There is a lot to think about, to plan, and to dream towards when it comes to your nano brewery. 

Sometimes you need a little help, and that’s what this episode is all about. We’ve been collecting your emails and will be answering them in this episode. From recipes and growth, to education and business, our guests are two people with vast knowledge and unparalleled practical experience. 

 
As the Co-Founder of the Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival, Laura Lodge has been engaged in the craft beer industry since 1997. She’s the Owner of Customized Craft Beer Programs, designing events, resort retail programs, and educational programs based on craft beer, and is also the author of Distribution Insight for the Craft Brewer. She is also the co-founder of StartABrewery an educational resource for those dreaming of opening a brewery, those who are taking steps to make their dream a reality, and those who are opening their brewery doors and living it.

Steve Parkes is the Brewmaster of Drop-In Brewing in Vermont and the Owner and Lead Instructor of the American Brewers Guild. He’s a regular speaker on the National Craft Brewers Conference and BYO Boot Camp stage. He is a Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup judge. He has hosted the Institute of Brewing Studies “Ask the Expert” Q & A forum and is a former member of the IBS troubleshooting committee and National Board of Advisors. He has written for and been featured in numerous magazines and technical journals, served as chairman of the Northern California Section of the Master Brewers Association of the Americas, and Technical chair in California and New England. In 2009, Steve was awarded the Russell Schehrer award by the Brewers Association for Innovation in Craft Brewing.

Do you have a question about starting or growing your nano brewery? Email us: [email protected]

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 27 is sponsored by:

Blichmann Pro Brewing
With superior engineering and unrivaled service, Blichmann Pro Brewing equipment is the right choice for pro results. Whether it’s for your pilot system or production line, their robust systems come fully equipped with everything you need to hit the ground running. Designed for easy setup and intuitive use, our brewhouse systems and cellaring equipment deliver uncompromising quality and reliability backed by a name you trust, so you can focus on what matters most - your beer. Visit Blichmannpro.com today!

Fermentis

Hey nano-brewers! Fermentis, the obvious choice for beverage fermentation, is now offering dry ale and lager yeasts in flexible 100-gram pouches. To learn more about how Fermentis can improve the quality of your fermentation, and for the latest on their exciting new product releases, visit www.fermentis.com. 

Yakima Chief Hops
Yakima Chief Hops has combined their patented cryogenic hop processing technology with cutting edge lab analysis to create Cryo Hops® with a pop! Cryo Pop® Original Blend is a supercharged concentrated lupulin pellet packed with the most beer soluble hop compounds, or compounds that survive the brewing process. It is engineered to bring massive tropical, stone fruit and citrus aromas into your finished beers. Learn more about this new innovative product at cryopopblend.com.

BYO
Get access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.

BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 27
Host: John Holl
Guests:  Laura Lodge and Steve Parkes

Contact: [email protected]
Music: Scott McCampbell

February is always an odd month. The newness of a new year has faded, but around most of the country, it’s cold and winter feels endless. It can be hard to get the motivation to get done what needs to be done. 

In those moments it’s good to take on new projects or to tackle the ones that have sat on a to-do list for so long. To help with that motivation we're talking with Ryan Wheaton at Craft Brew Creative about collaboration inside and outside of beer, focusing on your marketing plan, and ways to shake things up. 

After that our brewer profile heads to Underground Beer Lab in East Syracuse, New York. Brewer and co-owner Keith Linder shares his pandemic story, the brewery’s strategy for limited hours and big bold IPAs, and finding retail partners. 

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 26 is sponsored by:

Fermentis

Hey nano-brewers! Fermentis, the obvious choice for beverage fermentation, is now offering dry ale and lager yeasts in flexible 100-gram pouches. To learn more about how Fermentis can improve the quality of your fermentation, and for the latest on their exciting new product releases, visit www.fermentis.com. 

