With the impacts of adverse weather and climate events on the rise, having an understanding of your water footprint is key to managing this critical resource in the future.

Water Before It Gets To The Brewery

Despite having grown to nearly 10,000 around the country, craft brewers actually only account for a fraction of the environmental impact of large brewing companies and are nothing compared to the farms producing the raw ingredients used in brewing. More than 90-percent of the environmental footprint of brewing occurs in the agricultural supply chain and farming by far has the biggest impact on usage. According to research from the Water Footprint Network, an international group promoting sustainable, equitable, and efficient water use, the water footprint of the amount of malted barley required to produce beer is nearly 300 liters of water per liter of beer. By contrast, the water footprint of the entire production brewing process is six to eight liters of water per liter of beer. At the largest breweries, including MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch, that number is closer to three to one.

In light of the substantial impact of farming barley, hops, and other raw ingredients necessary for brewing, it’s important that brewers of every size look outside of their own breweries to really create sustainable change. Having conversations with your suppliers about their own water use can help address the issue.

Big Brewers Get It

“From a manufacturing perspective, Anheuser-Busch InBev and MillerCoors are far more green than small brewers if you look at the resources required to produce a barrel of beer,” says Chris Lohring, owner of Notch Brewing in Massachusetts. This perspective is shared by sustainability focused brewery experts across the country.

MolsonCoors has long focused on the practice of water footprinting, which involves studying the watersheds of its major breweries and hundreds of agricultural suppliers. Using indicators from the World Resources Institute, MolsonCoors determined whether the regions housing its breweries were water scarce or water stressed and then studied the stability and quality of the sources of the water. The company also looked to determine the impact of climate change, population growth, agricultural demands, industry growth, and other factors to create a watershed strategy for each location. The actions led to practices designed to save hundreds of millions of gallons of water a year. 

Craft Brewers And Water

For breweries interested in engaging in a sustainability program, consider starting small and reaching out to other breweries leading in the field. Information sharing, as happens throughout the brewing industry, is key. Sharing best practices can help motivate other breweries to step up their engagement while also reducing the learning curve and barriers to entry. On the high end, smaller breweries can consider anaerobic digestors, advanced waste water treatment protocols, and energy efficient brewhouse systems. 

In Vermont, the Long Trail Brewing Company manages to use one-third the amount of water as the industry standard by employing a heat recovery system that converts steam into water for reuse. This process saves 1100 gallons of propane per month and eliminates the release of smoky water vapor from the facility. 

Even small fixes can go a long way. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services suggests that breweries consider undertaking a benchmark review of their water usage and then find ways to reduce consumption from there. Small efforts can result in substantial savings, such as using a broom or squeegee to clean up spills, using hoses with high-pressure low-flow nozzles, and even checking on leaking faucets and toilets, which can result in hundreds of gallons of water lost.

Visit ProBrewer.com

This article originally appeared on ProBrewer.com in August 2022. All About Beer’s parent company has a partnership with ProBrewer.com to create original content for that website. New articles appear each week and subsequently are reposted on AllAboutBeer.com.

The post Understanding Your Water Footprint and its Impact on the Climate first appeared on All About Beer.

Each year, the Brewing & Business Experienceship offers one emerging craft brewer the chance to gain exclusive mentorship from Samuel Adams professionals, including founder and brewer Jim Koch. The winner receives a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, collaborate on a specialty beer, and attend the Great American Beer Festival alongside the Samuel Adams team.

Moor’s Brewing Company is a craft brewery founded in Chicago by Damon Patton, Jamhal Johnson and Anthony Bell. Since its launch in 2021, the brewery has expanded into over 500 retailers nationwide, and in February 2025, Moor’s opened Diversey House in Logan Square, Chicago’s first Black-owned taproom, in partnership with Steep Ravine Brewing Company, offering a unique blend of craft beer, elevated pub fare, and community engagement.

The 2025 winner was selected following the annual Crafting Dreams Beer Bash, hosted on June 5th in New York City. The celebration brought together six passionate finalists from across the country—each pouring their signature brew and sharing their entrepreneurial journey. The night highlighted the mission of Brewing the American Dream: to lift up small businesses and empower diverse craftspeople. Guests were invited to taste, connect, and cast a vote, which played a critical role in the final selection of this year’s Experienceship recipient.

