The Taproom Podcast
The Taproom Podcast
Mike
Ep 184 - From Kona to Atlanta: Inside Firemaker with Kevin Wright
1 hour 11 minutes Posted Aug 16, 2026 at 5:30 pm.
Episode Intro and Guest Preview
Brewing Program Announcement
Brewery Closures and Support
How to Support the Show
Kevin Wright Joins the Show
Brewing Career Beginnings
Atlanta Beer Scene
Four-Pack Questions
Firemaker’s Beverage Expansion
Favorite Brewing Styles
Consumer Feedback in Beer
Unique Ingredients and Hawaii
Situational Beer Picks
Cat Therapy and Community
Firemaker’s Community Focus
Taproom Stories and Brew Days
Music in the Brew House
Six-Pack Rapid Fire
Mount Rushmore Picks
Favorite Hops and Smash Beers
Scheduling and Brewery Chaos
Childhood and Screen Breaks
Intrigued by Everything
Brewed IPA and Beer Naming
First Craft Beer Memories
Firemaker Locations and Outro
0:00
1:11:11
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Show notes
Host Mike sits down with Kevin Wright, Beverage & Operations Director at Firemaker Beer (Atlanta), to trace his brewing journey from Portland and Kona to Chicago and back to Georgia. They discuss Firemaker’s taproom culture, community-driven approach, and unique beverage portfolio — beer, cider, non‑alcoholic sparkling waters, protein water prototypes and more.Key topics include brewing styles (lagers, West Coast IPAs, hazy IPAs), recipe development and scaling, pilot systems, quality and consistency, and creative one-offs. Kevin shares hands‑on stories from Kona, tips on consumer education, and how Firemaker balances experimentation with reliable distribution (including a PGA partnership and multiple locations).Listeners can expect candid industry insight, tasting and style preferences, behind‑the‑scenes product development, and the role of community in brewery success — plus a few personal touches (music, cats, and favorite drunk food) that make this episode a lively, informative conversation for beer lovers and aspiring brewers alike.