Emiko Tanabe and James Jin join us from Nova Brewing Co. in Covina, CA. Its hard to believe, but LA only recently got its first sake brewery. New York, Oakland, Seattle, San Diego, even Holbrook, AZ had sake breweries pop up. Nova Brewing Co. owner Emiko Tanabe spotted an opportunity to bring the craft of sake making to the biggest city on the west coast, and partnered up with aspiring brewer James Jin to make it happen.
Digital marketer Mark Auyoung joins us from Costa Mesa, CA. I often have on entrepreneurs in the craft beverage space, but I wanted to start off 2021 with Mark to get his insights into a skill set that all entrepreneurs need – digital marketing. Mark has helped hundreds of small business people get their products and services online, using a data-driven process to grow brand awareness and conversion.
Beer educator Proper Josh joins us from San Diego, CA. Proper Josh is a self-educated beer and wine aficionado. He posts craft beer reviews daily, highlighting the craftsmanship required to make a truly great brew. We sat down to talk about how he got into craft beer, how he judges what he drinks, staying healthy while imbibing, and his holiday beer recommendations.
Peter Kim joins us on behalf of Kizakura USA. Peter shares the unique beer and sake offerings from Kizakura Brewery in Kyoto with retailers across the United States. He joined us to share the history of this unusual dual brewery, along with their line of flavored sake, and the Kyoto and Lucky craft beer series.
Claire Kim and Brandon Sugano join us from Sura Korean BBQ & Tofu House and Fine Feathers Kombucha in Long Beach, CA. Claire and Brandon recently made news as the new owners of Long Beach’s own Fine Feathers Kombucha. The husband and wife team had purchased Sura Korean BBQ & Tofu House six years ago and were looking to expand their business.
On today’s show, Mark Tigchelaar joins us from Solid Coffee Roasters in Artesia, CA. Mark is a transplant from Michigan. He got into craft coffee (and craft beer) when he and his wife moved to San Diego, and his interest grew as they moved up to LA County. He eventually met the original founders of Solid Coffee Roasters and proposed joining as their managing director.
On today’s show, Dennis Trilles joins us from Craft Beer LB in Long Beach, CA. Dennis is the face behind the online hub of Long Beach’s craft beer scene, the organizer of the Craft Beer LB festival, and the graphic designer making local favorite LB Hats. And he does all that in his spare time.
On today’s show, Rocky Yoneyama joins us from Okayama Kobo Bakery in Anaheim, CA. Rocky grew up as the son of two successful entrepreneurs that built their businesses on Guam. Looking to expand beyond his small island home, Rocky went to school here in Southern California, and eventually worked in New York and Japan, before settling in Orange County.
Joel Elliott joins us from Strand Brewing in Torrance, CA. Joel did not have what you might call a typical childhood. Born on the island of Oahu, Joel moved with his family to Hollywood at the tender age of 4. Surfer, filmmaker, world traveler, and eventually business owner and craft brewer – Joel shares the many sides of his life.
Frank chats with two LA beer celebrities. Daniel Drennon is the publisher, editor, and head writer of Beer Paper, the local monthly you’ll find at just about any brewery or bottle shop in SoCal. Tomm Carroll is a beer educator, judge, traveler, and writer, and has witnessed the explosion of craft beer in Los Angeles. Tomm is also the senior contributor for Beer Paper.
On today’s show, Jesse Sundstrom joins us from Ten Mile Brewing in Signal Hill, CA. Jesse and his family have always done things together. Since he was a little kid, they’d always head up to the family cabin to relax and have fun. Jesse shares how the family that camped together became the family that brews craft beer together.