“The Experienceship remains one of the most meaningful expressions of who we are at Samuel Adams,” said Jim Koch, founder and brewer of Samuel Adams. “Every year, we meet brewers who represent the future of craft beer—and Moor’s Brewing Co. embodies that future with bold vision, entrepreneurial grit, and a commitment to building something greater than beer alone.”

At the Beer Bash, Moor’s Brewing Co. presented the Moor’s Kolsch, a light-bodied and well-balanced brew with subtle notes of stone fruit and cracker malt. Aromatic and flavorful with a slight pucker, yet clean finish, it is an easy-drinking and approachable selection that perfectly reflects the brewery’s unique style, story, and community mission.

“This is more than an award—it’s an opportunity to evolve, grow, and connect with our purpose on a deeper level,” said Jamhal Johnson, co-founder of Moor’s Brewing Co. “Partnering with Brewing the American Dream and Samuel Adams gives us the tools and platform to take our impact to new heights.”

In the coming months, Moor’s Brewing Co. will collaborate with Samuel Adams on a special release beer and join the team at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. Details on the release will be announced in the months ahead.

For more information on Brewing the American Dream, visit www.brewingtheamericandream.com or follow along @samadamsbtad.

About Brewing the American Dream
In 2008, Samuel Adams® launched its core philanthropic initiative, Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream®. In partnership with Accion Opportunity Fund, one of the nation’s largest non-profit small business lenders, the program supports small business owners in the food, beverage, and brewing industries through access to business capital, coaching, and new market opportunities. The goal is to help strengthen small businesses, create local jobs, and build vibrant communities. Since its inception, Brewing the American Dream® has worked with Accion Opportunity Fund and other nonprofits to loan more than $114 million to over 4,500 small business owners in the food and beverage industry. Brewing the American Dream employees, along with local business partners and community organizations, have provided coaching and mentoring to more than 16,000 business owners across the country, helping to create or maintain over 12,000 local jobs.

About The Boston Beer Company 
The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 brewing Samuel Adams beer and has since grown to become one of the largest and most respected craft brewers in the United States. We consistently offer the highest-quality products to our drinkers, and we apply what we’ve learned from making great-tasting craft beer to making great-tasting and innovative “beyond beer” products. Boston Beer Company has pioneered not only craft beer but also hard cider, hard seltzer and hard tea. Our core brands include household names like Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Dogfish Head, Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea, and Samuel Adams. We have taprooms and hospitality locations in California, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York and Ohio. For more information, please visit our website at bostonbeer.com, which includes links to our respective brand websites. 

The post SAMUEL ADAMS AWARDS MOOR’S BREWING CO 2025 BREWING & BUSINESS EXPERIENCESHIP first appeared on All About Beer.

A lot goes into the price of beer.  On this episode of the All About Beer podcast we sharpen our pencils and find out how much ingredients, marketing and even taxes go into a beer.

Listen to the whole conversation where you download podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and Overcast.

For original articles or to read the vast archives check out All About Beer.  Follow us on Instagram and Threads @allaboutbeer. Support our journalism by visiting our Patreon Page.

This episode is sponsored by:

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, where trailblazing runs in the family. From crafting a movement with their iconic Pale Ale, to taking the IPA haze craze nationwide with Hazy Little Thing – it’s an adventurous spirit you can taste in every sip. Find your next favorite beer wherever fine beverages are sold. With new brews for every season, there’s always something to discover. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Still Family-Owned, Operated & Argued Over.

Ready to taste your way through one of New York’s most exciting craft beverage destinations? Head to Westchester County in the scenic Hudson Valley, where more than 23 breweries, distilleries and cideries are pouring up local flavor in every glass. Get started with the Westchester County Craft Beverage Trail free digital passport that makes exploring easy (no app download required). Just check in at participating locations to earn points and prizes, all while enjoying a taste pour. Use the passport to tag your favorites and discover new hop spots like Broken Bow Brewery in Tuckahoe, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company in Elmsford, Hardscrabble Cider in North Salem and River Outpost Brewing Company in Peekskill—and many more!

Need ingredients and supplies that deliver consistent, high-quality beer? RahrBSG has you covered. From hops to malt to yeast to unbeatable customer service, we are dedicated to your success. RahrBSG—Ingredients for Greatness.

The post Why is Beer So Expensive? first appeared on All About Beer.

From the Craft Brewers Conference in Indianapolis, this episode was recorded before the death of Highland Brewing founder Oscar Wong.

