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As Andrew Foss of Human Robot says in this episode, “Perfection is pretty easy. To make something interesting is hard.”
Those are easy words to say and harder words to brew by, but the Philadelphia brewer strives for character over lager “cleanliness,” eschewing the “crispy” moniker while searching for something more substantial. To accomplish that goal, he uses every tool at their disposal—mash and decoction regimens, a direct-fire brewhouse, a number of different fermentation schedules, and more. Character, after all, requires intention and effort, and not just homogeneity or simplicity.
In this episode, Foss talks about:
- using a direct-fire mash-mixer and decoction in concert with an array of different malts to produce characterful European-style lagers
- rethinking mash strategies designed for older malts
- adjusting the decoction process based on intentions for aroma and flavor
- building “the wave” in lager mouthfeel
- dialing in pH for expressive but cohesive lagers
- differentiating between final gravity and mouthfeel
- aroma contributions from direct-fire brewhouses
- embracing inconsistent malt for more flavorful European-style lagers
- going beyond “clean”
And more.
G&D Chillers
At G&D Chillers we always strive to Build Great Chillers. Partner with us as you Build Great Beer. Andy Joynt of Big Grove Brewery says, “We have been using G&D Chillers from the beginning. From our original 3.5-barrel pub system to our production brewery, we have been able to rely on G&D to provide a high-quality chiller, help us with design and layout, and provide support whenever we need it.” Choose G&D Chillers on your next expansion or brewery start up and receive 1 free year of Remote Control and Monitoring of your new G&D Chiller!
ProBrew is excited to now offer 2–4 week lead times on all in-stock ProFill Rotary Can Filler and Seamers. These models are available in 100–300 can per minute filling speeds and are built with a focus on scalability and low dissolved oxygen pickup. This special lead time is only while supplies last, so send us an email at [email protected] or call us at 262-278-4945. ProBrew, Brew YOUR Beer.
You might have heard of Old Orchard, but have you heard of their newest flavors? Berry Blend, Blood Orange, Lemonade, and Tart Cherry are the latest additions to their lineup of flavored craft juice concentrate blends. Old Orchard’s R&D team can also formulate custom blends unique to your needs. To learn more and request your free samples, head over to oldorchard.com/brewer.
Experience distinct transparency and juiciness with Omega Yeast’s DayBreak-V (pronounced “five”). Using their Lumina technology, Omega genetically eliminated haze in the popular British-V strain, allowing you to preserve the fruit-boosting prowess while achieving crystal clarity. Perfect for modern West Coast IPAs. Learn more at [email protected].
Keep your brewery running smoothly with Five Star Chemicals. Our cleaning solutions are specifically formulated to meet the unique needs of breweries, ensuring that your equipment stays clean and free of harmful bacteria and contaminants. From cleaning fermenters to kegs, we have a solution for every step of the brewing process. Use Five Star Chemicals today and taste the difference in your brews.
Seam defects caused by minimal overlap may not be immediately apparent, but they can become problematic during distribution, leading to leaky pallets. Just because you're not experiencing leaks at your facility doesn't mean you're entirely safe. RSS MACLIN offers training to help you understand not only what is happening with your can seams but also what you can do to fix it. Our comprehensive training ensures that you are equipped to identify and make proper corrective actions before they escalate. Visit us at RSSMACLIN.com or email [email protected].
Indie Hops breeds new hop varieties to help brewers captivate beer lovers. Brewers worldwide trust Indie’s unique varieties—Strata, Lórien, Luminosa, Meridian, and Audacia—to modernize, brighten, and diversify their beer lineup. Indie also offers classics that thrive in Oregon terroir such as Chinook, Crystal, and Sterling. Thoughtfully crafted and selected hops to meet your brewing needs. Visit indiehops.com/podcast to discover what’s new in hop flavors. Indie Hops—Life is short, let’s make it flavorful!
Berkeley Yeast. Founded by bioengineers. Yeast that’s designed to improve flavor, quality, and consistency; increase efficiency; and save you money. If you’ve been following yeast, you’ve heard about our strains: Superbloom strains make classic hops flavor; Fresh strains keep diacetyl low even with large hop additions; Tropics strains make a tropical bouquet reminiscent of the finest Southern Hemisphere hops. And, we just dropped new strains that are even more futuristic. Nationwide free shipping. Mention this podcast for 20 percent off your first order.