Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Two straight weeks of nothing but doctors on the Craft Beer & Brewing podcast? This week’s episode is another scientific barnburner with the head of R&D for Wellington’s Garage Project. Dr. Peter Bircham has been working in laboratory settings with yeast for many years, but for the past few he’s taken on an additional role beyond the academic, working on everything from building better Garage Project non-alcoholic beers to developing a testing regimen to evaluate new hop varietals in the Hāpi Research breeding program. In this episode, Bircham touches on: beer biology his systematic R&D process for developing novel brewing solutions fermenting with less traditional ingredients like rice testing regimens for new hop varieties with Hāpi Research the benefits and limitations of biotransformation breaking nitrogen regulation in non-GMO thiol production yeast inbreeding to achieve genes of interest cofermenting potential with unusual yeasts to unlock thiols And more. This episode is brought to you by: G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): G&D Chillers Elite 290 Micro-series line utilizes a natural refrigerant, features a more compact design with variable speed fans, and offers near-zero global warming potential. The future of sustainable refrigeration is here! Learn more about G&D’s Elite 290 line and visit GDCHILLERS.COM. Berkeley Yeast (https://berkeleyyeast.com). Berkeley Yeast bioengineers ordinary strains and make them extraordinary—enhancing the flavors you want and eliminating the ones you don’t. Visit berkeleyyeast.com to learn more and start brewing with science on your side. Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): As breweries expand beyond beer into other segments like mocktails and CBD beverages, Old Orchard is here to help. Whether trending flavor additions or nostalgic favorites, the next best thing is around the corner at Old Orchard. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer Indie Hops (https://indiehops.com) Taste the modern flavors of Indie Hops at CBC, this year in Indianapolis. Join Indie in Indy for 14 incredible collab beers. Check out the full CBC beer lineup at www.indiehops.com and plan to stop by their booth #3122. Steel Chill Cups (https://SteelChillCups.com) Steel Chill-Cups are the perfect promotional tool! Crafted from 100% recyclable steel and proudly made in the USA. Discover how Steel Chill-Cups can “Put your brand on every pour”—visit SteelChillCups.com today! Isuzu Trucks (https://www.isuzucv.com) Whether you are looking for a self-distribution solution or one to deliver supplies, there is an Isuzu truck that will fit your needs. Go to isuzucv.com to check out their impressive lineup or visit an Isuzu dealer today to find out why now, more than ever, Isuzu trucks are the trucks you trust for the work you do! Arryved (https://www.arryved.com) From taproom to distribution, Arryved gives breweries the tools to streamline operations and boost profits—all in one powerful platform. Want to see the latest innovations in action? Visit Arryved at CBC 2025, Booth 1865, where they’ll be pouring beers and showing off the future of brewery tech. Ss Brewtech (https://SsBrewtech.com) Upgrade your fermentation game with Unitank 2.0 from Ss Brewtech. Available from 7-gallon up to 1-barrel sizes, Unitank 2.0 will be right at home in your homebrew set up or producing pilot batches at your commercial brewery. Visit Ss Brewtech.com to learn more! Brewery Workshop (https://breweryworkshop.com) If you’re launching a brewery or acquiring an existing one, consider our brewery workshop and new brewery accelerator, September 14 through 17th in Fort Collins, Colorado. Visit breweryworkshop.com for more information and to secure your spot.Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Dr. Ron Beatson, a retired hop breeder known for his work at Plant & Food Research, joins Dr. Tom Shellhammer from Oregon State University, who studies hop oils and terroir. They explore how genetics and terroir influence hop flavors, uncovering the origins of aromas like onion and garlic. The dynamics of harvesting Nelson Sauvin and the use of cover crops for soil health are discussed, alongside unique aroma profiles and their connections to cannabis. This engaging chat highlights the significant role of New Zealand in the global hop landscape.