Listen in as guests Nikki Mitchell the VP of Brand Development and Brock Ashburn, the VP of Operations talk about the brewery’s location, legacy, and future.

Hear the whole conversation on the Drink Beer, Think Beer podcast.

Or download via Overcast, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, or wherever you download shows.

This Episode is Sponsored by

Since 2009, Brewery Branding has been crafting merch that helps breweries thrive.They’re born and raised in Portland, Oregon, giving them front row seats to the craft beer revolution and inspiring them to serve as your industry ally for everything branded: apparel, headwear, drinkware, and all the “wouldn’t it be cool if…” ideas you can dream up. Brewery Branding has been there, done that, and made the t-shirts to prove it.​ Brewery Branding didn’t rise to the top by being just another supplier; they’re your merch mercenaries ready to get in the trenches with you. Their expert design team, online stores, warehousing, and fulfillment services are here to make your life easier—and your custom goods more profitable than painful.​ Whether you’re refreshing your retail space, gearing up for festival season, or launching a new product in retail, Brewery Branding delivers custom goods that are on-trend, on-brand, and ready to succeed. From the smallest batch to the biggest order, nothing gets them more excited than raising a glass to your success.

Stomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code THINKBEER for 15% off your first order.

The 5th Ingredient
If you’re running a brewery owner or operator, Beer30 by The 5th Ingredient is the ultimate command center. The most powerful brewery management software on the market, Beer30 handles the entire brewing workflow, from recipe development to production. Once your beer is brewed and ready, it seamlessly manages your inventory and streamlines your brewery’s sales and distribution–all in the same easy-to-use platform. Beer30 lets you get back to the beer and the people that made you fall in love with this industry in the first place. And no other brewery management software gives you the ability to truly master your business and get the insights that you need to thrive in an increasingly competitive industry. Visit the5thingredient.com/AllAboutBeer today to learn more and receive 3 free months of Beer30.

The post As Asheville Rebuilds, Highland Brewing Continues to Evolve first appeared on All About Beer.

The Denver Rare Beer Tasting features the chance to sample rare, exotic and vintage beers, along with the opportunity to meet the men and women who made them. Each attendee receives beer samples, lunch, collectible tasting glass, t-shirt and program. Attendees will get the chance to bid in an exciting online auction that includes a variety of unique beer experiences and collectibles, and participate in the Brewers Health Initiative, a free health screening.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is a tradition that brings together some of the country’s best craft brewers with passionate beer fans to sample some incredible beers for a good cause,” said Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates. “Pints for Prostates has been able to fund free health screenings for thousands of people over the years because the craft beer community has made the Denver Rare Beer Tasting an annual celebration of beer passion. All good things must come to an end and this is the ‘last call’ for the Denver Rare Beer Tasting.”

Tickets for the event are $200 and will go on sale on Father’s Day, June 15 at 10 a.m. (MT). The event will be held at Bierstadt Lagerhaus, located at 2875 Blake St. in Denver’s RiNo district. Just 350 tickets are available for this special event. Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity and all net proceeds from Denver Rare Beer Tasting go towards the group’s awareness mission, education and support programs, and free prostate cancer screening programs.

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the U.S. based on newly diagnosed cases. The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 313,780 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2025, with 35,770 U.S. deaths from the disease. Prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent survivable when detected early and properly treated. There are currently more than 3.5 million survivors of prostate cancer in the U.S.

Since its inception in 2009, the Denver Rare Beer Tasting has attracted some of America’s most respected craft breweries who generously serve their most exotic beers. A total of 244 breweries from 45 states have poured at the event during its first 15 editions. Only four breweries have participated in all 15 Denver Rare Beer Tastings and another 55 breweries have poured at least five times, while 98 have made a single appearance at the event. More than 50 breweries will pour at this year’s event.

All About Beer is the media sponsor for the Denver Rare Beer Tasting XVI.  Sponsorship packages are available for companies that wish to support this boutique tasting.

“The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is a special experience for beer fans and brewers that has the important mission of fighting prostate cancer,” said Lyke. “This event reminds people about the importance of early detection. A simple blood test in 2008 saved my life and we want people to understand that paying attention to regular health screenings can help them to take charge of their health.”

About Pints for Prostates

Pints for Prostates reaches people through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men about the importance of regular health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 313,780 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2025 in the U.S., with sadly 35,770 deaths from the disease. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Instagram (@pints4prostates).