Five Star Chemicals
Make your next clean and delicious beer with the help of Five Star’s Homebrew Club Program at FiveStarChemicals.com. Like most of you listening, Five Star loves a good drink. That’s why Five Star makes life easier for industry workers and home brewers. Sign up for Five Star’s Homebrew Club for free seminars featuring big names in the industry, exclusive product testing and 20% off your next order. Raise a glass at FiveStarChemicals.com and click the Homebrew Club banner to join the community.

Grainfather
Whether you’re looking for a brewing system to create trial recipes, or you want to easily add production capacity to your nanobrewery – the Grainfather G70 electric brewing system is your solution. The G70 has a 70 liter capacity, allowing you to easily make ½ barrel batches of beer in a compact system that won’t take up valuable floor space. Ask your BSG sales manager for more information about the G70 today, or go to Grainfather.com to learn more.

BYO
Get access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s new Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual print magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details.

BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 26
Host: John Holl
Guests:  Ryan Wheaton and Keith Linder

Contact: [email protected]
Music: Scott McCampbell

The introduction of a new calendar comes with a lot of promise. A blank slate to fill in with projects and goals. Maybe it means revamping a tap room or a recipe. Perhaps it’s finally signing the paperwork on new equipment, new space, or taking the first steps to open your own brewery. 

Whatever the case, this episode is about making the right moves, finding a place in the brewing industry that suits your self and family, and learning a bit more about tools to help you get the work done - pandemic or not. 

For our monthly nano brewery profile we're talking with  Raven and Travis Kocurek of Hound Song Brewing in Texas. 

Then we’ll do a technology check in with Clayton Kammerer, the Senior Sales Consultant at Arryved.

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 25 is sponsored by:

Fermentis

Fermentis delivers creative and dependable yeasts and technical solutions for the fermented beverage industry. SafYeast for beer is now available in 100 gram packaging perfect for any nano brewer!  Fermentis, the obvious choice for beverage fermentation. 

For more information please visit www.fermentis.com or download their free Fermentis app.

Blichmann Pro Brewing 

With superior engineering and unrivaled service, Blichmann Pro Brewing equipment is the smart choice for your bottom line. You won’t find a better match of price, performance and quality. Hit the ground running with equipment you can count on and support you can trust so you can focus on what matters — ROI. Visit Blichmannpro.com to learn more. 

BYO
Brew Your Own has a full schedule of live online workshops scheduled this year. Coming up of interest to small-scale brewers: Sour Beer Techniques on January 28 and Small-Scale Hop Growing on February 25. Details on all workshops can be found at byo.com/bootcamps

BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 25
Host: John Holl
Guests:  Raven and Travis Kocurek, Clayton Kammerer

Contact: [email protected]
Music: Scott McCampbell

We hope you had a chance to watch, listen, or participate in BYO’s NanoCon held earlier this month. For host John Holl it was great fun to moderate two panels with industry experts, though leaders, and brewers. In addition to their own thoughts and insight we had a lot of great questions and feedback from conference participants, especially during our small brewer panel. 

For this episode, our last of 2021, Holl wanted to bring three brewers together to talk about shared experiences, how they faced adversity and got through it, and to see what their outlook for 2022 might hold. 

We cover everything from social media plans, to yeast and hops, customer service, retail, packaging, and more.  For you small brewers putting in the hard work day in and day out it can be hard to get outside of your four walls. So hearing from other brewers or owners in podcast form might help a bit to show there are other people in similar situations. Their perspective might help you with insight into your own nano brewery. 

Our end of the year panelists are : 

Sara Ridgel of Policy Kings Brewery, she and her husband Dre are working to waking up the pallets of their Community through creative and innovative sessionable style beers. The opened in 2018 and  she says the brewery’s main goal is to always deliver a crushable beer. 

Eric Christensen is a 26 year veteran of the Coast Guard and started Gypsy Brewing Company with his wife, Heather, in May 2017.  The two-barrel production only brewery serves local clientele in Southern Maryland through draft accounts, markets, and liquor stores. 

and

Riker Wikoff is a co-founder of Red Clover Ale Co. In Vermont, it’s a small brewery he started with two brothers-in-law, serving up IPAs and more from their taproom. 

