BYO Nano Brew Podcast

Spending some time with beer’s raw ingredients is important. Finding out what is new, exciting, or how other brewers are utilizing them to create world class beer helps make the whole industry stronger and pints taste better. This month, we’re taking a look at malt and speaking with two industry professionals who are intimately involved in the processing and promotion of grain.

Andrea Stanley is the co-owner of Valley Malt, a Craft Malthouse in Western Mass supplying Craft Brewers, Distillers, and Bakers with locally grown malts and grain. In 2009 Andrea read an article about local farm...

The brewing world is grappling with a lot of challenges, but there are still some bright spots and things to look forward to. This month host John Holl talks with two brewers who are building community, making thoughtful beers, and working to better the industry each and every day. 

Jeremy Lees of Flounder Brewing in Hillsborough NJ and Justin Steinberg of Sacred Vice in Philadelphia are thoughtful owners who are focused on finding new ways to bring people into their taprooms and to offerer experiences of great quality. Visiting their breweries guarantees not only g...

Expanding your brewery's beverage program beyond beer can be tricky, but rewarding as a way to widen your customer audience. Expanding your physical footprint from indoors to outdoors when weather allows can also be a challenge with similar business rewards when done well. On this episode we have a conversation with Chelsea Rhodes of Alley Brewing in Denver about how and why a Nano brewery can also offer much more than beer on the menu and the evolution of using outdoor taproom spaces in better weather.

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 76 is sponsored by:

<...

There’s a reason IPA is the most popular style in craft beer today. This episode examines how nano brewers can improve recipes and offers inspiration from colleagues on how to bring hops to vibrant life in your next batch. Guests include Niko Tonks of Yakima Chief Hops and Double Elbow Brewing, and Brian Shirley of Time & Materials Beer. 

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 75 is sponsored by:

NanoCon Online
Registration has opened for NanoCon Online. On October 23rd craft brewing industry experts will present a full-day of live seminars covering Bre...

There’s more you can do with your taproom and brewery space than just serve beer. We’ll talk with Christian Weber of Common Roots Brewery in upstate New York. He is using his brewery locations for weddings, office parties and more. On this episode he offers tips and insight on how you can add private events as a revenue source to your small brewery business. 

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 74 is sponsored by:

RahrBSG / Gambrinus IPA Malt
Brewers, meet To Thee!—a new North American pils malt built specifically for the cra...

As we kick off another year of the podcast, let’s talk about yeast. From innovations in the space, to creative uses, and how to foster a house culture that can define your beers, we chat with passionate experts from Berkeley Yeast and the brewer/owners of Oregon's Funky Fauna Artisan Ales about beer’s most important ingredient.

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 73  is sponsored by:

RahrBSG / Gambrinus IPA Malt
Gambrinus IPA Malt possesses an elusive color falling between very pale pilsner and golden pale ale malt. Tailor-made to complement contemporary West...

You’re living through some serious headwinds in the beer industry right now. There’s a lot of worry, a lot of gloom, but also a lot of positivity on the horizon. As we head into the end of 2025, it’s a look forward with a trio of guests who believe the best in beer is yet to come. On this episode you'll hear from Paul Leone, the Executive Director of the New York State Brewers Association, beer educator LaTreace Harris a.k.a. The Beery Godmother, and Brandon Hernández, the editor-in-chief of San Diego Beer News. 

Th...

Having food options is a way to bring in new customers and to keep fans coming back. There are many ways a small brewery can approach a menu and this month we’re talking with folks who have dedicated kitchens and robust food truck programs.

First up, Tony Cordova of New York's Scale House Brewing. Cordova, the Head Brewer, talks about the evolution of the company, what goes into running a pizza program of note, and how the brewhouse and the kitchen work together to create a memorable customer experience.

Then Jason Stengl of Colorado's Ca...

Yeast is the critical ingredient that turns humble wort into magical beer. This month, a look at the microbe from multiple angles and how to make the most out of it in your small-scale craft brewery.

Guests:
Laura Burns, Ph.D. is the Director of Research and Development at Omega Yeast. After studying stress responses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for her graduate thesis at Vanderbilt University, she decided the best place to apply this knowledge was in brewing. She worked in production brewing for five years as Head Brewer and Director of Quality Assurance before heading back...

Lagers have been having a moment for a long time now. In this current age of brewing, there are many small breweries that are giving the time and attention to making lagers of note. We have two guests here that will explain how to best approach the style, and bring great pints to your patrons.