The post Tickets For “Last Call” Denver Rare Beer Tasting XVI Go On Sale Father’s Day first appeared on All About Beer.

The beer blends a traditional sorghum umqombothi with a farmhouse ale, aged for two years in wine barrels. It is a ground-breaking beer that marries ancient African brewing tradition with the country’s vibrant craft beer scene. Wild African Soul beat lagers, pale ales, stouts, Belgian ales and more, wowing the judges and emerging with the title of Best Beer in Africa. There were 260 beers entered in the competition, hailing from 14 African countries. 

“We’re a small team with a big mission: to brew beer that expresses the soul of South Africa,” said Soul Barrel founder and brewmaster Nick Smith. “Winning Best Beer in Africa three times shows the world just how exciting African beer can be.  Winning with a beer based on umqombothi sends a message that South Africa has a fascinating beer culture, and at Soul Barrel we aim to tell its story.” Soul Barrel is the only brewery to take the title more than once, with overall wins in 2022, 2024 and 2025.

Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela is the founder and brewmaster at Tolokazi Beer. She first brewed Wild African Soul with Smith of Soul Barrel in 2022. The beer has been recreated annually since then. “On behalf of Tolokazi Beer, I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition for Wild African Soul, our collaboration brew which was crafted at Soul Barrel Brewing. This award is a true reflection of our dedication to crafting distinctly African beers—celebrating our heritage and embracing the richness of indigenous knowledge.” 

In addition to winning gold and Best Beer in Africa, Soul Barrel also took home gold for its Ale of Origin, last year’s Best Beer in Africa winner, and silver for Live Culture, the 2022 Best Beer in Africa, among other medals.  

Rather than a trophy, each year the African Beer Cup organisers commission a local artist to create a piece of art for the winner. This year, rather than the usual painting, the winner took home a custom Ukhamba (traditional beer drinking pot) made by LungiJoe, who has a ceramic studio in Langa, Cape Town. In a moment of serendipity, the winning beer featured the very beverage traditionally drunk from an Ukhamba.

“We created a new category for Speciality African Beer in 2024,” said African Beer Cup co-founder and competition Director, Lucy Corne. “These are beers that use traditional African brewing ingredients such as sorghum, millet and fonio rather than malted barley. The majority of beers entered of course follow craft beer trends, with the most entered categories being IPA and APA, but the Speciality African category is growing.” This year the gold, silver and bronze in the category went to breweries in South Africa, Botswana and Rwanda respectively.

Other breweries that triumphed in the competition include Afro Caribbean Brewing Company, who took nine medals including golds for their Pirate Porter, Better Judgment Hazy IPA and Dark Moth Czech Dark Lager. Richmond Hill Brewing Company in Gqeberha won five awards including two golds for Fever Dream Black IPA and Forbidden, a fruited milkshake IPA was brewed in collaboration with the local homebrewing club. In total, seven collaboration brews won medals – a new competition record.

The African Celebration Award, sponsored by the Beer Association of South Africa, is awarded annually to a brewery that champions the use of traditional African brewing ingredients. This year the award went to Okavango Craft Brewery in Botswana, whose millet-based Matriarch Amber Ale took a silver medal. The brewery utilises locally grown millet in all its beers and is deeply entrenched in local conservation issues.

For a full list of the 2025 African Beer Cup winners, head to https://africanbeercup.com/2025-winners. 

For further information and interviews:

Lucy Corne – lucy@africanbeercup.com | 076 093 7236
Nick Smith – nick@soulbarrel.co.za | 083 600 8716

High-res images available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14kHA-XAM4rNPJdO46rBZRi0QZxdtKqTH?usp=sharing 

All images to be credited to: Marla Burger Photography

More about Soul Barrel Brewing:

Soul Barrel Brewing is a boutique craft brewery that focuses on South African ingredients, hoppy ales, and old-world barrel fermentations.  The brewery is in the heart of the Cape Winelands outside of Franschhoek, built within the hundred-year-old tank walls of the a former winery co-op.

More about Tolokazi Beer

Tolokazi celebrates Africa’s rich brewing heritage with a range of premium beers and ciders crafted by a passionate team of women.

