Episode 73: Making the Most Out of Yeast Cultures
As we kick off another year of the podcast, let’s talk about yeast. From innovations in the space, to creative uses, and how to foster a house culture that can define your beers, we chat with passionate experts from Berkeley Yeast and the brewer/owners of Oregon's Funky Fauna Artisan Ales about beer’s most important ingredient. The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 73 is sponsored by:RahrBSG / Gambrinus IPA MaltGambrinus IPA Malt possesses an elusive color falling between very pale pilsner and golden pale ale malt. Tailor-made to complement contemporary West Coast IPAs, it provides balancing sweetness and body in the presence of piney, juicy, and tropical hop profiles. Delivering a delicate profile of bread, toast, grain, and slight nuttiness, Gambrinus IPA Malt is a workhorse base malt. Available now as the latest addition to the premier range of brewing malts offered by RahrBSG. More info at: rahrbsg.com/gambrinus-ipa-malt/ FermentisIt’s here: the new Lager strain by Fermentis has finally been released! Discover SafLager™ SH-45, the yeast that enhances thiols in Lagers! Want to know more about Fermentis yeasts? Visit www.fermentis.com.BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 73Host: John HollGuests: Charles Danby, Anthony Bledsoe, Michael Frith, Danielle BurnsContact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbellPhoto: Funky Fauna Artisan Ales
Episode 72: New Small-Scale Brewery Strategies for the New Year
You’re living through some serious headwinds in the beer industry right now. There’s a lot of worry, a lot of gloom, but also a lot of positivity on the horizon. As we head into the end of 2025, it’s a look forward with a trio of guests who believe the best in beer is yet to come. On this episode you'll hear from Paul Leone, the Executive Director of the New York State Brewers Association, beer educator LaTreace Harris a.k.a. The Beery Godmother, and Brandon Hernández, the editor-in-chief of San Diego Beer News. The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 72 is sponsored by:RahrBSG / Gambrinus IPA MaltGambrinus IPA Malt possesses an elusive color falling between very pale pilsner and golden pale ale malt. Tailor-made to complement contemporary West Coast IPAs, it provides balancing sweetness and body in the presence of piney, juicy, and tropical hop profiles. Delivering a delicate profile of bread, toast, grain, and slight nuttiness, Gambrinus IPA Malt is a workhorse base malt. Available now as the latest addition to the premier range of brewing malts offered by RahrBSG. More info at: rahrbsg.com/gambrinus-ipa-malt/ BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 72Host: John HollGuests: LaTreace Harris, Paul Leone, Brandon HernándezContact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbell
Episode 71: Crafting a Memorable Beer and Food Program
Having food options is a way to bring in new customers and to keep fans coming back. There are many ways a small brewery can approach a menu and this month we’re talking with folks who have dedicated kitchens and robust food truck programs. First up, Tony Cordova of New York's Scale House Brewing. Cordova, the Head Brewer, talks about the evolution of the company, what goes into running a pizza program of note, and how the brewhouse and the kitchen work together to create a memorable customer experience. Then Jason Stengl of Colorado's Cannonball Creek shares insight into running a food truck program. When he and his partners started the brewery, they had come from a brewpub chain that did great business. They knew they wanted to focus on beer so opted against having a kitchen. Now they have a robust food truck program - at least one each day of the week they are open. He shares insight on how scheduling, managing, and working with those businesses has its own challenges. The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 71 is sponsored by:Five Star ChemicalsBrewers, listen up! Five Star Chemicals just dropped their newest EPA registered sanitizer called Saniclean PAA Pro. It’s a low-foam peracetic acid sanitizer that knocks out bacteria, yeast, and mold fast, leaving your tanks, lines, and kegs spotless with no rinse required. And right now, it’s Buy One, Get One Free through the end of the year. Email support@fivestarchemicals.com or reach out through their website to order now.FermentisWanna brew a strong ale or a barrel aged beer? Discover SafBrew™ HA-18, a powerful solution consisting of POF+ Active Dry Brewer’s Yeast and enzymes! You can now brew high alcoholic beers, such as strong ales, barleywines, and barrel aged beers with very high density. A pro tool for pro brewers. More information visit Fermentis.com.BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 71Host: John HollGuests: Tony Cordova, Jason StenglContact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbellPhoto: by John Holl
