Experimental Brewing

Podcast People! Plug your ears up and listen to Denny and Drew yammer on about the wackiness of beer science and the science of beer wackiness!

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If you have questions, leave a comment or send us an email at [email protected]! Seriously, we want feedback because we're rank amateurs at this whole thing and want to get better!

If you have questions you want us to answer on the show (we're almost set to take callers to the air) - drop us a q at [email protected]!

If you want to help us with experiments - Join the IGOR crew - [email protected]

Brew Files - Episode 73 - Pinch Pennies Wisely

Submitted by drew on Tue, 10/15/2019 - 21:00

The Brew is Out There!

Common wisdom dictates that trying to save money by brewing beer is a fool's errand like buying a boat to save on fish, but we're here to tell you that there are a few ways you can maximize your savings while still enjoying high quality beer. We're not about minmaxing here - just reminding you as your beer needs increase around the holidays, it's perfectly easy to pinch some pennies and enjoy a beer!

Episode 103 - Over 60 and the Next Pint Project

Submitted by drew on Wed, 10/09/2019 - 00:00

On this episode we delve a bit into history as Denny talks about the results of our "Beer & Brewing Over 60" survey. Then we're flying into the future as we listen to OSU's Sarah Windes talk about the project to develop and select a new malt hybrid for both Mecca Grade and the public. Pollen flies on this episode along with all of our usual beery goodness!

Episode Links:

Brew Files - Episode 72 - Trademark a Collaboration

Submitted by drew on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 05:45

The Brew is Out There!

Episode 102 - Hood River Beers

Submitted by drew on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 00:00

We're not done with Hop & Brew School just yet because as Denny headed home from Yakima, he stopped in the beer rich river city of Hood River. While there he sat down with Brian Perkey of Lallemand to talk about his long history in the brewing world - how he almost didn't get his first brewing job and what he's done across the world of craft beer. And of course, we cover the beer news, feedback, questions and craft malt!

Brew Files - Episode 71 - Meading In The Moonlight

Submitted by drew on Wed, 09/18/2019 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

Did you know that August was Mead Month and that September is Honey Month? In this episode, Drew sits down the Berniece Van Der Berg and Michael Fairbrother of Moonlight Meadery to talk about bees, the state of mead and how to brew your best mead at home!

Links

Moonlight Mead: https://www.moonlightmeadery.com/

Episode 101 Live At Hop And Brew School

Submitted by drew on Wed, 09/11/2019 - 00:00

Brew Files - Episode 70 - Going Big Replay

Submitted by drew on Wed, 09/04/2019 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

While Denny and Drew wrap up their time with Yakima Chief Hops - it's time to go back and rehear our talk about brewing big. What have been our experiences, our tips, tricks and our favorites! Next week we're back with a live episode of the show!

Links

Episode 100 - Malt of the Century

Submitted by drew on Wed, 08/28/2019 - 00:00

Brew Files - Episode 69 - Double Down In Rhode Island

Submitted by drew on Wed, 08/21/2019 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

Last episode we covered beer that isn't beer - this week we prep for winter's return by talking the members of the Rhode Island Brewing Society about their epic GOAT Ribs Doppelbock, winner of the Ocean State Homebrew Competition that was brewed at the Guild in time for our HomeBrewCon party! Listen to here their story and how an 8% Doppelbock is the small version!

Links

Episode 99 - Buttoning Up Good Beer

Submitted by drew on Wed, 08/14/2019 - 00:00

What do you get when you take a dedicated homebrewer, an old mill building and a couple of crazy dogs? One very interesting brewery designed straight up with Drew's tastebuds in mind - IPAs and Saisons and odd things. Drew sits down with Morgan Snyder, owner/brewery/dogdad of Cranston RI's Buttonwoods Brewery.

Episode Links:

Brew Files - Episode 68 - Hard Times in Seltzer Town

Submitted by drew on Tue, 08/06/2019 - 21:00

The Brew is Out There!

There are no laws when drinking - hard seltzer? Yes, it's the latest evolution of the malternative/alcopop/notbeerbeer. So, let's say you want to make your own malternative at home - how do you do it? Drew walks you through the reasons for these things and how to make your own hard lemonade, hard seltzer and even better the quick way to make an alternative draft beverage as a homebrewer!

