The BrewDeck Podcast

We're LIVE from the tradeshow floor at Craft Brewers Conference 2024 in Las Vegas!    In this mini-episode, we're chatting with conference attendees about their brewery and taproom hot takes.   Learn more about our CBC events, activities, and new product launches: ⁠⁠countrymalt.com/cbc24

We're LIVE from the tradeshow floor at Craft Brewers Conference 2024 in Las Vegas!  In this mini-episode, we’re speaking with the National Black Brewers Association. If you’re in town, be sure to stop by their Tap Takeover tonight at Beer Zombies! Learn more about our CBC events, activities, and new product launches: ⁠⁠countrymalt.com/cbc24 ⁠ 

We're LIVE from the tradeshow floor at Craft Brewers Conference 2024 in Las Vegas!    In this episode, we're speaking with Craft Haus Brewing Company and Big Dog's Brewing Company about some of our collaboration breweries that we partnered on for this year's CBC beverages.   Learn more about our CBC events, activities, and new product launches: ⁠countrymalt.com/cbc24

Featuring: Terrapin Beer Co. and Canada Malting Co. Ryes and shine! We're exploring the intricacies of Rye Malt for brewers and distillers on this episode. (4:12) First, we're joined by Brian “Spike” Buckowski, Founder and VP of Brewing Development at Terrapin Beer Co. in Athens, Georgia. Spike tells us about their very first beer - a Rye Pale Ale, and the history of how it was discontinued, then brought back as a fan favorite. We discuss finding the perfect rye malt percentage and other challenges of brewing with rye. (26:54) Then, our resident-distilling expert, Geoff Fischer, stops by to address what rye looks like in the distilling world. What is American Rye Whiskey and what are the differences of distilling with rye versus other types of grains? (42:50) Finally, we close it out with Mac Remington, Canada Malting Co.'s Production Supervisor. From a maltster's insights, Mac shares how malting rye contrasts from barley throughout the malting process as well as the best varieties for rye malt.

Featuring: Borderlands Brewing, Las Hermanas Project, and Hop Forward Society. Our Women's History Month celebrations continue! In this episode, Heather and Cheyenne are speaking with revolutionary women in the industry. (2:04) First, we're joined by Ayla Kapahi and Savanna Saldate from Borderlands Brewing Company in Tucson, Arizona. Ayla and Savanna started the "Las Hermanas" project, a bi-national all-women collaboration brew. It features one brew day in Arizona and another in Mexico, plus educational workshops for attendees. What's next for Las Hermanas? Could a third country be in the future? (Asking for a Canadian friend!) Listen to learn more. (22:24) Then, Sharon Ruyter and Erin McQuitty stop by from the Hop Forward Society. Their goal is to diversify the Alberta craft beer industry by reducing the barriers that exist. The Hop Forward Society is focused on creating and building opportunities for underrepresented groups within the craft beer industry, and helping develop safe spaces for people to work, gather, and socialize. Sharon and Erin share some of the things they've done and the grants they offer. 

Happy International Women's Day! We launched the first-ever Pink Boots Malt, a craft base malt for brewers and distillers that raises funds for the Pink Boots Society. As part of the same global family of brands, Country Malt Group (CMG), Canada Malting Co. (CMC) and Great Western Malting (GWM) all share a passion for empowering women and non-binary individuals across the supply chain – from the barley fields to our malthouses, and from our distribution centers to the taprooms. In this episode, we're speaking with the dreamers and makers behind the Pink Boots Malt; Cait Schut and Hailey Nelson from CMG's marketing team, Brandi Stephens and Shelly Aller from GWM's Pocatello facility, and Amanda Kozina from GWM's Malt Innovation Center. The team dives into the vision, specs, and production for this exciting new seasonal product. Then we go behind the scenes for a live recording from one of our inaugural sister brews with the Pink Boots Malt, in Calgary. The Pink Boots Malt will be available in a distribution center near you later this month. Contact your sales rep to be the first to know when it’s available. Learn more at countrymalt.com/pinkboots

Featuring Mascot Brewery and the Brewing Change Collaborative. In this episode, we're celebrating Black History Month with Aaron Prothro, founder of Mascot Brewery in Ontario, and the Brewing Change Collaborative in Minnesota. (1:10) As one of Canada's only black-owned breweries, Aaron tells us about the challenges he's faced in the craft beer industry and how he works to empower other black entrepreneurs. (25:24) Then, we're honored to be joined by Elle Rhodes, Shaunté Douglas, and Bri Smith from the Brewing Change Collaborative. The BCC is an organization that works to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion for people of color in the brewing and beverage industries through advocacy, outreach, and education.

