30 years. One blue cargo van. A father-son dream that changed the craft beer industry.

In this special episode, we’re sitting down with the founders of Country Malt Group to revisit the humble beginnings and epic evolution of CMG– from a shed in New York to one of the most trusted ingredient suppliers in North America.

Join Bryan and Claude Bechard as they reflect on starting a business together, navigating highs and lows, and building a legacy that’s helped shape the brewing and distilling community for three decades. Plus, hear about their favorite memories, industry trends, and what’s next for CMG as we raise a glass to 30 years of malty milestones.

Featuring: Great Western Malting, Canada Malting Co., and Country Malt Group.

In this special Women's Month episode, we’re handing the mic to the powerhouse women at our company. They share their career journeys, the challenges they’ve faced in a male-dominated industry, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. From breaking barriers to setting bold new goals, these leaders are paving the way for future generations in malting, brewing, distilling, and beyond.

Tune in as we raise a glass to the women making malt magic happen!

Featuring: Paul Bee Distillery, Arch Ray Resort, Great Heights Brewing.

Pull on your boots and saddle up for this first-of-its-kind collab! In this episode, we’re two-steppin’ into the world of craft distilling with Arch Ray Resort and the Pink Boots Society Houston Chapter as we make history—distilling one of the first-ever whiskies using Pink Boots Malt!

At Paul Bee Distillery, head distiller Jerry Elliott and production manager Dustin Cramer teamed up with Houston’s Pink Boots crew to craft a single malt whiskey with a purpose—supporting women and non-binary individuals in brewing and distilling. Guest Abby Hime from Great Heights Brewing shares what Pink Boots Malt means for the industry, while guest special co-host Brittany Drennan keeps the conversation flowing.

The BrewDeck Podcast is back and thriving for Season 6! Since 2020, we’ve been spilling the tea (or should we say beer?) on all things brewing, distilling, and malting, keeping the craft beverage world on trend.

To kick off the year, we’re serving a vibe-check on last year’s most iconic episodes. From deep dives into roasted and rye malts, to the non-alcoholic market glow-up and industry-changing convos on diversity and inclusion, these episodes highlight the topics that made waves in 2024. Whether you’re a day-one listener or just tuning in, this countdown is the ultimate rewind.

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!