More about Wild African Soul 

Wild African Soul is inspired by South Africa’s diverse beer culture.  Think of it as a modern rendition of traditional sorghum beer, Umqombothi. It blends European barrel-ageing techniques with African brewing methods of sour mashing and open, natural fermentations for a first of its kind ale. A batch of Umqombothi was blended with our mixed culture farmhouse ale. This finished blend was refermented and matured in a wine barrel. This beer is fascinating and unique. Flavours of cream pear, citrus & honey meld into a sticky barrel character, balanced by acidity and funky grain notes derived from the wild sorghum malt and spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts.

The post Beer featuring traditional umqombothi crowned Best Beer in Africa first appeared on All About Beer.

He emphasizes Gigantic Brewing’s commitment to using whole leaf hops and traditional processes but also the evolution of beer styles, the challenges of maintaining identity in a rapidly changing industry, and the significance of brewing as a profession. He’s not shy about his thoughts on the American beer revolution and the industry’s global influence.

“I always tell people I took German in high school, and I always tell people that that there’s this German phrase ‘Arbeit macht das leben süß‘ or work makes life sweet,” says Havig. “It’s not that beer makes life sweet or partying makes life sweet or fun. It’s work. Work is what makes life sweet, right? You should work, and at the end of your day, you should feel like you fucking did something and that it mattered. That’s brewing to me. That is 100% brewing to me.”

Listen to the whole conversation on the Brewer to Brewer Podcast. Download below, or on Amazon, Overcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode is sponsored by:

Malteurop Malting Company (MMC) is based in North America—specializing in growing and producing quality malts for the craft beer and distilling industries. With local farms and Malthouses spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, MMC’s commitment to excellence is fully ingrained into every batch it produces, ensuring breweries and distilleries of any size can create the finest beverages on the planet. Visit www.malteuropmaltingco.com to learn how MMC can support your malting needs. Contact MMC at customersuccess@malteurop.com or (844) 546-MALT (6258) for questions or to place your order.

It doesn’t matter what size your brewery is. 1 barrel or 1,000. Maybe you’re in planning. Whatever the size or situation, Ollie has helped brewers save money and become more efficient. The best part? When you’re talking to the Ollie team, you’re talking to people who have worked in the industry. Learn more about Ollie and how it’s transforming breweries everywhere at getollie.com/pod.

The post It’s the Work That Matters in Brewing first appeared on All About Beer.

“We’ve received so many requests from beer fans to come back to the great state of Ohio. We are thrilled to work with our distribution partner to reintroduce our beers across the entire state.” said Josh Fruchtman, Sales Director, Allagash Brewing Company. “We’re fortunate to have the bandwidth to not only focus on markets close to our home in the Northeast, but to bring Allagash beer to markets across the country where the excitement for us is high.” 

Allagash is partnering with Premium Beverage Supply to distribute in Ohio. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring Allagash to Ohio!” said Charlie Steffy, Director of Sales at Premium Beverage Supply. “Located in the middle of the country, Ohio has always been blessed with the best craft beer offerings from the West and East Coast, as well as everything in between.  However, there has been one glaring brand missing in Ohio—Allagash Brewing Company. Allagash White is not only the most awarded White Ale in the world, it is the most iconic. In the craft beer world, Allagash is understood to be the standard for White Ale. As the craft beer industry has gone a bit wild with creative flavors and over-the-top styles, Allagash White is a beacon for those of us who want a true classic.”

Offerings will be anchored by the brand’s flagship beer, Allagash White (retailed as, 6-packs & 12-packs of 12 oz. cans, and kegs), which last year cemented its status as the most awarded wheat beer in the world with a gold medal at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival.

Joining the celebrated Allagash White in Ohio is the rest of the brewery’s core portfolio: Tripel (6-pack 12 oz. bottles and kegs) and Curieux (4-pack 12 oz. bottles and kegs), as well as their seasonal House Series (6-pack & 12-pack cans and kegs) that includes Ski House, Surf House and Haunted House. 

“Allagash will also bring Ohio some of the most world-class barrel-aged and Belgian-inspired beers in the country,” added Steffy. “A bonus to the exceptional quality of their beer is that Allagash has a great company ethos and culture with respect for the environment, the community and their people. Rob Tod and his team are a very special group and have been doing it right for 30 years.  We think Ohioans are going to fall in love with Allagash the way we have, and be inspired by Allagash’s amazing and award winning beers.”

