Shock Top's Candy Corn Beer, Sapporo Layoffs at Stone Escondido and "Chuck Ducking Knows How to Party"

Shock Top teams up with Spirit Halloween on a candy corn beer, Sam Adams front-of-house staff vote to unionize, and Sapporo layoffs at the former Stone Brewing facility in Escondido will reach 272 workers. The new Craft Beer Republic episode, "Chuck Ducking Knows How to Party," also brings back Poop Beer Gate and introduces a 76-year-old Florida man with a silver cup full of rum.

Shock Top and Spirit Halloween Make a Candy Corn Beer

Tilray's Shock Top is partnering with Spirit Halloween on a limited-edition candy corn wheat beer, and Spirit Halloween will also sell wedge head jumpsuits based on Shock Top's orange slice mascot.

Flex likes candy corn but hates Shock Top, ever since a Shock Top pumpkin beer from 2010 or so turned out to taste exactly like Shock Top. Greg once had a party guest bring Shock Top, drink all of his good beer, and leave the Shock Tops behind.

North Coast Brewing Gives Old Rasputin a Little Brother

North Coast Brewing is rolling out a 4.5% companion to its 9% Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout. Greg and Flex are on board, as long as it keeps the flavor.

Sam Adams Front-of-House Staff Vote to Unionize

Front-of-house staff at the Sam Adams Boston brewery voted to unionize. The 27-member bargaining unit will join United Food and Commercial Workers Local 328.

Sapporo Layoffs at the Former Stone Brewing Facility

Sapporo USA's layoffs will total 272 workers once the shutdown of the former Stone Brewing facilities in Escondido is complete. A first phase of 58 layoffs was set for October 19, with a second round of 212 between November 13 and November 27. Greg and Flex note the holiday timing could have been planned a little better.

Pop-Tarts Pulls the Plug on BuzzBallz

Pop-Tarts' parent company ended its collaboration with BuzzBallz after accusations that the Pop-Tarts-inspired flavors could appeal to minors. Greg and Flex point out that plenty of grown adults love blue raspberry too.

Poop Beer Gate: The White Russian Blonde Ale

Listener Mike writes in about a White Russian blonde ale full of brown floaters. When he asked if that was normal, the bartender said, "Yeah, I think so."

That kicks off a round of craft beer horror stories, including Flex's $15 movie theater Cream City Crusher that tasted like coconut from the first sip. Greg can count on one hand the beers he's sent back, including a flat pilsner where the server asked if he wanted the same beer again.

Chuck Ducking Knows How to Party

A 76-year-old Florida man named Charles Ducking was pulled over for swerving in Polk County. He held up a silver cup and told the deputy, "This here is my rum," then allegedly admitted to a line of cocaine about ten minutes earlier. He had also been arrested for DUI four months before. Rum and coke takes on a whole new meaning.

Beers We're Drinking

Flex: Phase Three Brewing Spring Road

Flex is drinking Spring Road from Phase Three Brewing, a 7.7% double dry hopped hazy double IPA he bought mostly for the trippy can and calls light, well rounded and very tasty.

Greg: Fidens Brewing Impulse

Greg is drinking Impulse from Fidens Brewing, a 7.5% IPA with Galaxy, Citra and Motueka hops, courtesy of Non-Murderer John. It looks like a cup of juice and tastes as good as it looks.

Listen to Craft Beer Republic: Chuck Ducking Knows How to Party

"Chuck Ducking Knows How to Party" is available now from Craft Beer Republic, with Greg and Flex covering craft beer news, Shock Top, North Coast Brewing, Sam Adams, Stone Brewing, Phase Three Brewing, Fidens Brewing, Poop Beer Gate and one very honest Florida man. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app!