The premier gaThering of The professional brewing indusTry
Brewers C O N G R E S S
28 November 2018 oNe great george street, LoNdoN
The compleTe guide
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le ad e r
Onwards and Upwards
W
ell, what a year 2018
head brewer of Schneeeule Brauerei in Berlin, Pete
has been. And it’s
Lengyel, head of production and quality control from
not even over yet.
Williamsburg’s Kings County Brewers Collective and
We’ve seen
Sophie de Ronde, head brewer of Burnt Mill Brewery.
mergers and acquisitions, innovation and invention, breweries
opening and breweries closing.
Lager ruled the summer, while Brut IPA followed suit
as we entered autumn. If I can make one request for winter then it’s more Scotch ales, please. We’re also no closer to defining what craft beer
Joining them is Earth Station founder Jenn Merrick and Brian Strumke, founder of Stillwater Artisanal. And if you’re going learn from anyone, you may as well learn from the best. So I’m thrilled that Ray Daniels, founder of the Cicerone Certification Program and Dr Keith Thomas, head of Sunderland-based Brewlab, are here today. I want to also take a moment to show my gratitude to the sponsors and exhibitors that have helped make today
is, nor how we bring cask beer back into focus. The
possible. It’s incredibly rewarding that this event, in only
latter remains a point of fierce debate, why it’s being
its second year, is a forum that can bring together figures
undervalued and just who is to blame.
and businesses of all kinds from across the industry.
But what is certain is that quality, delicious, well-
So thank you to Muntons, Lallemand, QCL and SSV
maintained cask beer is the envy of the world and it
Limited. And thank you to ACO Building Drainage, Bruni
belongs back on the proud mantle it deserves.
Erben, Cara Technology, Cask Global Canning Solutions,
It is a real privilege to welcome you here today. I know
Cicerone, Enterprise Tondelli, Fermentis, Johnson
how busy your schedules are, regardless of where you
Brewing Design, Moorgate Finance, Murphy and Son,
work within the diverse, broad spectrum of the brewing
Palmer Canning, Portman Group, Rastal, Rankin and
industry. So it’s fantastic to see you here, and I know it
ThemThatCan.
will be a worthwhile day of education, networking and socialising. It is also an honour to have a programme full to the rafters of best-in-class brewers from across the globe.
They’ll be showcasing their leading products and services in the Great Hall, and ready to answer any questions you may have. I’d also like to thank all of the fantastic breweries and
Garrett Oliver from Brooklyn Brewery, Andy Leman, head
producers that have kindly supplied beer and snacks.
brewery at Timothy Taylor’s and Georgina Young, head
Appreciate it!
brewer at London-based Fuller’s. We have Põhjala head brewer Chris Pilkington,
So on that note, I hope you all have a fantastic day and here’s to an even more successful 2019.
Northern Monk’s production manager Colin Stronge, and Chorlton Brewing Company founder and head brewer
Tim Sheahan
Mike Marcus.
Editor
But wait, there’s more. Ulrike Genz, founder and
congress.brewersjournal.info
28 November 2018
3
CO NTE NT S
contents
sCHEDULE
7- The schedule of the Brewers Congress, 2018 prepare for the panel discussions
8- The topics up for discussion following each session Meet the exhibitors
10- The leading manufacturers and suppliers exhibiting in the Great Hall throughout the day Meet the SPEAKERS
14- Ray Daniels | Cicerone 15- Andy Leman | Timothy Taylor's 16- Pete Lengyel | KCBC
4
28 November 2018
17- Mike Marcus | Chorlton Brewing Company 18- Jenn Merrick | Earth Station 19- Garrett Oliver | Brooklyn Brewery 20- Chris Pilkington | Pohjala 21- Sophie de Ronde | Burnt Mill 22- Colin Stronge | Northern Monk 24- Dr Keith Thomas | Brewlab 25- Georgina Young | Fuller's Meet the Sponsors
26- Lallemand 28- SSV Limited 30- Muntons 32- QCL
Brewers Congress
y b e R
Food The
Business
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S C H ED U LE
Programme 7:00
Exhibitor early access
8:00
Doors open
8:00
Registration
Great Hall Exhibition
Lobby
Arrivals drinks
Coffee/Tea/Cookies
Great Hall Exhibition
9:00
Welcome address
Tim Sheahan, The Brewers Journal
Telford Theatre
9:20
Session 1
Modern takes on the traditional
Telford Theatre
Garrett Oliver
The co-development of Western food culture, a journey that takes us from traditional food and drink, through an era of ‘food facsimiles’, and how craft beer culture tracks with it.
Andy Leman
So you want to brew quality cask beer? Making your mark in a crowded marketplace.
Georgina Young
Making the most of a collaboration, what each brewery can gain, and the secrets behind a successful project.
10.20
Panel discussion
What is the relationship between big and small brewers: Can you ever get away from the business of brewing?
10:40
Morning break
Coffee/Tea/Cake
Great Hall Exhibition
11:20
Session 2
Brewing to style
Telford Theatre
Mike Marcus and Ulrik Genz
How to put your own stamp on the diverse, exciting category of slow, sour beer.
Colin Stronge
Brewing a truly great dark beer, how you achieve that and the reasons you you may be falling short.
Chris Pilkington
What constitutes a great barrel-aged beer and what you need to know when starting your own ageing programme.
12:20
Panel discussion
The Importance of a core range: Should you focus on a core, or pursue the new?
12:40
Lunch
Hot buffet lunch and beer tasting
Great Hall Exhibition
13:50
Session 3
Raising the standard
Telford Theatre
Ray Daniels
What's gone wrong in your beer - Unwanted flavours and their causes
Pete Lengyel
Why cleaning and sanitation is essential in ensuring consistent and quality beer.
Dr Keith Thomas
Microbiology - Where modern techniques can tell us the hazard areas and organisms to look out for.
14:50
Panel discussion
Avoiding unwanted guests: In the world of innovation, what’s a positive and what’s an off flavour, and how can you make sure you’re producing the beer the brewer wanted?
15:10
Afternoon break
Beer and pub snack tasting
Great Hall Exhibition
16:00
Session 4
Perfecting Production
Telford Theatre
Sophie de Ronde
Brewing with consistency - from small batch to big runs
Brian Strumke
Beer without a brewery - Ensuring repeatability without bricks and mortar .
