Episode 77: The State of Small Brewing in 2026

The brewing world is grappling with a lot of challenges, but there are still some bright spots and things to look forward to. This month host John Holl talks with two brewers who are building community, making thoughtful beers, and working to better the industry each and every day. Jeremy Lees of Flounder Brewing in Hillsborough NJ and Justin Steinberg of Sacred Vice in Philadelphia are thoughtful owners who are focused on finding new ways to bring people into their taprooms and to offerer experiences of great quality. Visiting their breweries guarantees not only great pints, but a chance to learn something new about the industry and to see how thoughtful works in progress benefit us all. So as beer navigates 2026 and experiences what it is doing to the beer industry, Holl connects with them both to find out what’s happening within their walls and how we can learn from them.The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 77 is sponsored by:NanoCon OnlineRegistration has opened for NanoCon Online. On October 23rd craft brewing industry experts will present a full-day of live seminars covering Brewery Operations, Business Operations & Sales, and Start-Ups for the small-scale, taproom-oriented brewer. Get your questions answered live and have future access to NanoCon Online video recordings and course materials for all sessions. Register now at NanoCon.beer and save $25!BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 77Host: John HollGuests: Justin Steinberg, Jeremy LeesContact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbellPhoto: Sacred Vice Brewing's cream ale. Photo by John Holl