It’s that time of year—our annual barley summary and crop update is here! In this episode, Toby Tucker, Heather Jerred, and Jon Mendrick guide us through the 2024 Canadian and U.S. barley harvest, comparing it to prior years, the global barley crop, and what brewers and distillers can anticipate for 2025.

We also catch up with Product Manager Abi Conner (40:35), who shares highlights from this year’s product releases and gives us an exclusive sneak peek at what’s coming in 2025.

This is one of our favorite episodes—a celebration of our hardworking growers, the craft of maltsters, and the exciting year ahead for brewers and distillers. Grab a pint, tune in, and get ready to crop it like it’s hot!

Psst! Did the BrewDeck make your top 5 podcasts this year on Spotify Wrapped? We want to thank you! Send us a screenshot on Instagram (@CountryMalt) or email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ and we'll send you some goodies! 

Featuring: Bow and Arrow Brewing.

Happy Native American Heritage Month! In this special episode, we’re celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous people with Bow and Arrow Brewing Co., the first Native American woman-owned brewery in the U.S., based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

We sit down with founder Shyla Sheppard and head brewer Samuel Arredondo to explore how they honor their heritage through innovative brewing and carefully chosen ingredients. They share the story behind their impactful Native Land Beer Project, now in its fourth year, which has raised over $110,000 for Native nonprofits. This collaborative effort uplifts causes like ecological stewardship, access to ancestral lands, and the revitalization of traditional agriculture and food ways.

Featuring: Crooked Hammock Brewery.

In this special episode, we dive deep into the dark and complex world of Roasted Malts, exploring the role these bold ingredients play in crafting the finest beers. Our special guests Larry Horwitz of Crooked Hammock and Tim Roberts regale us with tales of their journeys through the malt-y realms.

We learn how these roasted wonders can lend bitterness, astringency, and a touch of that "Burnt" essence to your brews, much like the dragon fire of Westeros. As we venture further, we uncover the secrets of water chemistry, yeast selection, and hop pairings - the keys to mastering the delicate balance required to tame these roasted malts. So saddle up, brave listeners, for a journey beyond the wall of flavor limitations. For when you play the Game of Tones, you win... or you brew.

Featuring: Comrade Brewing Company.

What happens when a truck crashes into your facility and collides with your active brewing tanks? Well, don't cry over spilled beer! This episode, we talk to David Lin from Comrade Brewing in Colorado about making the most of bad experiences and turning shitty situations into good marketing. Buckle up for his wild story and how they came out on top! David also shares his advice for maintaining a positive outlook and ways to find a silver-lining (or gold-medal-winning-lining!)

Featuring: Lallemand and AB Biotek.

It's the American Distilling Institute's 2024 Craft Spirits Conference this week in Baltimore and we're celebrating distilling here on The BrewDeck Podcast! We're joined by our resident distilling experts, Geoff Fischer and Chris Lovett, to dive into yeast options for distilling, the difference between yeast strains, and how they can be used for different types of spirits. They call upon leaders in the industry - Mitch Codd from Lallemand (1:40) and Kevin Kawa from AB Biotek (32:00) - to discuss the use of enzymes in fermentation and the ability to create unique flavors through fermentation. Join us as we delve into the exciting innovations in the distilling industry, on this whiskey-swirling special episode!

Featuring: the Country Malt Group team.

So we wheat again! In this episode, we're joined by our friends – Patrick Sylvester, Territory Manager, and Abi Conner, Product Manager – to discuss the wild world of wheat. They talk us through the use of wheat in brewing, its global production, different types of wheat products, considerations for brewers using wheat, and their favorite beers that use wheat. With an extensive wheat product portfolio, wheat are you waiting for? Give it a listen!

Featuring: Barrel & Flow Fest.

In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the #1 Brew Fest in America: Barrel & Flow Fest! We're joined by Day Bracey, founder of Barrel and Flow, to discuss how they connect opportunity, accessibility, and artistry in ways that celebrate and empower the Black community. We explore the importance of creating an inclusive and safe environment and their festival's code of conduct. We also delve into the challenges faced by artists and staff in the brewing and entertainment industries, emphasizing the need for fair pay and transparency. Don't miss this engaging discussion on the intersection of beer, art, and inclusivity.

Psst! Tickets are on sale for Barrel & Flow, August 9-11 in Pittsburgh. BrewDeck listeners can use special code "brewdeck10" for 10% off tickets! Cheers!

Featuring: Oregon Fruit Co. and new fruit concentrates coming soon.

In this fruity and fun episode, we're joined by industry experts Chris Hodge from Oregon Fruit and Tyson Jones to discuss the delicious world of fruit additions in beer and other craft beverages. They dive into the art of using fruit purees vs. concentrates, explore the wide range of flavors and possibilities available, and share their personal experiences and recommendations. From citrus to berries, stone fruits to blends; they cover it all. So grab a cold one and join them as they peel back the layers and get fresh and fruity in this juicy episode. Don't miss out on the puns and laughter along the way!

Featuring: a debate of the most underrated beer styles with the CMG team.

In this episode, Heather and Cheyenne are joined by their colleagues Brittany, Matt, and Sydney to discuss their favorite "underrated" beer styles. Matt chooses the grisette, a lighter version of a saison, which he describes as a versatile style that allows brewers to experiment with different adjuncts and seasonal ingredients. Sydney picks the milk stout, highlighting its smooth and creamy flavor, as well as its historical reputation as a "healthy" beer. Brittany selects the black IPA, noting its perfect combination of maltiness and hoppiness. What do you think is the most underrated beer style? The crew engages in a friendly debate, which showcases the diversity and creativity within the world of beer styles!

Featuring: Barley growers from Tyche Ag in South Central Idaho and Antler Valley Farm in Central Alberta.

The spring barley growing season is officially underway and farmers are hard at work preparing for another busy harvest. In this episode, we're going behind the scenes with a couple of our barley farmers: Jeff Gibson from Tyche Ag in South Central Idaho (3:47) and Wade McAllister from Antler Valley Farms in Central Alberta (30:43). They walk us through how they got into farming, the history of their farms, what they grow in addition to barley. Barley is one of the most complex crops in the agriculture industry. It requires greater care, hard labor, and a special craft, just like your beer. We ask our guests some hard-hitting questions about the importance of crop rotation, barley growing challenges, and the status of this current growing season. As we approach the 2024 spring barley harvest, join us in raising a glass to the barley farmers that make our favorite craft beverages possible!

Psst! You can now decorate your office and taprooms with photos from our barley fields. Download our FREE Grain to Glass posters: countrymalt.com/posters