Jenn Merrick
Scale up your production - The business opportunity and the pitfalls to avoid.
17:00
Panel discussion
Funding Expansion: Where do should turn when it’s time to grow your brewery?
17:20
ENDS
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28 November 2018
7
panel
S ch e d u l e
discussion
Join the debate
The Congress will host four panel discussion debating core questions facing the industry
need to crank out volume to pay the bills, while another could be run as a glorified hobby. And just how does that impact the need to sell beer at a price that is fair to all? John Keeling, former head brewer at Fuller’s and
Panel One
now an ambassador for the West London brewery, says smaller independent brewers can learn from bigger
W
businesses, and vice versa. hat is the relationship between big and small brewers: Can you ever get away from the
business of brewing?
“In the craft world, brewers are seen to be the leaders. They are the experts in flavour and make the new interesting beers, therefore it is the beer that informs the marketing,” he explains.
We’re in an industry defined by the individuals that
“In the world of the big brewer it is the marketeer
comprise it. One brewery may be the brainchild of
who decides what to make. The finance team decide
industry veteran and its neighbour is just as likely to
the cost, then they instruct the brewer to make the beer.
be headed up by an avid homebrewer that’s taken the
Consequently the brewer has a disconnect with the beer
opportunity to start their own business.
they are making.”
Money makes the world go round, of course, but are we all operating on a level playing field? One outfit might
8
28 November 2018
So with that in mind, as you grow your brewery, can you ever truly get away from the business of brewing?
Brewers Congress
panel
discussion
sch e d u l e
before it goes into the wild is greeted with applause
Panel Two
and adulation. It wouldn’t happen in other fields, so why should beer be given such leeway?
T
But this isn’t a hard and fast approach adopted by all. he Importance of a core range: Should you focus
If your beer has sour properties for instance, was that part
on a core, or pursue the new?
of the recipe formulation and if not, how did it get there? But elsehwere, we’re in a world now where very little
"What have you go that’s new?" It’s a question countless breweries have no doubt been asked when liaising with accounts, and with good
surprises when it comes to the flavours, additions and adjuncts brewers add to their beers. So in this era of extreme innovation, how can you know
reason. If you’re a bottle shop, you’re just as likely to have
know what’s a positive presence in your beer, and what’s
clientele that visit and check out the new arrivals. It could
an unwanted guest?
be a fresh release from an established brewery, the latest
Panel Four
import, or the maiden beers from a new outfit. But with space on the shelves and taps of bars, pubs and bottleshops, not to mention supermarkets, more fiercely contested than ever, how do you stake your claim? In this very issue, Timothy Taylor’s head brewer Andy Leman acknowledges the time the brewery has had
F
unding Expansion: Where should you turn when it’s time to grow your brewery?
to develop a brand in beers such as Landlord. While Earth
In the last few years we’ve seen breweries turn to
Station founder Jenn Merrick predicts that the next years
acquisition, the sale of stakes to other breweries,
will see the prevalence of large, stable brands and with
investment from private equity, and crowdfunding to
that, a need for others to differentiate once again.
help aid the expansion they desire. And in the case of
So do you play the long game and have faith in the
breweries such as Camden Town, they’ve done both.
sticking power of your core, or do you pursue variety and
For every option above, there are pros and cons to
capitalise on the consumer’s desire for the new. And can
the path you choose. Private equity may demand returns
you tread both?
sooner than you’re comfortable in providing, while an acquisition could see you lose any influence and control
Panel Three
in the brewery you’ve worked so hard to create. Then you can look at crowdfunding. As an investor,
A
are you buying into an overvalued business and for the voiding unwanted guests: In the world of
fundraiser, there’s no guarantee in your campaign proving
innovation, what’s a positive and what’s an off
a success in reaching those goals. And with that, you
flavour, and how can you make sure you’re producing the beer the brewer wanted?
could be back to square one. But then look at the aforementioned Camden Town Brewery. Their beers have never tasted better and they’re
Social media and the sleuth of beer rating sites has
more freely available than ever before. A result, for the
brought the brewer closer to the drinker than ever
drinker. While other outfits have sold stakes or been
before. And for better or worse, depend on who you
acquired, creating more jobs for the local communities
ask. A consumer can articulate their thoughts on the
they inhabit in the process.
beer they’re imbibing, often creating a dialogue with the
And back to crowdfunding, breweries and distributors
producer behind said beverage. Opinions expressed can
alike have been able to expand, grow their teams and
be positive or negative and often, will question how far
open new taprooms and bars as a result. In return, they’ve
the beer falls from the descriptors and style it has been
given investors and fans equity, perks and in many cases,
sold and marketed on.
great beer.
We’re thankfully getting past the point where a brewery pouring away a beer they’re not happy with
congress.brewersjournal.info
So when it comes to taking the plunge to grow your own brewery, which option is the best fit for you?
28 November 2018
9
b r e w e r s
con g r e ss
e x hibitors
meet the exhibitors
The Brewers Congress brings together some of the industry's leading manufacturers and suppliers from across the UK and overseas. Here are the companies that will be in town, ready to answer any queries or questions you may have. Gold Sponsors
the importance of reliability of supply. Muntons are a little different. They consider how markets are moving and use their innovation and new product development
Lallemand - Lallemand’s extensive, unique knowledge in
facilities to create products relevant for brewers and
the propagation of many different yeast strains led us to
manufacturers alike to capitalise on market opportunities.
be consulted by a number of international breweries on
They care passionately about malt and the environment,
yeast nutrition. As a result of this expertise, we developed
vital for good growing conditions and a good crop,
and continue to perfect a specialized range of yeast
investing wisely to minimise their environmental impact.
nutrients that target specific problems in the brewery
And they know a lot about malt and the benefits it can
resulting from variations in raw material quality. Whether
bring.
you are a startup, a global leader in beer production
Stand 12
or anywhere in between, we have something for you. At Lallemand Brewing, we brew with you.
QCL - QCL has been serving laboratory scientists in the
Stand 9
UK for more than 35 years, providing innovative, rapid analytical testing products for a wide range of industries.
