The Taproom Podcast
The Taproom Podcast
Mike
Episode 147 - w/ Mitch McDuff and A Max Salazar of Synth Beer Co.
1 hour 28 minutes Posted Nov 30, 2025 at 6:26 pm.
Introduction and Thanksgiving Reflections
Meeting Mitch and Amax
The Birth of Synth Beer Co.
Brewing the First Beer
The Story Behind the Name
Exploring Beer Styles
Trends in Craft Beer
Seltzers: A New Frontier
Crafting Unique Seltzers
Community and Collaboration
Future Plans and Collaborations
Personal Journeys in Craft Beer
The Continuous Quest for Better Beer
Guilty Pleasures and Fun Stories
Brewing Styles and Hops
Nostalgic Moments: The Days of Blockbuster
Wrap-Up: Cheers and Goodbyes
Upcoming Episodes: What’s Next?
0:00
1:28:46
Download MP3
Show notes
Host Mike sits down at Synth Beer Co. in Costa Mesa with founders/brewers Mitch McDuff and A. Max Salazar to talk about opening their September launch, the origin of the name “Synth,” and the first core beer, Laser Lager. They share the early planning, brewery build-out stories (including a beloved prototype brew house), and what it’s like to run a small, hands-on brewing program.Topics include their brewing focus (drinkable West Coast IPAs, Latin American‑style lagers and pilsners, and cocktail‑quality seltzers), favorite hops and recipes, long brew days, community and neighborhood collaborations, and memorable festival moments like GABF. Guests also trade personal stories — music and video-game nostalgia (NHL HITS), nicknames, and the homemade techniques behind standout seltzers.Listeners can expect insider tips for new breweries, tasting notes on synth’s lineup, plans for collabs, and a warm, conversational portrait of two friends turning a long‑dreamed vision into a living taproom experience.