Craft Beer Industry Trends, Anchor Brewing Revival, and Weird Beer Culture Take Center Stage on Craft Beer Republic
- CraftBeerRepublic
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
The latest episode of Craft Beer Republic covers several ongoing shifts in the craft beer industry, including the possible return of Anchor Brewing, changing consumer preferences around beer styles, and continued discussion around how breweries market themselves after the post-pandemic boom years.
Greg and Flex are joined by Utah Brewers Guild Executive Director Steph, who offers perspective on how breweries and guilds are adapting as the industry moves away from the extreme beer trends that dominated the Covid era. The conversation touches on smoothie beers, overloaded lactose stouts, and the renewed popularity of lagers, pilsners, and lower-ABV beer styles.
The episode also includes one of the stranger beer stories in recent memory: a Danish brewery using human urine fertilizer to grow barley for a beer called Pisner.
Anchor Brewing Appears Closer to a Return
One of the biggest craft beer news stories discussed involves Anchor Brewing Company and new signs that the historic San Francisco brewery could be preparing for a comeback.
Recent certificate of label approval filings for Anchor Steam Beer and Old Foghorn surfaced through the TTB, adding to speculation that Anchor Brewing may resume production under ownership tied to Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya.
The discussion also highlights how significant Anchor Brewing remains to American craft beer history, particularly for West Coast brewing culture and San Francisco beer tourism.
Craft Beer Marketing and American Craft Beer Week
The episode spends considerable time discussing broader craft beer industry trends, particularly around brewery marketing and consumer engagement.
Greg, Flex, and Steph discuss how American Craft Beer Week once felt like a major national event but now receives far less visibility across brewery social channels and beer communities. The conversation expands into larger questions about how craft breweries connect with newer drinkers and whether the industry became too focused on novelty beers during the pandemic era.
Steph points to breweries returning to more traditional beer styles, including pilsners, lagers, and approachable session-strength beers, as part of a larger industry reset.
Brewery Closures and Craft Beer Industry Pressure
The episode also covers the announced closure of Minneapolis brewery Bauhaus Brew Labs after 12 years in business.
The brewery cited rising supply chain costs, shifting consumer habits, lingering pandemic effects, and local economic pressure as contributing factors. The discussion examines how breweries have attempted to diversify revenue streams through THC beverages, hard seltzers, nonalcoholic beer, events, and contract packaging while still struggling in the current market.
New Jersey craft beer regulations also come up after the nomination of former ABC official Paul Revere to lead the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, reviving concerns among brewery owners about restrictive taproom policies.
The Beer Culture Stories Get Weird
Outside the industry discussion, the episode gets into several very specific beer culture rabbit holes.
The crew debates whether anyone would willingly drink beer made from barley fertilized with human urine after hearing about the Danish Pisner project. The conversation turns into a discussion about composting, sustainability, and where most people draw the line with experimental beer ingredients.
There is also an extended detour into Cincinnati chili, Wisconsin drinking stereotypes, Utah mountain lions, and why Florida might be best represented by a state flag featuring a grenade-carrying alligator.
Featured Beers
Big Time Cheesin’ — RAR Brewing x EverywhereA West Coast IPA brewed with Cascade, Riwaka, Citra, Nectarine, and Galaxy hops.
Rainforest Cafeteria — Ogden Beer Company x Melvin BrewingA West Coast pilsner brewed for Utah’s mashup beer festival using Mosaic and Cascade hops.
Liquid Candy — Tarantula Hill Brewing CompanyA hazy IPA brewed with Citra and Motueka hops featuring a soft mouthfeel and tropical fruit character.
Listen to the Latest Craft Beer Republic Episode
“Please Don’t Fertilize the Beer” is available now on Craft Beer Republic, featuring craft beer news, brewery industry discussion, and beer culture stories. Find Batch 513 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts!
