Top 5 of 2025: #5 Crooked Culture Brewing with Patrick Leonard

Описание: From Home Brewing Hobbyist to Award-Winning Craft Brewery Owner

Hosts Spenser Bettis and Ben Musgrove hit the road to Cumming City Center for this outstanding episode, sitting down with Patrick Leonard, the visionary behind Crooked Culture Brewing. Recorded on location at the brewery itself, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to turn a passion for craft beer into a thriving local business that's earning national acclaim.

Patrick's Journey:

Before founding Crooked Culture with partner Nick Estes, Patrick's brewing story began like many craft beer enthusiasts—experimenting at home late into the night (which admittedly made the neighbors a bit suspicious). His construction background eventually gave way to professional brewing opportunities at respected Georgia operations including JailHouse Brewing and Gate City, where he honed his craft and developed his distinctive brewing philosophy.

The Crooked Culture Story:

The brewery's name carries double significance: it nods to Patrick's after-hours home brewing days that raised neighborhood eyebrows, while also representing their dedication to pushing boundaries with unconventional yeast strains and creative brewing techniques. This experimental spirit has paid off—Crooked Culture recently earned 6th place in USA Today's prestigious Best New Breweries in America ranking, putting Cumming firmly on the national craft beer map.

What Makes Them Different:

Walk into Crooked Culture and you'll find 14 rotating taps showcasing their commitment to innovation. While they've built a reputation for exceptional hazy IPAs, their true signature is creativity. Beer names like "Ken versus Ryu" and "Fist Bumps Are Frowned Upon" reflect the playful, approachable culture Patrick has cultivated. Each brew tells a story, and every visit offers something new to discover.

Episode Highlights:

Patrick opens up about the realities of running a craft brewery in Georgia, including navigating the state's complicated three-tier distribution system. He shares insights on maintaining quality while scaling production, the importance of staying true to your brewing philosophy (particularly his dedication to hoppy beers), and how he balances the demands of entrepreneurship with personal life.

The conversation also explores how Crooked Culture has evolved into more than just a brewery—it's become a genuine community hub. Through weekly trivia nights, music bingo events, and their food partnership with Dominic's Woodfire, they've created a gathering space where Cumming residents connect, celebrate, and build relationships over exceptional craft beer.

Perfect For:

Craft beer lovers curious about the brewing process

Aspiring entrepreneurs seeking real-world business insights

Anyone interested in supporting local Cumming businesses

Small business owners navigating growth and community building

Home brewers dreaming of going professional

Why This Episode Made Our Top 5:

This episode perfectly captures what The Bettis Musgrove Show is all about—highlighting the passionate people building something special right here in Forsyth County. Patrick's authentic approach to both brewing and business, combined with his commitment to community, makes this conversation both inspiring and practical. Plus, recording at the brewery itself gives you a front-row seat to the atmosphere that's making Crooked Culture a local favorite.

Visit Crooked Culture Brewing:

📍 421 Vision Dr., Cumming, GA 30040 (Cumming City Center)
🌐 CrookedCultureBrewing.com
📱 Instagram: @crookedculturebrewing
🍺 14 rotating taps featuring creative brews
🍕 Food by Dominic's Woodfire
🎉 Weekly events: Trivia nights and music bingo

About The Bettis Musgrove Show:

A community-focused podcast where personal injury attorneys Spenser Bettis and Ben Musgrove merge legal expertise with engaging conversations about the people, businesses, and organizations making Forsyth County an exceptional place to live, work, and play.

Connect with Bettis Musgrove:

📍 202 Tribble Gap Rd, STE 300, Cumming, GA 30040
📞 (470) 347-1515
🌐 bettismusgrove.com
📱 @BettisMusgrove on all social platforms
🎙️ Available on all major podcast platforms