Experimental Brewing artwork

Experimental Brewing

651 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★ - 266 ratings

Sit down with Denny Conn and Drew Beechum, authors of Experimental Homebrewing and Homebrewing All-Stars as they explore the world of beer and homebrew. Every episode tackles the science of brewing and the art of brewing. Listen and learn how to make and appreciate better beer and how to create even the craziest idea you have. We can't promise that you'll save the world, but we can promise mad science in the pursuit of great beer!

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Episodes

Brew Files – Episode 161 – REPLAY – Winning Feats of Strength

February 06, 2024 00:08 - 32 minutes - 14.7 MB

The Brew Is Out There! On this week’s replay episode of the Brew Files, we sit down in the pre-GABF mayhem to talk Pro-Am Competitions with Oleg Shpyrko, winner of the 2017 Romancing the Beer Competition, and Shaun Smith of … Continue reading →

Episode 193 – Reflecting on a Year of Brewing

January 14, 2024 02:47 - 52 minutes - 18.2 MB

Denny and Drew look back at the year that was 2023! Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental Starter Villian by John Scalzi (performed by Will Wheaton) – https://www.audible.com/pd/Starter-Villain-Audiobook/B0C6FPMDGV?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H Patreon Remember even a buck is good for charity: http://www.patreon.com/experimentalbrewing Episode Contents: 00:00:00 Opening … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 160 – Oxygen – The Sometimes Enemy

January 08, 2024 19:04 - 37 minutes - 17 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Oxygen is a necessary component of our brew day and yet it’s the our biggest enemies to beer quality. We walk through where you need O2, where to avoid it and what you need to … Continue reading →

Episode 192 – DBTB – The State of Homebrewing

January 03, 2024 02:56 - 1 hour - 23.4 MB

Denny and Drew join John Holl on his Drink Beer, Think Beer Podcast to discuss the State of Homebrewing in 2023! Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental Drink Beer, THink Beer: https://allaboutbeer.com/podcast/drink-beer-think-beer/ Patreon Remember even a buck is good for charity: http://www.patreon.com/experimentalbrewing … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 159 – The Old Foggy Parrot

December 19, 2023 23:11 - 23 minutes - 10.7 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Craig Shapland (of Triple IPA fame) and John Jackson of the Wild Parrot are back on the show while brewing Craig’s massive “Old Foggy” Russian Imperial Stout. What challenges and changes did the recipe undergo? … Continue reading →

Episode 191 – Future State of Brewing

December 15, 2023 19:04 - 55 minutes - 18.9 MB

Denny and Drew break down the current happenings in the beer world and look back at what’s been brewing and what’s going to be brewed in short order! (Picture stolen gleefully from Outsider Brewing to show their transparent system – … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 158 – Denny’s Recipe Roulette

December 13, 2023 20:02 - 21 minutes - 9.99 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Denny is famous for keeping notes on every brew he’s made. We’re putting him to the test and seeing what the brew gods want him to explain! Links: Maibock – https://www.experimentalbrew.com/2023/12/13/maibock/ Milo’s Alt (Older Version) … Continue reading →

Episode 190 – Anchor Home

December 08, 2023 19:56 - 54 minutes - 18.9 MB

Back in July, Sapporo shocked the beer world by announcing the closure of the stalwart Anchor Brewery. The Anchor SF Cooperative has a plan and is trying to keep Anchor alive in San Francisco. Listen to what they hope to … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 156 – Two Different Falconsclaws

December 07, 2023 01:16 - 22 minutes - 10.4 MB

The Brew Is Out There! It’s the Feast of Saint Nicholas and that means it’s time to reward your surviving Krampusnacht with a Falconsclaws. Denny and Drew break down the two versions of the recipe that exist on the internet … Continue reading →

Episode 189 – Frozen Hops, Fresh To You

December 04, 2023 07:23 - 1 hour - 30.3 MB

Wet hop beers are a truly seasonal event in the beer world, but the folks at Blue Lake Hops in Michigan are trying to bring that wet hop experience to us year round. We’re talking with Adrian Cook about the … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 155 – The Edible Fungi

November 30, 2023 06:44 - 48 minutes - 22.3 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Yeast isn’t the only fungi out there making wonderfully edible products. Drew talks with Jesse Bussard about how she went from malt to growing mushrooms and how you can too! Links: Suppliers https://northspore.com/ https://www.fieldforest.net/ https://www.midwestgrowkits.com/ … Continue reading →