Allagash’s expansion into Ohio coincides with additional milestones for the brewery, which this year is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Allagash recently debuted in Minnesota this past November, as well as to Wisconsin in 2020 and the entire state of Illinois in 2019—having been in the Chicagoland area for 24 years. In addition to the Midwest, Allagash announced its return to Colorado in December 2024, an expansion that marked the largest distribution footprint for the Maine-based beer brand in nearly fifteen years. 

“After a long time away, I’m very excited to be able to come back to Ohio,” said Rob Tod, Founder,  Allagash. “I have such fond memories of the people, and the beer culture there. With the quality of Allagash White the best it has ever been, and our current beer lineup, I think we’re in a better position than ever to really resonate with Ohio’s craft beer fans.”

For more information on Allagash Brewing Company and where to find their beer, visit www.allagash.com. 

ABOUT ALLAGASH BREWING COMPANY 

Allagash Brewing Company is a Certified B Corp founded in Portland, Maine, by James Beard Award-winner Rob Tod. Since 1995, the brewery has been dedicated to crafting the best Belgian-inspired beers in the world, all while giving back to the community that has supported them along the way. Allagash has been deemed one of the best American Breweries of the decade by Paste Magazine and one of the best breweries in America by Gear Patrol. Their flagship beer, Allagash White, is the most-awarded Belgian-style witbier in the world, earning coveted medals at the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup and Euro Star Beer Awards. Allagash was named “Brewery of the Year” in its category size by the Brewers Association in 2021 and 2023; included on Inc. Magazine’s “Best in Business” list as well as Fast Company’s list of “Brands that Matter” in 2022 and 2024; received an Ad Age Breakout Brand Leader honor; and named one of Maine’s Best Places to Work for 11 years. Allagash is available in CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT, and WI. Learn more on allagash.com and connect with us on our Webby-honored social channels: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. From Maine, with love.

The post Allagash Makes Long-Awaited Return to Ohio first appeared on All About Beer.

Understanding the wood, temperature, time, and the base beer is critically important. Some brewers spend their entire careers tinkering and refining processes, learning along the way.

In this podcast, recorded live during the Craft Brewers Conference, three brewers talk about how they pick the barrels o use, how to blend, and how to tell when the beer is ready for packaging.

This is a conversation that goes deep into the science and art of barrel aging beer. It features the wood wizards from Sun King Brewery, Revolution Brewing, and Boulevard Brewing Co.

Guests

Andrew Hood began his career in the craft beer industry in 2006. He is a 2009 graduate of the World Brewing Academy through the Seibel Institute of Technology. He’s traveled around the world to learn various specialized brewing techniques. Prior to his wood and barrel managing position at Sun King Brewery, where he focuses on sour ales and spirit barrel-aged beers, Andrew worked for three other United States breweries in various areas including production management and as head brewer developing his own various beer recipes. He has assisted with Sun King Brewery obtaining medals at the Great American Beer Festival, Festival of Barrel Aged Beers, and the World Beer Cup.

Since starting his commercial craft brewing career in 2010 at Chicago’s Revolution Brewing, Marty Scott has explored nearly every facet of beer production from pub brewing, packaging, cellar operations, wort production, product and process design, quality and innovation, and wood/barrel aging. Since 2012, he’s operated Revolution’s world-famous Deep Wood Series with a commitment to quality, a penchant for developing novel metrics, and a passion for traditional, wood-focused British ales. Coupled with his brewing pedigree, his ties to the California wine industry, and partnership with Napa area cooperage Tonnellerie Ô/Creative Oak led him in 2023 to found Barrelponix LLC, a company dedicated to championing the advancement of wood applications in the greater fermented beverage industry. In addition to being a senior judge at the Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB) since 2015, Marty has served as emcee for its award ceremony the past two years.

Quinn Reeder is the lead brewer and barrel program manager at Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City, Missouri. With over 11 years in the brewing industry — five of them at Boulevard — Quinn oversees a 17,000-barrel annual barrel-aged beer program that has grown steadily. A Missouri native, he is passionate about crafting exceptional barrel-aged beers that are both high-quality and approachable, aiming to satisfy longtime enthusiasts while welcoming new drinkers into the category. He takes pride in sourcing local ingredients and materials, bringing the spirit of Missouri into every barrel, from the beer itself to the oak and bourbon barrels used.

Hear the whole conversation on the Drink Beer, Think Beer podcast.