Links

Episode 98 - Bitterly Successful in NYC

Submitted by drew on Wed, 07/31/2019 - 00:00

Brew Files - Episode 67 - Quaking in Long Beach

Submitted by drew on Wed, 07/24/2019 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

Drew's siting down with Levi from Long Beach Beer Lab again to explore how Levi is using the old school, new hotness of Kveik in nearly half of his beers. What has Levi discovered to make some pretty amazing beer? He's got a few tricks up his sleeve!

Links

Kveik - Milk The Funk - http://www.milkthefunk.com/wiki/Kveik

Episode 97 - The Legend of Answers

Submitted by drew on Wed, 07/17/2019 - 00:00

It's time! Time for a whole bunch of questions and answers. In this go around it seems many of you have hops on the brain - so it's only fitting we also announce a chance to win 2 tickets to Yakima Chief Hops Hop and Brew School®. Enter by 7/26 at https://www.experimentalbrew.com/hopandbrew! On with the questions!

Episode Links:

Brew Files - Episode 66 - Middling Beer

Submitted by drew on Wed, 07/10/2019 - 07:09

The Brew is Out There!

We've been talking a lot about lower alcohol beers recently - part of a trend - but a real problem for these beers is fewer ingredients means fewer chances to inject flavor. Drew sits down with Phil Jensen and talks about using a by-product of the flour milling industry to boost beer flavor. They may be called "middlings", but their impact is anything but. Sit back - it's time to taste some beer!

Episode 96 - Dancing The Con Con

Submitted by drew on Fri, 07/05/2019 - 21:00

Episode Links:

Brew Files - Episode 65 - American Nothingness

Submitted by drew on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 21:00

The Brew is Out There!

American Light Lager is by far and away, the most popular style of beer in America. No matter how much we gnash our teeth about it, it's the truth. It's also the truth that this little bit of "nothing" can be the hardest technical challenge a brewer can face. Are you up to it?

Links

Episode 95 - One Percent Ales and Other Tales with Mike

Submitted by drew on Tue, 06/18/2019 - 21:00

Brew Files - Episode 64 - Tasting IPA

Submitted by drew on Wed, 06/12/2019 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

One problem with us sitting here and giving our brewing advice - you never get to taste our beer! While we can't ship everyone a beer, you can finally hear Denny's feedback about Drew's canned IPAs. We're tasting Drew's 45th Birthday IPA and Cape Point New South African Hazy IPA

Links

Episode 94 - Brewing Isle Style

Submitted by drew on Wed, 06/05/2019 - 00:00

HomeBrewCon steadily marches closer and on this episode we sit down with Jeremy Duffy of Isle Brewers Guild about their unique way of running a brewery - and what we can expect when we (and hopefully you) party with them on the 26th! But before we get there, we check the beer news, a new book that's just been released, Denny's latest mistake (and our disagreement). Sit back and relax - we're on island time!

Brew Files - Episode 63 - Run Like An Athlete

Submitted by drew on Wed, 05/29/2019 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

Episode 93 - Belgium Survives Denny

Submitted by drew on Wed, 05/22/2019 - 00:00

Denny and Paula have just returned from Belgium. What did he learn? What did he taste? (What did she drink that wasn't IPA?) How did the authorities let him back in? Tune in and find out that and all the beer news and brewing misadventures we've been getting up to in this week's episode!

Episode Links:

Brew Files - Episode 62 - Wicked Smooth Milkshake IPA

Submitted by drew on Wed, 05/15/2019 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

One of our favorite traditions is the HomeBrewCon commemorative beer given to attendees. This year's beer is Wicked Smooth, an Apricot Milkshake IPA. Drew sits down with Michelle Clark of Grey Sail and Chris Leonard of Heavy Seas Beer and talks about the decisions they made while collaborating to make this beer that's out of their comfort zone.

Links

Episode 92 - Revisiting NEIPA, Bainbridge & Gin

Submitted by drew on Wed, 05/08/2019 - 00:00

Brew Files - Episode 61 - Hop Terpenes

Submitted by drew on Wed, 05/01/2019 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

Have you ever wondered what the pure essence of a hop smells like? Well, sit back because Drew and Matt Humbard sit down to discuss how you pull every drop of smelly goodness from our favorite beer seasoning (and how you use it)

Links

Patent Beer - http://patent.beer

Episode 91 - Brew England

Submitted by drew on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 00:00

HomeBrewCon season is rapidly approaching! To get you ready for it, we sit down with Gary and Matt from the AHA to talk about what they've got planned for the largest nerdiest beer party on the planet. (And don't forget - early bird pricing is almost over!) Plus we tackle the beer news, what we've been brewing and reading... and writing!