Muntons - Muntons understands the importance that
We source equipment from around the world, using our
you, the brewer, place on the quality and consistency
expertise to select the most advanced, robust and cost-
of the malt that you use in your brewing process and
effective analytical solutions.
10
28 November 2018
Brewers Congress
b r e w e r s
con g r e ss
8
11
Portman Group advice desk
8
11
Beer service
Beer service
e x hibitors
1
1
2
15
4
4
5
10 GOLD
18
13 GOLD
18
Registration
17
3
3
10 GOLD
17
13 GOLD
9 GOLD
16
12 GOLD
16
9 GOLD
12 GOLD
2
15
19
5 6
19
20
6
7
20 Catering
7
Catering
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28 November 2018
11
b r e w e r s
con g r e ss
e x hibitors
We maintain a high level of technical expertise enabling
Cask Global Canning Solutions - We provide innovative
us to deliver excellent customer service, developing
and affordable canning systems to the world’s small and
operating procedures and calibrations to ensure that
medium-sized creators of craft beer, cider, wine, cold
our customers can achieve the accuracy and efficiency
brewed coffee, kombucha and other life-enhancing
required from their testing regimes.
beverages. Cask has installed 875+ canning systems
Stand 10
in 46 different countries throughout the world and we are the official supplier of printed aluminum cans to
SSV - SSV are specialists in the design and manufacture
our customers for Ball Corporation, the world’s largest
of brewhouses, liquid process and storage vessels,
aluminum can producer.
dual purpose vessels (DPV), brite beer tanks (BBT-V),
Stand 19
fermentation tanks (FV). SSV Limited source all of our stainless steel vessels from a single supplier. Lehui is
Cicerone - Anyone can call themselves an expert on
the largest brewery equipment manufacturer in Asia,
beer. But when consumers want great beer they need
with over 25 years of experience manufacturing process,
help from a server who really knows beer flavors, styles,
storage and brewing vessels. Their compliance with
and service. They also want to buy beer from a place that
European and US standards and certifications ensure you
understands proper storage and serving so the beer they
will receive a quality product. We can also supply you
drink will taste the way it should. Too often great beer is
with all of the equipment and consumables to properly
harmed by improper handling and service practices.
operate and maintain our vessels.
The Cicerone® Certification Program has become the
Stand 13
industry standard for identifying those with significant knowledge and professional skills in beer sales and
Exhibitors
service. Stand 18
ACO Building Drainage - Engineered drainage solutions
Enterprise Tondelli - Since 1977 Enterprise Tondelli
for internal and external built environments. Hygienic
have been suppliers of services, solutions and systems
drainage is critical to any food manufacturing or
integrators of specialist equipment designed to meet
processing facility and, as one of the world's leading
the production requirements of the bottling, canning and
drainage specialists, we are determined to help raise
packaging industries. Working with our manufacturers in
standards across every part of the process from drainage
Italy, Enterprise Tondelli supplies packaging equipment
design through to installation, cleaning and ongoing
and services to the soft drinks and beverage, spirits and
maintenance.
water, brewing and wine, dairy and food, pharmaceutical
Stand 15
and chemical industries. Stand 20
Bruni Erben - Bruni Erben is a leading supplier of closures, glass and machinery for the spirits, wine, food,
Fermentis - Fermentis works with everyone in the world
and gourmet markets. Founded in 1951, the company has
of fermented beverages. Its range of products and
developed & diversified and today offers an extensive
services covers almost all professional requirements.
catalogue of stock items, industry leading technical
Fermentation is a complex art, and more and more of our
support and a product design team which delivers world-
clients want to understand the process and the subtleties
class expertise to yield extraordinary results.
involved. That’s why, in addition to our products, we
Stand 4
would like to share with you our most valuable asset: our knowledge. To do so, our expert advisors are available to
Cara Technology - Cara Technology specialises
meet and advise you who ever and where ever you are.
in process consultancy for breweries. We carry out
We can train your staff and make our research
technical audits of brands, production methods,
laboratories and manufacturing base available to you.
production activities, quality management activities
Because for us, service really means something.
and other aspects of brewery operations that impact on
Stand 11
production including hygiene management and beer loss management. We also offer brewing training, flavour
Johnson Brewing Design - Johnson Brewing Design
training and sensory management
has over 20 years experience designing, manufacturing,
Stand 16
installing and commissioning brewing and beverage systems throughout Europe and the UK. We can design
12
28 November 2018
Brewers Congress
e x hibitors
b r e w e r s
con g r e ss
and install complete hygienic process systems for brew-
Portman Group - The Portman Group is the responsibility
houses, filtration, carbonation, packaging and clean-in-
body for drinks producers in the UK.
place (CIP). We also have many years of experience in the
Our role is to: Lead on best practice in alcohol social
supply and installation of Glycol chilling units, installing
responsibility through the actions of member companies.
the pipework and temperature controls for fermentation
Regulate the promotion and packaging of alcoholic
and conditioning.
drinks sold or marketed in the UK through our Code of
Stand 3
Practice.Challenge and encourage the industry to market its products responsibly. The Portman Group is a not-for-
Moorgate Finance - Moorgate Finance understands the
profit organisation funded by eight member companies
financial pressures that arise in professional businesses
who represent every sector of drinks production and
and provide financing solutions to help these businesses
collectively account for more than half the UK alcohol
grow. Mash Tuns? Fermenters? Steam Boilers?
market
Centrifuges? Canning lines? Whether you are a start-up
Lobby
microbrewery, setting up a craft bar, or planning your next phase of expansion, Moorgate Brewery Finance is here to
Rastal -Rastal created the brand-Exclusive Glass concept
help you make it happen.
in 1964: the inspiration behind the idea was to craft a
Stand 5
uniquely designed drinking vessel that would be reserved solely (hence ‘exclusively’) for a particular brand. The
Moravek - Moravek design, manufacture and install
Bitburger goblet was the pioneering masterpiece of its
high quality bottling and kegging systems with fully
kind, and it ushered in the unparalleled success story of
integrated process technology. We produce a wide
the Exclusive Glass! In today’s brand-conscious world,
range of machinery suitable for all production, bottling
the Exclusive Glass is an integral part of the marketing
and canning requirements from large scale production
strategies of renowned beverage brands around the
to research and development. All our machines are
globe. No other company in the industry has developed
constructed to the highest standard and only use the best
more brand-Exclusive Glasses than Rastal..
