Ep. 95 - Max Borgardt of Eagle Park Brewing

Over the last few weeks a few IPAs have popped up here at the home broadcast studio that all had the same label reading “Things We Don’t Say." It was soon revealed to be a collaboration beer between Eagle Park Brewing and the Hope for the Day Foundation that was offered to breweries around the world. It’s designed to talk about mental health in and around the beer space – and that includes the drinkers as well.

You’ve heard of Hope for the Day on this show before, notably when Drew Fox of 18th Street Brewing was on the show a few months ago.

Max Borgardt is the guest this week. He and his brothers had a choice, he says, either become musicians or brewers. They choose wisely, even if they are still heavily involved in music. As the brewery has grown in the last few years they’ve played to their strengths, IPA, a light beer aimed at non-craft drinkers, and hard seltzer smoothies. It has helped the brewery gain recognition, not only in their state but beyond its borders.

It seems like every conversation is going to be about COVID-19 at some point, because it’s just ever present on the mind.

Get vaccinated.

When we recorded this in July the CDC had not yet updated guidance, and so host John Holl started off by talking about how things were opening up and how the brewery was getting back into the swing of things with sales and planning for the grand re-opening of their new taproom, which barely had time for a proper first grand opening.

Max spoke to the show over Zoom from the brewery in Muskego.

This Episode is sponsored by:

Briess
Briess is the leading supplier of specialty malt to craft brewers. They offer the broadest product line in the industry, including a wide range of roasted malts that add flavor, color, and character to beer. Their experienced operators handcraft every batch of roasted malt to ensure the product you get is consistent. Check out BrewingwithBriess.com for beer recipes using roasted malt.

NZ Hops
NZ Hops, the co-operative of Master Hop Growers are a passionate collective of farms dedicated to innovation and sustainability. Leading the charge in sustainable farm practices, some NZ Hops farms have over five generations of knowledge that inform their composting program, used by growers to promote healthy regenerative growth of hops year upon year. This creates high quality soil, a critical component of healthy growing conditions. At NZ Hops, they feel that sustainability is not only being a steward for the land, but for our future. We’re in it together.

Lawson's Finest Liquids
The brewery is guided by five pillars – Excellence, Authenticity, Fun, Community and Innovation. These values are represented in their product quality, work culture, guest experience and charitable giving. The SIP, their Social Impact Program, is the Lawson’s Finest way of building impactful connections and strengthening our communities while creating memorable experiences.

For more Drink Beer, Think Beer or to check out Beer Edge: The Newsletter for Beer Professionals, follow us on Twitter @thebeeredge and subscribe to our beer industry focused newsletter. There is more information, articles, and engaging content at Beer Edge.

• Host: John Holl
• Guest: Max Borgardt of Eagle Park Brewing
• Sponsors: Briess, Lawson's Finest Liquids, NZ Hops, and The Beer Edge
• Tags: Beer, Seltzer Smoothies, Wisconsin, News, Mental Health, COVID-19, Beer Sales, IPA, Light Lager