Or download via Overcast, Stitcher, Podcast Addict, or wherever you download shows.

This Episode is Sponsored by

Since 2009, Brewery Branding has been crafting merch that helps breweries thrive.They’re born and raised in Portland, Oregon, giving them front row seats to the craft beer revolution and inspiring them to serve as your industry ally for everything branded: apparel, headwear, drinkware, and all the “wouldn’t it be cool if…” ideas you can dream up. Brewery Branding has been there, done that, and made the t-shirts to prove it.​ Brewery Branding didn’t rise to the top by being just another supplier; they’re your merch mercenaries ready to get in the trenches with you. Their expert design team, online stores, warehousing, and fulfillment services are here to make your life easier—and your custom goods more profitable than painful.​ Whether you’re refreshing your retail space, gearing up for festival season, or launching a new product in retail, Brewery Branding delivers custom goods that are on-trend, on-brand, and ready to succeed. From the smallest batch to the biggest order, nothing gets them more excited than raising a glass to your success.

Stomp Stickers is a proud member of the Brewers Association that produces a wide variety of printed brewery products such as beer labels, keg collars, coasters, beer boxes and much more. Stomp’s website features an easy-to-use design tool, low quantity orders, fast turn times, and free domestic shipping. Visit StompStickers.com and use code THINKBEER for 15% off your first order.

The 5th Ingredient
If you’re running a brewery owner or operator, Beer30 by The 5th Ingredient is the ultimate command center. The most powerful brewery management software on the market, Beer30 handles the entire brewing workflow, from recipe development to production. Once your beer is brewed and ready, it seamlessly manages your inventory and streamlines your brewery’s sales and distribution–all in the same easy-to-use platform. Beer30 lets you get back to the beer and the people that made you fall in love with this industry in the first place. And no other brewery management software gives you the ability to truly master your business and get the insights that you need to thrive in an increasingly competitive industry. Visit the5thingredient.com/AllAboutBeer today to learn more and receive 3 free months of Beer30.

The post The Key to Crafting World Class Barrel-aged Beer first appeared on All About Beer.

At the core of the Cascade Update is the all-new Brewery Command Center, a centralized, real-time dashboard that consolidates key performance metrics into eleven interactive reports. This powerful interface empowers breweries to see their entire brewery operations in one place to make data-driven decisions with confidence and efficiency.

The Cascade Update includes:

• Brewery Command Center: A real-time, interactive dashboard that provides comprehensive insight into sales performance, Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) tracking and trends, tank utilization, batch efficiency, beer loss, raw materials usage, and more.
  
• Variety Pack Capabilities: A dynamic system for managing mixed beer packs with enhanced inventory accuracy and flexibility.
  
• Custom Fields: Fully customizable workflow fields that allow breweries to tailor their processes and data tracking to their specific operational needs.
  
• Digital Delivery Windows: Precise scheduling functionality that reduces delivery disruptions and improves logistics efficiency.
  
• eSignatures for Proof of Delivery: A secure, paperless solution for capturing delivery confirmations and maintaining verifiable records.
  

“This is more than just an update; it’s a big step in streamlining how breweries operate,” said Pulkit K. Agrawal, founder and CEO of Beer30. “The Cascade Update was built based on direct input from our brewery partners and reflects our continued commitment to delivering software that enhances visibility, drives efficiency, and helps you brew better.”

Breweries are already seeing tangible results. Guillermo Hernandez of Benny Boy Brewing in Los Angeles, California, shared, “I’ve started using the Electronic Signatures and Proof of Delivery feature that rolled out a few weeks ago. It’s really awesome! It has cut back on a ton of paperwork that I no longer need to do.”

The Cascade Update is another step in Beer30’s mission to help breweries reduce their administrative labor and allow them to Brew More and Brew Better, all while saving money.

For more information about Beer30, schedule a personalized demo and a hands-on sandbox trial, at The 5th Ingredient’s website the5thingredient.com or email the Beer30 team at pint@the5thingredient.com

About Beer30 by The 5th Ingredient®
Beer30 is a brewery management software designed to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and drive profitability for breweries of all sizes. Trusted by more than 500 customers in 20+ countries, and with customizable features ranging from production and inventory management to regulatory compliance and demand planning, Beer30 is a comprehensive solution for breweries of any size.

To find out more about Beer30 and The 5th Ingredient, visit www.the5thingredient.com  today.

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