Welcome to another frosty fresh episode of Craft Beer Republic! Greg is back from his globe-trotting adventures, Flex is still the Director of the Health Ministry (whatever that means), and we welcome the smartest beer drinker we know, Intern Brian, who’s actually a real lawyer—unlike Greg’s pretend legal expertise. We break down Pringles' questionable decision to release Miller Lite Beer Can Chicken chips (Flex is already hoarding them) and, in a story that will make you cross your legs in sympathy, a Canadian man learns the hard way why you should always wear a belt in a bar fight—especially in subzero temps. Oh, and there’s beer. Lots of beer.

Beers We’re Drinking

• Greg and Brian are sipping on Wondrous Brewing's Gromky, a crisp West Coast Pilsner.
• Flex dives back into Phase Three Brewing with Velvet Vortex, a hazy double dry-hopped IPA.
• The squad samples El Segundo’s Spark Plug Light IPA, a 4% attempt at a sessionable IPA. Brian drinks it under protest, Greg wants his hops back, and Flex didn’t miss a thing.

Greg is fresh off a Bay Area beer pilgrimage, bringing back tales of pilsners, lagers, and his ongoing battle with TSA over confiscated cans. Flex makes a triumphant return to Phase Three Brewing after a two-year beer boycott, and Brian drops way too much legal knowledge on beer label laws. Speaking of legal nerdiness, the crew continues their deep dive into what breweries are actually required to print on their cans, uncovering why some beers list their ABV and others don’t. Also, Greg debates his royal title in the Craft Beer Republic (King Greg? El Presidente? Supreme Overlord of the Haze?), and the gang somehow goes down a very passionate rabbit hole about onions.

Booze News

• San Francisco’s iconic Tornado Beer Bar is up for sale! Who’s pitching in to buy it?
• IPAs continue their reign of terror, topping $2.27 billion in sales in 2024. Hazy vs. West Coast—who’s winning?
• Sapporo Stone Brewing is making cuts, axing employees and shutting down their e-commerce. No more beer or merch shipped to your door.
• Pringles drops a Miller Lite Beer Can Chicken flavor, and Flex is already clearing room in his pantry.
• A Canadian man learns the hard way that pants are important in sub-zero temps. The rest of us learn…well, nothing, but we do laugh a lot.

Flex: Instagram: @flex_me_a_beer

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