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What do you think of GMO yeast in your beer?

They're definitely controversial, but there are some interesting things being done with GMO yeasts like "diacetyl-free" yeast, or yeasts like Sourivisae that produce lactic acid.  Recently, thiolized yeasts have received a lot of press.  American brewers are using these yeasts in beer every day, but due to stringent GMO guidelines they aren't available outside of the US yet.

And we've got some interesting hop talk this week, too.  A farmer in Bavaria us growing hops under solar panels.  This setup provides enough electricity for 250 households and the hops benefit from a bit of shade from rising temps, requiring less water.  Reports are the hops are doing well, and may even increase yield.  A scientific analysis of the project will be concluded in October.

More brewery drama this week as Leinenkugel's Wisconsin brewers have gone on strike for higher wages, which they say are lagging behind similar businesses.  In one case, a brewer is only making $5.50/hr more than he was in 1990.  Madness.

And don't think we forgot about Anchor Brewing.  This one just keeps on developing.  The Anchor Union has launched a bid to buy the brewery.  However, Sapporo has said they will continue to move forward with liquidation and the beginning of August, so they don't have much time to make it happen.  Good luck, Anchor!

Beers of the Week

• Brewery Bhavana Brisk (Pilsner)
• Three Taverns - Beeps
• Woven Water - Solace (English Coffee Porter)
• Newgrass Brewing - 11° (Czech Pilsner)
• The Veil - We We Ded Ded (Hazy DDH TIPA)
• River Rat Broad River Red Ale
• Liability Brewing Athleisure Hefeweizen

Sources

• https://www.wired.com/story/the-secret-ingredient-in-your-craft-beer-gene-edited-yeast/
• https://www.brewbound.com/news/beer-sales-8-3-over-july-4-but-52-week-volume-still-down-per-circana
• https://news.yahoo.com/workers-156-old-wisconsin-brewery-164317167.html
• https://apnews.com/article/climate-beer-solar-panels-hops-germany-ee3d00a1877837eb85053335e3b68a00
• https://www.probrewer.com/beverage-industry-news/news-from-the-breweries/sapporo-to-upgrade-stone-breweries-to-accommodate-brewing-sapporo-beer-for-us-market/
• https://vinepair.com/booze-news/anchor-employees-brewery-takeover-bid/

Thanks for listening to Beer Guys Radio! Your hosts are Tim Dennis and Brian Hewitt with producer Nate "Mo' Mic Nate" Ellingson and occasional appearances from Becky Smalls.

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