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Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

391: Kevin Ely of Wooly Pig Finds Small Tweaks That Make Big Impacts in Robust, Farm-Brewed Lagers

Dec 13, 2024
Kevin Ely, Co-founder and Brewmaster of Wooly Pig Farm Brewery, shares his journey from Uinta's big-brewery operations to crafting lagers on a self-sufficient farm in Ohio. He reveals how to transform rustic well water into distinctive brews, using innovative techniques like higher-kilned malts for fuller flavors. Ely discusses integrating livestock to reduce waste and create a sustainable brewing environment. The conversation also highlights the importance of careful ingredient handling and the unique character that farm-brewed lagers can embody.
01:22:16

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Wooly Pig Brewery's unique approach combines traditional German brewing with sustainable practices, utilizing farm resources like Mangalitsa pigs for waste management.
  • Kevin Ely emphasizes the importance of precision in brewing lagers, using careful techniques to maintain malt integrity and enhance flavor profiles.

Deep dives

The Allure of Woolly Pig Brewery

Woolly Pig Brewery, located in Fresno, Ohio, has garnered attention for its unique approach to brewing German-style lagers on a working farm. The brewery was co-founded by Kevin Ely, who previously worked at Uintah Brewing in Salt Lake City, and his journey back to Ohio was inspired by a trip to Bavaria where he discovered the Mangalitsa pigs. This breed of pig plays a crucial role in the brewery's sustainability efforts, as the spent grain from brewing is fed to the pigs, creating a symbiotic relationship between the farm and brewery operations. The rural setting, combined with German brewing traditions, allows Woolly Pig to craft high-quality lagers while embracing a farm-to-table ethos.

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