What’s luck if you ain’t from Kentucky?

The founders of Louisville, Kentucky’s Against the Grain Brewery got their start because they weren’t satisfied with the way beer was being represented in their town. After a disappointing visit to a local brewpub, whose brewhouse sat unused in a dark and dusty corner, they hunted down the owner and offered to buy the place. Today, Against the Grain Brewery and Smokehouse is nestled in that spot at Louisville Slugger Field, home to baseball’s minor league Louisville Bats.

This week, co-owner Sam Cruz joins us to talk about their journey to opening the brewery, how beer names drive recipe creation, and how Japan and Europe are just small steps in their plan for world domination because “Everyone deserves Against the Grain beer.”

We’re also joined by Fish Scales and Skinny Deville of Nappy Roots and Atlantucky Brewing. If you’re a regular listener of Beer Guys Radio you’ve likely heard us talk beer with the Nappy Roots crew before. We discuss their collaboration with Against the Grain, Water-Melon Chiquen & Gritz, and how that collaboration is launching new beer adventures for them.

Our featured beers this week were all about Against the Grain:

Pome and Grabbit | Tart Wheat Ale with ginger and pomegranate

Pome and Grabbit | Tart Wheat Ale with ginger and pomegranate London Balling | English-style Barleywine aged in Angel’s Envy bourbon barrels (A Beer Guys favorite)

London Balling | English-style Barleywine aged in Angel’s Envy bourbon barrels (A Beer Guys favorite) Stave it for Later: Maple Bockin’ Pastries | Doppelbock with West Virginia maple syrup

Kamen Knuddeln | Kentucky Common

Kamen Knuddeln | Kentucky Common With a combo breaker from New Realm Brewing, Hazy Like a Fox NEIPA.

In the news this week we discuss a ‘raid” on a Georgia homebrew club meeting, additional evidence of the world’s oldest beer, and improved brewery laws in Illinois.

Make sure to tune in next week as we talk with Athens, Georgia’s Monk’s Mead.