Andreas Miller has over 20 years of experience in the brewing industry, and has been an adjunct instructor, consultant, and one of the brewers for the Siebel Institute's pilot and research brewing department since 2023. A graduate of Doemens Akademie in Munich, Andreas...

While many of us are still holding on to the last days of summer, trying to make the most out of downtime, the work is gearing up on farms across the Pacific Northwest in North America. It’s almost hop harvest season and we’re going to talk with farmers and hop professionals on what is happening for the 2025 season.

Guests include Diane Gooding of Gooding Farms and Malissa Gatton and Josh Viganskyof Haas. 

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 68  is sponsored by:

Yakima Valley Hops
YakimaValleyHops.com is your simple...

Sensory analysis, setting up a lab for QC tests, and understanding your raw ingredients are all paramount when it comes to improving the quality of your beer. We talk with two experts - Lindsay Barr and Ashton Lewis - who are here to help you level up beer quality in a small-scale brewery.

Guests:
Lindsay Barr is the CSO and Founding Partner of DraughtLab Sensory Software where she helps food & beverage companies use tasting technology to make products that people love.  After earning a Masters in Food Science from UC Davis, she began her career at N...

This episode takes a deep dive into malt offerings from both the larger suppliers and those on the craft side. As we take a look at this critical ingredient, experts will share insight on innovation, use, flavor, and more. This episode is in two segments, the first focusing on the larger malt companies, and what they are offering small craft breweries, and then a dive into the craft malt side of things and how your small brewery can best work with local farmers. Guests include Aaron Hyde, the Senior Director of Product Portfolio for RahrBSG, Steve Kurowski, the Executive...

The Craft Brewers Conference was held in Indianapolis last month and at the ingredients supplier booths, amid the talk of new hop varieties, there were several beers brewed with non-traditional grains. That’s worthy of a closer look and on this episode you’ll hear from two brewers - Garrett Oliver of the Brooklyn Brewery and Sandy Boss Febbo of Bang Brewing - who are all in on Fonio and Kernza.
 

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 65  is sponsored by:

RahrBSG / Gambrinus IPA Malt
Gambrinus IPA Malt possesses an elusive color falling between very p...

These are confusing times, and hard times to work in a small business. As Bart Watson of the Brewers Association recently said, beer makers really dislike uncertainty. So, how can anyone plan when the global supply chain is changing minute by minute? On this epidode we talk about how to budget for the unknown.

 
The last few months have seen a fire hose of news coming out of Washington D.C., a lot centered around tariffs and global trade. Admittedly, it’s difficult to do a show on the topic because of the chaotic nature of the...

How can your brewery make the most out of the holidays? More than just slinging stout on St. Patrick’s Day, or a festbier during Oktoberfest, there are ways to create a welcoming vibe that will get people coming back year after year and can establish your brewery as a hospitable spot.

One person who has been working to crack the code is Sam McNulty. He has developed and operates seven restaurants and breweries on West 25th Street in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland's Near West Side. 

Three of these concepts are brewpubs of vas...

While it is rewarding and exciting to own a small brewery, there is also a lot of worry that comes with it. Over time things can snowball, accumulate, and become a burden. Regular check-ins on mental health are important, and no matter who you are in the brewing space, or your role, taking care of yourself is paramount. That’s the focus on this episode. 

Everyone is feeling the stress these days. From outside influences to internal worry, everyone is carrying a lot of weight on their shoulders. If you’re running a small business, the worry of yo...

Dry January is upon us and showing no signs of leaving the calendar anytime soon. So what is a small brewery to do? There are options when it comes to making or serving low or no-alcohol options. On this episode, experts from the field weigh in.

Richard Priess is cofounder of Escarpment Laboratories, a yeast producer and developer in Guelph, Ontario. Richard graduated from the University of Guelph with a Masters of Science in Molecular Biology & Genetics. Richard leads the company's product and business developments. He has also contributed to publicly available brewing science research on...

This is always a good time to reflect and get excited about a new calendar year. To help put the industry into perspective and to think about how to strengthen beer in the year to come, I’ve asked three smart and plugged in folks to share their insights, knowledge, and even offer some homework. If you’re a small brewer navigating these tough craft beer waters, there’s a lot you can learn and hopefully take to heart. 

Guests:

Steve Parkes. He is the owner and lead instructor at the American Brewers...

As we all settle in for the cozy autumnal season, it’s hard not to think about comfort food and warm beverages. This month, we're glad to speak with the owners of two different breweries about their food and beverage program, and how they are approaching menu items that go beyond beer. Their insight might just help your own brewery.

