Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Sullivan & Scott Touron of The Brewery Underground Podcast.
Hi Steve & Scott, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Steve – I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I moved to Nashville in 1998. I always enjoyed trying different types of beer. I first discovered Blackstone Brewing Company. At that time, they had the Brewery/Restaurant on West End Avenue. That may have been my very first trip to a Brewery. They remain my favorite in the city. Boscos in those days over in Hillsboro Village, and The Flying Saucer on Broadway were also favorites. While neither is around today in Nashville, I have a lot of fond memories.
My overall growing interest in craft beer goes back about 12 years. I had some friends (including Scott Touron of The Brewery Underground Podcast) who shared similar goals of wanting to visit new and existing breweries in Nashville and other cities. Over the years, it became apparent that maybe we should start a podcast.
Scott – I discovered craft beer about 15 years ago and quickly realized it was something I was really into. What started as simple curiosity turned into a journey of exploring, learning, asking questions, and diving deeper and deeper into the craft beer world.
I realized this was a brand-new world I knew nothing about, and I instantly developed a thirst for it. With each IPA, Lager, Stout, Kolsch, Brown Ale, etc that I tried, it led me to other more complex and maybe even “crazy” styles like Double IPA’s, Triple IPA’s, Barrel Aged Stouts, Shandy’s, Pretzel Beers, Meads and even PB&J Beers.
My beer travels and adventures over those 15 years, brought me to a lot breweries, taprooms, restaurants, bottle shops and liquor stores, where I’ve met a lot of people and talked about a lot of craft beer.
That ultimately led me to meeting Steve, and he and I shared a growing passion for craft beer and began traveling together to breweries in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, as well as breweries within Nashville. Those trips spawned “Sullivan & Touron Brewery Adventures”, which was a way for us to share our “brewery adventures” via social media. During those trips we would often talk about starting a podcast about craft beer, in order to expand on those ‘brewery adventures”.
Fast forward to today and The Brewery Underground Podcast has released 107 Episodes, with several more already recorded and in the can, and we’re scheduling new episodes and guests out 2 months from now. Some of our guests have been local and out of state brewery owners, head brewers, a fermentation science program, a malt house, charitable organizations, influencers, and so many more that are connected to craft beer.
We keep meeting and talking with amazing people in the craft beer community, and it only deepens our passion for what we do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Steve- Starting the podcast hasn’t been hard. The beer community as a whole is a tight-knit group. It’s been relatively easy for us to book guests. One of the goals is to tell a story and get to know brewery owners, brewers, and many others in the industry. While Nashville is home, The Brewery Underground Podcast has done interviews with breweries in other cities across the country. For example: Great Lakes, Founders, Hoppin Frog & Rhinegeist.
We know the craft beer market has changed. Having seen a few breweries in this area close over the past year. Being invested in the podcast and getting to know some of these guys and gals impacted, that has been tough to see.
Scott – The craft beer industry is facing a lot of challenges -with consumer’s drinking habits changing, rising costs, tighter margins, etc. They are also currently faced with historically slower winter months, and that includes a lot of people taking part in Dry January.
You can still support your local breweries and taprooms, even if you’re participating in dry January or just don’t want beer. Most breweries now have a lot of non-alcoholic options, or even other non-beer items like craft sodas, wine and cocktails. You can also support them by ordering their food, attending their events, buying their merch, gift cards or beer to take home for later.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Steve – The Brewery Underground Podcast has brand new episodes on a weekly basis. We try to mix things up. Sometimes you will hear an episode with a brewery owner or head brewer. Other times, it’s just Scott, Steve, and a few of our friends chatting it up about the beer styles we been drinking lately, and the places visited we enjoy and recommend.
I’m most proud that we keep things positive. We don’t venture into controversial subjects. The goal is to make everyone feel welcome. To have fun and shine the light on what they do and have achieved.
Scott – I’ve worked my entire career in sales within the electrical industry, in both the Distribution and Manufacturing Sides of the business. Sales has always been something that I’ve enjoyed, as it allows to me to talk to people and build relationships both professionally and personally. It’s also has taught me to be organized and to maintain a calendar. Those types of things have been beneficial for the podcast in terms of inviting guests on and “selling” them on our brand, in hopes that they’ll join us for an episode. They’ve also been beneficial in scheduling and organizing guests, that can sometimes be months down the road.
I’m most proud of the range of people we’ve talked to on the podcast, which include a lot of educational and informative aspects, as well as specific beer talk. Additionally, I’m proud that we’re well received and recognized in the craft beer community, and of the legitimate friends we’ve made in it – both in Nashville and all over the country.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Steve – Nashville is a very fun place. I have made so many great friends here. There is no shortage of breweries, restaurants, entertainment, and other things to do. My only real dislike about Nashville is the traffic. As the city has grown, you often have to plan your schedule around it.
Scott – Likes: Visiting and supporting local breweries and other local restaurants. Attending Nashville Predators games and socializing with friends. I also like the growth of the city, although it does seem too quickly in a lot respects.
Dislikes – The traffic, potholes, cold weather, my Fantasy Football team (every year), and the rapid growth without improving the infrastructure.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sullivantouronbreweryadventures.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breweryundergroundpodcast/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreweryUndergroundPodcast
- soundcloud: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/search?term=brewery%20underground
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/58iyIUXbqJSC94xeO5JXBz