Episode 70: Exploring Innovations in Yeast
Yeast is the critical ingredient that turns humble wort into magical beer. This month, a look at the microbe from multiple angles and how to make the most out of it in your small-scale craft brewery.Guests: Laura Burns, Ph.D. is the Director of Research and Development at Omega Yeast. After studying stress responses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for her graduate thesis at Vanderbilt University, she decided the best place to apply this knowledge was in brewing. She worked in production brewing for five years as Head Brewer and Director of Quality Assurance before heading back to the bench at Omega Yeast. Her undeniable curiosity drives her to tackle difficult questions that brewer’s face daily. Technical Sales Manager for the home segment at Fermentis, Hugo Picard is in charge to support homebrewers, winemakers, cidermakers, in their hobby for beverage production at home. Hugo graduated with a Master’s in Science and Agricultural Engineering from ISA Lille in France. He also acquired a Master’s degree in International Marketing and Communication at Lille University. Before joining Fermentis, he has been president of a brewing and winemaking association and worked in several breweries and brewpubs in France and New-Zealand as a brewer or as a marketing/communication associate.The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 70 is sponsored by:BYO NanoCon on October 24Next week on Friday, October 24, learn from craft brewing industry experts with live online sessions covering Brewery Operations, Business Operations & Sales, and Start-Ups.• Full-Day of Live, Online Seminars and Q&A Panels• Access to Video Recordings and Course Materials for All Sessions• 3 Learning Tracks: Business & Sales, Brewing Operations, Start-Ups• Get Your Questions Answered Live by Craft Beer Experts• Interact with Other Small-Scale Craft Brewers & Breweries-In-Planning• Q&A Sessions with Leading Small-Scale Brewing Suppliers Check out https://byo.com/product/2025-nanocon-online/ for more details.BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 70Host: John HollGuests: Laura Burns, Hugo PicardContact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbellPhoto: by John Holl
Episode 69: Small-Scale Lagering
Lagers have been having a moment for a long time now. In this current age of brewing, there are many small breweries that are giving the time and attention to making lagers of note. We have two guests here that will explain how to best approach the style, and bring great pints to your patrons.Andreas Miller has over 20 years of experience in the brewing industry, and has been an adjunct instructor, consultant, and one of the brewers for the Siebel Institute's pilot and research brewing department since 2023. A graduate of Doemens Akademie in Munich, Andreas has worked as a brewmaster for a number of breweries large and small internationally, and provided consulting services for many breweries worldwide. His expertise covers practically every phase of brewing, packaging, and engineering operations, along with troubleshooting.Daren Orr and business partner Matt Bartle decided that the town of South Hero, Vermont, would benefit from a public house with community (and great beer) at the forefront. While watching the brewery market for over a decade, they believed that a small town nano brewpub would be a stable model to both produce beer and run a local restaurant so opened Two Heroes Brewery in 2020 and expanded to their current brewpub public house in 2023. They believe that community is the most important aspect of the town and they serve to fill the void for a local gathering place for community members and visitors alike. And in keeping with the theme this month, they are brewing some lagers of note. The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 69 is sponsored by:FermentisAre you ready to add a cider to your brews? Whether you want a crisp, sweet or fruity cider, discover the SafCider™ range: 4 cider strains available in 5g pouches, the perfect size for you. Just make your choice or try them all! To learn more about how Fermentis can improve the quality of your fermentation, and for the latest on their exciting new product releases, visit Fermentis.com.BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 69Host: John HollGuests: Daren Orr, Andreas MillerContact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbellPhoto: Lager at the Little Beer Festival. Photo by John Holl