Episode Links:

Brew Files - Episode 60 - A Daily Pint of Fruit

Submitted by drew on Wed, 04/17/2019 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

The Farmer's Markets are about to overflow with fruit and naturally that means - fruit beers. Today, we're sitting down and trying to help you get make fruit beer that's worth drinking and respects the ingredients. Let's make some juicy beer!

Links

Episode 90 - Sing a Song of Ale

Submitted by drew on Wed, 04/10/2019 - 00:00

Thanks to questions and beer tastings - we've had a bunch of feedback, so we dig into what everyone thought. And after tackling that we stop for another beer as we talk to Matt Van Wyk of Denny's favorite brewery - Alesong in Eugene. And of course, questions, brew news, ingredients and more!

Episode Links:

Brew Files - Episode 59 - Keeping Cool

Submitted by drew on Tue, 04/02/2019 - 21:00

The Brew is Out There!

We just talked what happens when you can't keep things cool, so naturally now that Spring has sprung - now's our time to bring our tools to bear and keep our wort cool. Let's take a quick spin around the world of staying chilly during our warmer months!

Links

Reptile Heater: https://amzn.to/2HVZQYM

Episode 89 - Brew With Drew

Submitted by drew on Wed, 03/27/2019 - 00:00

Every year Drew holds a "Brew with a Falcon" event at his brewery. This year there's more brewing hijinks with new toys and new yeasts as well. Sit down with the crew as they recount what happened and what they love about brewing. In addition, we taste a listener's beer to try and find the cause and cure for his beer's unhappiness. All this and more!

Episode Links:

Brew Files - Episode 58 - March into October

Submitted by drew on Tue, 03/19/2019 - 21:00

The Brew is Out There!

It may be March, but it's time to start thinking about October. On this episode, we briefly dig into the history of March beer and explore the polar opposite styles from the same party - the old fashioned Marzen and the modern super Helles "Festbier". Sit back and get ready to lift a stein!

Links

Episode 88 - Revisiting Flash Frozen Homebrew

Submitted by drew on Wed, 03/13/2019 - 00:00

You know Murphy's law says whatever can happen, will. White's corollary to Murphy's Law says "Murphy was an Optimist". (aka Denny's Internet in his lovely country home was out all last week. He's almost back online!) So we're revisiting one of our favorite pieces of science from last year - Cryo vs. T-90!

Brew Files - Episode 57 - Old School Triple IPA

Submitted by drew on Wed, 03/06/2019 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

Episode 87 - Take Me Down To Asheville

Submitted by drew on Wed, 02/27/2019 - 00:00

There's a whole slew of feedback today before we hit the beer news and run to the brewery to talk a Memorial Day event at Mecca Grade, new Yeast strains, how to actually say Kveik and make things with it and some additional dry hopping data points. And then we sit down with Marshall and talk about what we're going to be trying to teach at the BYO Bootcamp in Asheville in a month!

Episode Links:

Brew Files - Episode 56 - Rose Wave

Submitted by drew on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 21:00

The Brew is Out There!

Last episode, everything was coming up gold. This week it's coming up pink as we explore what looks to be this year's hot trend - Rosé Beer. Drew sits down with pro-brewer/homebrewer Andy Ziskin about how he makes a Rosé beer that's dramatic, complex fruity, fun and not insipidly dull and sweet.

Links

Episode 86 - Resolving The Secret Of The Hop

Submitted by drew on Wed, 02/13/2019 - 00:00

We've survived the PGPDF and are back and catching back up! We've got a whole slew of feedback, news stories, brew sessions, hop science, micro-resolutions (aka things we think we can do), a listener's brewing experience and... the juicy story of why you can buy Columbus, Tomahawk or Zeus in the hop freezer - sit back for a lesson in farm spying!

Show note - ~34 minutes, Denny says "gypsum, chloride". He meant "gypsum, calcium chloride"

Brew Files - Episode 55 - Tripel Your Gold

Submitted by drew on Wed, 02/06/2019 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

In the world of responses to Pilsner, the Belgians really nailed it with their Belgian Strong Goldens and Tripels. But what makes them different? Drew breaks down the styles with sample recipes and tries to answer the tasty conundrum that is the BSG/Tripel split

Recipes

Episode 85 - Attack of the Peruvian Guinea Pig Death Flu

Submitted by drew on Wed, 01/30/2019 - 00:00

It's finally happened! Denny and Drew have simultaneously been felled by the specter of Peruvian Guinea Pig Death Flu!

