This Beer Has Balls

This Beer Has Balls

Author: Craft Beer Republic March 18, 2026 Duration: 34:05

Welcome in to the bat cave of craft beer. Greg is drinking free beer and it actually holds up, Flex is deep into his no-drinking stretch and catching heat for it, and Fontana Jim comes in hot with a full rules breakdown. There are some big brewery moves, a new segment featuring a beer made with bull testicles, and a reminder that DoorDashing champagne to a kid’s birthday party is always an option.

Beers We’re Drinking:

  1. Greg is drinking Dad Strength IPA from Dad Strength Brewing, a low-calorie West Coast IPA with a light body and piney bite.

Flex is nearly a month into no drinking and realizing warm weather, snow days, and productivity all feel like they should come with a beer, while Greg is out here DoorDashing champagne to a family party like it’s completely normal. Fontana Jim checks in just to absolutely unload on Flex for his version of Lent, which leads to a full debate about whether Sundays count and if any of it matters anyway. And thanks to Scott, Greg introduces a new segment involving beers with gross origins, which quickly turns into a full conversation about eating bull testicles with zero hesitation from Flex.

Booze News:

  1. Sycamore Brewing reopens as Club West after ownership change
  2. Tilray deal closes 38 BrewDog bars and cuts hundreds of jobs
  3. Half Acre and Maplewood merge into Chicago beverage company
  4. Michigan moves to raise ABV cap on canned cocktails

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Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

Craft Beer Republic: CraftBeerRepublic.com

  1. Instagram: @CraftBeerRepublic
  2. Facebook: CraftBeerRepublicPod
  3. Threads: CraftBeerRepublic
  4. Voicemail: (805) 538-2337

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There's a certain magic that happens when a great beer meets a good story, and that's the space where you'll find Craft Beer Republic. More than just a tasting notes rundown, this weekly conversation feels like pulling up a stool in a friendly taproom. Each episode, released every Wednesday, dives into the vibrant world of craft brewing with a genuine curiosity for what makes a pour memorable. You'll get a thoughtful breakdown of the latest releases and essential industry news, but the heart of the podcast lies in the conversations. The hosts regularly sit down with the brewers, innovators, and passionate characters who are shaping the landscape, uncovering the personal journeys and creative science behind your favorite labels. It’s for anyone who appreciates the craft, whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just beginning to explore beyond the familiar. Tune in for a blend of analysis, humor, and community that celebrates not only the beverage in your glass but the culture and connection it fosters. This is a podcast built on the idea that every beer has a narrative waiting to be shared, making each listen a new discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 403

Craft Beer Republic
Podcast Episodes
Batch275: Lawless Brewing Co. Ben Wallace & Josh McCombs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:45
Cheers to fresh beers and new breweries! Greg had the opportunity to visit Lawless Brewing in North Hollywood, CA, and sit down with owner Ben Wallace and head brewer Josh McCombs. Not only did they make their way throug…
Batch274: We're Kind Of A Big Deal In Finland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:48
Get your pizzas, pretzels, and beers; it's time for research! Erica joins Flex and Greg to talk about the return of beer festivals, mac and cheese pizza, the best place to live for drunk people, and why the great people…
Batch273: Drinking Beer with a Straw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:26
Grab your beer-straws and favorite costumes; it's time to get hydrated! Coley stops back in to hang with Flex and Greg as they talk about drinking your way through an anniversary trip, favorite costumes and corresponding…
Batch272: Shameful Beers & Explosive Tongue Jobbers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:24
Get your tongue-jobbers and lederhosen ready; we’re doing some research! Coley drops in to hang with Flex and Greg as they talk about some upcoming beer festivals embarrassing beer purchases, new breweries, and weird dri…
Batch271: Topa Topa Brewing Co. founder Jack Dyer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:48
Cheers to drinking beers with new friends! Greg had the opportunity to stop into Topa Topa Brewing Co. in Ventura, CA, to sit down with founder & CEO Jack Dyer. In addition to sharing some fantastic beers, they talk abou…
Batch270: Free Beer Scheme & Pumpkin-Spiced Awfulness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:00
To all you pumpkin spice lovers out there, welcome. This is going to be messy. Beergirl Melissa is joining Flex and Greg for a whole lot of fun. They are talking about the drunkest states in America, drinking some annive…
Batch269: West Coast Hops & The Worst Beer Ever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:37
Grab your pretzels and cold ones; it’s research time! Erica is teaming up with Flex and Greg to talk about the worst beer around, teachers getting drunk on the job, drinking beer for a good cause, and some weird drinking…
Batch268: Labor Day Pains and Hangover Donuts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:39
Still recovering from the Labor Day weekend? We’ve got you covered. Flex and Greg are getting ready for football, talking about hangover cures, trying to figure out what’s wrong with Iowa, and getting real basic with pum…
Batch267: Pancakes and Beer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:59
Time to grab those flapjacks and chill your beers! Coley is hanging with Flex and Greg while reviewing some beer and breakfast foods, drinking with elephants, and getting duct-taped on airplanes. Greg and Coley start off…
Batch266: Has Beer Jumped the Shark? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:51
Who’s ready to conduct some science? Coley joins Flex and Greg as they figure out what she’ll be drinking for a punishment beer, conduct science on two pickle beers, dig into some Beer Zombies, and try to find out why Mt…