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Grit & Grain Podcast

Matthew, Bethany, and Ron
Craft Beer
Tacoma
Tacoma Beer Week
Tacoma, Washington
Pacific Northwest
Local Breweries
Craft Beer Industry
Great American Beer Festival
Pumpkin Beer
Mexican Lager
Beer Distribution
Cinco De Mayo
Fresh Hop Beer
Lagers
Craft Beer Community
Beer Culture
Browns Point Homebrew Club
Home Brewing
Community Engagement
State Street Beer Company

Craft beer sales and brand manager — Matt McLaren, professional brewer and line cleaner — Bethany Carlsen, and bottle shop owner and operator — Ron Swarner explore and celebrate the craft beer industry, community, and history in Tacoma, Washington, and surrounding Pacific Northwest region.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded4 years ago
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Latest Episodes

The 2026 Firestone Invitational Beerfest was amazing. Matt, Ron, and Phaedra had all planned to meet up for the festival, but Ron had to rain check this one as he had a staff emergency and hung back to cover the bar, because he is an absolute saint o... more

YouTube

The World Beer Cup added a “Rice Lager” category for the first time in 2026, and two Northwest breweries promptly earned medals in it — which is pretty amazing.

Much like Mexican lager, rice lager, or Japanese rice lager, as some folks call it, see... more

YouTube

Way back when our episodes were still in the double digits, the stellar brewing talent Mike Hunsaker sat down to tell us about his journey setting up shop in Washington and winning every award in the book brewing at Grains of Wrath.

We’ve been long... more

YouTube

Happy Seattle Beer Week!

A bunch of amazing brewers and beer folks have converged on Seattle this week to celebrate all things beer. We took advantage and dragged Michael Messenie down for a quick pod to talk all things cask, English brewing tradit... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Brendan Greenan
Grains of Wrath team member
Grains of Wrath
Episode: Episode 190: Shouldering the Weight of Limitless Talent with Grains of Wrath
Owen Lamb
Grains of Wrath brewer
Grains of Wrath
Episode: Episode 190: Shouldering the Weight of Limitless Talent with Grains of Wrath
Kira Harris
Sales Director for Grains of Wrath
Grains of Wrath
Episode: Episode 190: Shouldering the Weight of Limitless Talent with Grains of Wrath
Michael Messenie
Owner and brewer at Dutchess Ales
Dutchess Ales
Episode: Episode 189: Real Ale with Michael Messenie from Dutchess Ales
Bria Persoe
Owner/Operator of Vice Beer
Vice Beer
Episode: Episode 188: May the 4th Be With You: A New Vice
Michael Persoe
Owner/Operator of Vice Beer
Vice Beer
Episode: Episode 188: May the 4th Be With You: A New Vice
Daniel Cady
Brewer, Holy Mountain; previously at Nellis Manzanita, McKellar, El Cajon Brewing Co.
Holy Mountain Brewing
Episode: Episode 186: Dan Cady and Meghan Michels from Holy Mountain Brewing
Meghan Michels
Brewer at Holy Mountain; former at Lucky Envelope
Holy Mountain Brewing
Episode: Episode 186: Dan Cady and Meghan Michels from Holy Mountain Brewing
Wes Finger
Head Brewer / Co-founder at Kulshan Brewing
Kulshan Brewing
Episode: Episode 185: Trails, Tanks, and the Long Game — Wes Finger of Kulshan Brewing

Hosts

Matt McLaren
Host of Grit and Grain Podcast; focuses on craft beer and Tacoma-area brewing scene.
Ron Swarner
Co-host and on-air personality; regular discussions on brewing, history, and the local beer community.
Sean Jackson
Co-host with a focus on brewing culture and Tacoma beer scene.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 83 ratings
  • Craft beer 👍

    Fun podcast- talk some north sound (Snohomish County) brews team!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jack.Hartsock
    United States6 months ago
  • Wow! This podcast keeps evolving

    The consistency in which they keep improving the craft of podcasting about craft beer is astonishing, episodes always feel relevant even if they are discussing beer history or beer in Tacoma a town I only know from their trucks. Could use more Sean episodes but the entire crew is 10/10

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Disappointed wary adopter
    United States6 months ago
  • Your 2 Nashville Listeners

