
Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast
Listen to the podcast for those who make and drink great beer. Every week we talk to professional brewers and industry experts about practical brewing advice, in-depth coverage of brewing trends that matter to you, and tips for getting the most out of your homebrew.
Latest episodes

Jun 3, 2022 • 1h 7min
241: Edward Slingerland Argues that Beer is an Evolutionary Adaptation, not an Accident
The human brain is an amazing piece of machinery. It’s uniquely adapted to success in the world we live in, and the result of that success is evidenced by the population spread of humans across the planet. Yet one element of the brain that provides a particular evolutionary benefit—the prefrontal cortex—also has a habit of getting in the way of “softer” tasks, such as building social relationships and creative problem-solving. As tool-using primates, early humans discovered a rather effective way to overcome the occasional limitations of the prefrontal cortex—low-strength alcohol produced via fermentation.
In this episode, author and professor Edward “Ted” Slingerland walks through that evolutionary history, explaining how prior theses about alcohol—that it was an evolutionary mistake or shortcut for the brain’s pleasure circuits, like junk food—got it all wrong. Instead, alcohol has played a crucial role in the development of the human species, allowing evolutionary advantages not enjoyed by other primates by creating space for social trust and creative problem-solving. By down-regulating the prefrontal cortex in managed, time-limited ways, it has allowed us to develop the deep, trusting social relationships necessary for widespread community.
In this episode, Slingerland discusses:
the evolutionary tension in the brain between linearity and lateral thinking
the communal need for social trust
how the standard story about alcohol as an accident that hijacks the brain’s reward network is entirely wrong
the origins of alcoholic drinks that predate organized agriculture
optimal blood-alcohol concentration and the beverages that get one there
the importance of social regulation on alcohol consumption, throughout human history
how beer is an ideal beverage (better than wine or distilled spirits) for promoting the positive benefits of alcohol with fewer negatives
sociological differences between Northern and Southern European drinking cultures
And more.
This episode is brought to you by:
G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): For nearly 30 years, G&D Chillers has set the mark for quality equipment you can rely on. G&D stands above the rest as the only chiller manufacturer that engineers your glycol piping for free. G&D also stands alone as the only chiller manufacturer with an in house team of installers and engineers, with 30 years of real world, field labor experience in breweries, wineries and distilleries. Contact the total glycol system design experts today at gdchillers.com
BSG (https://go.bsgcraft.com/Contact-Us) Support for this episode comes from BSG. Did you know that BSG sources hops directly from growers and processes them in their FSSC-certified facility in the Yakima Valley? From Azacca to Zappa, BSG’s hops are pelletized for optimal dispersion in the boiler or FV, and packaged in nitrogen-flushed bags to preserve all those tasty and enticing aromatics. To learn more about how your hops go from farmer to fermenter, get in touch with BSG at LetsTalkHops@bsgcraft.com
Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Is your brewery struggling to source or afford berry ingredients? Historic heatwaves devastated U.S. berry crops, causing supply to dwindle and prices to skyrocket. That’s why brewers are switching over to Old Orchard’s craft concentrate blends, which mimic straight concentrates but at a better price point—and with more reliable supply. Is it any surprise that Old Orchard’s best-sellers are Raspberry and Blackberry flavors? Reclaim your margins and order your craft concentrates at oldorchard.com/brewer
Arryved (https://www.arryved.com): As craft beer’s most trusted point of sale system, Arryved is the mobile, all-in-one solution you need to decrease service friction and increase guest satisfaction. With a full suite of craft-specific features, no contracts, and no monthly fees, Arryved provides the necessary tools to help your brewery grow. Go to Arryved.com/cbb to set up a free, customized demo. Remember, there is no “i” in Arryved.
Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com): From the rotatable pick-up tube on Rogue Brewing's pilot brewhouse to the integrated hopbacks on Sierra Nevada's twin prototyping brewhouses, Ss Brewtech has taken technology they invented working with world-renowned industry veterans and made them available to every craft brewer. To learn more about Ss Brewtech's innovation list, head over to SsBrewtech.com Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

May 28, 2022 • 1h 11min
240: Eric Larkin of Cohesion Approaches Lager Expression Through Limitation
Eric Larkin enjoys constraints. Through his brewing career, he’s been drawn to breweries that have set up their own guardrails around the styles of beer they brew—Allagash’s Belgian style focus, or the hazy IPAs of Odd13—and with Cohesion in Denver, he and his wife have fully embraced Czech-style lager. The presentation is top notch, with a focus on foam and a variety of beers and pour styles, but narrowing down the beer approach has given Larkin a tight range to work with in, and that challenge is one he thrives on.
