The BrewDeck Podcast

Featuring: Dyke Beer and The Reflections Project.This podcast explores mental health in the craft beer industry, featuring Dyke Beer founders on building inclusive queer spaces and Molly Flynn on launching The Reflections Project, a nonprofit for mental health support in hospitality. The episode highlights the unique challenges faced by those in the beer industry, such as burnout and lack of access to mental health services. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the need to destigmatize mental health issues and create more opportunities for open dialogue and mutual support within the craft beer community.

Featuring: Definitive Brewing and Great Western Malting.We're getting into the weeds – and the wheat – on this episode. Join the team from Great Western Malting and James Bridwell of Definitive Brewing Co. as we break down the story behind two of GWM's newest innovations: Low Color Wheat Malt and Chit Malt. From product ideation and malting techniques to sensory trials and brewing applications, we cover how these malts are helping shape the future of hazy IPAs and beyond. Whether you're curious about clarity, foam, flavor, or haze; this episode's packed with good chit.

We're LIVE from the tradeshow floor at Craft Brewers Conference 2025 in Indianapolis! In this episode, we're playing trivia with attendees on the trade show floor. How much do you know about beer, Indiana, and Indy 500? See if you can beat our guests!Learn more about our CBC events, activities, and new product launches: ⁠countrymalt.com/cbc

We're LIVE from the tradeshow floor at Craft Brewers Conference 2025 in Indianapolis! In today's episode, we're joined by Guggman Haus Brewing's husband and wife duo, Derek and Courtney Guggenberger, to discuss our collab beers brewed specially for CBC! Learn more about our CBC events, activities, and new product launches: ⁠countrymalt.com/cbc

We're LIVE from the tradeshow floor at Craft Brewers Conference 2025 in Indianapolis! In this episode, we're having beers with Bart Watson, President and CEO of the Brewers Association. We discuss state of the industry, trends and tariffs.Learn more about our CBC events, activities, and new product launches: ⁠countrymalt.com/cbc

30 years. One blue cargo van. A father-son dream that changed the craft beer industry.In this special episode, we're sitting down with the founders of Country Malt Group to revisit the humble beginnings and epic evolution of CMG– from a shed in New York to one of the most trusted ingredient suppliers in North America.Join Bryan and Claude Bechard as they reflect on starting a business together, navigating highs and lows, and building a legacy that's helped shape the brewing and distilling community for three decades. Plus, hear about their favorite memories, industry trends, and what's next for CMG as we raise a glass to 30 years of malty milestones.

Featuring: Great Western Malting, Canada Malting Co., and Country Malt Group.In this special Women's Month episode, we're handing the mic to the powerhouse women at our company. They share their career journeys, the challenges they've faced in a male-dominated industry, and the lessons they've learned along the way. From breaking barriers to setting bold new goals, these leaders are paving the way for future generations in malting, brewing, distilling, and beyond.Tune in as we raise a glass to the women making malt magic happen!

Featuring: Paul Bee Distillery, Arch Ray Resort, Great Heights Brewing. Pull on your boots and saddle up for this first-of-its-kind collab! In this episode, we're two-steppin' into the world of craft distilling with Arch Ray Resort and the Pink Boots Society Houston Chapter as we make history—distilling one of the first-ever whiskies using Pink Boots Malt!At Paul Bee Distillery, head distiller Jerry Elliott and production manager Dustin Cramer teamed up with Houston's Pink Boots crew to craft a single malt whiskey with a purpose—supporting women and non-binary individuals in brewing and distilling. Guest Abby Hime from Great Heights Brewing shares what Pink Boots Malt means for the industry, while guest special co-host Brittany Drennan keeps the conversation flowing.

The BrewDeck Podcast is back and thriving for Season 6! Since 2020, we've been spilling the tea (or should we say beer?) on all things brewing, distilling, and malting, keeping the craft beverage world on trend. To kick off the year, we're serving a vibe-check on last year's most iconic episodes. From deep dives into roasted and rye malts, to the non-alcoholic market glow-up and industry-changing convos on diversity and inclusion, these episodes highlight the topics that made waves in 2024. Whether you're a day-one listener or just tuning in, this countdown is the ultimate rewind.

