April 25, 2025

410: NZ Grape Ale? All-Riwaka Pils? Fork & Brewer’s Brayden Rawlinson Applies European Influence to Local Ingredients

1 hour 10 minutes

In Wellington, New Zealand, the Fork & Brewer has to live up to a reputation, and head brewer Brayden Rawlinson is up for the challenge. Under the leadership of previous head brewer Kelly Ryan (now with Freestyle Hops), the downtown brewpub garnered numerous awards, and the expectations placed on his successor were huge. Yet Rawlinson brings his own style and swagger to the role, alongside a deep love of fermentation in all its forms, and he’s continuing the legacy with different takes on beer that are equally medal-worthy.

In this episode, Rawlinson discusses:

pressure fermentation at warmer temps for faster, pub-centric lagers that win medals

brewing pils with 100 percent Riwaka hops added everywhere, from mash and first wort through a dip-hop addition and dry hop

achieving a more herbal, Noble-like character with Riwaka

sculpting a slightly drier NZ pils

applying Italian-style method to beers made with New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc grapes and Nelson Sauvin hops

balancing the acidity in wine-grape beers with low pH but not overt sourness

And more.

This episode is brought to you by:

G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): For years G&D Chillers has chilled the beers you love, partnering with 3,000+ breweries across North America and beyond. With our 24/7 service and support, your brewery will never stop. Remote monitor your chiller for simple and fast access to all the information you need, and gain peace of mind your operation is running smoothly.

Berkeley Yeast (https://berkeleyyeast.com). Berkeley Yeast bioengineers ordinary strains and make them extraordinary—enhancing the flavors you want and eliminating the ones you don’t. Visit berkeleyyeast.com to learn more and start brewing with science on your side.

Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): As breweries expand beyond beer into other segments like mocktails and CBD beverages, Old Orchard is here to help. We can formulate custom blends featuring specialty ingredients. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer.

Indie Hops (https://indiehops.com) Taste the modern flavors of Indie Hops at CBC, this year in Indianapolis. Join Indie in Indy for 14 incredible collab beers. Check out the full CBC beer lineup at www.indiehops.com and plan to stop by their booth #3122.

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Arryved (https://www.arryved.com) From taproom to distribution, Arryved gives breweries the tools to streamline operations and boost profits—all in one powerful platform. Want to see the latest innovations in action? Visit Arryved at CBC 2025, Booth 1865, where they’ll be pouring beers and showing off the future of brewery tech.

Probrew (https://www.probrew.com) If you’re at this year’s CBC 2025 in Indianapolis, there’s one place you must check out—ProBrew at Booth 2801! See ProBrew’s solutions in action, chat with our experts, and enjoy a perfectly poured beverage—on us. So don’t miss it—ProBrew, Booth 2801. ProBrew, Brew YOUR Beer.

Brewery Workshop (https://breweryworkshop.com) If you’re launching a brewery or acquiring an existing one, consider our brewery workshop and new brewery accelerator, September 14 through 17th in Fort Collins, Colorado. Over four days, we engage in panel discussions, technical brewery tours, networking, and small working group sessions that help you better understand and prepare for the challenges of brewery operation. Tickets are on sale now.

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