Guest: Brent Mills, Co-founder of Four Winds Brewing

Topics Discussed:

• Brent’s journey into brewing, from his first exposure to craft beer, and his time at R&B, to launching Four Winds in 2013.
• The opening of The Beach House in Tsawwassen’s Southlands—how it differs from the original tasting room and what guests can expect.
• The dynamics of running a brewery as a family business and how it has shaped Four Winds’ evolution.
• Four Winds’ approach to brewing, from its Belgian-inspired roots to its focus on yeast-driven ales and European-style lagers.
• Defining the essence of a Four Winds beer—balancing classic styles with unique expressions.
• The success of Featherweight IPA as a standout session beer and what goes into crafting a flavourful low-ABV brew.
• A deep dive into Hüftgold Pilsner—what sets it apart and Four Winds’ passion for traditional lagers.
• Collaborating with BBNO$ on a non-alcoholic beer!
• The state of the Canadian brewing industry—what’s exciting and where there’s room for growth.
• Advice for both newcomers and veterans in the brewing world.
• How Brent spends his time outside of the brewery.

Key Takeaways:
As Four Winds celebrates 12 years, Brent Mills reflects on the brewery’s journey, their evolving approach to beer, and their latest expansion with The Beach House. From brewing philosophy to industry trends, this episode dives deep into what makes Four Winds one of BC’s most respected breweries.

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Guest: Dr. Euan Thomson, Founder and CEO of Raft Labs

Topics Discussed:

• Euan's journey in craft beer, including his time at Phillips Brewing and harvesting a lactobacillus culture.
• Founding Raft Labs during the COVID-19 pandemic and their pivot to producing hand sanitizer.
• Horror stories of contamination points in craft breweries and how to avoid them.
• Optimizing beer quality beyond simply preventing contamination.
• A deep dive into Yellow Dog Brewing’s Squirrel Chaser and Amigos Crisp Lager.
• Euan’s work in harm reduction and drug policy advocacy with Each+Every and Drug Data Decoded.

Key Takeaways:
Dr. Euan Thomson’s story weaves together science, innovation, and advocacy. From elevating beer quality standards to addressing critical issues in harm reduction, Euan shares compelling insights into brewing and beyond. A must-listen for those curious about the intersection of craft beer and impactful social work!

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Guest: Jonas from Cabin Brewing

Summary: In this episode, Darren and Azlan sit down with Jonas from Cabin Brewing, their first guest from Alberta. Jonas shares how his passion for homebrewing evolved into co-founding Cabin Brewing and creating their flagship beer, Super Saturation. They explore Alberta’s craft beer scene, standout beers like ‘Fuego’ and ‘Sunshine Rain,’ and industry trends like higher hopping rates and smaller packaging formats. Collaboration, brewing education, and innovation are key themes throughout the conversation.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Jonas transitioned from homebrewing to professional brewing
• The journey of Super Saturation from one-off to flagship beer
• Insights into Alberta’s growing craft beer scene
• The importance of quality ingredients and innovative hopping techniques
• The role of collaboration and education in brewing success
• Trends shaping the future of craft beer, including experimental styles

Keywords: craft beer, brewing, Alberta, Cabin Brewing, homebrewing, Super Saturation, beer trends, brewing techniques, craft beer scene, beer awards, hopping rates, West Coast IPA, Sunshine Rain, Fuego, Parkside Brewing, brewing innovations, new brewers, Alberta craft beer

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Guest: Jeff Kurkowski, Head Brewer at Godspeed Brewing

Topics Discussed:

• Jeff’s journey through the brewing industry, including working at multiple Ontarian breweries of various sizes.
• His music career and experiences touring North America with bands.
• Brewing Czech-inspired lagers and the creative challenges they present.
• Using Saaz hops and the agricultural difficulties associated with them.
• The craft of working with pitch-lined barrels and the re-pitching process.
• Exploring cask culture and its roots.
• British beer history and brewing with traditional ingredients.
• Changes and trends in the Ontarian beer industry.
• Fun and fulfilling aspects of making brewing a career.
• What keeps Jeff busy and inspired outside of the brewery.