Don’t call them “authentic,” though—these beers are traditional, and reverent, even, but they don’t need to lean on that difficult “A” word to be worth drinking. Instead, the experience of drinking them at the brewery clearly expresses their intentionality. The presentation and care is evident in every pour.
In this episode, Larkin discusses their approach to brewing Czech-style lagers, including:
The importance of dialing in soft water
Developing an under-modified pilsner malt with a local craft maltster
The necessity of decoction, and levels of decoction for specific beers
Adjusting for mash temperature impacts of decoction
Working with lower-attenuating Czech yeast in open fermenters
Whole cone versus pellet hops
The range of possibility within the seemingly narrow style
And more.
This episode is brought to you by:
G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): What if you could chill your beer with a more efficient chiller? The Answer? G&D Chillers new Micro Channel Condensers! G&D’s Micro Channel Condensers are highly efficient in hotter regions, use a fraction of the refrigerant over traditional chillers which provides less opportunity for leaks along with lower global warming potential. G&D Chillers’ Engineers are committed to green technology design, while developing a more energy efficient chiller for the brewing industry. Contact G&D Chillers today at gdchillers.com.
BSG (https://go.bsgcraft.com/Contact-Us) This episode is sponsored by BSG CraftBrewing. Explore a whole universe of hop sensory with unique varieties like Cashmere, Comet, Triumph, El Dorado, and many more. Sourced directly from growers and processed at BSG’s FSSC-certified facility in Yakima to bring you only the very best hops, from farmer to fermenter. For contracting, spot sales, and more info, reach out to us at LetsTalkHops@bsgcraft.com.
Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Supply chain challenges are here to stay for a while, so why not trust the experts to handle freight for your ingredients? Old Orchard has partnered with a leading logistics firm in the craft beverage industry to transport your craft concentrate blends. When you order two pails or more of concentrate from Old Orchard, you qualify for freight quotes from various carriers and can stay up-to-date on the status of your shipment. To get started on a freight quote for craft concentrates today, head over to oldorchard.com/brewer.
Arryved (https://www.arryved.com): Arryved mobile point of sale powers places with personality. Arryved is streamlining business operations for the makers of craft with an all-in-one solution that was built with love by hospitality professionals. No contracts and no monthly fees make Arryved a no brainer for your craft business. Go to Arryved.com, forward slash CBB to set up a free, customized demo. That's A-r-r-Y-v-e-d dot com, forward slash CBB. A different kind of P-O-S has Arryved.
Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com): From the rotatable pick-up tube on Rogue Brewing's pilot brewhouse to the integrated hopbacks on Sierra Nevada's twin prototyping brewhouses, Ss Brewtech has taken technology they invented working with world-renowned industry veterans and made them available to every craft brewer. To learn more about Ss Brewtech's innovation list, head over to SsBrewtech.com Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

May 21, 2022 • 1h 9min
239: Roaring Table Brews For Elegance, Simplicity, and Texture in Hazy IPA, Pilsner, and Mixed Fermentation
Sometimes success comes quickly, and sometimes it’s the result of years and years of working, training, and improving. In the case of Roaring Table, founded by husband-and-wife team Beth May and Lane Fearing northwest of Chicago, it’s a bit of both.
Their recent string of successes—including a Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine beer of the year and a World Beer Cup medal—may seem sudden, but Fearing started laying the groundwork back in 2007 when he attended the Siebel Institute. He worked for another Chicago-area brewery for nearly a decade before he and May felt they were ready to tackle the brewery challenge on their own. Today, he approaches their beers with an earnest energy, enthusiasm, and humility that’s refreshing to see in someone who has worked a brew deck for so long.
