This episode is all about America and the things that make it great, like veteran-owned businesses. HOOAH! OORAH! Aim High! Anchor’s Away! First, we drain our canteens just to refill them with beer at a brewery owned by a retired Army colonel. Next, we trade our combat boots for something more comfortable and speak with “battle buddies” who are impacting former war zones with their flip-flop foot fetish. That’s a lot of F-bombs. Finally, we sign the Declaration of Hoppiness and feature two true American ales in our Beer Dome competition. That, and our usual craic on this episode of Life in 16 oz.
Retired Army Col. Mike Conrad, At Ease Brewing Company (10:26)
Beer Dome – Battle of the American Pale Ales – Intro (33:31)
Army Veterans Matthew “Griff” Griffin and Donald Lee, Combat Flip Flops (37:35)
Beer Dome – Battle of the American Pale Ales – Conclusion (1:01:19)
Brandon, right, asks Mike Conrad, a retired Army colonel and the owner of At Ease Brewing Company in downtown Sacramento, some really tough questions like, “How can I retire and make beer too?” (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)At Ease Brewing Company’s tasting cards take flight with a military twist. Small military-like nuances like these are found throughout brewery and within their product lines are eye-catching, and readily familiar to those who served. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)At Ease Brewing Company owner Mike Conrad, a retired Army colonel, says he likes to cover his six when brewing and makes sure all styles are available. He says if you want crazy sours or wild flavored beers, you should go elsewhere. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)Military-themed At Ease Brewing Company in downtown Sacramento has a casual, easy approach for folks wanting to simply pop in and grab a cold one. Despite their small appearance, they’ve got a big outdoor patio out back in addition to interior seating and tables out front. (Courtesy photo/Life in 16 oz.)At Ease Brewing Company has the brewing capacity for a second location, according to owner Mike Conrad. Learn more about him and his military-themed brewery in this month’s podcast. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Brandon McCarty)Brandon mentions the nationwide aluminum can shortage while interviewing At Ease Brewing Company owner Mike Conrad, a retired Army colonel. Mike is well aware–a shipment arrived during the interview. Lucky man. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)Donald Lee, left, and Matthew “Griff” Griffin, right, during one of their deployments to Afghanistan. The former Army Rangers are Combat Flip Flops’ CMO and CEO, respectively. Griff had a light bulb moment while at a combat boot factory in Afghanistan that eventually led to the founding of their business. However, the path to delivering their first order of flip flops was fraught with a number of major obstacles along the way. Listen to this month’s podcast episode to find out how they were able to persevere. (Courtesy photo/Matthew Griffin)The men’s Floperator style flip flop sold by Combat Flip Flops. The sale of each pair funds one day of school for one Afghan girl and are made by a family-owned business in Bogota, Colombia. Listen to the podcast to learn why the company funds girls’ education and a family business in such far away places. (Courtesy photo/Combat Flip Flops)The men’s OGs style flip flop sold by Combat Flip Flops. The sale of each pair funds one day of school for one Afghan girl and are made by a family-owned business in Bogota, Colombia. Listen to the podcast to learn more about why the company funds girls’ education and a family business in such far away places. (Courtesy photo/Combat Flip Flops)Donald Lee, left, and Matthew “Griff” Griffin pose with Sharpie-holding civilian Henry Lawrence Garfield while they were deployed to Afghanistan over a decade ago. Mr. Garfield is better known as Henry Rollins, the former frontman of 80s hardcore punk band Black Flag (and is now a really famous musician, actor, comedian, radio host, podcaster, activist, and more). (Courtesy photo/Matthew “Griff” Griffin)Brandon and Paul both picked patriotic-looking American Pale Ales from Auburn Alehouse of Auburn, and Topa Topa Brewing Company of Ventura for this episode’s Beer Dome blind taste test competition. Listen to the podcast to find out which beer Paul thought had both great aroma and flavor, but that Brandon said tasted like, “beer gone bad.” (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)