Homogeneity is the name of the game in certain circles of brewing—whether it’s massive brewers who standardize their hop lots by blending before pelletizing, or it’s hop companies that blend lots to iron out highs and lows in a particular crop year. On the other end of that spectrum is Pete Gillespie and his team at Garage Project and Hāpi Research, disrupting the collective quest for like-minded optimization while prioritizing the expression and individuality that are core to the idea of craft beer. In their brewing program—and in their partnership to pursue new hop varieties—character and unique experiences are the name of the game, and they’re putting significant investment behind the pursuit. In this episode, Gillespie discusses: using supporting hops to accentuate lead hop characters the impact of pick time on hop expression variations within single field blocks of hop varieties the dynamic shift in Nelson Sauvin over the picking window terroir’s impact on hop flavor and aroma exploring diverse growing areas for hops in New Zealand surprise impact in this year’s hops, including varieties such as Southern Cross the inscrutable challenge and benefit of Riwaka Hāpi Research’s investment in developing new Kiwi hop varieties secrets of selecting Southern Hemisphere hops And more. This episode is brought to you by: G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): G&D Chillers Elite 290 Micro-series line utilizes a natural refrigerant, features a more compact design with variable speed fans, and offers near-zero global warming potential. The future of sustainable refrigeration is here! Learn more about G&D’s Elite 290 line and visit GDCHILLERS.COM. Berkeley Yeast (https://berkeleyyeast.com). Berkeley Yeast bioengineers ordinary strains and make them extraordinary—enhancing the flavors you want and eliminating the ones you don’t. Visit berkeleyyeast.com to learn more and start brewing with science on your side. Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): As breweries expand beyond beer into other segments like mocktails and CBD beverages, Old Orchard is here to help. Whether trending flavor additions or nostalgic favorites, the next best thing is around the corner at Old Orchard. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer Indie Hops (https://indiehops.com) Taste the modern flavors of Indie Hops at CBC, this year in Indianapolis. Join Indie in Indy for 14 incredible collab beers. Check out the full CBC beer lineup at www.indiehops.com and plan to stop by their booth #3122. Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com) Featuring a laser-welded cooling jacket for efficient and precise temperature control, an innovative silicone racking arm, and a carbonation stone that allows you to carbonate right in the fermenter, Unitank 2.0 is engineered to help you get the most out of your fermentations! Visit Ss Brewtech.com to learn more! Isuzu Trucks (https://www.isuzucv.com) Whether you are looking for a self-distribution solution or one to deliver supplies, there is an Isuzu truck that will fit your needs. Go to isuzucv.com to check out their impressive lineup or visit an Isuzu dealer today to find out why now, more than ever, Isuzu trucks are the trucks you trust for the work you do! Cytiva (https://info.cytivalifesciences.com/sample-request-brewing.html) Protecting your beer’s highest quality is crucial to maintain its unique taste and prevent spoilage organisms, and microbiological testing plays a vital role in this process. Cytiva offers a comprehensive portfolio of laboratory filtration products designed for both lab and production-floor use. Brewery Workshop (https://breweryworkshop.com) If you’re launching a brewery or acquiring an existing one, consider our brewery workshop and new brewery accelerator, September 14 through 17th in Fort Collins, Colorado. Visit breweryworkshop.com for more information and to secure your spot.Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Earlier this week, our Industry All-Access subscribers received in their email inbox this week’s subscriber-exclusive article that Kate reported, parsing the latest industry economic data but reading beyond the surface for a deeper look at what’s really going on. We’ve all read the hyperbolic clickbait articles out there about craft beer’s demise, and for the first time in almost twenty years, we saw a net decline in operating breweries in the United States last year. But at the same time, we’ve been hearing anecdotally from a number of brewers such as Neil Fisher of WeldWerks, in episode 400, that they were growing despite the significant headwinds. This cognitive dissonance got us thinking about how data purport to tell certain truths, but that “truth” is limited by the nature of how data are