At Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine®, we obviously spend a lot of time thinking about beer—talking to brewers and others in the industry, digging into the details of process, and writing about what we learn. Best of all, though, we get to drink beer—and, like it or not, the taste of every drop flashes through these weird brains that have spent an unhealthy amount of time focused on the liquid and everything that goes into making it.
In short, we have thoughts. In this episode, contributing editor Kate Bernot, prolific author and longtime contributor Stan Hieronymus, and executive editor Joe Stange take off their reporter hats to talk through their favorite things they tasted all year, from around the world—going deeper into their Critics’ Lists from the annual Best in Beer issue—inevitably sharing thoughts on where craft beer both could and should be heading.
G&D Chillers
If you are looking for a brewery chiller that’s worry-free and tough on GWP, then look no further. G&D Chiller’s Elite 290 series chiller uses propane as a natural refrigerant with extremely low global warming potential. This natural, highly efficient refrigerant with near-zero GWP will help lower your facility’s energy costs and impact on the environment. We are committed to a greener, more efficient future. Visit gdchillers.com to learn more!
Berkeley Yeast just launched Dry Tropics London! Their best-selling liquid yeast strain, now with all the ease-of-use benefits of dry yeast. Dry Tropics London delivers the soft, pillowy mouthfeel and juicy character you’d expect from a top-tier London Ale strain, but with a serious upgrade: a burst of thiols that unleash vibrant, layered notes of grapefruit and passion fruit. A lot of brewers love the clean passion fruit you get from Tropics, but they don’t want every IPA to be a tropical fruit bomb. At the dry yeast price point, you can pitch and ditch without breaking the bank. Or, you can co-pitch with your house strain to adjust the intensity of the notes. And with nationwide free shipping, there’s never been a better time to try Dry Tropics. Order now at berkeleyyeast.com and experience the ease and impact of Dry Tropics London Yeast.
As breweries expand beyond beer into other segments such as mocktails and CBD beverages, Old Orchard is here to help. We can formulate custom blends featuring specialty ingredients. 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 brings Oregon’s natural wonder to brewers. Celebrating 16 years of delivering compelling new hop varieties along with classics that thrive in Oregon’s terroir, Indie is the original source for Strata, Luminosa, Lórien, Meridian, and their newest variety, Audacia. Release your creativity with the magic of pure, uncut Oregon hops from Indie. Indie Hops—Life is short. Let’s make it flavorful.
Looking for a powerful, no-rinse sanitizer that gets the job done fast? Meet Saniclean PAA Pro from Five Star Chemicals. This EPA-registered, PAA-based acid sanitizer is tough on beerstone and perfect for everything from kegs to packaging lines. Available in two convenient sizes, it’s ideal for coarse sprayers, fermentors, and more. Trusted by pros, designed for performance—Saniclean PAA Pro helps you brew with confidence. Learn more at fivestarchemicals.com. Brew better. Brew with Five Star.
This episode is sponsored by PakTech—delivering craft-beer multipacking you can trust. PakTech’s handles are made from 100 percent recycled plastic and are fully recyclable, helping breweries close the loop and advance the circular economy. With a minimalist design, durable functionality you can rely on, and custom color matching, PakTech helps brands stand out while staying sustainable. Trusted by craft brewers nationwide, they offer a smarter, sustainable way to carry your beer. To learn more, visit paktech-opi.com.
When it comes to packaging your brew, think Hart Print, the original in digital can printing. With three locations across North America, the Hart Print team has your back from concept to can. Count on fast turnarounds, no minimums, graphic design support, and rock-solid can quality, all on 100 percent infinitely recyclable cans. Get 10 percent off your first can order when you mention the Craft Beer & Brewing podcast. Open an account at hartprint.com or email info@hartprint.com for details.