How Do You Find the Right Brewer? Nik & Ivy’s Journey to Brewing Customer Favorites While Introducing New Brews (Plus: Can Beer Go Bad?)

Delve into the story of a Lockport brewery that was established during a challenging time, and has since grown to produce much-loved local brews.

01:51 Beer Myth: Can beer go bad? Learn the truth behind the longevity of your favorite brews so you can appreciate the nuances of beer aging and storage, and know when it's best to savor that special can or bottle you've been saving. Understanding this myth can enhance your beer-tasting experiences and prevent you from missing out on perfectly good beer that you might have mistakenly thought had gone bad.

08:00 Nik & Ivy Brewing: Owners Paul and Chrissy Ivnik share the tale of why they got into brewing without having ever homebrewed their own beer. They also discuss the pivotal role of community support in their business success and the transformative impact of Nik & Ivy on downtown Lockport. Plus: managing a brewery with a small team, how they found a skilled brewer, and striking a balance between customer favorites and innovative brews.

And don’t forget the beer! You’ll also hear about creations from Nik & Ivy, including a sessionable peach blonde ale, the story behind the Runyon Red Ale named after a Lockport founder, and the Dellwood IPA, a West Coast style with a hoppy flavor that isn't overly bitter.

37:43 This Week in Bad Customer Behavior: Is it okay to move furniture when you’re at a bar or restaurant? Hear about the great chair heist caper and the barrel seating debacle, where our hosts ponder the age-old question: "To sit or not to sit on that decorative barrel?"

About Nik & Ivy: Nik & Ivy is a nano brewery in historic downtown Lockport, Illinois. Their focus is to make great traditional styles of beers, while also dabbling in some newer trends. Learn more on their website at https://nikivybrewing.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, then please tell at least one friend about the show! And if you’re a brewer or know any brewers who would like to share their story on the podcast, then email craftybrewerspod@gmail.com. We’re always happy to hear from you!

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Crafty Brewers is produced by award-winning podcaster Cody Gough. He insists that we tell you that in this episode, you’ll learn about: Lockport, craft beer, breweries, beer myths, community revitalization, craft beer longevity, beer shelf life, beer spoilage, beer aging, hometown brewery, beer entrepreneurs, local history, sessionable beer, peach blonde ale, red ale, craft beer tasting, beer lineup, beer brewer, collaborative brewing, customer favorites, innovative pours, beer naming, beer and community connection, managing rowdy patrons, 80s music and beer pairing, bar etiquette, craft beer aficionados, taproom, beer infection, beer spoilage vs infection, tribute beer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg beer, aging brews, beer education, dealing with drunk customers, respecting bar furniture, beer podcast, grain to glass, brewing process, finding a brewer, beer selection process, craft beer trends, and local craft beer.