October 04, 2024

381: Human Robot's Andrew Foss Wants You to Experience "The Wave" When Drinking Their Lager

1 hour 10 minutes

As Andrew Foss of Human Robot says in this episode, “Perfection is pretty easy. To make something interesting is hard.”

Those are easy words to say and harder words to brew by, but the Philadelphia brewer strives for character over lager “cleanliness,” eschewing the “crispy” moniker while searching for something more substantial. To accomplish that goal, he uses every tool at their disposal—mash and decoction regimens, a direct-fire brewhouse, a number of different fermentation schedules, and more. Character, after all, requires intention and effort, and not just homogeneity or simplicity.

In this episode, Foss talks about:

using a direct-fire mash-mixer and decoction in concert with an array of different malts to produce characterful European-style lagers

rethinking mash strategies designed for older malts

adjusting the decoction process based on intentions for aroma and flavor

building “the wave” in lager mouthfeel

dialing in pH for expressive but cohesive lagers

differentiating between final gravity and mouthfeel

aroma contributions from direct-fire brewhouses

embracing inconsistent malt for more flavorful European-style lagers

going beyond “clean”

And more.

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