November 04, 2023

328: Art History Brewing is Finding Innovation in Its Focus on Tradition

1 hour 14 minutes

In Geneva, Illinois, Art History Brewing doesn’t want to be everything to everyone, but they’re committed to brewing traditional styles well, while also making them relevant to today’s drinkers. That message has resonated in the broader Chicago beer world, winning them fans among some of the most influential bars and retailers in the city. For head brewer Greg Browne, it’s the logical outcome of a career spent brewing these beers in smaller ways at other breweries. And for co-owner Tom Rau, it’s a way to focus on beers about which they’re personally passionate, meanwhile offering something different and beer-focused to the broad community of Chicago drinkers.

In this episode, they discuss:

innovation through focusing on traditional styles

achieving the flavor results of decoction through other brewing means

building color in Czech-style pale lager

using the Hochkurz mash and an oversized lauter tun

ingredient selection for Northern German-style pils and Czech-style dark lager

designing and brewing smoked lagers

choosing yeasts for specific, regionally-inspired English-style ales

And more.

This episode is brought to you by:

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The Perfect Purée (https://perfectpuree.com/beer): The Perfect Purée is offering a free sample box of their frozen fruit purees, concentrates and blends to professional brewers. Choose from 40 plus flavors and build a free sample box at perfectpuree.com/beer. Complimentary to professionals only.

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