Guests include Keith Yager, owner and head brewer of Cross Eyed Owl Brewing in Decatur, Alabama and James and Paul Macchione, the co-owners of Flapjack Brewery. 

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 59  is sponsored by:

Fe...

Autumn has taken hold across North America and it’s a good time to start thinking about the colder months. First, we’ll visit with Evan Watson of Plan Bee, a farm brewery in New York’s Hudson Valley to learn about the land, coolships, and the evolving nature of the business. Then it’s a conversation with Trevor Zumpano of Brewery Branding Co. about merchandise and what your small brewery can be doing to deliver the goods to customers.

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 58  is sponsored by:

Five Star Chemicals
Whether you're brewing small bat...

There is uncertainty in the beer industry these days and if you’re a small brewery owner you might feel like you’re alone in the issues and struggles facing your small business. You’re not. On this episode we’ll check in with two small breweries on how they are operating, getting help, solving challenges, and looking forward.

Guests
Celebrating six years in operation, Slate Town Brewery in Granville, New York has been through a lot in a short time. Owner Susan Knapp is here to talk about the early days, the help she’s received...

It’s that time of year again: hop harvest across North America. We are going to check in with hop professionals on both coasts to get a better understanding on how the crop is growing, what is coming to market, and how small brewers can make the most out of their relationship with growers. On this episode you will hear from Graham Ollard of Hollingbery and Son and Max Licker of Champlain Valley Hops. 

The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 56  is sponsored by:

Five Star Chemicals
Brewers, meet your next clea...

Growing season is in full swing across North America and on this episode we check in with two farmers who are brewing and will discuss what goes into making beers with ingredients grown from their own land. There is a bit of romanticism that goes into being a farmer. That and a lot of hard work. Add on a brewing career and there’s suddenly a lot more to attend to. But there are also rewards. On this show listen in as two farmers who are also brewers talk about the ups and downs, how to read the land, an...

Malt is the workhorse of every beer, but it doesn’t always get the close attention it deserves. I’ll talk with two people who are intimately involved in malt production and education, on both the large scale and the craft side. We’re talking about malt, both industrial and craft on this episode. From examining trends to learning about continuing education, best practices, and new breeds.
 

Guests

Ashton Lewis joined BSG in December of 2016 and is currently Manager of Training and Technical Support. Prior to working in the world of ingredients, Lewis was the...

Keeping an eye on the bottom line has never been more important. From rising ingredient costs to a shift in consumer spending. On this episode of the BYO Nano Podcast we spend some time talking about best practices for your brewery’s ledger. Then will visit to South Dakota to hear from a nano brewer building a community through neighbor connections and local ingredients.

Guests:

Audra Gaiziunas  is an owner in DSSOLVR in Asheville NC and serves as the brewery CFO. She also serves as an independent fractional CEO/CFO for the craft bee...

Let’s take an exploration into yeast. From fermentation through history, to unlocking new secrets and strains, a world-renowned expert is here on this episode  to share his insight and knowledge to give us all a better understanding of beer.

Dr. Martin Zarnkow is the Head of Research and Development at the Research Center at Weihenstephan for Brewing and Food Quality. He has traveled the world unlocking new information around yeast and fermentation. He’s built a career around knowledge-based brewing and has helped new generations of brewers better understand fermentation science and history. He is also...

Events are a great way to bring regulars and new comers into your taproom. On this episode we talkk with three brewers who are working to bring new and exciting experiences to their breweries. From celebrations around new events, to yoga, live music, crafts, and working with charities, events are commonplace again four years since the start of the COVID 19 Pandemic. This episode explores what works, what doesn’t and how can nano breweries reach new customers while keeping the existing ones.

Brian Kulbacki is a 2012 Graduate of the American Brewers Guild Brewing School, where he to...

Human Resources might not be the most exciting topic for brewery owners, but it’s important and there are enthusiastic individuals ready to tackle that part of the business. Having the right person in your corner can only help your business operate on solid ground.

Emily Cripe, the Senior Director of Human Resources of Chicago’s Half Acre Beer Co. is here to explain. Cripe has 18 years of HR experience across a variety of industries. As an HR generalist by training, Emily’s specialty is working in startups and small-to-medium size businesses and subsidiaries, creating and managi...

There are multiple ways to build a community around your brewery, and one way is through membership clubs and offering your beer through community supported agriculture-type programs. Two brewers embracing that model are here to discuss their initiatives. 

