Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Garrett Oliver, a brewing legend at Brooklyn Brewery, and Vinnie Cilurzo, renowned for his work with Russian River, explore the innovative use of fonio grain in brewing. They discuss the sustainability and nutritional benefits of fonio, its historical ties to African culture, and its unique flavors that can enhance beer, including a Belgian Blonde. The conversation touches on the challenges of processing fonio and its potential as a revolutionary ingredient in the brewing world, making a case for more sustainable practices in the industry.

Paul Schneider, head brewer at Cinderlands in Pittsburgh, dives into innovative techniques for brewing fruit beers and IPAs. He discusses a shift from sweeter, thicker fruit beers to flavorful light lagers, aiming to balance process and taste. Schneider emphasizes the importance of ingredient sourcing, achieving genuine fruit flavors, and layering hops for unique flavor profiles. He also reflects on adapting brewery strategies to consumer trends, showcasing a commitment to quality and creativity while navigating the evolving craft beer landscape.

Great Lakes in Cleveland is an American craft beer institution—a brewery that got its start in the late ’80s, when the concept of smaller breweries still seemed foreign to most drinkers. Now, 36 years later, the scale is much larger than it was in those early days on the seven-barrel pub system—yet some of those early brands persevere. While those beers inevitably evolve amid shifts in scale and tastes, the core ideas that inform them haven’t changed. In this episode, longtime brewmaster Mark Hunger and co-CEO Steven Pauwels, the former brewmaster at Kansas City’s Boulevard, talk about that evolution as well as new developments in hop-forward beers. Along the way, they touch on: brewing lager with proprietary yeast for a signature brewery flavor using pressurized fermentation and warmer temperatures for faster lagers using automation while double-checking with human testing adding a touch of dryness and drinkability through sparge pH adjustment using sulfur as a tool for flavor and shelf stability Oregon-grown Mt. Hood hops for American lager character evaluating Munich malt for their annual Oktoberfest beer using public variety hops such as Triumph, but not Centennial, in Midwest-style IPA brewing filtered, clear IPA with London Ale III yeast And more. This episode is brought to you by: G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): At G&D Chillers they always strive to Build Great Chillers. Partner with them as you Build Great Beer. Choose G&D Chillers on your next Expansion or Brewery start up and receive 1 free year of Remote control and Monitoring of your new G&D Chiller! ProBrew (https://www.probrew.com) “ProBrew is excited to now offer 2-4 week lead times on all in-stock ProFill Rotary Can Filler and Seamers. This special lead time is only while supplies last, so send us an email at contactus@probrew.com or call us at 262-278-4945. ProBrew, Brew YOUR Beer.” Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Berry Blend, Blood Orange, Lemonade, and Tart Cherry are the latest additions to our lineup of flavored craft juice concentrate blends. To learn more and request your free samples, head over to oldorchard.com/brewer Omega Yeast (https://omegayeast.com): Experience distinct transparency and juiciness with Omega Yeast’s DayBreak-V. We've genetically eliminated haze in the popular British-V strain, allowing you to preserve the fruit-boosting prowess while achieving crystal clarity. Learn more at info@omegayeast.com. RSS Maclin (https://rssmaclin.com) offers audits and repairs for can seamers and can integrity training. We provide solutions for can damage, seam training, and help your facility become self-sufficient without relying on OEMs. Questions about your can line? Call us at (330) 299-8210 or email at service@rssmaclin.com Indie Hops (https://indiehops.com) breeds new hop varieties to help brewers captivate beer lovers. Brewers worldwide trust Indie’s unique varieties — Strata, Lórien, Luminosa, Meridian and Audacia — to modernize, brighten and diversify their beer lineup. Visit indiehops.com/podcast to discover what’s new in hop flavors. Berkeley Yeast (https://berkeleyyeast.com). Superbloom strains make classic hops flavor; Fresh strains keep diacetyl low even with large hop additions; Tropics strains make a tropical bouquet reminiscent of the finest southern hemisphere hops. Mention this podcast for 20% off your first order. Brewery & Distillery Workshop (https://breweryworkshop.com): If you’re a brewery or distillery in planning, or interested in adding a brewery or distillery to your existing craft beverage business, visit breweryworkshop.com now and secure your spot in our upcoming Brewery and Distillery Workshop, this September.Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Shaun Yasaki, head brewer at Noble Beast in Cleveland, shares his innovative journey in crafting nuanced lagers. He explains his unique 10-barrel brewhouse designed for flexibility and the use of high-gravity brewing methods. Explore how he combines cereal cooking with unconventional mash techniques to enhance flavor. Yasaki also delves into the art of yeast selection and decoction processes, revealing how brewing with rice can create intriguing layers in beer. His emphasis on quality ingredients and creativity showcases the evolving landscape of craft lagers.

Matt Cole, Brewmaster at Fat Head's Brewery, is known for crafting award-winning beers with a Midwestern touch. He discusses the creation of their flagship IPA, Head Hunter, blending West Coast vibes with an inviting warmth. Cole shares insights on hop selection, emphasizing teamwork and the impact of whole-cone hops. He also dives into the innovative practices behind open fermentation for German-style beers and the importance of quality ingredients and process. Throughout, he illustrates the artistry and science of brewing balanced flavors.