quality components. Our range of products are designed
Stand 1
to require minimal operator control and processes are fully automatic wherever possible saving your company
Rankin - Since 1774, the Rankin family has been
both time and money during the production process.
supporting the beers, wines, spirits & foods packaging
Stand 7
industries with best in class closures that help seal, protect and add value to brands. Our expertise in
Murphy and Son - We are a long-established provider of
production quality and project management is shared
brewing supplies and technical expertise to the brewing
with you as part of the Rankin Brothers & Sons service.
and broader beverage industry. Our company is built
Please feel free to contact us about your requirements,
on over a hundred years research into reliable solutions
expectations and aspirations. Our collaborative approach
for your bespoke brewing challenges. Thus, each of our
begins from your first enquiry.
products are formulated and manufactured to perform
Stand 6
to the highest standard; ensuring you consistent results each time you brew.
ThemThatCan - The premier beverage mobile canning
Stand 17
company - We bring our service to you. Since establishing itself as one of Europe's first small scale contract canning
Palmer Canning - Founded in 1996 by Michael Palmer
companies, the business has helped countless breweries
BSME, who had previously worked 9 years for Adolph
move into canning their beer. We cater to the craft beer,
Coors Technologies developing new technologies for
cider, pre-mixed drink and artisan beverage sectors
the can making and filling industry. Now celebrating
Stand 8
more than 20 years. Mike’s love for real beer started growing up in Portland, Oregon, in the mid-80s when
The exhibition, taking place in the Great Hall, is open all-
craft brewing was just beginning. Trying Widmer Brothers,
day on the 28th November. So if you have any questions,
McMenamins, and Bridgeport beers woke up his beer
or queries, for the wealth of companies exhibiting, don't be
senses and is happy to see the nationwide expansion
afraid to draw on their expertise at any point throughout
evolve. Palmer Canning Systems provide rotary and
the day.
in-line beer and beverage can filling and seaming technology solutions to craft brewers and producers. Stand 2
congress.brewersjournal.info
28 November 2018
13
S pe a k e r
R ay
D aniels
Set your bar high Making beer is easy, but getting it right time and time again is where you have to start to show your true expertise, explains Ray Daniels, founder of the Cicerone Certification Program.
2
018 has been a big year for Ray Daniels. Cicerone, the certification program designed for those that sell and serve beer, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with nearly 100,000 people having passed through its
ranks.
The course covers a number of areas, namely:
1) Keeping and Serving Beer, 2) Beer Styles, 3) Beer Flavour and Evaluation, 4) Beer Ingredients and Brewing Processes, and 5) Pairing Beer with Food. “We set out with one big goal and that was to serve the entire industry from bar staff at your favourite pub to head brewers and presidents of major brewing businesses. And we’ve been lucky to accomplish that,” Daniels tells us. He adds: “In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a lot of places were pouring beer ruined by poor handling. Additionally, they often knew nothing about the beers themselves. “I wanted to motivate servers and retailers to ‘up their game’ by learning more about proper beer service as well as beer styles so that they could talk to their customers about their offerings.” Daniels opted to establish a set of certifications based on what beer professionals should know when working in various jobs. To help people assess what they needed to know, he published a lengthy syllabus for each exam that detailed all of the topics that would be tested and made them freely available online. And as it has grown, the program, which initially consisted of three levels (Certified Beer Server, Certified Cicerone, and Master Cicerone®), was expanded in 2016 to include a fourth, known as Advanced Cicerone®, which was inserted between the Certified and Master levels. But Daniels is not stopping there. A focus on international markets such as Asia, Australia
consistently so it’s worthy of sharing with someone else without any off flavours is a difficult task,” he explains. Daniels adds: “Then look at how you can do that
and Latin America is key, but his goal remain the same.
constantly in a bottle or can, cask or keg and have it
Improving quality across the industry.
shipped off to parts unknown and arrived in good shape.
“Getting your beer right is essential. I always tell my students that making beer is easy, it is simple as pie. Making good beer, however, is harder. And doing that
14
28 November 2018
That’s where the real challenge lies. “But there is so much quality and talent in this industry, and it keeps on improving. And that’s only a good thing.”
Brewers Congress
A ndy
L eman
S pe ak e r
STICK TO YOUR GUNS Timothy Taylor’s is a name synonymous with excellent beer, in particular its cask output in the form of Landlord and Boltmaker. And while the modern cask marketplace is undoubtedly challenging, Andy Leman, head brewer at the West Yorkshire-based business, says you should never compromise your values when it comes to believing in, and making, quality beer.
T
he recent Leeds International Beer Festival
Leman explains: “Landlord started life as a bottled
was a triumph in showcasing excellent
beer. As a then-nameless beer in the 1950s, samples
modern beer produced both in the UK
were sent out to accounts such as clubs complete with a
and overseas. But a cursory glance
tear-off label. People were to send back their suggestions
towards social media during those three
and the best name would win.
days showed just as many people gleefully snapping
“A club steward suggested ‘Landlord’ and won
shots of pints of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord imbibed in
£500 for their troubles. That was an awful lot of money
establishments such as Whitelock’s Ale House. A quality
then! So when it came to renaming our Best Bitter, the
beer, perfectly cellared. Many would, and do, argue
brewery adopted the same idea. The landlord of the The
there’s few better beers going.
Boltmaker Arms recommended ‘Boltmaker’ as a name
Head brewer Andy Leman knows the Keighly brewery operates in different spaces to many of the modern beer styles being enjoyed across the UK, but he is endeared by the ongoing popularity beers such as Landlord have with drinkers of all kinds. “It can be a common misconception to think that brewing from years gone by was improvised and done on something of an ad-hoc basis, but this couldn’t be further from the truth,” he says. Brewers and beer fans alike, Leman explains, have long come to Timothy Taylor’s wanting to know the secret of their success, but there is no magic bullet in making
and here we are.” “The funny thing is, they also won £500. Not quite the same decades later,” he laughs. Beers such as Boltmaker and Landlord have long been staples in the Timothy Taylor portfolio. But the addition of Knowle Springs last year has swiftly established itself in that family, too. Created by Leman and his team, the Blonde Ale was produced to fill a gap for such a beer in their output. Trial batches began production in the August of 2016 with the beer seeing the light of day the following March. “We went through around 12 iterations before settling
great beer. Instead, it's having faith in what you do,
on a beer we were all happy with. This combined Vienna
holding strong principles and sticking to them.
malt with UK-grown Cascade, Chinook and Minstrel.
