Beer In Front

295 Admiral Maltings & Firestone Walker Sunglider

Yeah… we’re talking about malt. This week I’m joined by Ron Silberstein from Admiral Maltings, and if you think malt is just the thing that shows up on an invoice… this one might change your mind. We get into:🌾 Why malt is the backbone of beer🍺 Craft malting & California-grown barley🔥 Floor malting vs the big guys🍻 Why lagers are having a moment Plus—I crack open Sunglider from Firestone Walker👉 Bready, biscuity, super clean👉 Easy crusher when the weather finally warms up Bottom line:If you see Sun Glider… put it in the cart. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts #BeerInFront #CraftBeer #DrinkLocal #LagerLove #BeerPodcast #FirestoneWalker #AdmiralMaltings #ChicagoBeerBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-in-front--5704447/support.Beer Media Group

294 The Craft Beer Concierge

🎙️ Beer In Front – Episode 294 Craft Beer Concierge + Chicago Merger NewsDave is back with a packed episode featuring a deep dive into the evolving beer scene, a great conversation with the “Craft Beer Concierge,” and a couple of beers worth putting straight in the cart. What’s On Tap This EpisodeA major Chicago beer merger that could reshape the local sceneA conversation with Allo Gilinsky, aka the Craft Beer ConciergeBeer reviews featuring a Perennial saison and a classic Irish red from BegyleIndustry news, trends, and what’s next in craft beerAllo GilinskyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-in-front--5704447/support.Beer Media Group

293 The Wildest Story In Beer

🍺 New Episode – Beer in Front 🎙️ Quick solo show this week (yes, I sound a little congested 😅), but we’ve got a LOT to cover. 🚨 Chicagoland Closures We’re up to six brewery closures in two months.It’s a tough stretch for Illinois craft beer. If you’ve got a favorite spot — now’s the time to support them. 🌎 Beer NewsBrewDog sold to Tilray for $40M (once valued near $2B 😳)Pickle beer collab: Grillo’s x PBRFirestone Walker dropping a dragon fruit sourRevolution expanding the Cold Time lineup🐟 Deep Dive: Ballast Point From a homebrew shop…To a $1 BILLION sale…To being sold for a fraction of that…To fighting its way back to independent roots. One of the craziest stories in craft beer history. And yes — we revisited Sculpin IPA 🍊Still bitter. Still balanced. Still holds up.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-in-front--5704447/support.Beer Media Group

292 Lone Tree Brewing Company

🍺 Guest Interview: Jerry Siote – Lone Tree Brewing CompanyThis week, Dave heads back to Colorado to talk with Lone Tree Brewing Company’s Jerry Siote. Founded: 2011Locations: Lone Tree & Parker, ColoradoRecently Won: Gold Medal – Colorado Brewers Cup (Mexican Lager) 🔥 Highlights from the ConversationLone Tree’s journey from aviation & finance to brewingCelebrating 15 years and brewing their 3,000th batchWhy their Mexican Lager now accounts for nearly half of productionWinning multiple medals at the Great American Beer FestivalRefreshing their IPA lineup (and surviving customer feedback)The challenge of balancing beer vs. non-beer offeringsThe state of hazy IPA fatigue & the return of clean, drinkable lagersTravel as inspiration (Belgium 2026, perhaps?)Jerry’s take: “Beer should be the bedrock. If it’s not beer, why are we doing it?”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/beer-in-front--5704447/support.Beer Media Group

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