collected. Craft beer in the United States is both big and small, but our primary sources of data address only the biggest channels of the craft-beer business, leading to distortions in perception that could potentially have damaging effects for craft beer as a whole. With that in mind, Kate sought out some answers to the questions we had—does this meta-narrative we’ve been reading have truth to it, does it accurately describe the reality that craft brewers are facing, do other data that suggest different or more varied truths, and what can we take away to build a fuller picture of the current state of craft beer? This episode is brought to you by: G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): G&D Chillers Elite 290 Micro-series line utilizes a natural refrigerant, features a more compact design with variable speed fans, and offers near-zero global warming potential. The future of sustainable refrigeration is here! Learn more about G&D’s Elite 290 line and visit GDCHILLERS.COM. Berkeley Yeast (https://berkeleyyeast.com). Stop worrying about diacetyl with Berkeley Yeast’s line of Fresh™ strains. These revolutionary yeast strains are engineered to produce the ALDC enzyme inside the cell, preventing diacetyl before it forms. That means no more lengthy diacetyl rests—just clean, crisp beer that’s ready for packaging sooner. Learn more at berkeleyyeast.com/fresh. Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): As breweries expand beyond beer into other segments like mocktails and CBD beverages, Old Orchard is here to help. Whether trending flavor additions or nostalgic favorites, the next best thing is around the corner at Old Orchard. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer Indie Hops (https://indiehops.com) Strata, Indie’s original hop release, is now available in cold-side flowable hop oil form—Strata HyperBoost—in coordination with Yakima Chief Hops. Indie Hops T90 pellets establish the multi-layered Strata experience, while cryogenic CGX pellets in coordination with Crosby Hops, and now Strata HyperBoost with YCH expand the possibilities. Learn more about Strata and Indie’s more recent hop releases at www.indiehops.com. Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com) Featuring a laser-welded cooling jacket for efficient and precise temperature control, an innovative silicone racking arm, and a carbonation stone that allows you to carbonate right in the fermenter, Unitank 2.0 is engineered to help you get the most out of your fermentations! Visit Ss Brewtech.com to learn more! Isuzu Trucks (https://www.isuzucv.com) Whether you are looking for a self-distribution solution or one to deliver supplies, there is an Isuzu truck that will fit your needs. Go to isuzucv.com to check out their impressive lineup or visit an Isuzu dealer today to find out why now, more than ever, Isuzu trucks are the trucks you trust for the work you do! Cytiva (https://info.cytivalifesciences.com/sample-request-brewing.html) Protecting your beer’s highest quality is crucial to maintain its unique taste and prevent spoilage organisms, and microbiological testing plays a vital role in this process. Cytiva offers a comprehensive portfolio of laboratory filtration products designed for both lab and production-floor use. Brewery Workshop (https://breweryworkshop.com) If you’re launching a brewery or acquiring an existing one, consider our brewery workshop and new brewery accelerator, September 14 through 17th in Fort Collins, Colorado. Visit breweryworkshop.com for more information and to secure your spot.Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

From their tiny outpost in the ski town of Park City, Offset Bier has turned Utah’s challenges—such as a ban on serving draft beer higher than 5 percent ABV—into opportunities. Last year was a breakout one for the budding brewery—we named their session IPA Dopo one of our Best 20 Beers in 2024, while another session IPA, Divi, won gold medal at Great American Beer Festival. Necessity is truly the mother of invention, and the constraints placed upon founder Conor Brown force creative problem solving, as he pulls from various corners of the brewing playbook—European lager and hefeweizen, British ale, and more—for processes and creative angles that drive flavorful, aroma-led hazy LIPAs, or “Lie-PAs.” In this episode, Brown covers: mash steps to promote foam-positive proteins and body in hazy IPAs made from 100 percent barley malt dialing in water chemistry with calcium targets, sodium, and sulfate more than chloride using chit malt in lieu of oats or wheat, and selecting low-FAN pilsner malt embracing small amounts of crystal malts managing DMS reduction at altitude the benefit of boiling hops with longer additions creating texture through hop choices