“I recall Alan Hey (head brewer until 1995) once deliver
It took time, but we got there,” he says. “I understand
a presentation in response to what we do differently with
not all breweries have the resources to go through so
our beers.
many batches before commercial production but those
It started with one simple statement:
No, No, No, No, No “Alan proudly stated that we used no adjuncts, no enzymes, no pellets, no extracts and so on. We were doing things no differently, simply others had changed.” Such an attitude extended to the naming convention of the brewery’s beers, too. And demonstrated that canvassing public opinion when making decisions in the world of beer wasn’t an invention that came with the advent of Twitter of Facebook.
congress.brewersjournal.info
principles should be the same, regardless. Leman adds: “We are fortunate to have had longevity to build a brand, just as Fuller’s has with something like Pride and ESB. They are brand beers that have a dedicated following across generations. “Starting fresh and building from the base is more difficult, but that doesn’t mean you cannot be successful. Quality should be paramount above all else. And as long as you stick to your guns and commit to producing good beer, you can be a success too.”
28 November 2018
15
S pe ak e r
PE TE
LEN GYEL
PROTECT YOUR REPUTATION
Having the best possible practices in place should be at the very top of your agenda because as a brewery, your reputation is the most important thing you have, explains Pete Lengyel, cofounder and one third of Williamsburg’s Kings County Brewers Collective.
W
all bring their own recipe ideas to the table that are developed and formulated as a team. As a result, you’re as likely to see a DDH Double IPA as you are a Light Lager or Imperial Stout. The brewery is knocking it out of the park with their sours, too. Lengyel is particularly proud of the brewery’s Robot Fish IPA series. Each iteration is characterised by a single malt, single hop recipe. Recent beers have paired Vienna malt with Galaxy or Golden Pils and Ekuanot.
e’re cranking right now,” says Pete
“It’s a simple beer, but complex at the same time,” he
Lengyel, co-founder of Brooklyn’s
says. “We dry hop it early during fermentation so it’s hazy
Kings County Brewers Collective.
due to the base malt yet the water chemistry is distinctly
And he ain’t lying. The brewery, perhaps more
West Coast.” He adds: “We’re a democracy in everything we do. We
commonly known as KCBC, has just celebrated its
all have different backgrounds so we all bring something
second birthday and the outfit is putting out more beers
different to the table. But when it comes to beer, quality
than ever before.
underpins everything we do. It has to!”.
So much so that the arrival of much-needed new tanks
As head of production and quality control, Lengyel is
is imminent and the idea of needing a secondary unit is
heavily into water chemistry. As a trained microbiologist
being discussed more each day.
and former stem cell researcher, he explains he’s proudly
The Kings County Brewers Collective comprises Pete Lengyel, Zack Kinney and Tony Bellis. Bonded by a love
pedantic when it comes to process and protocol. “We are always improving and if there’s a better way to
of beer and the desire to open their own breweries, the
carry out a process then we are going to ensure we are
trio met at the American Brewers Guild in Vermont.
doing that, too,” he explains.
“We were three independent brewers looking to open
“Putting out quality beers doesn’t happen by accident.
our own places but it soon became evident that we were
You should have strict processes in place as these govern
on the same page with a lot of our ideas,” he explains. “It
everything you do.
quickly made sense that we should put our resources together and give this thing a go as a group.” KCBC opened in 2016. And Lengyel, Kinney and Bellis
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28 November 2018
“If you don’t, you can end up compromising your brewery’s reputation and that of your peers, too. And your reputation is the most important thing you have.”
Brewers Congress
mike
marcus
S pe ak e r
STRIVE FOR ACCESSIBILITY Good beer should not be an elitist product for the few. If you can make something that many people can enjoy and want to return to time after time, then everyone’s a winner, explains Mike Marcus, founder of Chorlton Brewing Company.
M
ike Marcus isn’t afraid to make bold decisions. Many lamented his call to stop canning the brewery’s beers several years ago. They sold well and got the
Chorlton name out there, but he wasn’t happy with the quality. So that was that. “You could argue we’re less visible now, but we’re selling more beer than ever before,” he enthuses. “However, we’re always going to be a boutique operation and I never want that to change.” Chorlton’s founder, a Londoner, is graduate of the capital’s Saint Martin’s University of the Arts and it was
A Lambic brewery, Marcus believes, will help elevate Chorlton’s standing in both the UK, and wider world. “We want to take that next step, and to do something
during an MA in fine art when he started to become
that bit more special. I’ll never compromise what we do in
increasingly disillusioned with the art world that
the UK, but producing Lambic beer will help more people
surrounded him. Dealings with other professions led
sit up and take notice of us,” he adds.
him to the world of brewing and a desire to express his creativity in different ways. Now, in 2018, Marcus, is looking excitedly towards the next stage of the brewery’s development. And all roads lead to Belgium. “I love what we do here in Manchester, and thankfully
That’s not to say drinkers are not doing that as it is, though. Marcus is seeing a notable increase in the types of beers resonating with drinkers, as well as the types of drinkers enjoying them, too. Beers such as Mango Sour, English Strawberry Sour
drinkers do too. But I want to evolve Chorlton, and what it
and Vanilla Sour are flying off taps as soon as they hit
means to people,” he explains.
them, and Marcus says it’s not rocket science to know
And that means opening a Lambic brewery in Belgium. Marcus is in the planning stages of a project where
why. “We’re making beer that’s accessible and affordable,”
the business will open a Lambic operation overseas
he says. “They may not be as complex as some of the
to complement the output produced in suburban
other beers we produce, but they are drawing people into
Manchester.
our space that may not have done so otherwise.”
“I pride myself in making simple, accessible sour
Marcus adds: “People that previously drank stuff like
beer,” he says. “But this market is getting increasingly
Kopparberg, or even still do, are buying and enjoying our
competitive all of the time, and by complementing those
beers.
beers with Lambic gives us a point of difference. I couldn’t be more excited.”
congress.brewersjournal.info
"And if you’re making beer that lots of people can appreciate and enjoy, then where’s the harm in that?”
28 November 2018
17
S pe ak e r
J enn
M errick
The new normal The beer industry can be as cyclical as any other and with that, there is an opportunity for breweries of all sizes, believes Jenn Merrick, brewery consultant and founder of East London’s Earth Station.
T
here’s a reason Jenn Merrick is courted by so many breweries. As a consultant to new and expanding businesses, Merrick has a CV that includes the role of head brewer, operations manager, production manager
and director of operations, among others. She’s founded her own brewery, too. Earth Station came into being towards the end of 2017 and after extensive planning, Merrick and her team are ready to break ground in East London’s Royal Docks early next year. The brewery, which will feature a 20-bbl kit from Gravity Systems, is being founded as a community-based hub of creativity and manufacturing. It’ll also house The Pipework Project, something Merrick describes a social enterprise comprising of an apprenticeship scheme and a community education program. No small feat then when balanced with extensive consultancy work. “It’s an exciting time. We had hoped to have a building by now but these things take time. But we’re at the point
“When I was working on the Earth Station business
where we can move forward and make Earth Station a
plan there was a real gap for steady, reliable sessionable
reality,” she says.
pales. That’s somewhat changed now and there’s lots of
Earth Station will be a boon to the local community. When not focusing on that, Merrick, who has held roles at Meantime, Dark Star and Beavertown Brewery among
breweries doing this well, and doing this consistently,” she says. Merrick adds: “It feels like the next chapter will be
others, enjoys advising other outfits. Most recently she
about differentiation again. You’ll have breweries with
has helped West London’s Fuller’s with the installation of
large, stable brands, so it’ll be a case of finding another
its pilot kit.
niche and how you can specialise once again and capture
“It’s brilliant because it was hands-on and allows me to use all the parts of the brain I don’t get to use everyday
some of that market share.” And Merrick says that the need for innovation once
anymore,” she says. “Working on recipes with Hayley
more, should not be an excuse for putting out anything
Marlor, who heads up the pilot plant, has been a pleasure
other than excellent, consistent beer.
because she is excellent.” Early recipes produced on the pilot kit are as diverse
“You need to have a reputation for consistency and repeatability. People have been burnt once or twice so
as a Thai Stout to a New England IPA, complementing
they won’t accept that again,” she explains. “Ensure you
output Fuller’s are more synonymous with. And Merrick
adhere to strict quality standards and compliance, while
too sees a shift in the types of beers being produced and
maintaining a high level of professionalism from the very
enjoyed in recent years.
start."
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28 November 2018
Brewers Congress
G arrett
O liver
S pe ak e r
Learn your art You’ve probably enjoyed one of Garrett Oliver’s beers, or read one of his books. Or maybe you’ve attended one of his many tastings, dinners or cooking demonstrations. The point is, very few in the world of modern beer are unfamiliar with his good name, and nearly 25 years since joining Brooklyn Brewery, he’s helping educate and inform a new generation of beer fans and brewers.
T
he beer world has many parallels with the music industry. A band like Metallica drew on their influences, British bands such as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Motörhead, to create their own sound. They went on to
lead a scene for decades, and still do. With that, they’ve inspired musicians in their tens of thousands to forge their own path. Plenty of those popular bands hail from the UK and are indebted to groups like Metallica for lighting that fire within them. Then you have beer. Garrett Oliver was, himself, living in England during the early 1980s. Working in that oh
you spent and time spent drinking it,” he told us. “A
so common trade of rock band management, Oliver
good pint of Timothy Taylor’s is pretty much as good as
immersed himself in a wealth of British culture of which
anything you’ll find on earth, and that’s because they have
good beer is such an important part.
perfected their art.”
His introduction to cask-conditioned beer, dark, bitter,
Oliver adds: Do the thing that moves you the most, the
complex beer, was a far cry from much of the produce
thing that you genuinely believe you can do better than
he was used to back at home in the United States. This
anyone else.
epiphany helped catalyse his love affair with great beer and brewing, and he’s never looked back. Brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery since day one, Oliver has created beers that have stood the test of time. Alongside brews such as Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale,
“Because if you start a brewery and you don’t think you can be the best, how can you expect success?” But you’re not going to end up there overnight. And patience is a virtue in the world of brewing. “People are not going to like this but piece of advice
Oliver’s beers have left an indelible mark on the palates
number one is go work for somebody else first,” he says.
of countless drinkers. Just as bands such as Metallica
“Why should you make all of your mistakes, which you
have done in music, he’s inspired many to start their own
will make, on the back of paying customers at your own
breweries and go on their own journeys within the world
brewery. Go learn under somebody that knows what they
of beer and brewing.
are doing, soak up that knowledge and then go out on
And having worked in more than 20 countries, and with countless breweries, he also knows a thing or two about getting your business right. “You should be brewing a good Pilsner or a Pale Ale
your own once you actually know something,” And when you’ve learned the ropes, know that you should be putting out great beer time and time again. “People want to be cool right now, but if you can’t put
consistently before you start putting stuff in wine barrels.
the beer out tasting brilliant every time then well, there is
Our name is a promise that the beer is worth the money
something very uncool about that in my opinion.”
congress.brewersjournal.info
28 November 2018
19
S pe ak e r
C H R I S
P I LK I N GTO N
FIND YOUR BREWING IDENTITY Establishing your brewery’s identity can take time, but it’s one of the most important undertakings you’ll ever experience, explains Chris Pilkington, head brewer at Estonia’s Põhjala.
T
he Tallinn-based brewery is in the process of moving into its new site, based in a former naval shipyard-turned-Soviet submarine facility, and Pilkington couldn’t be happier. Once the whole process is over, that is.
Originally from Aberdeenshire, Pilkington was working
for BrewDog in Aberdeenshire when Põhjala came into being. From emailing over advice for the brewery’s first brew back in 2013, the outfit, founded by Enn Parel and Peter Keek, has gone from strength-to-strength since. In that time, the brewery has become as by-word for quality in the world of Baltic Porters, Barrel-Aged beers and foraged ingredients omnipresent in its popular Forest
tips and forest blueberries, Laugas, a 12.3% Barrel Aged
Series.
