The delights of on-demand culture nurture our most specific proclivities and passions, no matter what they are. With the click of a button, we can access sights and sounds that are tailor-made for our hobbies and interests.
As an audio complement to streaming video services like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime, subscribing to podcasts allows listeners to curate their very own pocket-sized talk radio stations, full of the content that interests them the most.
Best beer podcasts
- Craft Beer Radio
- The Brewing Network
- Good Beer Hunting
- The Beerists
- Brew / Drink / Run
Thanks to shows like the hit NPR-produced Serial series, podcasts, which have been around for more than a decade, have finally hit the mainstream. The apps and software used for finding and subscribing to shows are becoming more advanced and easier to use. And the quantity and quality of productions is increasing exponentially.
For those interested in craft beer, there are a number of excellent podcasts available for your listening pleasure.
Craft Beer Radio
Craft Beer Radio is the OG beer podcast, having been in production since 2005. It offers a weekly roundup of informative and in-depth reviews. If you’re new to craft beer, this may be a good choice as they focus on specific styles and tasting notes. Listening to others taste beer and describe their palate interactions is the perfect way to improve your own tasting skills.
The Brewing Network
For those interested in home brewing, there is a whole podcast network waiting for you. There are nine shows in production, including a video podcast, so you can really hone in on your topic of choice. For example, The Session has interviews with world-class brewmasters while The Sour Hour educates listeners about wild-fermented and other sour ale styles.
Good Beer Hunting
Michael Kiser has parlayed his website into a podcast series that interviews a wide range of the professionals and hobbyists who make craft beer special. These are stories of heart, perseverance, and creativity that shine a light on the people behind the brews.
The Beerists
This podcast includes a diverse crew of friends as they dissect a themed panel of beers on every episode. Often veering into the tipsy, it’s a humorous and entertaining peek inside an informal tasting group.
Brew / Drink / Run
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t plug my own podcast. Along with my co-hosts, we take the intersection of craft beer and healthy lifestyles to its logical conclusion by hosting a roundtable discussion where we review beer, discuss our workout regimens and play a few silly games along the way. We don’t take ourselves too seriously because beer and the camaraderie that it fosters should be fun. With more than 200 episodes, there’s plenty to binge on.
In addition to these fine shows, there are even craft beer podcasts dedicated to local scenes, like the Georgia-based Beer Guys Radio, Oklahoma Craft Beer, and San Diego BeerTalk Radio. Whether you’re looking to learn more about beer styles, the brewers behind the beer or just listen in to a group of friends enjoy a pint, there’s a craft beer podcast just for you.
If you burn through all of these, you should check out our favorite podcasts for road trips, our top overall picks for 2018, these productive podcasts to help get your life together, some spooky horror podcasts, the best fiction podcasts overall, or The Manual’s own podcast. Need more suggestions? Here are some of our faves for men’s fashion, and true crime.
If you’re new to the podcast, you’ll need one of the top apps for listening. If you’re more interested in the small screen, these are the best podcasts that have been adapted into TV shows.
Article originally published March 4, 2017. Last updated August 4, 2018.