such as American Nobles developing exacting pH targets at each stage of the brewing process And more. This episode is brought to you by: G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): G&D Chillers Elite 290 Micro-series line utilizes a natural refrigerant, features a more compact design with variable speed fans, and offers near-zero global warming potential. The future of sustainable refrigeration is here! Learn more about G&D’s Elite 290 line and visit GDCHILLERS.COM. Berkeley Yeast (https://berkeleyyeast.com). Stop worrying about diacetyl with Berkeley Yeast’s line of Fresh™ strains. These revolutionary yeast strains are engineered to produce the ALDC enzyme inside the cell, preventing diacetyl before it forms. That means no more lengthy diacetyl rests—just clean, crisp beer that’s ready for packaging sooner. Learn more at berkeleyyeast.com/fresh. Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): As breweries expand beyond beer into other segments like mocktails and CBD beverages, Old Orchard is here to help. Whether trending flavor additions or nostalgic favorites, the next best thing is around the corner at Old Orchard. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer Indie Hops (https://indiehops.com) Strata, Indie’s original hop release, is now available in cold-side flowable hop oil form—Strata HyperBoost—in coordination with Yakima Chief Hops. Indie Hops T90 pellets establish the multi-layered Strata experience, while cryogenic CGX pellets in coordination with Crosby Hops, and now Strata HyperBoost with YCH expand the possibilities. Learn more about Strata and Indie’s more recent hop releases at www.indiehops.com. Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com) Featuring a laser-welded cooling jacket for efficient and precise temperature control, an innovative silicone racking arm, and a carbonation stone that allows you to carbonate right in the fermenter, Unitank 2.0 is engineered to help you get the most out of your fermentations! Visit Ss Brewtech.com to learn more! Isuzu Trucks (https://www.isuzucv.com) Whether you are looking for a self-distribution solution or one to deliver supplies, there is an Isuzu truck that will fit your needs. Go to isuzucv.com to check out their impressive lineup or visit an Isuzu dealer today to find out why now, more than ever, Isuzu trucks are the trucks you trust for the work you do! Cytiva (https://info.cytivalifesciences.com/sample-request-brewing.html) Protecting your beer’s highest quality is crucial to maintain its unique taste and prevent spoilage organisms, and microbiological testing plays a vital role in this process. Cytiva offers a comprehensive portfolio of laboratory filtration products designed for both lab and production-floor use. Brewer's Retreat (https://brewersretreat.com) Tickets for the Craft Beer & Brewing 2025 Brewer’s Retreat in Asheville and Mills River, North Carolina are on sale now and going fast. Brew on homebrew systems with some of the most inspiring craft brewers in the U.S. Learn more and secure your tickets at brewersretreat.comSupport Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Join Brian Hutchinson from Cannonball Creek, Phil Joyce of Amalgam, and Jake Gardner from Westbound & Down as they dive deep into the world of West Coast IPAs. These medal-winning brewers share their secrets to crafting clean, flavorful beers, focusing on innovative techniques like decoction mashing and unique malt blends. They discuss the fine balance of hops, yeast health, and even the artistry of flavor communication. With a strong sense of camaraderie, they explore how friendly competition elevates their craft and creativity in the vibrant Colorado beer scene.

Mark Rubenstein, cofounder of Atrium Brewing, and head brewer Spencer Guy dive into the art of brewing. They explore the success of their award-winning barrel-aged stout, discussing innovative techniques like reiterated mashing for sweeter stouts. The duo elaborates on blending bourbon and brandy barrels for complexity and crafting flavor-forward fruited sours, incorporating unique ingredients such as yogurt powder. Their passion for experimentation shines through as they share insights on brewing lagers and pilsners alongside their specialty beers.

Neil Fisher, owner and founder of Weldwerks Brewing, steps into the host role for a candid discussion with Jamie Bogner. They dive into the vibrant craft beer scene, debunking myths about its decline while celebrating the passionate community behind it. The chat touches on the challenges of growth, the importance of storytelling in brewing, and how innovation is key for future success. With a nostalgic nod to their friendship, they reflect on the journey of Weldwerks as they gear up for a milestone anniversary.