Imperial Gruit, or Sajand, a 12.3% Barrel Aged Imperial Rye
And with Põhjala running at capacity for a year now,
Baltic Porter, where Põhjala has made its name.
the idea of being able to triple output from day one is
It’s through such beers that Pilkington believes the
something Pilkington is very much looking forward to.
Põhjala has established a strong identity, and he implores
“It’s a big project for us, that’s for sure. We’re a small team, but we were at the point where we simple couldn’t fit anymore in at the current brewery,” he explains. “It’s
younger breweries to do the same as early as possible in their brewing journeys. “We’ve always had a guiding compass, what we want
rewarding that people enjoy what we’re doing, and
to do and where we want to be,” he explains. “It’s never
this new setup will allow us to realise who we are as a
been written down, rather a belief and understanding we
brewery more than ever before.”
all have.”
Pilkington is humble regarding the revered way many
He adds: “Sure, in the early days we played around
of his beers are held. A recent collaboration with To Øl,
with lots of different styles while we found our feet. But
was 10 Apple Stout, a 12% stout that featured five Danish
once we all ended up on the same page, it was easy to
and five Estonian apple varieties that aged in Calvados
establish what Põhjala was.
Barrels with Smoked Apple Wood. It was a sell-out star of this summer’s Borefts beer
“Our new setup affords us a 500sqm barrel warehouse. We’re fortunate people enjoy those beers but we’re not
festival held at De Molen in the Netherlands and such
being reactive to that, those beers have long been our
beers, ones that embrace high ABVs and local produce,
focus and we give them the attention they deserve.
are calling cards of much of Põhjala’s output. And while the brewery offers a core range that includes an IPA and a Session IPA, it’s beers like Mets, a forest-inspired black IPA brewed with hand picked spruce
20
28 November 2018
“If you don’t focus, then you’ll end up giving lots of different projects 10% rather than a few your full attention and effort. “Your brewing identity is everything, so don’t ignore it.”
Brewers Congress
S ophie
de
R onde
S pe ak e r
Quality is always key
You work for a maltster and discover an intolerance to gluten. So what next? You become head brewer at one of England’s hottest prospects and help them become the best new brewer in the country, that’s what. All in a day’s work for Sophie de Ronde, head brewer at Burnt Mill Brewery.
S
ophie De Ronde’s heart is in commercial brewing. It’s where she started, back at
and guidelines discussed. “A lot of the time they’d admit they simply stopped
Brentwood Brewing in Essex and it’s what
adhering to their processes and wonder why things were
she does now, as head brewer for Suffolk’s
no longer acting as they should. So I’d simply tell them to
Burnt Mill Brewery.
go back, follow those guidelines again and see how you
As founder of the International Women’s Collaboration
Brewday (IWCBD) and through her role of brewing
go. It’s as simple as that!” Now, as head brewer at Burnt Mill in Badley, de Ronde
technologist at Muntons, she has become a familiar face
runs the brewhouse on a day-to-day basis, oversees the
in the industry. But the commercial brewing sector is
cellar operations, and strives to get the best out of their
where she calls home.
equipment and raw materials.
It’s through the diversity of roles however, that has
And although a gluten intolerance prevents her from
given de Ronde the wealth of knowledge and expertise
sampling the beer she brews, that’s proved no hurdle at
she uses on a day-to-day basis.
all. Quite the opposite, with Burnt Mill crowned the best
“Over the years I’ve learned many things but above all else, it is to avoid complacency,” she explains. “You have your processes and you should stick to them. Because
beer in England at the RateBeer awards at the start of 2018. But she’s not ready to stop there, either. She explains: “Quality needs to come first. Every
thanks to those processes you'll get consistency, and
brewer is forever chasing that perfect beer and they're
consistency breeds quality.”
never going to achieve it. But there is no harm in trying.
She adds: “Too often as a brewing technologist I’d have
“The important thing is to ensure that quality underpins
calls from brewers asking me where they’re going wrong.
everything that you do, and you are only sending out beer
So I’d ask them if they’re following all of the processes
that you are truly happy with.”
congress.brewersjournal.info
28 November 2018
21
S pe ak e r
colin
stronge
PROVE YOUR WORTH Repeatability and consistency in your beer is absolutely key if breweries are to attract more casual drinkers from the macro market, says Colin Stronge, production manager at Northern Monk.
N
orthern Monk’s Colin Stronge believes that smaller, independent breweries need to do more to prove their beers are worth the higher price tag than so-called commodity rivals that line pub, bar and
shop shelves.
“We’re in a sector where quality and consistency is
improving all of the time, but there is still a long way to go,” he explains. “I’m seeing more of the larger breweries dedicate time and resources to quality assurance, but that doesn’t mean smaller outfits should feel they can avoid this part of their business, either.” Stronge has a decorated career that has involved working at Marble Brewery, Black Isle and Buxton Brewery. He’s just celebrated his first year overseeing ambitious expansion at Leeds-based Northern Monk, and says innovation in beer is fine, as long as it doesn’t compromise quality output. “For years you could argue many breweries were chasing fads and the next big thing and with that, attention to detail was somewhat ignored,” he says. “You must have belief in the quality of your beer, and not accept mass variations in what you’re putting out.” He adds: “Previously there was an attitude among some that if something went wrong, it would simply get chucked in a barrel. That wasn’t acceptable then and it’s not acceptable now. “As more and more people are moving into the world of craft beer, you cannot send out a product and hope for
The brewery produced 65 beers in its last calendar
the best. The guesswork in that beer should have been
and when the latest expansion is completed, Stronge is
removed long before it leaves your brewery.
looking forward to turning his attentions back to refining
“You need to be meeting the high demands and expectations of the customer. They might be used to the
the brewery’s portfolio. He says: “Our core and special beers are working really
consistency of a pint of Guinness or a Fosters. If you’re not
well for us. Currently 40% of our output is dedicated to
striving for repeatability in your beer, you cannot expect
limited and special beers but I see the core increasing as
repeatability from your customers.”
we go forward to account for 75% of what we produce.