    If your like beer, the Pacific Northwest and history…you need to listen. 10/10 for the outros, #beernudes and VISIT TACOMA (see ya soon PW)!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    madeleine in washington state
    United States3 years ago
  • Portable Tavern Banter

    Have fun; learn about beer. Are you looking for very fun discussions on beer, brewing, and the business of beer? Even if you don’t live in the South Sound/Tacoma area, if you are interested in everything that goes into a beer scene, its history, its networks, its personalities, this podcast brings it. Co-host Matt McLaren, an Advanced Cicerone, really knows his beer and is fantastic interviewer and conversationalist. His foils are two tavern owners, one who interjects colorfully off-color remark... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Catanistan
    United States3 years ago
  • PNW Beer History, Industry Stories, and so much more.

    Hear stories from inside the the beer industry, with a focus on PNW and especially (but not exclusively) the Tacoma beer and brewing scene. Presented by 3 of Tacoma’s finest in the biz, you’ll hear history and wonderful stories, interviews with some of the area’s pillars, titans even, of the craft beer industry. Not just for beer and brewing geeks, there lots of local history and inside stories about the whole industry.

    You’ll laugh ! You’ll cry ! Like a delicious brew, you’ll clamor for ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ALVEENUS
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality guests and thoughtful beer culture discourse.
Engaging host trio with deep industry ties.
Great mix of history and practical brewing insights.
Strong sense of community and local focus.
Hosts feel like you're at a Tacoma beer bar with good stories.

Top Food Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 169: Inside the Brewer’s Studio with Erik Dahlin
Q: If aliens landed here tomorrow and asked you to bring them a beer, what beer do you bring them and why?
The crew debates options but several suggest lambic or Orval as emblematic of tradition and palate evolution; the guest leans toward a beer that showcases complexity and regional influence, with some suggesting Guinness or even a smoother, globally accessible option.
Episode 171: Pre-Christmas Special with Sean Jackson
Q: What are some of the most memorable rogue stories Sean has witnessed or been part of?
Sean shares a breadth of tales from surprise parties and tasting-room legends to iconic moments involving Harlan Harris, Michael Jackson, and the Issaquah Rogue tap house experiences, illustrating how these events shaped and reflected Tacoma's beer culture.
Episode 170: The Art of Smoothie Sours with Shelby Bible
Q: What inspired this beer concept and how do you balance flavors?
Shelby explains that inspiration comes from memories and culinary cues, and balancing flavors is about thoughtful hints rather than chasing a strict style, using acidity and texture to guide the palate.
Episode 189: Real Ale with Michael Messenie from Dutchess Ales
Q: How do you balance authenticity with innovation in your beers?
I stay close to my instinct, use small adjunct percentages, and rely on maltster data to guide color and fermentability, while always preferring a drinkable, understated complexity rather to chase extremes.
Episode 189: Real Ale with Michael Messenie from Dutchess Ales
Q: When did you start Dutchess Ales and what drove the name choice?
Dutchess Ales began around 2014-2015, born from a desire to brew beers you truly want to drink and to emphasize the place of origin in the beer names, with Dutchess County providing the space for growth.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Grit & Grain Podcast

What is Grit & Grain Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A conversation-driven series that celebrates the craft beer scene in the Pacific Northwest, with a recurring trio of hosts guiding discussions on brewing techniques, regional history, and beer culture. Episodes frequently feature brewers, hop and malt experts, historians, and festival organizers, offering practical insights for brewers, retailers, and enthusiasts alike. Noteworthy is the emphasis on local Tacoma-area history and community, from farm-to-glass conversations to events and collaborations that shape the region's beer landscape. The show stands out for its approachable banter, deep dives into ingredients and processes, and strong ties to the local beer ecosystem, making it a compelling listen for listeners who love craft beer, lo... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Grit & Grain Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Grit & Grain Podcast:

1. The Daily
2. The Opinions
3. The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. The Bulwark Podcast

How many episodes of Grit & Grain Podcast are there?

Grit & Grain Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 100 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Grit & Grain Podcast?

Recent guests on Grit & Grain Podcast include:

1. Brendan Greenan
2. Owen Lamb
3. Kira Harris
4. Michael Messenie
5. Bria Persoe
6. Michael Persoe
7. Daniel Cady
8. Meghan Michels

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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