In this episode, May and Fearing discuss their approach to brewing and business, including:
building a specific water profile for hazy IPA that optimizes mouthfeel
dialing back non-barley grains for ease of brewing without sacrificing haze
cooler fermentation in hazy IPA to reduce esters and improve hop expression
considering the difference between final gravity and perceived sweetness
patient fermentation with longer lag times
using modern hop products like Incognito and Lupomax pellets at various stages of brewing
employing IPA whirlpool-hopping techniques for lagers
taking a pragmatic approach to lager brewing without sacrificing quality
And more.
This episode is brought to you by:
G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): For nearly 30 years, G&D Chillers has set the mark for quality equipment you can rely on. G&D stands above the rest as the only chiller manufacturer that engineers your glycol piping for free. G&D also stands alone as the only chiller manufacturer with an in house team of installers and engineers, with 30 years of real world, field labor experience in breweries, wineries and distilleries. Contact the total glycol system design experts today at gdchillers.com
BSG (https://go.bsgcraft.com/Contact-Us) This episode is brought to you by our friends at BSG. We all know that the best brewing results come from the best ingredients. BSG offers the largest variety of quality ingredients to create outstanding beers. BSG brings the best malt, hops and additives from around the world to your brewhouse. Their knowledgeable and dedicated staff comes from the brewing industry and can assist you in product consultation for your recipe formulation. Contact your dedicated sales or customer support rep, or become a customer at BSGcraft.com/BeACustomer
Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Looking for innovation in your next beverage break-through? Think outside the purée box and let your brand stand out with Old Orchard's craft concentrate blends. Even smoothie seltzers can benefit from the extra boost of flavor and color. Old Orchard is based in the Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area—also known as Beer City, USA—and supplies craft beverage categories ranging from beer, wine, and cider to seltzer, spirits, and kombucha. To join the core of Old Orchard's brewing community, learn more at oldorchard.com/brewer
Arryved (https://www.arryved.com): As craft beer’s most trusted point of sale system, Arryved is the mobile, all-in-one solution you need to decrease service friction and increase guest satisfaction. With a full suite of craft-specific features, no contracts, and no monthly fees, Arryved provides the necessary tools to help your brewery grow. Go to Arryved.com/cbb to set up a free, customized demo. Remember, there is no “i” in Arryved.
Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com): From the rotatable pick-up tube on Rogue Brewing's pilot brewhouse to the integrated hopbacks on Sierra Nevada's twin prototyping brewhouses, Ss Brewtech has taken technology they invented working with world-renowned industry veterans and made them available to every craft brewer. To learn more about Ss Brewtech's innovation list, head over to SsBrewtech.com Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

May 14, 2022 • 1h 2min
238: Laura Burns of Omega Yeast Offers an Expert Approach to Stable Beer Haze
Brewing isn’t a typical career path for research scientists with doctorate degrees, but for Laura Burns it was a practical way to apply academic learning in a creative environment. After finishing her doctorate, she worked in brewhouses from Tennessee to Chicago before landing at Omega Yeast, where she’s assumed the title of director of research and development. There, she’s helped develop new yeast products to solve problems for brewers, and she’s worked diligently to understand why and how yeast create certain flavors and textures in beer.
In this episode, Burns follows up on her recent presentation at the Craft Brewers Conference with an in-depth discussion of haze. There are plenty of myths surrounding haze in beer, and Burns cuts through the anecdotes and assumptions with direct results from extensive bench testing to help brewers create more stable haze in their beer. Burns covers:
creating stable colloidal haze without yeast in suspension
understanding the haze-positive yeast phenotype
yeast evolution that has led certain strains to develop haze-positive qualities
strains beyond London Ale III that exhibit haze-positive characteristics
the chemical makeup of the protein-polyphenol reactions that constitute stable haze
dry-hop timing strategies to maximize or minimize haze
hop variety impact on haze
And more.