Featuring: Abita Brewing and False Idol Brewing. In honor of Dry January, we're talking about why it's more important than ever before to have non-alcoholic options on your menu. The team kicks it off with an overview of the non-alcoholic market, the growth of NA beers, and their predictions for the next hot NA beverage. (17:27) We're joined by Product Manager, Abi Conner, to "Ask Abi" which products she recommends for low- and no-alcohol beverages. (23:56) Then we shake things up with Mark Wilson from Abita Brewing. Mark tells us all about how they got into producing a craft soda line and hop waters. (50:29) After that, William Perry from False Idol Brewing stops by to tell us about their terpene sparkling botanical waters. What are terpenes and how is terpene water made? William shares how they got into making these and building a customer base for it.

Happy New Year! We're kicking off our fifth season of the BrewDeck Podcast with our annual "Best of" episode, where we count down your favorite episodes from the previous year. In this episode, Toby, Heather, Cheyenne, and Adam reflect on our ~crushie era~ after winning Best Beer Podcast at the Craft Beer Marketing Awards. The team also shares some sneak peeks of what you can expect this year and exciting things to look forward to. Did your favorite episode make our Top 10 list? Listen to find out!

We're continuing our year-end updates on this year’s crop harvests, and what you can expect next year. Today, we're sitting down with some of our favorite folks; your CMG Territory Managers! Jon Mendrick, Tim Burke, Tony Little, and Matt Chalmers join us on the brew deck to talk about the 2023 barley harvest in both Canada and the US. What are some challenges of growing malting barley over other cereal crops? What are the benefits of having two harvests and what do maltsters do to ensure stable quality? What's important to look for on a COA and how do you read it? Then Abi Conner joins us for our last Ask Abi of the year to recap all the exciting new products we rolled out this year and tease what you can look forward to next year. Thanks for joining us for an incredible 4th season and helping us win Best Beer Podcast at the Craft Beer Marketing Awards earlier this year! We'll be back in mid-January for Season 5!

Featuring: Yakima Chief Ranches. As the year comes to a close, it’s important to stay informed on this year’s harvests – both hops and barley – and what you can expect next year. Today, we're joined by Joe Catron from Yakima Chief Ranches to dive into this year's hop harvest. How was the 2023 hop harvest and how does it compare to previous years? How are your favorite experimental hops looking? And when can you expect to see new crop hit the market? Take a listen!

Featuring: Cigar City Brewing, Martin House Brewing Company, and Pink Boots Hop Blend. Are you ready for a barrel of fun? On this episode, (1:16) Sydney Masovero from Yakima Chief Hops pops by to tell us about the 7th Annual Pink Boots Hop Blend. Then, (4:57) Sean Sasscer from Cigar City kicks off our conversation about barrel-aged beers. From sensory to how they source barrels, to maintenance and storage, Sean shares advice for others wanting to get started. After Sean gives us the low-down on his barrel program, (42:40) John Laughman from Martin House takes it up a notch and walks us through all of their wild and experimental barrel-aged beers. From Spiced Beet Sours to Hot Dog Beers and even Mayonnaise Seltzers (yes, you read that right) – you're not going to want to miss what John has to say!

Featuring: Candy + beer pairing, Concession Road Brewing, and Pink Boots Hop Blend. Happy Halloween! It's our favorite holiday on The BrewDeck Podcast, hope you're ready to trick or treat yo'self with this episode!  (1:08) First, Cat Wiest from Yakima Chief Hops pops by to tell us all about the new Pink Boots Hop Blend, available for pre-order now! (5:35) Then, our resident-certified cicerone, Heather, shares a Halloween candy and beer pairing menu and things get heated. Are you team Twizzlers or Red Vines? The team debates some candy choices and discovers the difference between U.S. and Canadian treats. (26:21) Last, but not least, we're joined by Jeffrey Bunton from Concession Road Brewing in Ontario. Jeffrey had previously sworn he would never brew a pumpkin beer, but what changed? Whether you're pro-pumpkin beers, or against, you're not going to want to miss what he had to say.

Featuring: National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) and Faubourg Brewing Co. Across the nation, the brewing industry is uniting to raise funds for critical pediatric cancer research, and we’re honored to have Chris Geib from the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation back on to chat about Rising Hope. We’re also joined by Rising Hope participant, Zac Brown, from Faubourg in Louisiana, and the one and only Chris Lovett, CMG Territory Manager. The dynamic Chris-duo walks us through how Rising Hope has evolved over the years, and how you can get involved next year. Plus Zac shares why Faubourg decided to participate and how excited they are for future years to come. Join us in brewing and drinking beer to support pediatric cancer research! Submit your tales from the brewdeck for our upcoming Halloween episode: bit.ly/brewdecktales (If we share your story, we'll send you a special treat!)

