Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

172: Zack Adams of Fox Farm Takes an Iterative But Exacting Approach Across Traditional Styles


Listen Later

For Zack Adams of Connecticut’s Fox Farm Brewery, the reward in brewing is found in working and reworking a smaller lineup of beers, over and over again, until he gets them just right. While they make and love IPAs, they’ve focused their other brewing energy on simple and small beers—think German-style pilsner, Kölsch, English-style dark mild, and Belgian-inspired mixed culture farmhouse beers. They’re a country brewery, and comfortable with that approach.

In this episode of the podcast, Adams discusses:

  • Getting the hang of lager fermentation
  • A sensory approach to brewer feedback and improvement
  • Developing malt character despite infusion mashing
  • Using different Noble hops to bring out varyingcharacteristics in lagers
  • Creating balanced smoked beers, and bringing their audience along on the journey
  • Brewing classic English-style ales
  • Preparing and carbonating beer before nitrogenating
  • Creating a distinct approach to mixed culture farmhouse ales
  • Brewing with craft malt
  • Wine-beer hybrids using New England grape varieties
  • (Accidentally) using winemaking techniques for softer tannin extraction
  • Learning from four seasons of spontaneous brewing (without releasing a single spontaneous beer)
  • and more.

    *This episode is brought to you by: *

    G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): As the brewing industry’s premier choice for glycol chilling, G&D Chillers has set the standard on quality, service, reliability and dedication to their customer’s craft. New this year, Redundancy meets Efficiency! G&D’s Micro-Channel Condensers are built with all aluminum construction which eliminates galvanic corrosion. Using half the refrigerant of conventional condensers with fewer brazed connections, translates to a lower GWP and less opportunity for leaks. Call G&D Chillers today to discuss your project or reach out directly at GDChillers.com.

    BSG (https://bsgcraftbrewing.com/) Meet the latest in the BSG Hop solutions portfolio, Citiva. Strong expressions of stone fruit, floral, and resinous/pine flavors and aromas define this blend, crafted specifically for use in hazy IPAs, and other hop-forward beers. Citiva is ideal for aroma, whirlpool, and dry hop additions to Hazy and Juicy IPAs, or for any other hoppy styles where a combination of citrus, tropical fruit, and pine aromatics are desired. Go to bsgcraftbrewing.com to learn more, or call 1-800-374-2739.

    Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): The most common complaint about hard seltzers? They need more flavor. Extract alone is a weak flavoring agent and can leave a chemical aftertaste. But there's a better way. The craft concentrate blends from Old Orchard are packed with REAL FRUIT FIRST, no added sugars, and just enough natural flavor. Breweries are turning to Old Orchard concentrates for seltzer with more body, color, and aroma. Turn seltzer skeptics into supporters with seltzer that drinks like a beer. Get started at www.oldorchard.com/brewer.

    Brewery DB® (https://www.marketmybrewery.com): For years, BreweryDB® has been the industry’s only professionally curated source of brewery and beer information. In 2019, over one million tap room visits were made by craft fans searching for breweries on BreweryDB.com! In early 2021, BreweryDB® will unveil an all-new experience to help craft lovers get back on the brewery trail! To take full advantage of the enhanced marketing power of BreweryDB® – and to increase your tap room traffic, visit MarketMyBrewery.com, that’s MarketMyBrewery.com. It’s easy and it’s free!

    ABS Commercial (https://www.abs-commercial.com): ABS Commercial is excited to be a part of today’s Podcast! ABS is a full brewery outfitter offering brewhouses, tanks, keg washers and small parts. As a part of ABS Commercials on going give back campaign, they will be giving away an ABS Keg Viking Keg Washer in June, so make sure to periodically check the ABS Commercial Facebook page to find out when the contest opens up and how you can enter to win a Keg Viking!

    Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine PodcastBy Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine

    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    335 ratings


    More shows like Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

    View all
    Basic Brewing Radio by James Spencer

    Basic Brewing Radio

    514 Listeners

    The Brewing Network Presents | The Session by The Brewing Network

    The Brewing Network Presents | The Session

    570 Listeners

    The Brewing Network Presents |  Brew Strong by Justin Crossley

    The Brewing Network Presents | Brew Strong

    274 Listeners

    BeerSmith Home and Beer Brewing Podcast by Brad Smith and Friends

    BeerSmith Home and Beer Brewing Podcast

    412 Listeners

    The Brewing Network Presents | Dr. Homebrew by The Brewing Network

    The Brewing Network Presents | Dr. Homebrew

    89 Listeners

    Good Beer Hunting by Good Beer Hunting

    Good Beer Hunting

    234 Listeners

    Homebrew Happy Hour by Pearl Media Network

    Homebrew Happy Hour

    130 Listeners

    Experimental Brewing by Denny Conn, Drew Beechum

    Experimental Brewing

    274 Listeners

    The Full Pint Podcast by TheFullPint.com

    The Full Pint Podcast

    153 Listeners

    Master Brewers Podcast by Master Brewers Association of the Americas (MBAA)

    Master Brewers Podcast

    255 Listeners

    The Brülosophy Podcast by Brülosophy

    The Brülosophy Podcast

    1,057 Listeners

    Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl by All About Beer

    Drink Beer, Think Beer With John Holl

    113 Listeners

    BYO Nano Brew Podcast by Brew Your Own

    BYO Nano Brew Podcast

    30 Listeners

    The Brü Lab by Brülosophy

    The Brü Lab

    103 Listeners

    All About Beer by All About Beer

    All About Beer

    25 Listeners