Yes, that is indeed a can of cereal milk pale ale – because when you run a craft nolo (no or low alcohol) brewery, you can do anything. We're talking about all things beer this week, and Mash Gang, co-founded during lockdown by our guest, Michael Baggs, has explored where beer can go more than almost any company we can think of. Helen met Michael to find out whether nolo beer is for her, how to found a successful drinks business during a global pandemic, and why anything can be a flavour when you don't have to make it alcoholic.

Plus, how to explain the various flavours of beer to someone who has never tasted it, listeners share their recommendations for non-alcoholic beers, and the Mail Bag has thoughts on kombucha and Arnold Palmers.

Episode summary

What are we drinking? Green Sour Cherry(0:00)

What’s beer like if you’ve never tasted it? (5:11)

The Mailbag (9:52)

No and low-alcohol craft beer with Mash Gang's Michael Baggs (17:28)

From making jam in lockdown to setting up a phantom brewery (19:22)

Industry growth and collaboration (22:05)

Non-alcoholic beer and its appeal to various drinkers (27:15)

Unique beer design and flavour combinations (29:48)

Creative brewing and limited-edition flavours (39:05)

Listener beer recommendations (39:58)

Episode transcript

If you’ve got a favourite drink you’d like to share with us, or any other non-booze-related gossip, then email us at popculturedrinkspodcast@gmail.com. You can see what and where we've been drinking lately on Instagram @popculturedrinkspodcast, and join our mailbag! DM us a voice note, or your thoughts on all things drinks – we love to hear from you and we might share it on a future show.

Pop Culture is on Bookshop.org! Read books by us, our guests, and others we like, while helping to support the show. Thank you for listening and have a wonderful week of drinks!

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