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 24 is sponsored by:

Blichmann Pro Brewing 

With superior engineering and unrivaled service, Blichmann Pro Brewing equipment is designed from the ground up to generate a quick return on your investment by getting you up and running as efficiently as possible without sacrificing quality. These systems are versatile and flexible enough to give you room to grow with a modular design that can fit any space. Visit Blichmannpro.com to learn more about our one to ten barrel brewhouse systems and cellaring equipment.

BYO
Join BYO online for a series of four-hour-long workshops with deep dives into topics of interest to small-scale pro brewers including Sour Beer Techniques on January 28, Distilling on February 4, and Brewery Taproom Draft Systems on April 8. Details can be found at byo.com/bootcamps

BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 24
Host: John Holl
Guests:  Riker Wikoff, Eric Christensen, and Sara Ridgel

Contact: [email protected]
Music: Scott McCampbell

No matter the season, hops are always on our mind here at the BYO Nano Podcast.  With the 2021 North American harvest over, the farmers have time to rest a bit before preparing for 2022.  Eric Desmarais of CLS Farms in Yakima Valley joins us to talk about the season that just ended, building brewery relationships, and some hops to think about in the new year. 

Our nano brewery profile is on Barley Head Brewery in Mystic, Connecticut. We talk with owner and brewer Drew Rogers about experimentation, distribution, and building a regular customer base in a tourist destination. 

And finally with food on the mind we’re talking with the Beer Chef Himself, Bruce Paton about what small breweries without a formal kitchen can do to offer a food program to keep customers around longer. 

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 23 is sponsored by:

BSG
Did you know that BSG sources hops directly from growers and processes them in their FSSC-certified facility in the Yakima Valley? From Azacca to Zappa, BSG’s hops are pelletized for optimal dispersion in the boiler or FV, and packaged in nitrogen-flushed bags to preserve all those tasty aromatics. To learn more about how your hops go from farmer to fermenter, get in touch with BSG at [email protected]

ABS Commercial
ABS is a full brewery outfitter offering brewhouses, tanks, keg washers and small parts. As a part of ABS Commercials' ongoing give back campaign, they will be giving away ANOTHER ABS Keg Viking Keg Washer on December 10th, so head on over to abs-commercial.com to enter to win a Keg Viking!

Yakima Chief Hops

Yakima Chief Hops has officially launched their newest product – Cryo-Pop™ Original Blend! YCH has combined their proprietary cryogenic hop processing technology with cutting-edge lab analysis to create Cryo Hops® with a pop! Using this new research to identify the most beer soluble hop compounds that survive the brewing process, they engineered a supercharged pellet that shows massive tropical, stone fruit, and citrus aromas in your finished beers. Learn more at cryopopblend.com.

BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 23
Host: John Holl
Guests:  Eric Desmarais, Drew Rodgers, Bruce Paton

Contact: [email protected]
Music: Scott McCampbell

Earlier this month, Yazoo Brewing and Embrace the Funk held its annual Funk Fest. It was a return to somewhat normalcy filled with small pours, familiar faces, and a sense of camaraderie.  Amid the socially distanced crowd was Chris Cates. He’s the co-founder and head brewer of Little Animals Brewery in Tennessee. He has a great story and perspective and he will share his story on this episode. 

Amid the happiness and revelry at the festival, there was also worry about supply chains and ingredient shortages, labor issues and increased competition. One topic that kept coming up was about cans, and so the show reaches out to John Henfer at Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry Co. for an update on the industry. 

Arryved
Arryved Point of Sale is your mobile, flexible, solution to save your staff time, and provide the best guest experience on-premise and online. Built by craft beer professionals for craft beer professionals, Arryved is the only P-O-S with no contracts and no monthly fees, and everything your business needs to thrive. Go to Arryved.com/nano to set up a free, customized demo. 

