Episode 500! It feels surreal to achieve this latest milestone, but in this episode, recorded live at our Brewer’s Retreat at Bale Breaker in Yakima, Washington, we talk hazy IPA with three luminaries in the category: Henry Nguyen of Monkish, Sam Zermeño of Brujos, and Kelsey McNair of North Park. Along the way, we discuss everything you’d expect us to discuss: dry hopping at warm temperatures, maintaining haze richness and diversity, understanding oil content and what that means for hazy IPA, achieving the perfect color, haze-positive hops, and so much more. At the end, Vinnie and Natalie share an unexpected surprise, but you’ll have to listen in for that!
G&D’s new Elite 290 Micro-series is built for brewers who care about sustainability and performance. It runs on a natural refrigerant with near-zero global warming potential (GWP), has a compact footprint, and features variable-speed fans for efficiency. We’ve chilled beer for more than 3,000 breweries across North America, and with 24/7 support and remote monitoring, your cold side stays dialed in—day or night. Get the details on natural-refrigerant technology at gdchillers.com/podcast.
At the World Beer Cup this year: Gold for West Coast IPA; Gold for Session IPA; Bronze, Silver, and Gold for New Zealand IPA; Bronze, Silver, and Gold for Classic IPA. All these beers were fermented with one yeast: FRESH™ Chico, Berkeley’s low-diacetyl ale yeast. There’s something you need to know: Diacetyl isn’t just a pass or a fail. Yes, at high levels, it’s tragically bad. But even at low levels, it masks the good flavors. So if you want hop notes to pop, you need diacetyl to be ultra-low. These brewers trust Berkeley Yeast for an ultra-clean fermentation because on the finals table, every little detail matters. And now FRESH™ Chico is available in dried bricks for as low as $88 at berkeleyyeast.com.
This episode is sponsored by PakTech—delivering craft-beer multipacking you can trust. Our 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, our carriers help brands stand out while staying sustainable. Trusted by craft brewers nationwide, we offer a smarter, sustainable way to carry your beer. To learn more, visit paktech-opi.com.
Oregon hop country is heaven to world-class lager varieties, and Indie Hops is proud to have introduced Oregon’s newest lager hop, Lórien, in 2022. Lórien is in a growing list of beers that have found their way to the podium and—more importantly—into the hearts of lager lovers across the country. Discover Indie Hops Lórien. (Side effects may include rampant festivity, sales bumps, and exceeded expectations.) Indie Hops—Life Is Short. Let’s Make It Flavorful.
This podcast is sponsored by the Midea 50/50 flex—the industry’s first dual-compartment three-way convertible freezer. The 50/50 Flex is designed to flex with your life. It can convert to all fridge, all freezer, or half and half with just the touch of a button. Plus, with its reversible doors and adjustable storage compartments, you can stay organized no matter your food-storage needs. The 50/50 Flex is also designed to maintain a stable temperature even in non-climate-controlled spaces. So it’s perfect for your garage, man cave, or wherever you need a little more space. Maybe use all 20 cubic feet as a beer fridge! Check out Midea.com/us/ for more information on how to take your beer storage to the next level.
Today’s episode is brought to you by ADM. Are you ready to shake up the beverage world? ADM is passionate about helping you craft your next breakthrough. From cutting edge natural ingredients such as hops to advanced technologies, ADM brings together science and creativity to elevate taste, quality, and recipe design. Whether you’re developing a beer innovation or a bold new flavor experience, ADM is your trusted partner in innovation. Let’s create something extraordinary—because the future of beer and brewing starts with inspired ideas and exceptional expertise. ADM is where nature meets precision! Learn more at adm.com/alcohol.
Some strains define an era. These three refuse to stay in just one. To kick off our 40th anniversary celebration, we’re celebrating some of our most iconic strains, highlighting the history and impact that each has had on craft brewing. These strains each earned their place in this collection the same way: not by trending, but by staying essential decade after decade, from homebrew benches to commercial brewhouses. 1056 American Ale, 1318 London Ale III, and 2124 Bohemain Lager are the proof, the quiet backbones behind some of craft beer’s most familiar pints. Visit wyeastlab.com/most-iconic to learn more about each of these iconic strains.