This episode is all about America and the things that make it great, like veteran-owned businesses. HOOAH! OORAH! Aim High! Anchor's Away! First, we drain our canteens just to refill them with beer at a brewery owned by a retired Army colonel. Next, we trade our combat boots for something more comfortable and speak with "battle buddies" who are impacting former war zones with their flip-flop foot fetish. That's a lot of F-bombs. Finally, we sign the Declaration of Hoppiness and feature two true American ales in our Beer Dome competition. That, and our usual craic on this episode of Life in 16 oz.

Show Notes
Retired Army Col. Mike Conrad, At Ease Brewing Company (10:26)
Beer Dome - Battle of the American Pale Ales - Intro (33:31)
Army Veterans Matthew "Griff" Griffin and Donald Lee, Combat Flip Flops (37:35)
Beer Dome - Battle of the American Pale Ales - Conclusion (1:01:19)
At Ease Brewing Company / Auburn Alehouse / Topa Topa Brewing Company / Combat Flip Flops / Aid Afghanistan for Education / Mines Advisory Group America / The Station Foundation

Brandon, right, asks Mike Conrad, a retired Army colonel and the owner of At Ease Brewing Company in downtown Sacramento, some really tough questions like, “How can I retire and make beer too?” (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

At Ease Brewing Company's tasting cards take flight with a military twist. Small military-like nuances like these are found throughout brewery and within their product lines are eye-catching, and readily familiar to those who served. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

At Ease Brewing Company owner Mike Conrad, a retired Army colonel, says he likes to cover his six when brewing and makes sure all styles are available. He says if you want crazy sours or wild flavored beers, you should go elsewhere. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

Military-themed At Ease Brewing Company in downtown Sacramento has a casual, easy approach for folks wanting to simply pop in and grab a cold one. Despite their small appearance, they've got a big outdoor patio out back in addition to interior seating and tables out front. (Courtesy photo/Life in 16 oz.)

At Ease Brewing Company has the brewing capacity for a second location, according to owner Mike Conrad. Learn more about him and his military-themed brewery in this month's podcast. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Brandon McCarty)

Brandon mentions the nationwide aluminum can shortage while interviewing At Ease Brewing Company owner Mike Conrad, a retired Army colonel. Mike is well aware--a shipment arrived during the interview. Lucky man. (Life in 16 oz. photo/Paul Wade)

Donald Lee, left, and Matthew "Griff" Griffin, right, during one of their deployments to Afghanistan. The former Army Rangers are Combat Flip Flops' CMO and CEO, respectively. Griff had a light bulb moment while at a combat boot factory in Afghanistan that eventually led to the founding of their business. However, the path to delivering their first order of flip flops was fraught with a number of major obstacles along the way. Listen to this month's podcast episode to find out how they were able to persevere. (Courtesy photo/Matthew Griffin)

The men's Floperator style flip flop sold by Combat Flip ...