The BrewDeck Podcast

We're LIVE from the tradeshow floor at Craft Brewers Conference 2024 in Las Vegas! 

In this mini-episode, we're chatting with conference attendees about their brewery and taproom hot takes.

Learn more about our CBC events, activities, and new product launches: ⁠⁠countrymalt.com/cbc24

We're LIVE from the tradeshow floor at Craft Brewers Conference 2024 in Las Vegas! 

In this mini-episode, we’re speaking with the National Black Brewers Association. If you’re in town, be sure to stop by their Tap Takeover tonight at Beer Zombies!

Learn more about our CBC events, activities, and new product launches: ⁠⁠countrymalt.com/cbc24 ⁠ 

We're LIVE from the tradeshow floor at Craft Brewers Conference 2024 in Las Vegas! 

In this episode, we're speaking with Craft Haus Brewing Company and Big Dog's Brewing Company about some of our collaboration breweries that we partnered on for this year's CBC beverages.

Learn more about our CBC events, activities, and new product launches: ⁠countrymalt.com/cbc24

Featuring: Terrapin Beer Co. and Canada Malting Co.

Ryes and shine! We're exploring the intricacies of Rye Malt for brewers and distillers on this episode. (4:12) First, we're joined by Brian “Spike” Buckowski, Founder and VP of Brewing Development at Terrapin Beer Co. in Athens, Georgia. Spike tells us about their very first beer - a Rye Pale Ale, and the history of how it was discontinued, then brought back as a fan favorite. We discuss finding the perfect rye malt percentage and other challenges of brewing with rye. (26:54) Then, our resident-distilling expert, Geoff Fischer, stops by to address what rye looks like in the distilling world. What is American Rye Whiskey and what are the differences of distilling with rye versus other types of grains? (42:50) Finally, we close it out with Mac Remington, Canada Malting Co.'s Production Supervisor. From a maltster's insights, Mac shares how malting rye contrasts from barley throughout the malting process as well as the best varieties for rye malt.

Featuring: Borderlands Brewing, Las Hermanas Project, and Hop Forward Society.

Our Women's History Month celebrations continue! In this episode, Heather and Cheyenne are speaking with revolutionary women in the industry. (2:04) First, we're joined by Ayla Kapahi and Savanna Saldate from Borderlands Brewing Company in Tucson, Arizona. Ayla and Savanna started the "Las Hermanas" project, a bi-national all-women collaboration brew. It features one brew day in Arizona and another in Mexico, plus educational workshops for attendees. What's next for Las Hermanas? Could a third country be in the future? (Asking for a Canadian friend!) Listen to learn more. (22:24) Then, Sharon Ruyter and Erin McQuitty stop by from the Hop Forward Society. Their goal is to diversify the Alberta craft beer industry by reducing the barriers that exist. The Hop Forward Society is focused on creating and building opportunities for underrepresented groups within the craft beer industry, and helping develop safe spaces for people to work, gather, and socialize. Sharon and Erin share some of the things they've done and the grants they offer. 

Happy International Women's Day! We launched the first-ever Pink Boots Malt, a craft base malt for brewers and distillers that raises funds for the Pink Boots Society. As part of the same global family of brands, Country Malt Group (CMG), Canada Malting Co. (CMC) and Great Western Malting (GWM) all share a passion for empowering women and non-binary individuals across the supply chain – from the barley fields to our malthouses, and from our distribution centers to the taprooms.

In this episode, we're speaking with the dreamers and makers behind the Pink Boots Malt; Cait Schut and Hailey Nelson from CMG's marketing team, Brandi Stephens and Shelly Aller from GWM's Pocatello facility, and Amanda Kozina from GWM's Malt Innovation Center. The team dives into the vision, specs, and production for this exciting new seasonal product. Then we go behind the scenes for a live recording from one of our inaugural sister brews with the Pink Boots Malt, in Calgary.

The Pink Boots Malt will be available in a distribution center near you later this month. Contact your sales rep to be the first to know when it’s available. Learn more at countrymalt.com/pinkboots

Featuring Brew Hub.

In this episode, we're exploring the intricacies of Contract Brewing with Chris Schoen, Director of Brewing Operations & QA at Brew Hub in Florida. Chris pulls back the curtains on how contract brewing works, what kinds of services they provide, and which types of beverages are contracted most. We learn how they ensure quality in each brew and how contracting can help with distribution too. If you've ever considered contracting out – or starting your own contract facility – you'll want to hear Chris' advice and insights!

Featuring Mascot Brewery and the Brewing Change Collaborative.

In this episode, we're celebrating Black History Month with Aaron Prothro, founder of Mascot Brewery in Ontario, and the Brewing Change Collaborative in Minnesota. (1:10) As one of Canada's only black-owned breweries, Aaron tells us about the challenges he's faced in the craft beer industry and how he works to empower other black entrepreneurs. (25:24) Then, we're honored to be joined by Elle Rhodes, Shaunté Douglas, and Bri Smith from the Brewing Change Collaborative. The BCC is an organization that works to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion for people of color in the brewing and beverage industries through advocacy, outreach, and education.

Featuring: Abita Brewing and False Idol Brewing.

In honor of Dry January, we're talking about why it's more important than ever before to have non-alcoholic options on your menu. The team kicks it off with an overview of the non-alcoholic market, the growth of NA beers, and their predictions for the next hot NA beverage. (17:27) We're joined by Product Manager, Abi Conner, to "Ask Abi" which products she recommends for low- and no-alcohol beverages. (23:56) Then we shake things up with Mark Wilson from Abita Brewing. Mark tells us all about how they got into producing a craft soda line and hop waters. (50:29) After that, William Perry from False Idol Brewing stops by to tell us about their terpene sparkling botanical waters. What are terpenes and how is terpene water made? William shares how they got into making these and building a customer base for it.

Happy New Year! We're kicking off our fifth season of the BrewDeck Podcast with our annual "Best of" episode, where we count down your favorite episodes from the previous year. In this episode, Toby, Heather, Cheyenne, and Adam reflect on our ~crushie era~ after winning Best Beer Podcast at the Craft Beer Marketing Awards. The team also shares some sneak peeks of what you can expect this year and exciting things to look forward to.

Did your favorite episode make our Top 10 list? Listen to find out!