It's that time of year—our annual barley summary and crop update is here! In this episode, Toby Tucker, Heather Jerred, and Jon Mendrick guide us through the 2024 Canadian and U.S. barley harvest, comparing it to prior years, the global barley crop, and what brewers and distillers can anticipate for 2025. We also catch up with Product Manager Abi Conner (40:35), who shares highlights from this year's product releases and gives us an exclusive sneak peek at what's coming in 2025. This is one of our favorite episodes—a celebration of our hardworking growers, the craft of maltsters, and the exciting year ahead for brewers and distillers. Grab a pint, tune in, and get ready to crop it like it's hot! Psst! Did the BrewDeck make your top 5 podcasts this year on Spotify Wrapped? We want to thank you! Send us a screenshot on Instagram (@CountryMalt) or email us at ⁠brewdeck@souffletmalt.com⁠ and we'll send you some goodies! 

Featuring: Bow and Arrow Brewing. Happy Native American Heritage Month! In this special episode, we're celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous people with Bow and Arrow Brewing Co., the first Native American woman-owned brewery in the U.S., based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We sit down with founder Shyla Sheppard and head brewer Samuel Arredondo to explore how they honor their heritage through innovative brewing and carefully chosen ingredients. They share the story behind their impactful Native Land Beer Project, now in its fourth year, which has raised over $110,000 for Native nonprofits. This collaborative effort uplifts causes like ecological stewardship, access to ancestral lands, and the revitalization of traditional agriculture and food ways.

Featuring: Crooked Hammock Brewery. In this special episode, we dive deep into the dark and complex world of Roasted Malts, exploring the role these bold ingredients play in crafting the finest beers. Our special guests Larry Horwitz of Crooked Hammock and Tim Roberts regale us with tales of their journeys through the malt-y realms.   We learn how these roasted wonders can lend bitterness, astringency, and a touch of that "Burnt" essence to your brews, much like the dragon fire of Westeros. As we venture further, we uncover the secrets of water chemistry, yeast selection, and hop pairings - the keys to mastering the delicate balance required to tame these roasted malts. So saddle up, brave listeners, for a journey beyond the wall of flavor limitations. For when you play the Game of Tones, you win... or you brew.

Featuring: Comrade Brewing Company. What happens when a truck crashes into your facility and collides with your active brewing tanks? Well, don't cry over spilled beer! This episode, we talk to David Lin from Comrade Brewing in Colorado about making the most of bad experiences and turning shitty situations into good marketing. Buckle up for his wild story and how they came out on top! David also shares his advice for maintaining a positive outlook and ways to find a silver-lining (or gold-medal-winning-lining!)

Featuring: Lallemand and AB Biotek. It's the American Distilling Institute's 2024 Craft Spirits Conference this week in Baltimore and we're celebrating distilling here on The BrewDeck Podcast! We're joined by our resident distilling experts, Geoff Fischer and Chris Lovett, to dive into yeast options for distilling, the difference between yeast strains, and how they can be used for different types of spirits. They call upon leaders in the industry - Mitch Codd from Lallemand (1:40) and Kevin Kawa from AB Biotek (32:00) - to discuss the use of enzymes in fermentation and the ability to create unique flavors through fermentation. Join us as we delve into the exciting innovations in the distilling industry, on this whiskey-swirling special episode!

Featuring: the Country Malt Group team. So we wheat again! In this episode, we're joined by our friends – Patrick Sylvester, Territory Manager, and Abi Conner, Product Manager – to discuss the wild world of wheat. They talk us through the use of wheat in brewing, its global production, different types of wheat products, considerations for brewers using wheat, and their favorite beers that use wheat. With an extensive wheat product portfolio, wheat are you waiting for? Give it a listen!

Featuring: Barrel & Flow Fest. In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the #1 Brew Fest in America: Barrel & Flow Fest! We're joined by Day Bracey, founder of Barrel and Flow, to discuss how they connect opportunity, accessibility, and artistry in ways that celebrate and empower the Black community. We explore the importance of creating an inclusive and safe environment and their festival's code of conduct. We also delve into the challenges faced by artists and staff in the brewing and entertainment industries, emphasizing the need for fair pay and transparency. Don't miss this engaging discussion on the intersection of beer, art, and inclusivity. Psst! Tickets are on sale for Barrel & Flow, August 9-11 in Pittsburgh. BrewDeck listeners can use special code "brewdeck10" for 10% off tickets! Cheers!

