The Taproom Podcast
The Taproom Podcast
Mike
Ep 186 - W/ Miguel Santoyo and the story of The Bear Trap Beer in Big Bear
1 hour 2 minutes Posted Aug 30, 2026 at 4:24 pm.
Miguel’s Big Bear Origin
Craft Beer Journey Begins
Family Dream Takes Shape
Finding The Big Bear Home
Honoring Mom’s Motto
Curating The Dream Taplist
Building The Bear Trap
Mountain Crowds And Operations
Choosing The Right Beers
Food Favorites And Names
Four Pack Rapid Fire
Big Bear Beer Identity
Situational Beer Picks
Lessons Of Ownership
Taproom Versus Restaurant
Mezcal And Off Duty
Six Pack Speed Round
Dream Beer Guests
Brewery Mount Rushmore
Childhood Games Remembered
Describing Himself
Episode Wrap-Up Thoughts
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Show notes
Episode 186 of the Tap Room Podcast with host Mike and guest Miguel Santoyo of The Bear Trap Beer (Big Bear Lake). Miguel shares the family-driven origin story of turning an abandoned steakhouse into a celebrated taproom, the role his wife, brother and father played, and the legacy of his late mother as the taproom’s spirited hostess.Topics include craft-beer discoveries, sourcing rare cans (Monkish, Highland Park, Harlan), collaborations and can releases, taproom operations (line cleaning, hand-washed glassware), menu highlights like the Spice Mountain pizza and smash burgers, and the challenges of staffing and running a seasonal mountain business.Listeners can expect warm family anecdotes, practical lessons on launching a taproom, beer style talk (pilsners, hazies, West Coast), and why The Bear Trap has become a must-stop in Big Bear.