Episode 188 – All About the IBU Part 2

November 29, 2023 00:53 - 1 hour - 38.3 MB

Denny’s revisiting a few of our favorite hop centric topics and in this episode brings together the brewing experience of our IGORs on the IBU experiment and Denny exploring the concept of the mIBU. Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental Patreon Remember … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 154 – Celebrate Good Times

November 28, 2023 07:50 - 32 minutes - 14.8 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Every year there’s a beer that reminds people that Crystal Malt and Hops do actually work together! This episode Denny and Drew break down how Denny creates his own homage to Sierra Nevada’s classic – … Continue reading →

Episode 187 – All About the IBU Part 1

November 17, 2023 04:13 - 1 hour - 26.3 MB

Denny’s revisiting a few of our favorite hop centric topics and in this episode brings together our interview with Glenn Tinseth and the results of our IBU experiment. Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental Patreon Remember even a buck is good for … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 153 – Barrels and Alternatives

November 14, 2023 05:54 - 1 hour - 31 MB

The Brew Is Out There! You can’t walk into a brewery without tripping over a barrel aged stout, but barrels aren’t the most practical choice for homebrewers. (Not that that ever stopped anyone!) Drew sits down with Desi Hall of … Continue reading →

Episode 186 – Winter Warmers and Collectives

November 09, 2023 06:06 - 57 minutes - 19.9 MB

Denny and Drew catch up on the GABF, how the Falcons have collaborated with Firestone Walker and Drew’s new winter beer inspiration (via Czechia and Mexico) Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental Firestone Walker’s Brewmaster’s Collective: https://www.firestonebeer.com/brewmasters-collective/ Bart Watson – People are … Continue reading →

Brew Files – Episode 152 – REPLAY – Zen and the Art of Recipe Design

October 29, 2023 03:36 - 38 minutes - 17.7 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Last Replay now that Drew’s recovered from whatever that was!On this week’s episode of the Brew Files, Drew and Denny tackle a question dropped on Facebook by listener Dan Tomkins. Dan asked just how do … Continue reading →

Episode 185 – Bring Your Own Questions

October 16, 2023 23:34 - 1 hour - 24.5 MB

Every year we do a Q&A for our partners at Brew Your Own Magazine. It’s a loose easy going affair of questions from the crowd. Sit back and listen to the audio version of that Q&A and don’t forget you … Continue reading →

Brew Files – Episode 150 – REPLAY – The Bad Apple

October 15, 2023 06:44 - 43 minutes - 19.7 MB

A Cider Tote The Brew Is Out There! On this week’s episode of the Brew Files, we get ready for the fall with a quick lesson in making America’s founding beverage – cider. We come at it from two different … Continue reading →

Episode 184 – All The News Fit To Drink – Corrected Audio

October 08, 2023 19:33 - 54 minutes - 18.8 MB

Drew’s still under the weather with something fun and exciting. So we’re taking a quick spin around the world of beer news and what we’re prepping/brewing! Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental WIBS Summit: https://wcfa.beer/wibs23/ The Two Most Popular IPAs in America: … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 150 – REPLAY – Masa’s Guavaaahhh!

October 02, 2023 16:46 - 45 minutes - 20.9 MB

Drew’s sick this week – so in celebration of Masa pouring Guavaaahhh at the Great American Beer Festival – a replay! (Note for GABF, he and Arts District Brewing used Oregon Fruit Puree for the guava) The Brew Is Out … Continue reading →

Episode 183 – New Year, New Hops

September 23, 2023 20:39 - 1 hour - 25.2 MB

What does the new year of hops have in store for us? Denny reports on what he found during this year’s Hop & Brew School at Yakima Chief Hops! Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental Rev Nat Cidery Closing: https://www.oregonlive.com/beer/2023/09/rev-nats-hard-cider-to-close-operations-6-months-after-opening-new-taproom.html Recreated Classic … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 149 – Steaming with Brewyard

September 17, 2023 22:56 - 46 minutes - 21.2 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Every since the announcement that Anchor was shutting down, we’ve had Steam California Common beer on the mind. Drew sat down with Sherwin and Kirk of Brewyard Beer Company, possible America’s largest brewer of California … Continue reading →

Episode 182 – Smokin With Jeff

September 08, 2023 17:02 - 1 hour - 30 MB

  As fall creeps into view, it’s time to talk about that most controversial of beer add-ons – smoke. We sit down with multiple award winning homebrewer Jeff Gladish to discuss his love of smoked beers and just how easy … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 148 – Loafing Around with Jeff

August 29, 2023 05:59 - 55 minutes - 25.2 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Bread and beer have been intertwined across human history and so in the spirit of home fermentation, we talked with Jeff Renner, an experienced homebrewer and even more experienced baker to talk the ancient art … Continue reading →

Episode 181 – Mayor Unusual’s Meeow!