Murphy Johnson, an enthusiastic brewer from BlackStack in St. Paul, specializes in hazy IPAs and collaborates with brewers to innovate. He dives into altering grain bills for aesthetics and using dry hops with intriguing fermentables for richer flavors. Johnson shares insights on maximizing fruit expressions with thiol-boosting products and the role of unique hops like Sabro and Cashmere in enhancing taste. His passion for creating creamy mouthfeel and modern hop flavors shines through, revealing the ongoing journey of experimentation in the brewing world.

Joe Wells, head brewer at Fair State Brewing Cooperative, is a pioneer in crafting unique American lagers using alternative grains. He shares his innovative techniques, like utilizing corn grits and rice flour for light, flavorful beers. The conversation shifts to the artistry of blending aromas, drawing parallels to perfume-making. Wells also dives into the emerging trend of hemp-derived THC beverages, addressing flavor balance and consumer appeal. With a nod to tradition, he emphasizes a thoughtful approach to brewing that matches flavor with occasion.

Delve into the innovative world of lager yeast and its rising potential beyond standard clean profiles. Experts discuss how to harness lager strains for unique flavors in hop-forward beers. Experience insights on sulfur interactions, fermentation temperature impacts, and creative brewing techniques. They explore the art of fermentation timing, balancing tradition with modern advances, and even reviving historical yeast strains. This engaging conversation emphasizes experimentation and the evolving craft beer landscape.

Ian McCall, the founder of Ism Brewing and former lead brewer at Beachwood, shares insights from his award-winning craft brewery. He discusses the art of crafting the perfect West Coast IPA, emphasizing hop selection and malt balance. McCall reveals techniques like active fermentation dry hopping to enhance fruity notes and the importance of water chemistry in achieving desired bitterness. The conversation also explores his journey from brewer to owner and the role of community in shaping unique beer experiences.

Victor Novak has been racking up medals at major competitions for decades now. Through stints at significant Philadelphia and southern California breweries, he’s made his mark on the development of contemporary beer styles while also working with a number of younger brewers who’ve done significant work themselves. Now, as director of innovation for Figueroa Mountain in Westlake Village, California, he’s blending the many beer avenues he loves—lager, fruit, and more—to build a robust program with beers that even non-beer-lovers can enjoy. In this episode, Novak covers: adjusting chloride-to-sulfate ratios in dark lagers building easy-drinking dark beers with pilsner malt, rice, and small amounts of roasted malts limiting Munich malt to avoid astringency single-infusion mashing with modern malts managing sulfur production with Augustiner lager yeast the differentiating factors in award-winning lagers dialing in pH in either pale and dark lagers to optimize hop or malt expression biotransformation with lager yeast in West Coast pils creating a perception of sweetness (without actual sweetness) in tart fruit beers Choosing Lactobacillus strains for the intended level of acidity adding top-notes to fruit flavors for aromatic punch working terpenes into hop-forward and nonalcoholic beers And more. This episode is brought to you by: G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): At G&D Chillers they always strive to Build Great Chillers. Partner with them as you Build Great Beer. Choose G&D Chillers on your next Expansion or Brewery start up and receive 1 free year of Remote control and Monitoring of your new G&D Chiller! ProBrew (https://www.probrew.com) By partnering with ProBrew, brewers can fill and seam their canned product at ranges from 100-600 cans per minute. Our unique filling process also ensures low dissolved oxygen pickup and focuses on product quality during the entire process. Visit probrew.com or email us at contactus@probrew.com. Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Berry Blend, Blood Orange, Lemonade, and Tart Cherry are the latest additions to our lineup of flavored craft juice concentrate blends. To learn more and request your free samples, head over to oldorchard.com/brewer Omega Yeast (https://omegayeast.com): Experience distinct transparency and juiciness with Omega Yeast’s DayBreak-V. We've genetically eliminated haze in the popular British-V strain, allowing you to preserve the fruit-boosting prowess while achieving crystal clarity. Learn more at info@omegayeast.com. RSS Maclin (https://rssmaclin.com) offers audits and repairs for can seamers and can integrity training. We provide solutions for can damage, seam training, and help your facility become self-sufficient without relying on OEMs. Questions about your can line? Call us at (330) 299-8210 or email at service@rssmaclin.com Indie Hops (https://indiehops.com) breeds new hop varieties to help brewers captivate beer lovers. Brewers worldwide trust Indie’s unique varieties — Strata, Lórien, Luminosa, Meridian and Audacia — to modernize, brighten and diversify their beer lineup. Visit indiehops.com/podcast to discover what’s new in hop flavors. Berkeley Yeast (https://berkeleyyeast.com). Superbloom strains make classic hops flavor; Fresh strains keep diacetyl low even with large hop additions; Tropics strains make a tropical bouquet reminiscent of the finest southern hemisphere hops. Mention this podcast for 20% off your first order. Brewery & Distillery Workshop (https://breweryworkshop.com): If you’re a brewery or distillery in planning, or interested in adding a brewery or distillery to your existing craft beverage business, visit breweryworkshop.com now and secure your spot in our upcoming Brewery and Distillery Workshop, this September.Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast