311: Shawn McIlhenney is Rebrewing the Family Legacy

Ask most American brewers about their first experience with New Zealand hops, and nine out of ten will probably name one single beer—Alpine Beer’s Nelson. Alpine founder Pat McIlhenney was one of the early ones to import southern hemisphere hops, and it’s hard to speak about the hop now without acknowledging the importance of that singular beer. Son Shawn McIlhenney inherited his dad’s love of hops and experimentation, and today continues to push the limits of ingredients and techniques through McIlhenney Brewing.

In this episode, McIlhenney touches on:

the evolution of San Diego IPA

using enzymes to manage a flaked rye mash

combining Nelson Sauvin and Nectaron hops for maximum effect

first wort hopping for less aggressive bite

blending whole leaf hops with advanced hop products like Incognito

pushing the fine line between enough and too much

selecting Southern hemisphere hops

recipe considerations when scaling up to double and triple IPA

avoiding the flavor effects of over-aeration

rediscovering the personal joy of making beer

And more.

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