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Don’t tell Jean-Phillippe Lalonde of Silo that craft lager is a “new” trend—he’s been brewing small batches for Montreal drinkers for nearly 15 years.
Opened two weeks before COVID shutdowns in 2020, Silo is the second manifestation of Lalonde’s brewing vision. Designed with packaging in mind, Silo also includes some thoughtful choices (such as a direct-fire kettle) that are budget-friendly while supporting the kinds of lagers he loves to make and drink—expressive ones with fullness and flavor.
With lagers inspired by Franconia and Plzeň, altbier and Kölsch inspired by Köln and Düsseldorf, and a mindest that doesn’t fear regional tweaks such as North American hops and grain, Lalonde views innovation within the broad confines of tradition. For him, late hopping a Czech-style pale lager is okay... but dry hopping is a bridge too far.
In this episode, Lalonde discusses:
- the dream of building a brewery with just one beer
- building fullness with protein, hot mashes, long boils, and a little bit of help from specialty malt
- incorporating North American hops such as Crystal into traditional lager
- using a pseudo-decoction technique to build additional body
- balancing sweetness and bitterness in fulsome lagers
- using low-alpha hops across multiple points in the boil, from 75 minutes to zero
- managing sulfur production
And more.
G&D Chillers
For years G&D Chillers has chilled the beers you love, partnering with 3,000+ breweries across the country. We’re proud of the cool partnerships we’ve built, offering 24/7 service and support. We build with nonproprietary parts, expert craftsmanship, and constant innovation! Our in-house engineering crew have been piping breweries, wineries, and distilleries for more than 30 years. We offer FREE piping design and consultation with the sale of every chiller we build. Reach out for a quote today at gdchillers.com or call to discuss your next project.
Brewers, what if your yeast could do more than just ferment? With Berkeley Yeast, it can! We bioengineer ordinary strains and make them extraordinary—enhancing the flavors you want and eliminating the ones you don’t. Now, in addition to competitive pricing, we’re offering free overnight shipping on 5+ barrel pitches. Try it out—if you don’t love it, we’ll happily refund you. So why settle for ordinary when you can brew with better yeast? Visit berkeleyyeast.com to learn more and start brewing with science on your side.
Every beer menu could use a refresh button on the fruit flavors. That’s why it’s time to revisit Old Orchard’s flavored craft juice concentrate blends, where the latest additions include Fruit Punch, Guava, Kiwi, and Pomegranate. We aren’t stopping there and welcome flavor suggestions from the brewing industry. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer.
Both classic and contemporary, Indie Hops’ Lórien was developed with crisp, low-gravity beer in mind. A nod to the past with an eye on the future, Lórien seamlessly combines traditional elements of European Noble hops with an elegant twang of American modernity. Low alpha and squeaky clean, Lórien provides a refined, smooth bitterness to any lager and delivers enticing flavors and aromas of lemon/lime zest, fresh melon, wildflowers, sweet hay, and cinnamon spice. Refreshing the past for a present time, Lórien’s classic profile and distinct finish are conducive to celebration and appetite and evoke feelings of a grassy meadow near a cold mountain stream. Summer is near, and Lórien awaits. Learn more about Lórien and the rest of our varieties at indiehops.com. Indie Hops—Life is short. Let’s make it flavorful.
Are you looking to elevate your craft brewery’s branding? Steel Chill-Cups are the perfect promotional tool! Crafted from 100 percent recyclable steel and proudly made in the USA, these 16-ounce cups come in vibrant red, blue, green, and gray. Designed to keep beverages cold and frosty to the touch, they enhance the drinking experience at festivals, tastings, and taprooms. Customizable branding options let you showcase logos and unique designs, boosting brand recognition. These stylish cups not only serve a practical purpose but also become keepsakes for beer lovers. Discover how Steel Chill-Cups can “Put your brand on every pour.” Visit SteelChillCups.com today!
Breweries don’t need just a point-of-sale system—they need a one-stop-shop operating system. That’s where Arryved comes in. Not only do we offer a world-class POS built specifically for breweries, but we also provide Arryved Brewery Management, e-commerce, and more to help breweries scale and thrive. From taproom to distribution, we give breweries the tools to streamline operations and boost profits—all in one powerful platform. Visit arryved.com to learn more. Cheers!
PakTech delivers 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, PakTech handles help brands stand out while staying sustainable. Trusted by craft brewers nationwide, they offer a smarter, sustainable way to carry your beer. To learn more, visit paktech-opi.com.
If you’re launching a brewery or acquiring an existing one, consider our brewery workshop and new brewery accelerator, September 14 through 17 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Over four days, we engage in panel discussions, technical brewery tours, networking, and small working-group sessions that help you better understand and prepare for the challenges of brewery operation. Tickets are on sale now. Visit breweryworkshop.com for more information and to secure your spot.