The Modern Brewer Podcast

In this episode of The Modern Brewer Podcast, I sit down with Chris White, the founder of White Labs and a true G.O.A.T in the brewing industry.

From pioneering yeast research to shaping the future of fermentation, Chris has been instrumental in the evolution of brewing science.

Get an inside look at Chris's journey, the pivotal moments that defined his career, and his thoughts on the role of yeast in brewing today. We cover everything from common yeast misconceptions to how brewers can master fermentation. If you’re serious about brewing, this episode is packed with advice that will take your understanding of yeast to the next level - both your beer and your career!

Key Topics:

• Chris White’s journey in the brewing world
• What brewers get wrong about yeast
• The importance of microscopes in fermentation
• Managing yeast programs like a pro
• The future of yeast and GMOs in brewing

00:00 - Intro
02:20 - 5th Column advert
05:25 - Modern Brewer Podcast t-shirt link
06:03 - Chris White's journey so far
13:52 - What were the pivotal moments that shaped your career?
18:47 - Brewing Elements: Yeast book
22:47 - What are the common misconceptions with yeast
28:54 - What are the key ways brewers should manage their yeast and fermentation
33:21 - What are the common challenges brewers face when it comes to fermentation
37:09 - How important is a microscope?
42:46 - What makes world class yeast programs?
54:31 - How do you see the role of yeast changing?
59:43 - What is the role of GMO in yeast and what are your opinions on it?
01:07:20 - Top 3 things brewers should focus on regarding yeast and fermentation
01:18:57 - Whats one piece of advice you wished brewers would take to heart
01:20:56 - Where can brewers find the best resources regarding yeast and fermentation?
01:23:58 - Goodbyes and Youtube announcement

Sponsor: A big thank you to 5th Column, creators of the best brewery apparel!

Tune in to hear from one of the most respected voices in brewing!
🔗 Chris Lewington's Linkedin
🔗 White Labs
🔗 Fifth Column

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What happens when a brewery grows really fast...but still wants to make world-class beer?
In this episode, I sit down with Mark Gammons, Head of Operations at Tiny Rebel, to talk about what it actually takes to scale production without sacrificing flavour, brand or quality.
We dive deep into the balance between efficiency and volume, how Mark manages production, expansion and quality and why your brew team might be more important than the brewery itself.
Expect honest reflections, tried-and-tested formulas for managing production and plenty of practical gems as we cover:
⚖️ Scaling up while staying true to your roots
🍻 How Tiny Rebel’s brewhouse has evolved over time
🧪 Why fermentation and yeast management are still an art
🏭 The not-so-glamorous side of infrastructure and planning
👥 Why team culture matters more than stainless steel
🥴 And what happens when something goes slightly...off
Mark’s been through it all! From small batch brews to running a serious production machine. This episode is a playbook in keeping things real while growing big.
📚 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
02:15 Guest Introduction: Mark Gammons
03:45 Discussing Yeast and Fermentation - AEB
05:28 Mark Gammons' Brewing Journey
06:51 Tiny Rebel Brewery's Growth and Expansion
10:33 Balancing Efficiency and Quality in Brewing
13:57 Challenges and Strategies in Brewery Management
15:01 The Importance of Community and Collaboration
19:37 Infrastructure and Design Considerations
23:12 Scaling Up: Utilities and Capacity Planning
30:26 Maintaining Quality Amidst Growth
40:33 Managing Brewing Deviations
41:48 Volume Consistency in Brewing
42:42 Brewhouse Volume Management
45:08 Manual vs. Automated Brewing
53:38 Team Management and Growth
58:42 The Importance of Taste Panels
01:09:47 Expanding Brewery Production
01:15:29 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell
🎧 Proudly sponsored by AEB – the go-to for Bio-Tech solutions in beer. Check out their brewing yeasts and products here https://www.aeb-group.com/uk
📈 Want to see where sustainability is heading? Check out the 2024 Craft Beer Report: brewresourceful.com/craftbrewerysustainability2024
Chris LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lewington/

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A podcast dedicated to making you a great brewer rather than getting you to make great beer!
In this super short episode, you get to know why the podcast was born, how the structure will look going forward and two listens to the awesome tune made by Horacio Colombo.

