Welcome to Drinking Partners Live at Barrel and Flow 2023! Ed and Day kick things off with a lively introduction, setting the stage for an exciting discussion. Proudly reminding everyone that Barrel and Flow is the number one brew festival in America—not just in Pittsburgh or among black brew festivals, but across the entire country. Founders of Funkytown Brewing from Chicago, Illinois: Richard Bloomfield, Greg Williams, and Zach Day share their inspiring journey from childhood friends to successful brewery owners. They cover their early days of drinking beer in college, their trip to Thailand in 2017, and how it sparked their desire for financial independence and a deeper involvement in the beer industry. The Funkytown team highlighted their unique approach to brewing, focusing on low bitterness and low astringency to create palatable beers that appeal to a wide audience. They also shared their experiences with the Sam Adams American Dream initiative and the challenges they faced, including a two-year trademark battle over the word "funky." Community involvement is a cornerstone of Funkytown Brewing. They partner with various non-profits and organizations to give back and support their local community. The episode also delved into the importance of representation and intentionality in the craft beer industry. The Funkytown founders emphasized the need to create a culture that resonates with their target demographic, using hip-hop references and familiar flavors to make their beers more accessible. As always, the episode wrapped up with an invitation for listeners to join the festival and continue supporting the craft beer community. Cheers to Funkytown Brewing and to all the listeners for making this journey with the Drinking Partners team!