This episode is brought to you by:
G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): What if you could chill your beer with a more efficient chiller? The Answer? G&D Chillers new Micro Channel Condensers! G&D’s Micro Channel Condensers are highly efficient in hotter regions, use a fraction of the refrigerant over traditional chillers which provides less opportunity for leaks along with lower global warming potential. G&D Chillers’ Engineers are committed to green technology design, while developing a more energy efficient chiller for the brewing industry. Contact G&D Chillers today at gdchillers.com
BSG (https://go.bsgcraft.com/Contact-Us) Get back to the future with Weyermann® Isaria 1924®. Made from the oldest German malting barley variety, Isaria shows malty-sweet flavor and a soft, biscuit-like aroma. This heirloom malt makes amazing traditional Bavarian-style lagers, not to mention modern craft lagers and malt-forward ales. For more info, samples, and orders please visit go.bsgcraft.com/Contact-Us
Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Is your brewery struggling to source or afford berry ingredients? Historic heatwaves devastated U.S. berry crops, causing supply to dwindle and prices to skyrocket. That’s why brewers are switching over to Old Orchard’s craft concentrate blends, which mimic straight concentrates but at a better price point—and with more reliable supply. Is it any surprise that Old Orchard’s best-sellers are Raspberry and Blackberry flavors? Reclaim your margins and order your craft concentrates at oldorchard.com/brewer
Arryved (https://www.arryved.com): Arryved mobile point of sale powers places with personality. Arryved is streamlining business operations for the makers of craft with an all-in-one solution that was built with love by hospitality professionals. No contracts and no monthly fees make Arryved a no brainer for your craft business. Go to Arryved.com/cbb to set up a free, customized demo. A different kind of P-O-S has Arryved.
Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com): From the rotatable pick-up tube on Rogue Brewing's pilot brewhouse to the integrated hopbacks on Sierra Nevada's twin prototyping brewhouses, Ss Brewtech has taken technology they invented working with world-renowned industry veterans and made them available to every craft brewer. To learn more about Ss Brewtech's innovation list, head over to SsBrewtech.com Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

May 6, 2022 • 1h 20min
237: Less is More as Surly’s Ben Smith Pursues Bigger Hop Flavor in Hazy IPA and a Refined Approach to West Coast IPA
Minnesota's Surly Brewing has cultivated a brand image that's bold and in-your-face, but the next chapter of Surly's approach to brewing will be defined by achieving more with less, if head brewer Ben Smith has anything to say about it. From thiol-maximizing yeast in hazy IPAs that achieves big flavor with less hops, to refined and softer bitterness in new West coast IPAs, every assumption about how things "should be done" is under consideration.
In this episode, Smith shares what they've learned from brewing a new thiol-focused beer with Other Half, Phantasm, and thiol-centric yeast from Omega Labs. But it wouldn't be a proper Surly episode without a discussion of West coast IPA and the ways they're tweaking and refining the classic approach to find new expression and connection.
In this episode, Smith discusses:
Maximizing their three pillars of quality, consistency, and stability
Achieving more hop flavor with less hops and thiolized yeast
Thinking about bitterness in terms beyond IBU
Hopping methods to achieve flavorful and efficient results
Deconstructing and reconstructing West coast IPA
Managing hop creep at a production scale
And more.
This episode is brought to you by:
G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): For nearly 30 years, G&D Chillers has set the mark for quality equipment you can rely on. G&D stands above the rest as the only chiller manufacturer that engineers your glycol piping for free. G&D also stands alone as the only chiller manufacturer with an in house team of installers and engineers, with 30 years of real world, field labor experience in breweries, wineries and distilleries. Contact the total glycol system design experts today at gdchillers.com
BSG (https://go.bsgcraft.com/Contact-Us) This episode brought to you by BSG and Rahr Malting Co., the home of fossil-free malt. Rahr’s headquarters in Shakopee, Minnesota is powered by renewable electricity. Malthouses and kilns are fed by an electrostatic boiler fueled by agricultural byproducts, much of which is waste from the malting process. By eliminating the use of natural gas, Rahr Malting Co. reduces CO2 emissions by 260,000 tons per year while filling 25% of the US brewing industry’s malt needs. Put the power of Rahr Malt in your beer at go.bsgcraft.com/Contact-Us
Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Supply chain challenges are here to stay for a while, so why not trust the experts to handle freight for your ingredients? Old Orchard has partnered with a leading logistics firm in the craft beverage industry to transport your craft concentrate blends. When you order two pails or more of concentrate from Old Orchard, you qualify for freight quotes from various carriers and can stay up-to-date on the status of your shipment. To get started on a freight quote for craft concentrates today, head over to [oldorchard.com/brewer](oldorchard.com/brewer)
Arryved (https://www.arryved.com): As craft beer’s most trusted point of sale system, Arryved is the mobile, all-in-one solution you need to decrease service friction and increase guest satisfaction. With a full suite of craft-specific features, no contracts, and no monthly fees, Arryved provides the necessary tools to help your brewery grow. Go to Arryved.com to set up a free, customized demo. Arryved.com. A-r-r-Y-v-e-d dot com. Remember, there is no “i” in Arryved. Arryved.com.
Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com): From the rotatable pick-up tube on Rogue Brewing's pilot brewhouse to the integrated hopbacks on Sierra Nevada's twin prototyping brewhouses, Ss Brewtech has taken technology they invented working with world-renowned industry veterans and made them available to every craft brewer. To learn more about Ss Brewtech's innovation list, head over to SsBrewtech.com
Mettler Toledo, Inc. (https://www.mt.com/global/en/home/products/Process-Analytics.html): Are you looking for the tools to make your next improvements in process and quality control? The Mettler Toledo InPro 8630i is the ideal sensor for combined color and turbidity measurement in lautering, filtration and phase shift operations. Robust, compact and easy to handle, it supports consistency in beer processing. The InTap portable oxygen meter gives you readings wherever you need them. Flexible in production for verification, while purging, or for troubleshooting - your perfect helping hand. Contact us today to find out more!Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Apr 29, 2022 • 1h 27min
236: Forager’s Austin Jevne Embraces Nuanced Flavor in Fruited Seltzers, Sours, and Barrel-Aged Stouts
In Rochester, Minnesota, the Forager brewpub that Austin Jevne founded with life and business partner Annie Henderson continues with its mission to provide compelling beer and food to the community. However, Jevne’s Humble Forager brand has set a more far-reaching goal to bring their authentic, grounded approach to flavorful beer to a wider national market.
While Forager brews on a seven-barrel system for local fans, Humble Forager works produces 100-barrel batches at partners such as Octopi in Madison, Wisconsin, or Fair State Collective in Minneapolis. A through-line that spans all their production is a focus on real ingredients and real fruit, used in thoughtful and expressive ways, no matter what the style. Whether it’s fruit beer, hard seltzer, or stout, the approach is the same: no extracts, high-quality ingredients, and a progressive approach to technique to drive the best possible expression from the chosen ingredients.
In this episode of the podcast, Jevne discusses their approach to recipes and process, including:
creating real fruit hard seltzers that are shelf stable for up to 18 months
using a three-stage pasteurization process to temper and stabilize fruit in quick-sours and hard seltzer
layering fruit flavor with other herbal and tea notes to create flavors that evolve through the sip
searching for the best quality fruits from a variety of sources
finding the best sources for flavorful vanilla
working with high-pectin fruits
accounting for expression of acidity in both fruited hard seltzers and tart beers
building a library of stout recipes and barrel types to create options when blending
employing an ingredient-by-ingredient method of concentrated infusion to carefully add flavor to stouts
deploying blended methods of coffee infusion using both whole bean and ground coffee for different flavor contributions
And more.
“A lot of people are assuming that fruited sours have a shelf life similar to hazy IPAs,” Jevne says. “And absolutely they do, from certain breweries. But if you have a process that changes that—we have a shelf life of 18 months with flavor stability in our fruited sours, and people look at our shelf life on the bottom of the cans and get a little worried sometimes. But we’ve done multiple tests about the longevity of where that flavor’s stable, and because of that [multi-step pasteurization] process, our beers are great and can sit in the back of your trunk on a hot Texas summer day, and they’re not going to explode.”
