Graining In

Latest Episodes:

#109: Khris Johnson | Green Bench Brewing Jul 18, 2021

Show notes

The podcast is blessed with the presence of the greatest former radio personality the Tampa Bay brewing scene has to offer -- co-owner of Green Bench, Khris Johnson!
We talk about dealing with the fluid nature of responsibility and motivation; balancing self-criticism with self-betterment; maintaining the thirst for knowledge; and not only handling, but growing from failures. We also get into Khris' roundabout path up the local brewing ranks, St. Petersburg's recent and rapid growth of its brewing scene, Khris' role as VP of Beer Kulture, finding beer at a young age, AND the apex of American muscle cars that was 1968.
Listen to our conversation with one of the most industrious and inspiring dudes in beer, available NOW, wherever you are reading this message! ............ ............................ ................................................ .................................................................Music: "Mountain Climb" by
Jake Hill

#108: Jeff Mello | Bootleg Biology Jul 11, 2021

Show notes

The guys are joined by CYW (Chief Yeast Wrangler) and owner of Nashville-based yeast lab Bootleg Biology, Jeff Mello! Despite having an education in liberal arts and a career in the non-profit sector, the process of wild capturing for homebrews blew his mind so much that he switched gears and put all his energy into bootstrapping his way through Yeast Management DIY: 101, eventually starting Bootleg Biology in his kitchen.
The company has come a long, long way since and supplies arguably the best array of mixed culture blends at scale out there (Noah is a HUGE fan). Jeff breaks down the concept of isolation, how wild capture works, why brett isn't as wild as we're told, and how YOU can begin isolating yeast NOW with Bootleg's Local Yeast Project (infomercial voice unnecessary, as it's free).
About as mellow, humble, and smart of a guy as you're going to find, a Three Bay relating folks famous for doing the Lord's work with strains of saccharomyces seemed tastefully appropriate. Stay flocced, Grain Gang. ........... ....................... ................ Music: "Mountain Cllimb" by Jake Hill

#107: Brian Smith | Oyster River Winegrowers Jul 04, 2021

Show notes

We're joined this week by Brian Smith of Oyster River Winegrowers, at he and his wife Allie's farm/ vineyard/orchard in Warren, ME. Despite over a hundred episodes, we've yet to talk with a winemaker, due not to lack of interest but lack of a vibrant grape-based wine/vineyard culture in Maine and New England. The inherent difficulty in growing grapes suitable for winemaking in the region makes Oyster River's products -- and its nearly fifteen year history -- all the more impressive. Brian lays out his view on what defines "natural wine" (all of Oyster River's products) means, relays how he's developed a habit of doing things before he knew they had a term, and reveals that orange wine is not, in fact, made from oranges. The conversation came on the heels of a multi-hour tour of the property, so the guys do their best to keep their excitement engines from overheating as Brian discusses everything from harvest, carbonic maceration, Pet-Nat, and disgorgement, before wrapping with an Old MacDonald-esque Three Bay. There wasn't a better place or person to open the door on oenology with; Listen to Natural Wine 101 in full NOW! ................... ...................................... ................................ ........................................... ................................................Music: "Mountain Climb" by
Jake Hill

#106: On the Spruce Tip Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

The guys once again find themselves alone and unassisted, making for some very predictable results. Matty, fresh out of the bowels of the Maine wilderness in pursuit of this year's bounty of spruce tips (aided by a career forester and a highly adept forager, respectively), recounts the process and his questionable picking metrics while connecting some dots on Enchanted Forest's creation flow chart. Noah proves once again just how little he knows about anything that comes from the ground, makes a surprising case for the value in visiting your little ol' multinational macro factory, and is all too happy to play the deplorable role of smug American soccer fan. The episode goes full leverage on adjuncts for the Three Bay in a rendition centered around famous, mostly fictional fathers.
In short, it's better than it sounds...especially if Your Enthusiasm is properly Curbed..... ........... ............... ...........Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

#105: Kenny Gould | Hop Culture + Untappd Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

This week, we're talking to arguably the most jovial soul to ever come out of the Steel City -- Kenny Gould!
Kenny has a wild story, laced with the entrepreneurial themes we absolutely love. He got his start as a writer for Gear Patrol, all while nursing a growing love for beer on the side. He decided to take the next logical step and open a free online digital publication called Hop Culture, which itself quickly morphed into largely a niche craft beer festival organizer...obviously. Kenny then sold this company to the parent company of Untappd, Next Glass (which also owns Beer Advocate), of which he is now creative director. Obviously.
We get more into the nitty gritty of business than is the norm, and it was an absolute blast. Listen to our conversation with this galaxy diamond of a man, available everyone now!
......... ................... ......................... Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

