The Beer Craft, Beer and Brewing Podcast

This week on The Beer Craft, Beer, and Brewing Podcast, we’re talking cider with Jenn Knutzen — graduate of the Cider Institute of North America, Cardinal Craft Brewing alum, and judge at the 2023 Northwest Cider Cup in Portland. Jenn brings a deep well of knowledge about orchards, fermentation, and the way cider culture is carving out its own identity alongside beer and wine.   We dig into the craft beyond the basics: how apple varieties shape flavor, what it’s like to judge cider professionally, and where cider trends are heading in the Northwest and beyond. If you’ve ever wondered whether cider belongs in the same conversation as beer — or just wanted to know what makes a great cider tick — this episode is for you.   Pour something crisp, because it’s always Beer30.

Get ready for an unpredictable ride as Ben and Andrew tackle twenty homebrew queries they haven’t seen ahead of time. From fermentation basics to bizarre ingredient tales, each question sparks off‑the‑cuff reactions and lively banter. Hear the hosts puzzle through mash temps, yeast health and ancient brewing lore while sharing plenty of laughs along the way. Expect genuine surprises, practical tips and the infectious Beer Craft energy that keeps listeners coming back.   Music Attribution "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

So much content! Picking up where we left off, we continue our conversation about equipment calibration. Tune in and hear the rest of the story.  If you missed the first half you can listen right here: https://sites.libsyn.com/549992/give-your-brew-stand-a-tune-up-calibrating-your-gear   Music attribution "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

Think about how many times you take a measurment on brewday? Strike water temp, Mash Temp, Mash out, Sparge, pitching temp...the list is long. What happens when your equipment is lying to you? Your measurements are off, your hop utilization is through the roof, and the outcome of your beer is uncertain. This week on The Beer Craft, we are tuning up the brew stand and calibrating equipment to keep brewing anxiety and doubt out of the brew lab. 

Before Citra and Mosaic stole the spotlight, there was CTZ. In this episode of The Beer Craft, Ben and Andrew trace the origin story of Columbus, Tomahawk, and Zeus—the hop so controversial it sparked lawsuits, clone conspiracies, and a federal turf war. We cover its rise to bittering dominance, its unfortunate scent reputation (Ben’s not shy about that), and how it helped shape the modern IPA. You’ll hear about USDA breeding programs, industry infighting, and the legacy of a hop that never quite got its victory lap.   Music Attribution  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

We were live this week on The Beer Craft, Beer, and Brewing Podcast. This was the second attempt, and it went way better. I apologize for the delay but last weeks episode had no sound and that makes a podcast difficult.  We're discussing homebrew clubs on the podcast. We just got back from a homebrew club rally last week. Imagine your average beer festival, but replace the professionals with homebrewers and remove all the "Karens" and "Richards". Fun fact: there were more beers than people by one estimate.  So check it out! For Skagit County, WA check out NORWA Snohomish County, check out The Stilly Mashers Whatcom County, check out The Bellingham Homebrewers Guild   Music attribution:  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

Scotch Ale has nothing to do with whisky barrels, and everything to do with malt, patience, and a little historical confusion. In this episode, we dig into the real story behind the name, what separates a Scotch Ale from a British Brown, and why American brewers turned up the volume—and sometimes added smoke where it never belonged. We’ll walk through classic flavor profiles, brewing techniques that make a difference (like long boils and proper mash temps), and what happens when you let this style sit and mellow. You’ll also hear the full breakdown of Freedom Fighter Scotch Ale, our house kit with a hint of peat and a whole lot of bottle-aging potential. If you’ve never brewed a malt-forward beer before, this is the one to start with. Just don’t expect it to reward you right away. Music Attribution  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

In this solo episode of The Beer Craft, host Ben Holm walks through his brewing journey using the full spectrum of beer color—from the pale gold of his first banana-bomb extract kit to the pitch-black stout that accidentally won him an award. Along the way, Ben shares what each stage taught him: from the gateway ambers and red IPAs that shaped his palate, to recipe design, roast control, and learning how to pivot when a batch doesn’t go as planned. It’s part brewing memoir, part technical breakdown, and part encouragement for brewers at every level. Whether you’re just getting started or you've scorched a mash tun in public (we’ve all been there, right?), this episode is a reminder that learning to brew should be as much fun as drinking beer—and that color is just the beginning. Topics Include: First batches and fermentation disasters Why amber ales were the unsung heroes of early craft beer Cold-steeping vs full mash for roasted grains Brewing with intention vs brewing with panic How to teach, adapt, and embrace the spectrum Mentioned in this episode: Freedom Fighter Scotch Ale (Wyeast vs Windsor) The (p)Hazey IPA Stainless Kettle Competition (RIP) SRM, flavor perception, and visual trickery 🛠️ Want to brew along or learn more? Visit nwbrewers.com for gear, classes, and recipes.    Music attribution "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