Blichmann Pro  

With superior engineering and unrivaled service, Blichmann Pro Brewing equipment is the smart choice for your bottom line. With our turnkey 3.5 barrel gas-fired or electric brewhouse systems starting at only $16,999, you won’t find a better match of price, performance and quality. Hit the ground running with equipment you can count on and support you can trust so you can focus on what matters ​— ROI. Visit Blichmannpro.com to learn more!

BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 22
Host: John Holl
Guests:  Chris Cates and John Henfer

Contact: [email protected]
Music: Scott McCampbell

Last week there was a scaled down version of the Craft Brewers Conference that happened in Denver and host John Holl flew out for a few days, to walk the expo floor, to see what was new in the world of beer, and to talk with brewers about what is exciting and worrying, and to have a few socially distanced pints. 

There is movement happening in the industry, new breweries getting ready to shed the planning phase and open, and small brewers are looking to get bigger, or better. Best practices are always important, so on this episode we have two guests that will share expertise and insight. 

- Kara Taylor the head of operations at White Labs

- Dave Green, the assistant editor and recipe editor of BYO Magazine.
 

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 21 is sponsored by:

Yakima Chief Hops

Yakima Chief Hops.  has officially launched their newest product – Cryo-Pop™ Original Blend! YCH has combined their proprietary cryogenic hop processing technology with cutting-edge lab analysis to create Cryo Hops® with a pop! Using this new research to identify the most beer soluble hop compounds that survive the brewing process, they engineered a supercharged pellet that shows massive tropical, stone fruit, and citrus aromas in your finished beers. Learn more at cryopopblend.com.

Blichmann Pro  

Check out the latest addition to the Blichmann Pro Brewing equipment line-up: Skid-Mounted Brewhouses. Available in 5 to 15 barrel capacities, these production powerhouses are designed for flexibility, engineered for performance, and built for growth. Experience the convenience you want, from a name you trust, at a price you wouldn’t expect. Visit Blichmannpro.com to learn more!

Arryved
Arryved Point of Sale is your mobile, flexible, solution for the best guest and staff experience on-premise and online. Built by craft beer professionals for craft beer professionals, Arryved is the only P-O-S with no contracts and no monthly fees, and everything you need to thrive. Go to Arryved.com/nano to set up a free, customized demo. 

BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 21
Host: John Holl
Guests:  Kara Taylor and Dave Green

Contact: [email protected]
Music: Scott McCampbell

On this episode of the BYO Nano Podcast, host John Holl talks with experts in finance and wood-aged beers. 

The bottom line of your brewery is always something to be mindful of and after the last year and a half watching every cent is critically important. So, the show starts off with a conversation with Jason Sleeman the Vice President of Craft Beverage Lending at United Community Bank. 

Then we switch gears to the brewhouse. Barrels are fun, but are also a pain to work with. Andy Parker knows about working with wood. He’s had a career as a barrel herder, first with Avery Brewing and now with Denver Beer Co., which in addition to its larger operation also has a 7-barrel brewhouse where they can mess around and try different things. 

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 20 is sponsored by:
BSG 

HS-Evergreen™ from BSG Hop Solutions was developed to showcase a blend of citrus, floral, and fruit hop character in American-style craft lagers.HS-Evergreen™ enters with strong suggestions of fresh peach and apricot, bright citrus (lemon candy, orange zest, tangerine), and watermelon candy. Notes of hay and pine round out a classic American craft beer hop profile. Secondary and tertiary notes include menthol, dank, geranium, herbs (basil, dill, thyme), cannabis, and green tea. For more info, please visit bsgcraftbrewing.com/evergreen

ABS Commercial 

Are you in need of brewing equipment? ABS Commercial offers full brewhouses, fermenters, brite tanks, keg washers and small parts. ABS has in-stock equipment and has some of the shortest lead times in the industry for custom builds. The ABS team is made up of former brewers, so ABS brings the knowledge and the experience that will help YOU succeed and take your brewery to the next level. Learn more about everything ABS has to offer by visiting www.abs-commercial.com!

