those early days—when Sierra Nevada Pale Ale constituted a "good beer section" and outdated bottle laws prevented European imports—feel almost unrecognizable compared to today's saturated market.The conversation explores watershed moments that transformed Tampa Bay from a craft beer backwater to a destination—particularly Cigar City Brewing's launch and the explosion of local breweries that followed. Jimmy paints a vivid picture of the symbiotic relationship between retailers, breweries, and passionate consumers that fueled craft beer's growth. Perhaps most fascinating is his perspective on beer hunting culture's decline: "There was a time where I would post on Facebook that we had Prairie Bomb, and I would walk up to my cashiers and say, 'Hey, 11 or 12 people are going to come in looking for this beer. I'm just going to put it behind the counter and give one per person.' And then it's hard to pinpoint at what point that just stopped, but it just stopped."Today's reality presents new challenges as beer competes with THC beverages, ready-to-drink cocktails, and bourbon for consumer attention. Yet Jimmy remains adaptable, carefully curating selections across eight locations while staying attuned to neighborhood preferences. His greatest lesson from 24 years in beer? "You've got to roll with the tides. You can't be stuck in your own ways."Whether you're nostalgic for craft beer's heyday or curious about where the industry is heading next, this conversation offers invaluable perspective from someone who's witnessed every twist and turn. What's your take on craft beer's journey? Subscribe and share your thoughts!

Ep. 47: Jack Hendler of Jack's Abby Craft Lagers on Evolving American Lager Beyond German Traditions

Send us a textJack Hendler of Jack's Abbey Craft Lagers shares his journey from an ice manufacturing family to becoming a pioneering force in American craft lager brewing. His vision goes beyond recreating European styles, challenging American brewers to develop their own lager identity using local ingredients and innovative techniques while honoring traditional processes.• Family background in ice manufacturing shaped Hendler's commitment to quality and manufacturing excellence• Jack's Abbey initially brewed eccentric lager styles like IPL to establish craft credibility before transitioning to more traditional offerings• Naming and marketing of beer styles significantly impacts sales, with "IPL" struggling while terms like "Cold IPA" and "West Coast Pilsner" resonate better with consumers• Oktoberfest provides a crucial marketing opportunity for lager brewers due to its strong positive associations and consumer understanding• Hendler emphasizes the importance of heritage barley varieties and maltsters in creating distinctive lager flavors• Using American-grown malt varieties and American brewing techniques creates uniquely American lagers rather than simply copying German styles• The formation of Hendler Family Brewing Company maintains craft independence while expanding portfolio diversity• Jack believes the craft beer industry needs lager as a strong second option to IPA for long-term health and sustainabilityCheck out our supporter Coppertail Brewing, making Florida-inspired beers just outside Ybor City since 2014. Look for Freedive IPA, Night Swim Porter, Cloud Dweller Hazy IPA, or Unholy Triple throughout Florida.

Ep. 46: Talking Halfway There & Cask Fest with Sean Nordquist of TBBW and TBBA

Send us a textTampa Bay's beer scene continues to evolve in remarkable ways, with the Halfway There Beer Festival marking its 11th year and an exciting new Cask Festival joining the calendar. Sean Nordquist of the Tampa Bay Brewers Alliance shares the vision behind both events, detailing how they showcase the region's maturing craft beer community.Halfway There transforms the historic St. Petersburg Coliseum each August into an air-conditioned beer lover's paradise. This year features a creative new layout with brewery alcoves previewing major Tampa Bay Beer Week events, creating a festival-within-a-festival experience. Most exciting is the dedicated Belgian beer section, highlighting the classic imports that shaped Tampa's beer culture before being somewhat overshadowed by the local craft explosion."I was drinking a Chimay White recently and had forgotten how incredible this beer is," Nordquist shares, highlighting the importance of reconnecting with brewing heritage. The festival balances these classics alongside innovative offerings from Tampa Bay's thriving brewery scene, all with presenting sponsor Visit St. Pete/Clearwater showcasing the region's beer tourism appeal.October brings something entirely new with the first-ever Tampa Bay Cask Festival at Yuengling Brewery. This outdoor evening event celebrates the unique experience of traditional cask-conditioned ales - what Nordquist describes as "living beer" with distinctive flavors and mouthfeel. Approximately 30 breweries will participate, with Yuengling sending special casks from their Pottsville brewery. The festival will feature live Celtic music, traditional pub fare like scotch eggs, and beer-stein shaped pretzels to complement the diverse cask offerings.What makes this festival particularly special is the variety of approaches - from authentic English-style mild and brown ales to experimental craft styles like double IPAs conditioned in casks. "It's a totally different sensory experience," explains Nordquist, noting that these lower-alcohol, subtle beers create the perfect atmosphere for gathering with friends.Don't miss these celebrations of Tampa Bay's beer culture! Tickets for both events are available through tampabaybeerweek.com, but capacity is limited to around 800 people for each festival, so early purchase is recommended for these showcase events highlighting the region's world-class beer community.