In light of our incapcitation, we offer you these choice revists to topics we're still talking about today! Don't fret - episode 86 is being prepped and should be a grand return to form!

Episode Links:

Brew Files - Episode 54 - Where's There Smoke

Submitted by drew on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 21:00

The Brew is Out There!

In every beer lovers curve of beer love, there comes a moment when they discover the world of smoked beers. Drew sits down with Devon Randall of Imperial Western Beer Company to discuss her approach to making both subtle and in your face smoked beers!

Devon's Smoke Guidelines:

Subtle: 3-5%

Balanced: 6-15%

OVert: 16-100%

Episode 84 - Answering All The Questions

Submitted by drew on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 21:00

There are a great many questions in the universe - why are we here? What are we doing? What the hell just happened with my beer?!? We'll tackle that last category, because we're terrible at moral philosophy!

Sit back, it's time for a dive through a bunch of questions!

Brew Files - Episode 53 - Anniversaries & Enzymes with Eagle Rock

Submitted by drew on Wed, 01/09/2019 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

It's officially been two years of Brew Files! (Ok, fine, two more days - the first episode dropped on Jan 11th, 2017) That puts me in the mood to talk Anniversaries and with my local, Eagle Rock Brewery, hitting their 9th Anniversary, I sat down with Jeremy Raub to talk about designing an Anniversary beer and the new and interesting uses they're finding for Amlyase enzymes - it's not just for Brut IPA's anymore!

Episode 83 - Love Thy Long Beach Neighbor

Submitted by drew on Tue, 01/01/2019 - 21:00

Brew Files - Episode 52 - Getting Back to Brewing

Submitted by drew on Tue, 12/25/2018 - 21:00

The Brew is Out There!

New Years is right around the corner which means so is the era of Resolutions. The most common resolution for brewers? I'm going to brew more! It's also one of the most failed. We're here to give you our tips for fighting the forces that stymie you so you can get back to what we all love - brewing!

This episode is brought to you by:

Episode 82 - Thinking and Drinking with John Holl

Submitted by drew on Tue, 12/18/2018 - 21:00

Just in time for Christmas and the new year, Drew sits down with John Holl of Craft Beer & Brewing to talk about his new book - Drink Beer, Think Beer. We talk where the industry is and why John's hope for the future isn't a very popular one.

Brew Files - Episode 51 - Real Time Recipe Challenge

Submitted by drew on Wed, 12/12/2018 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

We asked our listeners to challenge us - give us a beer idea you want us to design and prepare to make. Out of the pile of suggestions we each chose one recipe to challenge the other with. In this inaugural challenge, we only find out what recipe we're supposed to formulate right then. Listen to us walk you through how we'd tackle these challenges.

Episode 81 - Uncommon Common With Ten Mile

Submitted by drew on Wed, 12/05/2018 - 00:00

After our adventures down in Australia, it's time to get local again with Ten Mile Brewing in Signal Hill, California. Drew sits down with Dan Sundstrom to talk how the brewer got started and why they have a focus on tradition including their attempts to bring the Kentucky Common to California.

Brew Files - Episode 50 - A Year Of Beer

Submitted by drew on Wed, 11/28/2018 - 00:00

The Brew is Out There!

Time makes fools of us all and lays bare the emptiness of our plans, but it doesn't have to! Denny and Drew sit down and talk about seasonality - both historical and taste and help plan out a general timeline you can use to brew beers for a specific date!

Links

Episode 80 - An Extra Special Batch of Beer

Submitted by drew on Tue, 11/20/2018 - 21:00

Brew Files - Episode 49 - Starting Off Right

Submitted by drew on Tue, 11/13/2018 - 21:00

The Brew is Out There!

We know that we need good yeast to make great beer and we need to treat them right. Somehow we've managed to go through 48 episodes of this show without talking methods of treating your yeast right. On this show, we'll walk through how we used to do things and why we changed and Denny will even challenge Drew to get uncomfortable!

Links

Episode 79 - Live from Down Under

Submitted by drew on Tue, 11/06/2018 - 21:00

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