Featuring: Oregon Fruit Co. and new fruit concentrates coming soon. In this fruity and fun episode, we're joined by industry experts Chris Hodge from Oregon Fruit and Tyson Jones to discuss the delicious world of fruit additions in beer and other craft beverages. They dive into the art of using fruit purees vs. concentrates, explore the wide range of flavors and possibilities available, and share their personal experiences and recommendations. From citrus to berries, stone fruits to blends; they cover it all. So grab a cold one and join them as they peel back the layers and get fresh and fruity in this juicy episode. Don't miss out on the puns and laughter along the way!

Featuring: a debate of the most underrated beer styles with the CMG team. In this episode, Heather and Cheyenne are joined by their colleagues Brittany, Matt, and Sydney to discuss their favorite "underrated" beer styles. Matt chooses the grisette, a lighter version of a saison, which he describes as a versatile style that allows brewers to experiment with different adjuncts and seasonal ingredients. Sydney picks the milk stout, highlighting its smooth and creamy flavor, as well as its historical reputation as a "healthy" beer. Brittany selects the black IPA, noting its perfect combination of maltiness and hoppiness. What do you think is the most underrated beer style? The crew engages in a friendly debate, which showcases the diversity and creativity within the world of beer styles!

Featuring: Barley growers from Tyche Ag in South Central Idaho and Antler Valley Farm in Central Alberta. The spring barley growing season is officially underway and farmers are hard at work preparing for another busy harvest. In this episode, we're going behind the scenes with a couple of our barley farmers: Jeff Gibson from Tyche Ag in South Central Idaho (3:47) and Wade McAllister from Antler Valley Farms in Central Alberta (30:43). They walk us through how they got into farming, the history of their farms, what they grow in addition to barley. Barley is one of the most complex crops in the agriculture industry. It requires greater care, hard labor, and a special craft, just like your beer. We ask our guests some hard-hitting questions about the importance of crop rotation, barley growing challenges, and the status of this current growing season. As we approach the 2024 spring barley harvest, join us in raising a glass to the barley farmers that make our favorite craft beverages possible! Psst! You can now decorate your office and taprooms with photos from our barley fields. Download our FREE Grain to Glass posters: countrymalt.com/posters

Featuring: Lady Justice Brewing and Beer is for Everyone. We're celebrating Pride Month with Betsy Lay, co-founder and owner of Lady Justice Brewing, and Lindsay Malu Kido, founder and executive director of Beer is for Everyone. We discuss their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the craft brewing industry, their Pride events, the importance of representation and the small but meaningful ways it can make a difference. We also share our personal experiences with the organizations and the impact they have had.  Psst! Did you hear about our Pride Month giveaway? Order the Pink Boots Malt between June 1-30 to be automatically entered to win a Bountiful Bag, filled with goodies from our favorite DEI-focused companies!

Featuring: Aroma Sciences and Lagunitas. The latest innovation in aroma technology is here, and in this episode we're discussing the best of barrel-aging, but without the barrel... or aging! (3:09) We have the pleasure of chatting with Ian Ward and Marc Worona, from Aroma Sciences, about their brand-new natural extracts that add authentic oak profiles to your beverages without requiring the barrel age process. Not only are their extracts easy to use and cost-effective, they'll also save you time and eliminate losses. The Aroma Sciences Heartwood™ line of oak aromatic extracts can be used to improve balance, perceived quality, and boost oak aromatics in beer, wine, ciders, seltzers, traditional and reduced proof spirits, and non-alcoholic beers, wines, RTD's or mocktails. But don't just take their word for it! (38:08) Jeremy Marshall from Lagunitas Brewing stops by to tell us about their experiences using Aroma Sciences in their Dark and Oaky, what their customers have to say about the beer, and what they might try next with the extracts.

Featuring: Infinite Ingredient. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we're joined by Katie Muggli, Founder and Executive Director of Infinite Ingredient. Infinite Ingredient is a non-profit whose mission is to actively support the mental and physical well-being of individuals working in the craft beverage industry through outreach, education, and access to resources. They are dedicated to creating a healthier, more sustainable future in which individuals who work in the craft beverage industry may be supported fully and wholly as human beings. Together, we take a hard look at burnout in the industry and the main issues affecting people's mental health. Katie shares their resources and how they can help you and those you care about! *If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States and Canada.

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. 