#104: Bob Kunz | Highland Park Brewery Jun 13, 2021

Show notes

The guys get to know Bob Kunz, founder and co-owner of Los Angeles' Highland Park Brewery. Bob's career in beer began as soon as he was old enough (?) to drink it, and he gives us the run down of his many influences (namely his tenure at LA OG Father's Office) throughout the decade his business plan for what would go on to become Highland Park Brewery colllected dust. The conversation applies the virtues of simplicity to everything from draft lists to mash tun design, and goes deep on both Highland Park's diverse lager program as well as their markedly honest and practical approach to brewing them. In addition to making the guys drool after a detailed breakdown of Timbo Pils, Bob also blows Noah's mind by revealing all his brewery's West Coast IPAs are brew with Weihenstephan lager yeast, all before sending it off the American way with the podcast's first ever Dodger's-centric Three Bay. ............ ................ .................................... ......................................Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

#103: Review Campaign Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

Noah and Matty take a quick breath amidst a great run of guests to collect themselves. The guys talk Rob Tod-induced stage fright. reflect on the conversations they've had lately, and get so meta the conversation (briefly) turns to conversation itself. Noah gives a recap on BBB's recent sticky toe dip into the world of honey beers -- one in a collaboration DIPA with old pals Trillium, the other in Milo saison -- and Matty's sweet tooth proves insatiable when it comes to single-chain carbohydrates.
Consider the boys refreshed. ............. ................... ............... Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

#102: Brienne Allan | Notch Brewing May 30, 2021

Show notes

We were felt truly honored to have the opportunity to sit down this week with the head brewer of Notch, Brienne Allan. If you don't know Brienne's name by now (or, at the very least her Instagram handle @Ratmaget), then it's probably time to find a different cell provider. She walks us through the unintended series of events that, in a matter of days, led to an absolute tsunami of shared experiences of sexism from women working in all corners of beer, brought the topic to the forefront of conversation of the entire brewing industry, and inadvertently bestowed her with an immense amount of assumed responsibility. Brienne's perspective on sexism in beer -- and more so, everything that had BEEN happening for far too long -- is as eye-opening and honest as it challenging and inspiring, and it would be a disservice to write more about that side of conversation when its depth is simply best heard.
With that said, Brienne is a brewer before anything else, and fittingly, we find the time to talk nearly as much about lagers (Notch's expertise here has been beyond established on the podcast) as we do equality. Beer, life, and conversation are each dictated by balance, after all.
Please enjoy our extremely raw conversation with one of the best brewers in the country, who just HAPPENS to be looked at as the de facto voice for eliminating misogyny. No weighty burden to see here, folks...
........................ .............................................................................. ........ Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

#101: Colin Jones & Jake Goodman | WeldWerks Brewery May 24, 2021

Show notes

We got Season Three started like a finely-tuned BMW and were joined by a team tag from Colorado's WeldWerks -- CEO Colin Jones and Hospitality Director Jake Goodman!
Marking our first conversation with a CO-based brewery, we pick the guys' brains on what the vibe is really like out west, particularly in WeldWorks' home base in Greeley (a city affectionately dubbed by the podcast as "The Pittsburgh of the Rockies").
We also dive deep into the concept of "creative destruction", how the brewery and its management constantly embrace change, and how that belief in impermanence has allowed it to continue to evolve and reexamine itself so effectively through its steep rise in prominence.
We also touch on the industry-wide focus on sexism and discuss how we are processing it all as both individuals and businesses, before wrapping things up with a Six Bay involving two-wheeled vehicles, pushy salespeople, and LITERAL milk beer.
This third(!?) season of the podcast could not have found a better opener. This conversation had all of our favorite ingredients -- surprising insight, refreshing perspective, engaging stories, a wide range of topics, and some damn good laughs. ONWARD!
.................... ..................... ................................ Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

#100: Rob Tod | Allagash Brewing Company May 16, 2021

Show notes

If you know, you know; If you don't, get learnt; Either way, you're listening.
Without further ado, please enjoy this long-promised conversation with the King GOAT -- ROB TOD of Allagash Brewing Company. What fun this world can be........................... .............Music: "Mountain Climb" by Jake Hill

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