Lost Coast Brewing Up for Sale, Budweiser’s Fourth of July Beer Giveaway, and Alaska’s Strict Brewery Laws

Lost Coast Brewing Enters the Market After Nearly Four Decades

One of California's longest-running craft breweries could soon have new ownership. During this week's Craft Beer Republic episode, Greg and Flex discuss news that Lost Coast Brewing founder Barbara Groom is seeking a buyer as she prepares for retirement after leading the Eureka brewery for 37 years.

Lost Coast Brewing opened its original brewpub in 1989 before expanding into a 75,000-square-foot production brewery in 2014. The brewery and downtown Eureka brewpub both remain open while ownership discussions move forward. The story joins a growing list of brewery acquisition and succession conversations across the craft beer industry.

Budweiser Offers Free Beer for the Fourth of July

Budweiser is celebrating America's 250th birthday with a digital promotion offering eligible consumers a $6 gift card toward a draft Budweiser at participating locations.

Greg and Flex discuss the practical side of the promotion, including the challenge of finding participating bars and whether six dollars actually covers a draft beer in many markets.

Alaska's Brewery Laws Continue to Stand Out

A photo sent in by listeners during a brewery visit in Alaska sparks a conversation about some of the state's unique brewery regulations.

The hosts highlight restrictions including a 9 p.m. last call, a 36-ounce beer limit, and rules prohibiting entertainment inside breweries. Compared with many other states, Alaska remains one of the country's most restrictive environments for brewery taprooms.

Four Loko Expands With Nine Loko

The makers of Four Loko are introducing Nine Loko, a cannabinoid beverage containing THC, CBD, and CBG. The new product will launch in Dreamsicle and Galactic Punch flavors.

The announcement prompts plenty of skepticism from both hosts as cannabis beverages continue to expand alongside traditional alcoholic beverage offerings.

Episode Conversations

Outside the week's beer news, Greg discovers that five hazy IPAs don't recover quite as easily as they once did, while Flex shares both his best and worst recent beer purchases. A hazy pale ale from Elm Creek Brewing becomes an early favorite, while a cucumber lime blond ale quickly earns a rare drain pour.

The conversation also wanders into Fourth of July traditions, including Greg's annual strategy of using action movies and household noise to help his dog stay calm during fireworks, before an extended discussion about Nicolas Cage films unexpectedly takes over.

Featured Beers

• Road Trippin' - Elm Creek Brewing Company - Hazy Pale Ale

• Born Into Light - Everywhere Brewing - Hazy IPA

• Butcher's Gold - Hop Butcher for the World - Lager brewed with Mount Hood hops

• Athletic Brewing Hazy IPA - Non-alcoholic Hazy IPA

  
  

Listen Now

The latest episode of Craft Beer Republic is available now with discussion covering brewery acquisition news, craft beer industry headlines, new beer releases, and the conversations that happen whenever Greg and Flex sit down with a couple of beers. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app!