Best of Bristol: Hippos Can Fly! A Lager Love Story recorded LIVE at Lost and Grounded Brewers in Bristol, with Co-Founder Alex Troncoso, in the Brewhouse of his Dreams!

The Good Listening To Show: Stories of Distinction & Genius

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When Alex Troncoso speaks about brewing beer, his voice carries the weight of 32 years spent perfecting his craft across continents. As co-founder of Lost and Grounded Brewers in Bristol, his journey from Guatemala to Australia, Belgium, London, and finally Bristol reveals more than just a quest for the perfect pint—it's a story about finding home.
"Eventually you don't want to be different anymore," Alex recalls his late father saying, words whose wisdom only became clear after launching a brewery far from his Australian roots. This intimate revelation anchors a conversation that weaves through personal growth, craftsmanship, and the philosophy behind building something authentic in an increasingly homogenized world.
Lost and Grounded isn't just a brewery—it's a manifestation of Alex and partner Annie Clements' values. Their flagship Keller Pils, an unfiltered lager inspired by Germany's hop fields, represents their commitment to simplicity and quality. "Brewing is where art meets science and has a beer," Alex explains, comparing their approach to the difference between mass-produced bread and artisanal sourdough—both bread, but worlds apart in character and soul.
Perhaps most compelling is Alex's candid reflection on the mental toll of relentless achievement. After spending years defining himself through accomplishments, he discovered a liberating truth: "If you define yourself by achievements, what happens if you don't achieve? You feel terrible." This hard-won wisdom has led him to a place of unprecedented optimism, where the brewery's success is measured not just in sales but in balance and purpose.
With their flying hippo logo representing humility and inclusion, Lost and Grounded has grown from seven people to thirty-five, weathering COVID and emerging stronger. As Alex puts it, "Without the people, this is just a shed full of stainless steel." It's this human-centered approach that makes their story resonate far beyond the world of craft beer.
Discover how patience, passion and purpose combine to create something truly special in this thoughtful exploration of craft, community and finding your place in the world.

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

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Chapters

1. Welcome to the Good Listening To Show (00:00:00)

2. Meet Alex Troncoso: Brewing Background (00:04:20)

3. Lost and Grounded: The Bristol Brewery (00:12:40)

4. Four Things That Shaped Alex (00:21:34)

5. Sources of Inspiration and Passion (00:29:08)

6. Brewing as Alchemy: Art Meets Science (00:35:21)

7. Legacy, Growth and Future Plans (00:40:51)

8. The Flying Hippo Philosophy (00:49:13)