Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

348: Spotlight: Keys to Successful Beer Fermentation with White Labs, Russian River, and Beachwood

Mar 5, 2024

Learn from industry leaders about maximizing yeast health and fermentation efficiency without excessive nutrient use. Explore the evolution of White Labs and their commitment to innovation in fermentation. Discover the importance of zinc dosing, enzyme use, and hop varieties in optimizing beer fermentation for superior quality. Gain key insights on achieving healthy fermentations and drawing inspiration for brewing success.

01:14:11

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Episode guests

Julian Shrago

Garrison Fratoni

Chris White

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Optimizing zinc dosing improves fermentation performance indicators like lag time, viability, and attenuation levels.

Consistent yeast propagation rhythms and monitoring key performance indicators ensure successful fermentations and enhance beer quality.

Homogenization in fermentation aids enzyme effectiveness on the cold side, crucial for managing hop creep and improving flavor profile.

Deep dives

Evolution of White Labs and Passion for Yeast

The founder of White Labs, Chris White, shares the evolution of the company, revealing that the idea stemmed from his passion for yeast and brewing. Starting as a homebrewer and working towards a PhD in yeast, Chris's interest in microbiology and fermentation led to the business development of White Labs. The focus on yeast strains and fermentation aids has expanded globally, supporting breweries in various countries.

Introduction

2min

The Evolution of White Labs: From Homebrew to Industry Leader

18min

Optimizing Beer Fermentation with Zinc Dosing

25min

Optimizing Yeast Performance in Beer Fermentation

5min

Exploring Enzyme Use in Fermentation for Improved Beer Quality

4min

Exploring the Influence of Hop Varietals on West Coast IPAs

3min

Enzymes and Hop Varieties in Beer Fermentation

12min

Keys to Successful Beer Fermentation Techniques

2min

Insights on Achieving Healthy Fermentations in Brewing

3min

This special fermentation-focused episode of the podcast is brought to you interruption-free by the yeast and fermentation specialists at White Labs. If you brew beer, you’re familiar with White Labs, as they’ve been supplying brewers with the highest quality yeast and fermentation aids for many years, and they now serve brewers around the world from outposts in San Diego and Asheville in the United States, as well as Copenhagen and Hong Kong.

Throughout this episode, we focus on the keys to effective fermentations, from yeast health to enzymes and more. Joining for the conversation are Chris White, founder of White Labs; Julian Shrago, co-owner and brewmaster of Beachwood Brewing in Long Beach, Huntington, and Garden Grove, California; and Garrison Fratoni, head brewer for Russian River in Windsor, California.

During the podcast, these three discuss the work they’ve been doing in maximizing yeast health while dialing back on the excessive use of yeast nutrients and enzymes. Increased attenuation and efficiency, despite decreased enzyme and nutrient additions? It’s possible, with the techniques and approaches that these brewers discuss.

White Labs never settles for “good enough,” and their innovative spirit continues to advance the craft of fermentation, guaranteeing products that defy the status quo. They fuel the brewing community by offering new product innovations, educational resources, and a collaborative atmosphere—empowering brewers to make the best beer possible.

To learn more about the range of top-quality yeast, nutrients, and other fermentation solutions that White Labs offers to brewers, visit WhiteLabs.com.

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