This episode is brought to you by:
G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): What if you could chill your beer with a more efficient chiller? The Answer? G&D Chillers new Micro Channel Condensers! G&D’s Micro Channel Condensers are highly efficient in hotter regions, use a fraction of the refrigerant over traditional chillers which provides less opportunity for leaks along with lower global warming potential. G&D Chillers’ Engineers are committed to green technology design, while developing a more energy efficient chiller for the brewing industry. Contact G&D Chillers today at gdchillers.com
BSG (https://go.bsgcraft.com/Contact-Us) This episode is brought to you by BSG, exclusive distributors of Rahr Malting Co. Since 1847, Rahr malt has been a benchmark of quality and consistency for brewers, from the 19th century through today’s craft beer pioneers. Whether you’re creating classic lagers, resin-clouded hazies, or barrel-aged behemoths, inspired malts like Rahr North Star Pils, Malted Oats, and more are here to make your brewing dreams a reality. Get in touch today at go.bsgcraft.com/Contact-Us
Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Looking for innovation in your next beverage break-through? Think outside the purée box and let your brand stand out with Old Orchard's craft concentrate blends. Even smoothie seltzers can benefit from the extra boost of flavor and color. Old Orchard is based in the Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area—also known as Beer City, USA—and supplies craft beverage categories ranging from beer, wine, and cider to seltzer, spirits, and kombucha. To join the core of Old Orchard's brewing community, learn more at oldorchard.com/brewer
Arryved (https://www.arryved.com): Arryved mobile point of sale powers places with personality. Arryved is streamlining business operations for the makers of craft with an all-in-one solution that was built with love by hospitality professionals. No contracts and no monthly fees make Arryved a no brainer for your craft business. Go to Arryved.com/cbb to set up a free, customized demo. A different kind of P-O-S has Arryved.
Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com): From the rotatable pick-up tube on Rogue Brewing's pilot brewhouse to the integrated hopbacks on Sierra Nevada's twin prototyping brewhouses, Ss Brewtech has taken technology they invented working with world-renowned industry veterans and made them available to every craft brewer. To learn more about Ss Brewtech's innovation list, head over to SsBrewtech.com
Mettler Toledo, Inc. (https://www.mt.com/global/en/home/products/Process-Analytics.html): Are you looking for the tools to make your next improvements in process and quality control? The Mettler Toledo InPro 8630i is the ideal sensor for combined color and turbidity measurement in lautering, filtration and phase shift operations. Robust, compact and easy to handle, it supports consistency in beer processing. The InTap portable oxygen meter gives you readings wherever you need them. Flexible in production for verification, while purging, or for troubleshooting - your perfect helping hand. Contact us today to find out more!Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Apr 22, 2022 • 1h 40min
235: Barrett Tillman of BlackMan Brewing Tells Stories Through Beer
Barrett Tillman’s love affair with yeast started innocently enough—as his small group of homebrewing friends divided up brewday tasks, he arbitrarily chose yeast duty. Little did he know that choice would turn into a passion that would define his brewing career for the past decade.
Homebrewing led him to pursue brewing professionally, and over the course of a few years and a few different positions, he eventually landed at Deep Ellum Brewing in Dallas, where he became head brewer. Sour beer has long been his passion, and even in this commercial environment, he was able to bring his fermentation experience to bear, launching the brewery’s first kettle-soured beer.
However, a series of events led Tillman to question the systemic culture of craft beer and the toll it can take on individuals. The social requirement to be chief party officer led him to do things that he ultimate didn’t feel comfortable doing—from leading bar-wide beer chugs to drinking in an unhealthy way. Those behaviors ultimately led to a crux moment where Tillman was arrested for DWI while parked in his own driveway.
In this episode, Tillman recounts those experiences—the pressure to conform to a brewing culture that privileged the party (and beer sales) over people; the downside of compounding factors that led to him questioning his future in brewing; and the sabbatical and realization that caused him to search for new ways of working in the brewing world, to satisfy his need for authenticity and connection.
Today, Tillman runs his own brewing project, BlackMan Brewing, via contract-brewing arrangements with brewer friends in Costa Rica. On top of that, he’s working on projects stateside to extend the brand, and the philosophy of beermaking, in meaningful ways. Sour beer and complex fermentations remain his first loves and focus, but connecting people to beers with backstory is his newfound passion.
This episode is brought to you by:
G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): For nearly 30 years, G&D Chillers has set the mark for quality equipment you can rely on. G&D stands above the rest as the only chiller manufacturer that engineers your glycol piping for free. G&D also stands alone as the only chiller manufacturer with an in house team of installers and engineers, with 30 years of real world, field labor experience in breweries, wineries and distilleries. Contact the total glycol system design experts today at gdchillers.com
BSG (https://go.bsgcraft.com/Contact-Us) Support for this episode comes from Hop Solutions by BSG. The Hop Solutions portfolio is a joint effort between the brewers, hop specialists, and brewing scientists of BSG and the Rahr Technical Center that takes a flavor-first, application-specific approach to hops. Whether you’re seeking biotransformation in a juicy IPA or dialing in a classic West Coast profile, BSG has a Hop Solution for that. Get in touch with the hop nerds at BSG by emailing LetsTalkHops@bsgcraft.com for samples, spots, and contracts.
Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Is your brewery struggling to source or afford berry ingredients? Historic heatwaves devastated U.S. berry crops, causing supply to dwindle and prices to skyrocket. That’s why brewers are switching over to Old Orchard’s craft concentrate blends, which mimic straight concentrates but at a better price point—and with more reliable supply. Is it any surprise that Old Orchard’s best-sellers are Raspberry and Blackberry flavors? Reclaim your margins and order your craft concentrates at oldorchard.com/brewer
Arryved (https://www.arryved.com): As craft beer’s most trusted point of sale system, Arryved is the mobile, all-in-one solution you need to decrease service friction and increase guest satisfaction. With a full suite of craft-specific features, no contracts, and no monthly fees, Arryved provides the necessary tools to help your brewery grow. Go to Arryved.com to set up a free, customized demo. Arryved.com. A-r-r-Y-v-e-d dot com. Remember, there is no “i” in Arryved. Arryved.com.
Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com): From the rotatable pick-up tube on Rogue Brewing's pilot brewhouse to the integrated hopbacks on Sierra Nevada's twin prototyping brewhouses, Ss Brewtech has taken technology they invented working with world-renowned industry veterans and made them available to every craft brewer. To learn more about Ss Brewtech's innovation list, head over to SsBrewtech.com
Mettler Toledo, Inc. (https://www.mt.com/global/en/home/products/Process-Analytics.html): Are you looking for the tools to make your next improvements in process and quality control? The Mettler Toledo InPro 8630i is the ideal sensor for combined color and turbidity measurement in lautering, filtration and phase shift operations. Robust, compact and easy to handle, it supports consistency in beer processing. The InTap portable oxygen meter gives you readings wherever you need them. Flexible in production for verification, while purging, or for troubleshooting - your perfect helping hand. Contact us today to find out more!Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Apr 15, 2022 • 1h 12min
234: Pierre Tilquin of Gueuzerie Tilquin Makes Lambic and Gueuze with Lively Spirit and Mathematical Precision
Passionate people tend to have exacting ideas of how to do things, and Pierre Tilquin is no exception. The founder of Gueuzerie Tilquin has spent more than a decade now buying lambics from classic houses such as 3 Fonteinen, Cantillon, Boon, Lindemans, and Girardin, aging them in his own facility, and finally blending them in carefully considered ratios. A perfect blend isn’t solely based on taste. For example, making sure that the blend has the perfect amount of residual sugar to re-ferment in the bottle to the appropriate carbonation is of utmost importance.
But some of the assumptions about lambic—such as the idea that young lambic provides the fermentable sugar for bottle-conditioning—has not always proven true in Tilquin’s experience. Certain producers tend to produce lambic that finishes at higher or lower gravities. Some years, weather and culture conditions can alter the expected fermentation arc. That leaves Tilquin to do what blenders have done for centuries: use the tools at their disposal to build blends that are not only artful and inspired, but also functional.
In this episode, Tilquin discusses:
the characters of each of the brewers’ lambics he uses
using specific barrel sizes for lambics with different aging goals
maintaining the terroir of the producer with a strict barrel-cleaning regimen
temperature control in the barrel facility
developing a signature Tilquin style of gueuze
using trace amounts of certain “off” flavors in blends
trialing different unusual fruits for addition to lambic
brewing his own lambic on premises for the first time
And more.