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Get exclusive early access to the 2024 hop harvest insights from both America 🇺🇸 and Germany 🇩🇪 in this episode of The Modern Brewer Podcast!
Myself, Chris Lewington is joined by Douglas Mackinnon, providing an independent resource for brewers looking to navigate the ever-evolving hop market. With practical advice on how to play the market this year, this episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about brewing in 2024.

This is a true world exclusive, the only source of independent 2024 hop harvest data in the world

Douglas breaks down everything from varietal issues to how this year's harvest will impact pricing and the wider market. He also shares his predictions for future harvests and offers invaluable tips on how brewers can make the most of the current hop landscape.

Key Topics:

• The 2024 Hop Harvest Report: Early insights
• Navigating the hop market as a brewer
• The impact of varietal issues and pricing trends
• Long-term effects of increasing hop products on the market
• Practical advice for brewers in 2024

Chapters:
01:57 - Brewers Congress Update
03:39 - World Class Canning Lines and Seaming Technology
08:30 - Douglas Mackinnon Intro
13:13 - Hop Harvest 2024 Report
22:47 - Are there any varietal issues?
25:29 - How the hop harvest will affect the wider market
36:08 - How does the harvest this year affect the prices brewers will pay?
40:39 - How does this harvest compare to last year?
43:59 - How does the increase in hop products affect the long term market?
53:14 - Doug's Predictions for future harvests
01:01:27 - How would Doug advise a brewer to navigate the hop market now
01:13:52 - Outro
Sponsor: A big thank you to our sponsor, Pneumatic Scale Angelus, leaders in world-class canning lines and seaming technology. Learn more from Tom Bowlidge at [email protected].

Connect:
🔗 Douglas Mackinnon’s LinkedIn Douglas Mackinnon
🔗 The Mackinnon Report: Read the latest
🔗 My LinkedIn: Chris Lewington

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Ep 33 - How to Get to Net Zero: George Wade - Zevero
Every brewery wants to be more Sustainable — but what does it really take to get there?
In this episode, George Wade, founder of Zevero, guides us through the realities of reaching Net Zero.
From the basics of carbon neutrality to the practical steps every brewery can take, George breaks down complex sustainability challenges into actionable insights.
We dive deep into the hurdles breweries face on their journey to Net Zero, from understanding supply chain emissions to setting; and sticking to sustainability goals.
Tune in to learn:
•⁠ ⁠Defining Net Zero and its relevance for breweries 🌍
•⁠ ⁠Practical steps to reduce emissions in brewing
•⁠ ⁠Engaging your supply chain in the sustainability journey
•⁠ ⁠Overcoming measurement challenges
•⁠ ⁠Setting realistic sustainability goals for the future
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Weekend Recap
01:27 Shoutout to Gamma Brewing
02:22 Introduction to Net Zero
02:54 Guest Introduction: George Wade
03:45 Sponsor Message: SSV Limited
05:01 Discussion on Net Zero and Carbon Neutrality
18:45 Challenges and Opportunities for Craft Breweries
24:34 Practical Steps for Breweries to Achieve Net Zero
32:44 Setting and Achieving Sustainability Goals
33:33 Flexibility and Long-Term Planning
34:21 Packaging and Transportation Emissions
35:54 Engaging with the Supply Chain
36:41 Challenges in Measuring Emissions
39:34 Future Trends in Sustainability
49:07 Misconceptions About Sustainability
52:30 The Journey to Net Zero
54:45 Resources for Sustainable Brewing
58:55 The Brewing Industry as a Sustainability Leader
Thanks to this episodes sponsor - SSV Limited - Brew more. Brew better!

Links:
🔗 Bi-Weekly Positive Sustainability News
🔗 Zevero’s Sustainability Blog
🔗 Free Benchmarking Tool
🔗 George Wade on LinkedIn

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