A Shift in Beer Preferences Brings New Drinks to the Table

During the recent craft brewers conference All About Beer set up at Human Robot for a suite of podcasts. I was happy to get together with Brandon Jones, the long-time brewer and creator of Embrace the Funk.

It’s a conversation that goes into the evolution of extreme beers to nuanced, complex brews. As Jones has begun to note the shift of consumer preferences, he sees a move away from hazy IPAs towards more unique, experience-driven beers.

He advocates for brewers to ask questions and learn from each other. As the industry involves, he shares insight into the brewery’s cider program, which is inspired by European natural ciders.

Visit AllAboutBeer.com for more podcasts, to read original articles, and to get info on upcoming events.

Click here to support independent journalism covering the beer industry.

This Episode is Sponsored by:

John I. Haas
When every pound of hops matters, brewers need products that work harder in the brewhouse. LupoMAX® was engineered to deliver concentrated lupulin, intense aroma expression, and reduced process loss, helping breweries improve yields while maintaining true-to-type hop character. Available in standout varieties like Citra®, Mosaic®, Krush®, and more, LupoMAX gives brewers a smarter path to bold flavor and operational efficiency. Talk with your Haas Sales Representative or visit lupohops.com for details.

Sennos
Sennos just changed the fermentation intelligence game—again. Their new Intelligent Fusion Module packs five high-precision sensors—pH, pressure, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity—into a single compact module. One tank port and complete fermentation visibility. And, it's built to evolve. New sensing capabilities will be added over time, so your SennosM3 gets smarter as brewing science advances. Stop patching together multiple devices. Invest in an intelligence platform built for what's next. Visit sennos.com

Stomp Stickers
If you’ve been loyal to your current printer for years, we get it. Switching feels risky. That’s why StompStickers.com keeps it simple: low minimums for an easy test run, fast print times so you’re never stuck waiting, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee on every order. Thousands of brewers have already trusted them for over 30 years, and now you can try them for less. Head to StompStickers.com and use code TRY15 for 15% off your order.

Ollie
You’re paying too much to process your invoices. Look, it’s not your fault. It’s just because you’re not using Pay Smart yet.

Most breweries are stuck with platforms designed for general small businesses, not the craft industry. That’s why Pay Smart was built. It’s the new payments solution that is fully integrated into leading brewery software like Ekos and Ollie. That means less time chasing payments, fewer workarounds, and more money saved. Want to see how much you can save?Head over to save.withPaySmart.com to learn more and claim an incredible launch offer.

All About Beer
At All About Beer, we’re honored to share the stories that define the beer community, and we couldn’t do it without the generous support of our underwriting sponsors. Their commitment helps sustain independent beer journalism, allowing us to highlight the people, places, and passion behind every pint. Their partnership ensures these stories continue to inspire, connect, and celebrate the craft we all love. Join our underwriters today and help make an impact on independent journalism covering the beer industry.

Host: John Holl

Guest: Brandon Jones

Sponsors: Sennos, John I. Haas, Stomp Stickers, Ollie, All About Beer

Tags: saison
Photo: by John Holl