Key Takeaways:
This episode introduces our first guest from outside BC and teases an exciting series of interviews with guests from beyond the province. Jeff’s story is a fascinating blend of music and brewing, and his insights into traditional and innovative beer-making will inspire craft beer enthusiasts everywhere.

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Guest:
Noëlle Phillips, Ph.D., Professor at Douglas College and author of Brewmasters and Brewery Creek.

Topics Covered:

1. Introduction to Noëlle Phillips and Her Work
   • Her background as a professor at Douglas College.
   • Overview of her new book Brewmasters and Brewery Creek: a story about independent brewing in Vancouver.
2. Medieval Beer Culture
   • Noëlle's interest in medieval beer culture.
   • The historic role of beer in medieval societies.
3. Raven's Cream Ale and Its Historical Links
   • Discussion on Raven's Cream Ale.
   • Connection to Shaftesbury Cream Ale and its place in beer history.
4. The Evolution of the Beer Industry
   • Insights into the roots of the independent brewing scene in Vancouver.
   • Perspectives on where the beer industry is heading next.
5. Closing Thoughts and Recommendations
   • Noëlle's hopes for the future of craft brewing.
   • How listeners can learn more about her work and her book.

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Guest: Simon Barna, Nelson Brewing Company

Main Discussion Points:

• Simon’s Journey in the Brewing Industry: Simon takes us through his journey from a small pub in Ontario, traveling worldwide, and ultimately landing in Nelson, BC, where he has been part of the local brewing scene for over ten years.
• Spotlight on Faceplant Winter Ale: A deep dive into Faceplant Winter Ale, Nelson Brewing’s popular seasonal brew. Simon discusses its components, how it has evolved over time, and what makes it a local favorite.
• Resurrecting a Beer from the Archives: Simon shares which beer he’d love to bring back from Nelson Brewing’s history, explaining what made it unique and why it deserves a revival.
• Hop Selection in Yakima: Simon recounts his experiences in Yakima during hop selection, sharing how this hands-on approach influences his creative process and helps him stay ahead of brewing trends.
• Simon’s Perspective on the BC Beer Industry: A conversation on the state of the BC craft beer scene, Simon’s thoughts on the opportunities for growth, and his passion for experimenting with new ingredients and innovative brewing techniques.

Tune in as we explore the rich history of Nelson Brewing and the creativity behind each of Simon’s brews!

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Guest:
Tessa Gabiniewicz, Land and Sea Brewing

Main Discussion Points:

• Tessa’s journey in the brewing industry, including her experiences living and working in unique places across BC that influenced her career.
• Spotlight on Glacier Cream Ale: A discussion of Land and Sea’s popular and award-winning Glacier Cream Ale, its unique profile, and why it resonates with BC beer lovers.
• Foraging for ingredients: Insights into Tessa’s use of locally foraged ingredients like spruce tips and pineapple weed, including how these elements contribute to distinct flavour profiles in their beers.
• Collaboration with Hook Norton Brewing: A recap of Tessa’s 2020 trip to the UK, where she collaborated with Hook Norton Brewing, and how this experience impacted her brewing approach.
• Foeders and The Red Earth Bock: An exploration of Land and Sea’s use of foeders, including a focus on their first foeder-aged release, The Red Earth Bock, and its place in their lineup.
• Tessa’s perspective on the BC beer industry: A discussion on the current state of the industry, the challenges and innovations she’s observing, and her hopes for its future.
• Life beyond brewing: Tessa shares what keeps her busy outside the brewery, from personal hobbies to other pursuits that keep her inspired.

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In this episode, we chat with Ken Beattie, executive director of the BC Craft Brewer's Guild. Ken shares his journey in the beer industry, from his early days at Molson, to Okanagan Springs, and finally to leading the Guild. We dive into his role at the Guild, the diverse membership it serves, and the projects currently underway to support BC’s craft brewers. Ken also talks about the key challenges facing the industry today and how the Guild is fostering collaboration across Canada, working with other provinces to strengthen the craft beer community.

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