Blichmann Pro:  

Check out the latest addition to the Blichmann Pro Brewing equipment line-up: Skid-Mounted Brewhouses. Available in 5 to 15 barrel capacities, these production powerhouses are designed for flexibility, engineered for performance, and built for growth. Experience the convenience you want, from a name you trust, at a price you wouldn’t expect. Visit Blichmannpro.com to learn more!

BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 20
Host: John Holl
Guests:  Jason Sleeman and Andy Parker

Contact: [email protected]
Music: Scott McCampbell

On this episode of the BYO Nano Podcast, host John Holl starts off by talking with Alison Wisneski, the head of marketing, among other things, at Lady Justice Brewing in Colorado. She has insights into hiring practices for nano breweries, and what they have found works for their brewery, as well as how to focus charitable giving so that it means something to your small business. 

Then, he talks with Matt Humbard of Patent Brewing in Maryland, a nano brewery in planning which is currently offering lab services to small breweries. At his day job he has been part of the government response to combat COVID-19. As such Holl wanted to talk with him about how to be prepared for any kind of unexpected business interruption whether it be a pandemic, someone being sick, or a natural disaster. 

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 19 is sponsored by:
Blichmann Pro Brewing:
Check out the latest addition to the Blichmann Pro Brewing equipment line-up: Skid-Mounted Brewhouses. Available in 5 to 15 barrel capacities, these production powerhouses are designed for flexibility, engineered for performance, and built for growth. Experience the convenience you want, from a name you trust, at a price you wouldn’t expect. Visit Blichmannpro.com to learn more!

Yakima Chief Hops:

Yakima Chief Hops has officially launched their newest product – Cryo-Pop™ Original Blend! YCH has combined their proprietary cryogenic hop processing technology with cutting-edge lab analysis to create Cryo Hops® with a pop! Using this new research to identify the most beer soluble hop compounds that survive the brewing process, they engineered a supercharged pellet that shows massive tropical, stone fruit, and citrus aromas in your finished beers. Learn more at cryopopblend.com.

BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 19
Host: John Holl
Guests:  Alison Wisneski and Matt Humbard

Contact: [email protected]
Music: Scott McCampbell

After more than a year of uncertainty and life moving slowly for a lot of us, things have picked up speed in the last few weeks. Taprooms are re-opening for inside service, customers are buying beer for parties, draft beer is coming back to accounts. 

Where do we go from here, how do small breweries make the most of this time and get on better footing for the future? There’s a lot to discuss, so let’s dive in with our guests:

- Audra Gaiziunas the owner of Brewed For Her Ledger, LLC, a management consultancy firm focused on providing guidance to the craft brewing and cider communities. 

- Paul Leone, Executive Director of the New York State Brewers Association

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 18  is sponsored by:
Blichmann Pro
Check out the latest addition to the Blichmann Pro Brewing equipment line-up: Skid-Mounted Brewhouses. Available in 5 to 15 barrel capacities, these production powerhouses are designed for flexibility, engineered for performance, and built for growth. Experience the convenience you want, from a name you trust, at a price you wouldn’t expect. Visit Blichmannpro.com to learn more!

Arryved
Arryved Point of Sale is your mobile, flexible, solution for providing the best possible guest and staff experience. Go to Arryved.com to set up a free, customized demo with an Arryved consultant and see how a point of sale can make all the difference in your guest experience, staff satisfaction, and bottom-line. A switch to Arryved will save you time, money and headaches. Tracy Bardugon, from Fire Maker Brewing in Atlanta, GA says, “I cannot recommend Arryved enough. Killer customer support, affordable, ability to start tabs without holding cards, keeps track of ounces sold for state reporting, two different ways to report tips, the list goes on. It’s amazing.”

BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 18
Host: John Holl
Guests: Audra Gaiziunas and Paul Leone

Contact: [email protected]
Music: Scott McCampbell