Guest:

Nick Fengler, Old Yale Brewing

Main Discussion Points:

• Nick’s career in craft beer, starting at established breweries like Dead Frog Brewing.
• Opening new breweries, including his role in helping to launch Raven’s Brewing.
• Steering the ship at Old Yale Brewing and how he transitioned into his current role.

Featured Beer Segment:

Sasquatch Stout

• A discussion of the rich pedigree of Sasquatch Stout in the BC beer landscape, including its history, flavor profile, and significance.

Additional Discussion Points:

• Old Yale’s expansion into Abbotsford and their newest project opening in Beaumont, Alberta.
• How Old Yale is trialing new ingredients and perfecting their core beers.
• A chat about the BC Beer industry, the challenges, and opportunities in the market.
• Finding the perfect work/life balance while navigating the demands of the brewing industry.

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• Instagram: @whythisbeer
• Facebook: Why This Beer
• Website: www.podcast.whythisbeer.com

Guest:
Mitch Warner, Dageraad Brewing

Main Discussion Points:

• Mitch’s journey from working in the film industry to becoming a brewer in the craft beer world.
• The early days of brewing, where Mitch brewed copious amounts of homebrew, laying the foundation for his future in beer.
• An exploration of Belgian brewing traditions at Dageraad, with a focus on maintaining authenticity and quality.
• The intricacies of bottle conditioning and how it plays a crucial role in Dageraad's Belgian-style beers.
• Featured Beer Segment: Dageraad Blonde
  • A deep dive into what makes Dageraad Blonde a standout beer in their lineup, including its ingredients, flavour profile, and brewing process.
• A look into Dageraad’s lager program, including beers like Dagerlaager and Dagvar, and how they approach crafting lagers.
• Innovation through yeast: How Dageraad uses innovative yeasts to create bold and flavourful IPAs while staying true to their Belgian roots.
• The state of the BC brewing industry, the challenges Dageraad has faced, and the strategic pivot from bottling to canning.

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• Instagram: @whythisbeer
• Facebook: Why This Beer
• Website: www.podcast.whythisbeer.com

In This Episode:

Join us as we chat with Thom Riley, General Manager of Vancouver Island Brewing, about his unique journey from aspiring astrophysicist in Scotland to becoming a key figure in the craft beer world. We dive into Thom's career path, including his roles at Stanley Park Brewing and Labatts before his return to the craft scene at Vancouver Island Brewing.

Thom shares his love for British rock music and how it inspires beer names, talks about the challenges of brewing new styles on an older brewhouse, and his dedication to perfecting core beers. We also explore Vancouver Island Brewing's annual release of their famous Hermannator Ice Bock and get a taste of Islander Lager, a classic beer they've been producing for years.

What You'll Learn:

• Thom's journey from astrophysics to brewing.
• Insights from his time at Stanley Park Brewing and Labatts.
• How British rock music influences their beer names.
• The story and tradition behind Hermannator Ice Bock.
• The challenges of innovating on an older brewhouse.
• Thom’s philosophy on focusing on core beers.
• A deep dive into Islander Lager, a staple for Vancouver Island Brewing.
• A glimpse into Thom’s life outside the brewery.

Not Covered:

• Recent changes at Vancouver Island Brewing regarding production relocation.

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @whythisbeer
• Facebook: Why This Beer
• Website: www.podcast.whythisbeer.com