Featuring: Five Star Chemicals. In this episode, we're freshening up on brewhouse cleaning and sanitation, with Emily Lovato from Five Star Chemicals! What's the difference between cleaning vs. maintenance, and what happens if you don't sanitize properly? Emily recommends the top products brewers and distillers should always have on hand and what they're used for. Plus, she answers all of our questions about beer stone and how to resolve it with the right chemicals!

Featuring: La Cumbre Brewing Company. GIVEAWAY details below! Our safety series continues! In part 2, we're joined by Jeff Erway from La Cumbre Brewing Company. Jeff shares his infamous brewing injury that almost resulted in him losing his eyesight forever. He explains how this turning point shaped the way he prioritizes safety and what he's done to evolve La Cumbre's safety protocols since. He advocates that the importance of safety is bigger than any inspection. When it comes to safety, Jeff believes that you can worry about inspectors and citations, or you can worry about how you sleep at night. Content warning: We discuss injuries at (8:26). If this makes you uncomfortable, please skip to (11:19). GIVEAWAY! We're giving away 2 free copies of Matt Stinchfield’s new book, “Brewery Safety; Principles, Processes, and People.” Here’s how to enter:  1. Leave a rating and/or review for The BrewDeck Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts  2. Take a screenshot of your rating, and upload it here: bit.ly/brewdeckgiveaway   Giveaway ends on October 3, 2023, when Season 4 Episode 23 is published. Must live in the US or Canada to win.  

Featuring: the Brewers Association Safety Subcommittee and United Malt. GIVEAWAY details below! (2:20) First, we sit down with Matt Stinchfield; Author, Safety Consultant, and Safety Subcommittee Member for the Brewer’s Association. We discuss what safety means, the most common safety concerns in the brewery, tips for speaking up to advocate for your safety, and how to create a safety culture. Did you hear we're giving away copies of Matt's new book to listeners? Details below! (41:16) Then, as a part of the United Malt family of brands, we're joined by Tiago Darocha, our Chief Operating Officer. Tiago shares some safety challenges he experienced during his previous roles with Anheuser-Busch InBev, how it's impacted his thoughts on safety, and what makes a successful safety culture. Content warning: We discuss injuries at (50:40). If this makes you uncomfortable, please skip to (59:17). GIVEAWAY! We're giving away 2 free copies of Matt Stinchfield’s new book, “Brewery Safety; Principles, Processes, and People.” Here’s how to enter:  Leave a rating and/or review for The BrewDeck Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts  Take a screenshot of your rating, and upload it here: bit.ly/brewdeckgiveaway   Giveaway ends on October 3, 2023, when Season 4 Episode 23 is published. Must live in the US or Canada to win.  

Featuring: Pink Boots Scholarship Winners, Utah Brewers Cooperative, Stone Brewing, and Cabin Brewing Company.  It's back-to-school season and The BrewDeck Podcast is here to say that you're never too old to learn things! In this episode, we're going behind the scenes of our two Malting Courses earlier this summer (Great Western Malting in Salt Lake City, and Canada Malting Co. in Calgary). Toby and Heather bring their mics to class and sit down with attendees to see what they've learned and how they plan to apply this new knowledge when they get home to their breweries. 

Featuring: Great Western Malting and Bairds Malt. What exactly is Low GN malt and why is it important for distillers? We rounded up some long-time friends from across the US and the UK to discuss the need for a Low GN malt. We're joined by Great Western Malting's Director of Quality and Technical Services, Scott Garden; Bairds Malt's Commercial Sales Manager, Graham Manson; and Country Malt Group's resident distilling expert and Territory Manager, Geoff Fischer. This packed house breaks down barley varieties and the effectiveness of Low GN malts, as well as the supply chain of North American malts compared to the UK.

Featuring: Shacklands Brewing Co. / We're celebrating our anniversary month with a sequel of sorts to your favourite episode, S.2 E.23 - "Dude, Let's Start a Brewery!"  We call it our 'Expansion Pack' but you can call on it for leveling up your brewery expansion plans. Kalev Nisbet from Shacklands Brewing Co. logs on to walkthrough Shacklands' upgrade map, what XP milestones indicate you're ready for an expansion, and what to consider while planning an expansion. He shares their biggest challenges, lessons learned, and cheat codes – no in-app purchase required.