August 15, 2023 18:30 - 1 hour - 28.7 MB

  What do homebrewers do when they lose a friend? They make beer! Drew sits down with Marc Gorfinkle and Andy Blaz to tell their wild story of commemorating their friend Devin Stewart by taking a wild trip to the … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 147 – Homemade Fire

August 06, 2023 16:42 - 1 hour - 37.3 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Nothing goes better with an ice cold beer than a fiery salsa or hot sauce and there’s no reason that you can’t make your own sauce at home! In honor of National Home Fermentation Day, … Continue reading →

Episode 180 – Tijuana Homebrewin’

August 05, 2023 17:01 - 1 hour - 28.4 MB

While at HomeBrewCon, Drew sat down with Luis and Roxy of the Tijuana Homebrew Club to talk about the homebrew scene in Mexico, how they got started brewing and why Roxy is the better brewer Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental The … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 146 – Respect the Foam

July 31, 2023 18:24 - 47 minutes - 21.9 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Homebrewers often chant “Don’t Fear the Foam”. Old barflys get annoyed at any wasted space in their glass, but Jen Blair is here to remind you to “Respect the Foam”. Sit back and find out … Continue reading →

Episode 179 – Hopping at HomeBrewCon

July 14, 2023 19:12 - 1 hour - 27.8 MB

Live from San Diego – It’s the Denny and Drew and Friends Show! Seriously, we’re joined by our friends from HomeBrewCon to talk the conference and homebrewing while enjoying a few wonderful homebrews as well! Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental HomeBrewCon: … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 145 – Ancient Brewing

July 11, 2023 16:31 - 55 minutes - 25.5 MB

The Brew Is Out There! We’re going way back in time with Dr. Travis Rupp, the Beer Archaeologist. We’re tackling the question of “what is beer”, “what has it been over the course of human history”, and “what does it … Continue reading →

Episode 178 – Denny Kong IPA

June 21, 2023 20:22 - 1 hour - 30.2 MB

It’s here! As we publish, HomeBrewCon is happening and Denny Kong hits the taps! Drew sits down with Kelsey to discuss the recipe and why it does what we think is the “Modern IPA” Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental HomeBrewCon: https://www.homebrewcon.org/ … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 144 – An Angry Horse’s Mexican Lager

June 20, 2023 18:24 - 54 minutes - 24.8 MB

The Brew Is Out There! It’s summertime in SoCal and that means its time to grab a beach vacation in a glass. Drew sits down with Kevin Limon of Montebello’s Angry Horse Brewing to discuss Mexican lagers – light and … Continue reading →

Episode 177 – SoCal Knows How To Party

June 10, 2023 19:03 - 1 hour - 21.1 MB

Drew’s favorite festival of the year just happened and look at that – Drew had a recorder with him to catch up with Andy Carter, Julia Herz and Andy Gamelin at the Southern California Homebrewers Festival Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 143 – Common Brewing Disasters

May 31, 2023 16:41 - 42 minutes - 19.3 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Disasters. Accidents. Incidents. Call them what you will, but a moment’s missed attention in the brewery can cause bad things to happen. In this episode, Denny and Drew cover some of the more common things … Continue reading →

Episode 176 – Catching Up

May 23, 2023 04:38 - 1 hour - 23.2 MB

It’s festival season and Denny and Drew catch up – including Denny’s experience with the Falcons and what happened with Drew’s massive brewday! Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental HomeBrewCon: https://www.homebrewcon.org/ Clay from JaDeD’s GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/clays-road-back Did the Pursuit of Beer Styles … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 142 – Vinnie the Elder

May 13, 2023 23:20 - 42 minutes - 19.5 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Vinnie Cilurzo has never forgotten his roots as a homebrewer and freely shares his knowledge with the crowd. We’re dropping you into the chaos of the 3rd Anniversary Happy Hour of the Maltose Falcons with … Continue reading →