January and February can be tough months for brewery taprooms. The collective societal hangover both on the waistline and wallet looms large. It can make running a small brewery even more difficult. But there are some ways to cultivate a loyal audience while also creating beers of note. 

The brewer-owners of Lady Justice Brewing in Colorado an...

The end of a year is a good time to look back, take stock, and to plan for what is to come.

For professional brewers and drinkers 2023 is going to be remembered for a number of reasons. There’s a lot of strong feelings and a lot of realities coming to roost, but so much of that rests on the numbers. 

Bart Watson, the chief economist for the Brewers Association is here for a conversation about the year that was and what the new year might look like. 

He is t...

As we head into a cozy season of gathering with family and friends and our attention turns to big meals shared together, we have a trio of brewers here to talk about their food programs. From pairings to working with food trucks, this episode is stuffed with practical tips and insight from nano brewers, for nano brewers. 

From food trucks to in-house kitchens, food can be an an important part of brewery life and the consumer experience. Three brewers are here to talk about their experiences, the ups and downs, and how to get the most out o...

This is as good a month as any to be thinking about your brewery’s finances - both long term and short term - and the best practices for a check in or to get your money situation in order. Most brewers don’t open a brewery to get into finance, but managing cash flow is a necessary part of the job. 

Our guest on this episode is Kary Shumway,  CPA, former CFO for a beer distributor and current CFO for Wormtown Brewery in Worcester, MA. He’s here with insight and a checklist to help get your...

This month we are talking about distribution. Every brewery owner needs to decide if it’s right for their business and to weigh the pros and cons between a distribution partner, self distribution, or keeping your beer sales solely in house.

First we’ll hear from Laura Lodge the Owner of Customized Craft Beer Programs, Start a Brewery and author of Distribution Insight for the Craft Brewer.Then we’ll hear from Will Loring of Lesser-Known Brewing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 

The co-founder of the Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival, Laura Lodge has been...

This month we are focusing on the 2023 hop crop. From what’s happening in the Pacific Northwest, to the fields of Michigan, we’ll talk about what is already in the ground, how the yield is looking, exciting hops, and how small brewers can foster a relationship with farmers.

This is the time of year that we start thinking about the North American hop harvest, and before the farmers got too busy in the fields we invited two of them to share updates from the ground. John Segal Jr. of Segal Ranch is here to give us a...

This month we are focusing on festivals and events. The summer is the season to get outdoors, mingle, and experience all that your town, state, or region has to offer. Fortunately nano breweries are playing a big role in that space. 

Beer festivals are at a crossroads right now. It’s harder to get folks to come out and drink beer in a crowd, but there are chances for smaller breweries to make an impact in that setting. Chris Rhodes of Portland, Oregon’s Nano Beer Festival is here to talk about the fest and best practices. 

T...

Malt is our topic this month. We’ll get a report from one of the larger malting companies on what small brewers can do with grain, and then head to a nano brewery and malt farm for insight on making the most from the land.

We spend a lot of time talking about raw ingredients, and rightly so. They are the building blocks of every keg and pint, and having the insight into ingredients makes us all better brewers and drinkers. Our guests are Mike Scanzello, the director of brewing and distilling for Briess Malt and  Bre...

Water is our topic this month. From how a proper education can help you better understand beer’s most important ingredient, to how to properly treat it for your recipes. Then we’ll discuss its other uses around the brewhouse and best practices for effluent. 

Despite being necessary for life and all around us, water can often be overlooked in breweries. It is hard to explain to drinkers, and is often taken for granted when we simply turn on a tap or valve. 

However, having a deeper understanding of this compound helps make better beer, and by...

Let’s talk about the taproom experience. From proper flow, how best to decorate, and ways to give your customers a pleasurable visit, our guests will offer insight and tips to doing it right.

The good weather is here for most of us around the country and that means people headed out to enjoy their local breweries. Brewers are striving to create delicious and innovative pints, but should be putting equal thought into taproom aesthetics. 

Having a welcoming taproom is important. The decor should be a reflection on the company ethos and the beer. The...

Having a virtual presence for your small brewery is imperative to help the physical business grow. We’ll do a deep dive into social media to learn about best practices from a leading expert and we’ll hear how one nano has approached building an online community.  

We spend a lot of time thinking about physical spaces. Taprooms, brewhouse layouts, beer gardens, that it can be hard to focus on the virtual spaces. But Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and more are important ways to keep a brewery top of mind and to show off creativity. 

Social...