Do you actually know what’s in your malt? In this episode of The Beer Craft Podcast, Ben and Andrew crack open the mysterious (and often ignored) Certificate of Analysis—the COA—and show you how to use it to level up your brew day. Whether you’re designing a recipe, troubleshooting a stuck mash, or just trying to brew the same great beer twice in a row, understanding your malt’s COA can save you time, money, and stress. We break down: What a COA is—and what it's not When you should actually look at it What those weird acronyms mean (FAN, DP, SRM, Kolbach…) Real-world ways to use it in your brewing software and process How to troubleshoot fermentation and mash issues with confidence Plus, we’ve got some killer extras for you: ✅ Download the COA Glossary for Brewers – Plain English definitions of the most important COA metrics 📊 Grab the COA Style Tip Sheet – Key COA numbers matched to each BJCP beer category 🍻 Be the First to Know About Our New All-Grain Brewing Class – launching soon at Northwest Brewers Supply! Sign up here → https://mailchi.mp/nwbrewers/all-grain-class-pre-registration No spreadsheets required—just useful tips, real experience, and a better understanding of the ingredients you already use. Let’s turn that wall of numbers into your brewing advantage. "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Small Batch, Big Flavor: The 1-Gallon Brewing Revolution" Ever dreamt of brewing beer without sacrificing your entire weekend—or your kitchen counter, your whole garage, your partner's patience level? In this episode of The Beer Craft, Ben and Andrew discuss shrinking the batch size, the gear, and the timeline without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re tight on space, short on time, or just want to experiment without filling a keg with regret, this pint-sized approach might be your next big move. We’ll break down the gear (spoiler: you probably already own half of it), show you how to ferment in the weirdest corners of your home, and walk through the math of scaling down your favorite recipes without losing the magic. It's practical, it's personal, it's occasionally ridiculous—and it all starts with Beer30. That’s Wednesdays at 6:30 for those of you who don’t have a beer clock. Listen in and discover why going small might be the best thing to ever happen to your brewhouse. 1 Gallon Sacred Cow IPA recipe Music Attribution "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

Scared your first homebrew might flop? Good. That means you’re doing it right. In this episode of The Beer Craft, Ben and Andrew crack open the myths around brewing failure and reveal why mistakes are not only normal but essential. From off-flavors and "oops ales" to scrambled egg yeast and miscalculated mash temps, the guys share personal stories, practical advice, and a whole lot of laughs. You'll learn how to reframe failure, embrace the mess, and keep brewing forward. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned fermenter, this one’s for anyone who’s ever asked, “What if it sucks?”

Summer doesn’t have to shut down your brewhouse. In this episode of The Beer Craft Podcast, Ben and Andrew break down everything you need to know to ferment clean, flavorful beer—even when the thermometer hits the 90s. From swamp coolers and sweaty fermenters to heat-loving yeasts like Kveik and Saison, we’ve got your back. You’ll learn: Why the first 48 hours of fermentation matter more than you think Yeast strains that thrive in the heat (and the styles that pair with them) How to drop your fermentation temps without a single piece of fancy gear Beer styles that actually get better when brewed warm And how to avoid turning your cream ale into a banana smoothie Plus: anecdotes, bad puns, and Ben’s personal vendetta against banana-flavored IPAs.   Music Attribution  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

We are once again throwing a certain piece of German legislation out the window. This week, we’re joined in the studio by Alex Neff, brewer at Farmstrong Brewing Co. in Mt. Vernon. Alex reached out to us to talk about brewing for flavor rather than style — and let’s just say, we were already pouring a pint before he finished the sentence. In this episode, we dive into creative ingredient selection, yeast-driven flavor profiles, and what happens when you add coffee, herbs, or fruit post-fermentation. We talk about balance, complexity, and why breaking the “style rules” often leads to the best beers in the glass. Whether you're a homebrewer looking to branch out or a craft beer fan tired of checking BJCP boxes, this one’s for you. Remember, styles are suggestions, not rules.