This episode is brought to you by:
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BSG (https://go.bsgcraft.com/Contact-Us) Support for this episode comes from BSG. Did you know that BSG sources hops directly from growers and processes them in their FSSC-certified facility in the Yakima Valley? From Azacca to Zappa, BSG’s hops are pelletized for optimal dispersion in the boiler or FV, and packaged in nitrogen-flushed bags to preserve all those tasty and enticing aromatics. To learn more about how your hops go from farmer to fermenter, get in touch with BSG at LetsTalkHops@bsgcraft.com
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Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com): From the rotatable pick-up tube on Rogue Brewing's pilot brewhouse to the integrated hopbacks on Sierra Nevada's twin prototyping brewhouses, Ss Brewtech has taken technology they invented working with world-renowned industry veterans and made them available to every craft brewer. To learn more about Ss Brewtech's innovation list, head over to SsBrewtech.com
Mettler Toledo, Inc. (https://www.mt.com/global/en/home/products/Process-Analytics.html): Are you looking for the tools to make your next improvements in process and quality control? The Mettler Toledo InPro 8630i is the ideal sensor for combined color and turbidity measurement in lautering, filtration and phase shift operations. Robust, compact and easy to handle, it supports consistency in beer processing. The InTap portable oxygen meter gives you readings wherever you need them. Flexible in production for verification, while purging, or for troubleshooting - your perfect helping hand. Contact us today to find out more!Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Apr 8, 2022 • 1h 8min
233: Urbain Coutteau of Struise Brouwers Shares Some “Peasant Intelligence”
Struise Brouwers is scrappy, in the best sense of the word. Small and underfunded from the start, they’ve always made the best of what they have, and figured out no-cost solutions to brewing problems. After all, you can’t spend money you don’t have.
Today, the brewery operates with a brewhouse that is as unique as their beers—two mash tuns, with internal vessels and screens that lift and drain the mash, to feed three separate kettles. The team brews four turns per day on the system, filling a fermentor one-quarter full as fermentation starts. Over the following days, subsequent brews fill the tank as the carefully controlled fermentation progresses. By adjusting the mash temperatures of each day’s brews, they’re able to approximate a step-mash regimen without tight temperature control and automation in the brewhouse.
In this episode, cofounder Urbain Coutteau discusses the creative and the technical, including:
building a bridge to stout for Belgian beer enthusiasts with Pannepot
controlling the use of simple sugars to avoid astringency
rebuilding the Pannepot recipe without spices but with a wild Saccharomyces strain
the conceptual framework for their unique brewhouse setup
designing a brewhouse to achieve specific flavor goals
controlling fermentation to allow multi-day tank fills without stressing yeast
relying on ingenuity more than investment
the brewery’s best-in-class water treatment system that nearly eliminates water waste
clever use of automation to create water profiles, reducing staff time
using a familiar ale yeast strain to ferment big Belgian beers
And more.
Launched on a shoestring budget, the Struise team has always had to rely on clever problem-solving—what Coutteau refers to as “peasant intelligence.” That spirit is alive and well at the brewery today, scaled to address bigger challenges, in bigger ways.
This episode is brought to you by:
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Arryved (https://www.arryved.com): As craft beer’s most trusted point of sale system, Arryved is the mobile, all-in-one solution you need to decrease service friction and increase guest satisfaction. With a full suite of craft-specific features, no contracts, and no monthly fees, Arryved provides the necessary tools to help your brewery grow. Go to Arryved.com to set up a free, customized demo. Arryved.com. Remember, there is no “i” in Arryved.
Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com): From the rotatable pick-up tube on Rogue Brewing's pilot brewhouse to the integrated hopbacks on Sierra Nevada's twin prototyping brewhouses, Ss Brewtech has taken technology they invented working with world-renowned industry veterans and made them available to every craft brewer. To learn more about Ss Brewtech's innovation list, head over to SsBrewtech.com
Mettler Toledo, Inc. (https://www.mt.com/global/en/home/products/Process-Analytics.html): Are you looking for the tools to make your next improvements in process and quality control? The Mettler Toledo InPro 8630i is the ideal sensor for combined color and turbidity measurement in lautering, filtration and phase shift operations. Robust, compact and easy to handle, it supports consistency in beer processing. The InTap portable oxygen meter gives you readings wherever you need them. Flexible in production for verification, while purging, or for troubleshooting - your perfect helping hand. Contact us today to find out more!Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Apr 2, 2022 • 1h 39min
232: Raf Souvereyns of Bokke Is Blending Lambic with Fruit and New Perspective
Raf Souvereyns, the innovative brewer behind Bokke, returns to the blendery after a challenging health battle. He shares insights on blending lambics with unique heirloom fruits, emphasizing the importance of quality and local sourcing. Raf discusses creative harvesting techniques and valuable underappreciated fruit elements like skins and pits. He explores strategies for enhancing flavor and mouthfeel while rethinking production processes to reduce labor. With a fresh perspective, he aims to craft beers that are not just different, but deliciously distinct.