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Barrel aging is nothing new for Firestone Walker’s Matt Brynildson. He got his first exposure to the process while working for barrel-aging pioneer Goose Island in Chicago, and for the better part of two decades has been exploring the impact of wood, aging, and blending in the development of beer flavor at Firestone Walker. A post-pandemic initiative at the Paso Robles brewery, the Brewmaster’s Collective, has created new occasions to explore processes and approaches through collaborations with a range of brewer friends, and in this episode Brynildson is joined by two collaborators—Henok Fentie of Stockholm, Sweden’s Omnipollo, and Enzo Frauenschuh of Gundelfingen, Germany’s FrauGruber. Together, they take a look at the similarities and differences in barrel-aged stout brewing in the United States and Europe. Along the way, they discuss:
- building recipes that can support strong flavors
- finding the balance between sweetness and drinkability
- artful flavor composition
- maintaining some semblance of house character through collaborations
- expressing barrel notes cleanly through lean and well-attenuated beers
- temperature impact on barrel expression
- varying ingredients based on the continent
- developing flavorful bases both through English malts and with blends of Pilsner and Munich malts
- managing barrel-entry gravity for long-term success
- planning for adjuncts in recipe design
- adjunct addition processes and extraction efficiency
And more.
Note: Firestone Walker is a media partner of Craft Beer & Brewing
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.
Are you struggling to source affordable citrus ingredients because of market fluctuations? Try Old Orchard’s flavored craft juice concentrate blends, which mimic straight concentrates at a better price point and with a more reliable supply. Old Orchard’s citrus-flavored blends include Blood Orange, Grapefruit, Lemonade, Lime, and Tangerine. 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 fermentors 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.
Can seams should not just be handled by the OEM. Relying on outside help to confirm your product is shelf-ready puts your final product and your bottom line at risk. Take back control with RSS MACLIN. We provide the training and resources breweries of all sizes need to ensure the exceptional quality of your product remains the same from beginning to end. For more information, visit 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!
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