  What if David Attenborough had hung up his binoculars and picked up a mash paddle? In this episode of The Beer Craft, we track the evolutionary journey of the IPA like a wild species adapting to new environments—from the sharp, bitter clarity of the West Coast to the soft, juicy haze of the East. We dig into the brewing science behind this transformation: biotransformation, haze formation, dry hopping timing, and why your yeast might just be the unsung hero of your next juicy brew. Along the way, we taste, compare, and narrate the IPA’s migration with all the reverence (and ridiculousness) it deserves. Whether you’re a bitter old-schooler or a haze chaser, this episode has the field notes you need to evolve your IPA game. 🔗 Links to recipes, sources, and past episodes below.

Some beer infections are incredibly heinous. The dedicated brewers who investigate these crimes against beer are members of the Special Brewers Unit. These are their stories.    This week on the Beer Craft, we cover cleaning and sanitization as we solve The Mystery Infection  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ RetroFuture Dirty  https://drive.google.com/file/d/13BsgP109cPHL1BbrCSEgzhKJcBoCQYdk/view?usp=drive_link  "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

Saisons: they’re dry, they’re spicy, they’re unpredictable — and honestly, we’re not even sure they follow the rules. In this episode of The Beer Craft Podcast, Ben and Andrew explore farmhouse ales, from their rustic roots in the Belgian countryside to their modern-day reincarnation as the homebrewer’s blank canvas. We’ll meet the yeasts that make it all possible, decode what makes a Saison a Saison in “The Saison Spectrum,” and find out why this style thrives in a heatwave. We’ll also dig into brewing tips, fermentation chaos, and a few historical grumblings from a very sweaty 1800s Belgian farmer. Whether you like your beer bone-dry or a little bit funky, this episode proves one thing: there’s a Saison for every season.

This week on The Beer Craft, Ben and Andrew get silky smooth with Nitro Beer. From its foamy roots in traditional cask ale to the creamy revolution of nitrogenated stouts, we explore how texture, gas blends, and good old-fashioned pub arguments shaped this unique beer style. You'll learn about CAMRA’s crusade to save real ale, what makes nitro pours so mesmerizing, and how to build your own nitro draft system at home. Whether you’re a cask purist, a nitro nerd, or just here for the foam, this episode pours smooth and finishes clean. It’s time to tune in, tap in, and cascade into The Beer Craft.

What does it take to design a great beer recipe from scratch? This week, Ben and Andrew ditch the kits and break down the art (and chaos) of crafting your own beer. From trusted sources like Brewing Classic Styles and Designing Great Beers to cloning your favorite commercial brews, we cover how to think like a brewer—not just follow a recipe. Plus, a little Beer30, a few mistakes we’re not proud of, and why your first experiment should not involve four types of chocolate malt.   Music Attribution  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

What do you get when you cross ancient Norwegian brewing traditions with modern yeast science? You get Kveik—a fast, flavorful, and nearly indestructible yeast strain that’s turning the brewing world on its head. In this episode, Ben and Andrew sit down with the team behind Kveik Yeastery, including Leif Hanstad and Øystein Bakken Vold of Enzyferm, brewer Lars Huse from Ølsmia in Oslo, and traditional farmhouse brewer Ivar Geithung. Together, they explore how this wild yeast survived centuries of homebrewing, why it thrives in extreme conditions, and how you can use it to supercharge your next batch of beer. Whether you’re curious about esters, fermentation temperatures, or just love a good beer story—this one’s for you.   Music Attribution:  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/      "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

IS DARK BEER REALLY STRONGER? DO IBUs ACTUALLY MEAN ANYTHING? WILL A WARM-THEN-COLD BEER DESTROY YOUR SOUL? In this explosive episode of The Beer Craft, Ben and Andrew channel their inner MythBusters to take on 21 of the most persistent beer myths swirling around taprooms, tailgates, and uncle Rick’s garage fridge. Armed with a thirst for truth and a healthy dose of skepticism, our hosts pour, taste, and test their way through foamy half-truths and hop-fueled misconceptions. From canned beer conspiracy theories to the Great IBU Scam, nothing is safe from their brewing blowtorch of scrutiny. So grab a glass, pour a proper head, and let’s bust some myths. Music Attribution "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty    "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/