“If you’re a brewer and you’re not making things that you really want to make, or things you want to experiment with and learn more about, then what are you brewing for,” asks James Herrholz, Chief Creative Officer for Corporate Ladder Brewing in Palmetto, Florida. While some may feel “forced” to brew crowd-pleasing adjunct-laden stouts, Herrholz signed on for the challenge, and approaches the style with zeal and a drive to make the very best. Over the past six years, he’s seen incredible results from this dogged and open-minded focus—three GABF medals, including a gold in 2022, while the brewery has maintained its spot on Untappd as the highest-rated brewery in the state of Florida. In this episode, Herrholz maps out their approach to pastry stout (barrel-aged and not), and along the way he touches on: using three primary base recipes to adjust for sweetness, roast, and caramel depth building ranging malt bills with as many as 15 to 18 different malts using SRM as a proxy for bitterness when considering dark malt impact on recipes managing the impact of dextrose in adjunct ingredients splitting different malts between multiple mashes while using long boils to increase Maillard flavors promoting attenuation through oxygenation, over pitching, and staging sugar additions maximizing extraction through “spinning” while adding adjuncts in bags in brite tanks flavor and aroma variations in vanilla due to origin and crop year variations And more. This episode is brought to you by: G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): G&D Chillers Elite 290 Micro-series line utilizes a natural refrigerant, features a more compact design with variable speed fans, and offers near-zero global warming potential. The future of sustainable refrigeration is here! Learn more about G&D’s Elite 290 line and visit GDCHILLERS.COM. Berkeley Yeast (https://berkeleyyeast.com). Stop worrying about diacetyl with Berkeley Yeast’s line of Fresh™ strains. These revolutionary yeast strains are engineered to produce the ALDC enzyme inside the cell, preventing diacetyl before it forms. That means no more lengthy diacetyl rests—just clean, crisp beer that’s ready for packaging sooner. Learn more at berkeleyyeast.com/fresh. Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): As breweries expand beyond beer into other segments like mocktails and CBD beverages, Old Orchard is here to help. Whether trending flavor additions or nostalgic favorites, the next best thing is around the corner at Old Orchard. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer Indie Hops (https://indiehops.com) Strata, Indie’s original hop release, is now available in cold-side flowable hop oil form—Strata HyperBoost—in coordination with Yakima Chief Hops. Indie Hops T90 pellets establish the multi-layered Strata experience, while cryogenic CGX pellets in coordination with Crosby Hops, and now Strata HyperBoost with YCH expand the possibilities. Learn more about Strata and Indie’s more recent hop releases at www.indiehops.com. Ss Brewtech (https://www.ssbrewtech.com) Featuring a laser-welded cooling jacket for efficient and precise temperature control, an innovative silicone racking arm, and a carbonation stone that allows you to carbonate right in the fermenter, Unitank 2.0 is engineered to help you get the most out of your fermentations! Visit Ss Brewtech.com to learn more! Isuzu Trucks (https://www.isuzucv.com) Whether you are looking for a self-distribution solution or one to deliver supplies, there is an Isuzu truck that will fit your needs. Go to isuzucv.com to check out their impressive lineup or visit an Isuzu dealer today to find out why now, more than ever, Isuzu trucks are the trucks you trust for the work you do! Brewer's Retreat (https://brewersretreat.com) Tickets for the Craft Beer & Brewing 2025 Brewer’s Retreat in Asheville and Mills River, North Carolina are on sale now and going fast. Brew on homebrew systems with some of the most inspiring craft brewers in the U.S. Learn more and secure your tickets at brewersretreat.comSupport Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Join Matt Hess, founder of River North Brewery, and head brewer Matt Malloy as they dive into the art of high-ABV brewing. They discuss extraordinary techniques for making potent yet drinkable beers, exploring topics like healthy yeast management, careful malt selection, and innovative fermentation processes. Discover how they balance intense flavors in their award-winning brews and the challenges of barrel aging. This conversation unpacks years of experience, illuminating the complex, delicious world of ultra-high gravity beers.