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Ep. 39: Sean Sasser's Journey at Cigar City Brewing
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Sean Sasser invites us into the evolving world of Cigar City Brewing, where tradition meets innovation in Tampa's iconic brewery. As technical brewing manager, Sean's journey from college homebrewer with a Mr. Beer kit to brewing leader traces the fascinating evolution of craft beer itself.
Over pints in CCB's historic Tampa tasting room, Sean pulls back the curtain on what he calls the "Wild West days" working alongside Wayne Wambles, when the "rule of cool" trumped everything else. Those early years cultivated CCB's reputation for boundary-pushing beers that defined Florida's craft scene. But the conversation doesn't shy away from tough questions about ownership changes and the criticism that followed Monster Beverage's acquisition.
"We're not going to stop what we're doing because of outside opinion," Sean explains with quiet confidence. "If there's ever a time for us to be really putting our best foot forward, it's absolutely now." This philosophy has guided CCB through transitions that would have derailed lesser breweries.
What stands out most is Sean's thoughtful evolution as a brewer. Once focused on creating beers that "punch you in the face" with flavor, he now pursues nuance and subtlety: "I want to make beers that, after three pints, they're wondering if they can have another one and call an Uber." This shift reflects broader industry trends while maintaining CCB's distinctive voice in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
From insights about the legendary Hunapuʻ to his current love for Czech dark lagers, Sean's perspective balances reverence for brewing tradition with forward-thinking creativity. After 12 years at CCB, his passion remains undiminished: "It's exclusively driven by pride and love I have for what we have done and what we will do."
Ready to experience what Sean calls "the best beer we've ever made"? Visit Cigar City's Tampa tasting room where everything's brewed on their original 2009 system—a perfect blend of heritage and innovation that defines modern Florida beer.
Chapters
1. Introduction and Sponsor Message (00:00:00)
2. Sean's Journey to Professional Brewing (00:01:30)
3. The Wild West Era of Cigar City (00:06:45)
4. Navigating Buyouts and Public Perception (00:13:15)
5. Evolution of CCB's Brewing Philosophy (00:17:30)
6. The Legacy of Hunapuʻ (00:26:45)
7. Current Favorites and Beer Wisdom (00:33:20)
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