Episode 175 – REPLAY – Awesome Club of Saison

April 29, 2023 19:15 - 1 hour - 32.9 MB

Homebrew clubs are awesome and we can prove it! Entering it’s 6th year, the American Homebrewer’s Association’s Radegast Club of the Year Award seeks to recognize the crazy amazing things they do. We talk with the AHA’s Matt Bollng about … Continue reading →

Episode 174 – Porr’s Great Beers

April 16, 2023 06:02 - 1 hour - 37.2 MB

Stephen Porr has been brewing and YouTubing for years and by reputation making great beers. How good? Denny finds out! Plus we finally get a chance to try David James’ Czech Amber! Episode Links: Homebrewers Association: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/experimental HomeBrewCon: https://www.homebrewcon.org/ Drekker – … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 141 – Festival Brewing

April 10, 2023 20:00 - 18 minutes - 8.63 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Drew’s procrastination has caught up with him and now he’s gotta scramble to make beers in time for the Southern California Homebrewer’s Festival. What’s his plan and how can you do the same? Links: California … Continue reading →

Episode 173 – A Cold Tale of Two IPAs

March 31, 2023 19:47 - 1 hour - 36.1 MB

After hearing our confusion and musing on “What is Cold IPA”, listener and brewer David Basile offered us his Cold IPA and his take and notes on the style! And to double up the IPA content – Denny sent Drew … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 140 – Distilling with Aaron Hyde

March 26, 2023 18:20 - 54 minutes - 24.7 MB

The Brew Is Out There! Distillation is an ancient art with new modern tools to make it even easier. Drew talks with Aaron Hyde about how you can easily distill hops, herbs, water and alcohol with countertop devices … Continue reading →

Episode 172 – REPLAY – pH With Martin

March 19, 2023 18:38 - 1 hour - 33.3 MB

The subject of water and most importantly, pH can be utterly confounding. Buffering capacity, acids, salt concentrations, “measurements expressed as” and temperature add to a mix of questions that baffle even experienced brewers. We sit down with Martin Brungard to … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 139 – Bottling With The Food Engineer

March 12, 2023 08:09 - 45 minutes - 20.8 MB

  The Brew Is Out There! While many experienced brewers switch to kegs for convenience, some still hold to the path of bottling. Christian Mercado, host of The Food Engineer Podcast, makes his case for bottling – particularly when it … Continue reading →

Episode 171 – And With the Support of Brewers Like You…

March 04, 2023 01:44 - 1 hour - 32.1 MB

David James won the Annual Cascade Brewers Society competition in support of public radio (KLCC) with his multi award winning Czech Amber Lager. After we sift through a bunch of your Q&A feedback, we sit down and talk with him … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 138 – Masa’s Guavaaahhh!

February 28, 2023 06:07 - 45 minutes - 20.9 MB

  The Brew Is Out There! The annual Doug King Memorial Competition celebrating Doug’s craziness has a new winner – Masa Kitano of the Socal Cerveceros with his Guavaaahhh Gose. Drew talks with Masa about how he got into homebrewing, … Continue reading →

Episode 170 – Questions with John Pt. Deux

February 17, 2023 18:51 - 1 hour - 33.2 MB

You sent us so many questions that it took 2 episodes to answer them all! In this second of two parts, Denny and Drew are joined by Mr. How-to-Brew himself, John Palmer to try to answer your homebrew questions. (Don’t … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 137 – Wild Malty Fields

February 11, 2023 06:04 - 42 minutes - 19.6 MB

  The Brew Is Out There!In these days of IPAification, Atascadero’s Wild Fields Brewhouse is making waves and GABF gold with malt forward beers. Drew sits down with brewery co-founder Ryan Fields to talk about making malty gold! Links: Wild … Continue reading →

Episode 169 – Questions with John

February 03, 2023 12:00 - 1 hour - 29.3 MB

We asked you for your questions and did you come through. In this first of two parts, Denny and Drew are joined by Mr. How-to-Brew himself, John Palmer to trawl the stormy seas of homebrew questions in search of our … Continue reading →

Brew Files – 136 – Homebrew Summer

January 28, 2023 12:00 - 41 minutes - 18.8 MB

  The Brew Is Out There!We often talk about the connection between homebrewing and commercial brewing, but in the case of San Diego Beer News’ “Homebrew Summer” – it’s the literal truth. We’re talking to Brandon Hernández, who’s organized the … Continue reading →

Twitter Mentions

@camra_official 2 Episodes
@foofighters 2 Episodes