Featuring: Tailgunner Brewing Co., Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Company, and Ask Abi / Do you have the Skills to Brew the Pils? Golden lager leaders, Blake Enemark from Tailgunner Brewing (1:23) and Jake Nelson from Horse Thief Hollow (38:34), are here to share their evolutions of brewing pilsners. They walk us through brewing with North American Pilsner malts versus European Pilsner Malts, and how their base malts of choice influences flavour profile, colour, and the brewing process. From double-decocted to multi-award winning pilsners, this episode will captivate your attention and taste buds! (59:58) Plus, Abi Conner, our Product Manager, stops by to answer your burning "Ask Abi" questions.

Featuring: Veterans Blend, Homes For Our Troops, and Paradox Brewery / We're kicking off Veterans Blend pre-order season! The 6th annual blend features Citra® Brand, HBC 638, Talus® Brand, and Sabro® Brand hop varieties. Proceeds benefit Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) in building and donating specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. (3:27) First, we're joined by Bill Ivey and Dianne Travers from HFOT, plus Tony Doyle, Retired Sergeant and recipient of a HFOT home. They explain how the process works and how their program helps veterans regain some of their independence and rebuild their lives. (28:28) Then, we connect with Devon Hamilton and Dalton "Quattro" Wilson from Certified Veteran-Owned, Paradox Brewery. They share how Paradox supports the veteran community through beers, collabs, and events. Additionally, they give us a sneak peek at what they might brew with this year's blend! Contact your CMG Sales Rep to pre-order this year's Veterans Blend!

Featuring: East Village Brewing / In this episode, we're making a splash into water chemistry and pH with Aaron Justus from East Village Brewing Company (and from our most popular episode: S2E23 "Dude, Let's Start a Brewery"). From the first steps of understanding water chemistry in a new location and which elements to look for, to how often water testing should be done; former meteorologist, Aaron, dives deep into everything you should know... So, water you waiting for?

Featuring: Necromancer Brewing Company / Happy Pride Month! In this episode, we're celebrating with Lauren Hughes and Nina Santiago from Necromancer Brewing Company, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We talk about their Code of Conduct, their 'Even Gayer' light lager that broke Facebook, Queer Beer Club, and all of their Pride Festival events (happening this week!). Learn about how they have created a safe and inclusive space for their employees and patrons alike all year round, and how you can too! Check out "The Craft Brewers Guide to Cultural Observances: Observing Pride Month"

Get ready for Ready To Drink (RTD) cocktails! In this episode, we're joined by Bryce Parsons from Last Best Brewing & Distilling, and Matt Howell from Collective Arts. They walk us through what spirits they make and their journeys of getting into RTDs. From production methods to trending spirits, we get an inside look at what goes into creating popular RTDs and how you can too! PSST! Did you win gold at World Beer Cup with Great Western Malting or Canada Malting Co. base malts? Request your custom Filson vest: bit.ly/VestsCMG

We're LIVE from the tradeshow floor at Craft Brewers Conference 2023 in Nashville! In this mini-episode, we're doing rapid-fire trivia with brewers, vendors, and CBC-goers. Featuring: Borderlands Brewing, Bountiful Bag, Shan Ferments, Yakima Chief Hops, and Oregon Fruit. Learn more about our CBC events, activities, and new product launches: ⁠countrymalt.com/cbc23⁠

We're LIVE from the tradeshow floor at Craft Brewers Conference 2023 in Nashville! In this mini-episode, we're giving you a behind-the-scenes look with our vendor friends about what goes into planning and getting to CBC with our vendor friends. Featuring: Briess Malting, Five Star Chemicals, Oregon Fruit Purees, and Country Malt Group. Learn more about our CBC events, activities, and new product launches: ⁠countrymalt.com/cbc23⁠

We're LIVE from the tradeshow floor at Craft Brewers Conference 2023 in Nashville! In this mini-episode, we're joined by some of the breweries we collaborated with for our Booth beers! Featuring: East Nashville Beer Works, Living Waters Brewing, and Wooden Robot Brewery. Learn more about our CBC events, activities, and new product launches: ⁠countrymalt.com/cbc23

Just in time for CBC next week, the team from Canada Malting is here to announce that their new adjuncts processing facility and bagging line is now operational, and the first product, Flaked Oats, is now available! But how does this new oat product compare? Jonas Hurtig from Cabin Brewing Company and Rob McCoy from Great Notion pop by to share their experiences having transitioned to the new oats and their excitement for using it in future brews.  Don't forget, if you're at CBC in Nashville to visit CMG Booth #1345 to get your hands on Canada Malting's Flaked Oats samples and say "Hi" to your favorite podcast team! Learn more about our CBC events and activities: ⁠countrymalt.com/cbc23⁠