Stronge, who is speaking at the Brewers Congress in
“You cannot underestimate the importance of a core
London next month, has helped coordinate significant
range of beers for your brewery. People enjoy the new
capacity expansion at Northern Monk, and has just
and the limited, but you need that reliable, constant range
overseen the commissioning of its new 6,000cph canning
of beers in your armoury. They are the beers that people
line.
associate with your name, your brand.”
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28 November 2018
Brewers Congress
y b e R
Food The
Business
The podcast for the food and drink industry From Reby Media, we bring you The Food Business. If you’re in the industry, or just super interested in all-things foodie, then this is right up your alley. Our informative and entertaining fortnightly episodes will keep you in the know. We’re a British-focused show, bringing you the best stories from the industry featuring authentic, and sometimes candid inter-
views. You’ll hear personal stories about big successes, failures, and lessons learnt from industry heavyweights and successful startups. We’ll be investigating the biggest trends, developments in technology and food science. Experienced journalist, editor, and host to The Brewers Lectures, Rhian Owen, co-hosts The Food Business alongside producer and journalist Bernadette Ballantyne.
Listen at: foodbusiness.reby.media
S pe ak e r
D R
keith
thom A S
Make a connection The industry has evolved and developed a great deal since Dr Keith Thomas founded Brewlab, a leading provider of training and analysis services for the international brewing industry, nearly 30 years ago. And with more entrants coming on to the scene, it is more imperative than ever to know how, and where you are going sell your beer.
W
hat do Hawaii, Mongolia, Brazil, Iceland and Chile have in common? Well, in the beer world at least, they are just a small snapshot of the nationalities that
have taken brewing courses at Brewlab in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.
As a microbiologist working with yeast in the late eighties, Dr Keith Thomas was a fan of good beer but he didn’t see training the field as his true calling. That was soon to change, however. “There was a time where some people I knew were arranging a festival in a park and of course, we needed a bar and some proper beer!” he recalls. “That was left
They are focused on providing the optimum blend of up to date practical and theoretical skills, and sections of training take place in regional craft breweries where students gain real hands on experience. Its nine week British Brewing Technology course and
to me so I dutifully procured some cask beer and got
our three week Practical Brewing course are endorsed
everything setup.”
with the Quality Mark from ONE Awards, ad Brewlab also
Proud of the beers he had ready for patrons, Dr
encourages its students to sit the Institute of Brewing and
Thomas was ready. But it was downhill from there.
Distilling (IBD) professional examinations on completion of
“It was awful! The beer we poured was sour, cloudy and stale. It was very embarrassing,” he laughs. Dr Thomas wasn’t to be defeated so he reached out
the courses. The business also offers analysis services and provides assurance and development for breweries seeking to
to the breweries in question, visited them and a plethora
manage consistency and evaluate prospects for future
of problems were there to greet him at each of the guilty
products. Dr Thomas has seen brewers from all walks of life pass
parties. “Once I found and identified what was going wrong, there was no going back,” he says. “There was clearly a need to improve standards and knowledge so I was ultimately dragged into it all.” Since then, Brewlab has gone on to train more than 1,000 students hailing from every continent on the globe.
through the doors of Brewlab and as we enter 2019, one thing is clearer than ever for the company’s founder. “When starting out, you need to know where you are going to tell your beer. I can’t stress that enough,” he explains. “Investigate every avenue possible and find what’s best for you. Complement what goes into the wild
Training courses offered are relevant to the first time
with self retail and where possible, a taproom. Develop
brewer, through to professionals who are seeking to keep
that connection to your audience and they’ll develop a
their skills and knowledge updated.
connection to you, too."
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28 November 2018
Brewers Congress
G eorgina
Y oung
S pe ak e r
NEVER LOSE YOUR CREATIVE SPARK Regardless how big your brewery grows, you should never lose your creative spark, believes Georgina Young, head brewer at Fuller’s.
F
uller's Georgina Young, who has been instrumental in many phases of the West London brewery’s growth and expansion, was appointed to the role of head brewer at the beginning of 2017.
In her time at the company, she has overseen the
installation of a new Crossflow membrane filter and a continuous beer stabilisation system. She has also been key in the brewing of Fuller’s beers such as Honey Dew, Jack Frost, Oliver’s Island and Session IPA. Young took over the position from John Keeling, who retired from the company in an ambassadorial capacity, at the end of September this year. Upon her promotion, it was noted that Young became
release schedule for 2019 that will enable every member of the brewing team to flex their creative muscles. “At Fuller’s we are much like any other brewery. You need to learn to adapt and give the consumer what they want,” she says. “We’re currently a 50/50 split between
the company’s first female head brewer. But speaking
cask output and chilled, filtered beers. That split has
at last year’s Brewers Congress, John Keeling made one
changed over time but as a brewery, you need to by
point abundantly clear.
dynamic.
“Georgina Young is the new head brewer at Fuller’s. She’s the new head brewer because there is simply nobody more suited to the role than Georgina Young. End of story,” he said. And those that have met Georgina, who is the Chairman of the Southern Section of the IBD, a director of
“And next year we will release a new cask and new keg beer each month. These things really excite me.” The New England IPA produced on the brewery’s pilot kit is being scaled up for wider release later this year, and such moves represent a shift at Fuller’s, says Young. She explains: “I think we’re being a bit braver with what
Cask Marque and a member of the Worshipful Company
we do. We’ve worked with lots of excellent, younger
of Brewers, will know that she has embraced the
breweries and we’ve learned from each other. It’s a good
opportunity with both hands.
place to be but you always have to remember who you
“I feel as if it’s the start of a new journey for me and Fuller’s. I have the upmost respect for John and have
are, too. “Regardless of the beers we make, it is underpinned
learned a great deal from him. But it’s a new feeling to be
with the desire to be creative. We will never lose sight of
able to help lead the fantastic brewing team we have at
that.”
Fuller’s on a day-to-day basis,” she explains. Young is enthused with the team around her and also the beers they will go on to make. A new pilot kit installed on the brewery’s grounds has already resulted
Young is also passionate about developing her brewing team and supporting them in gaining qualifications she personally has in abundance. “You should always be looking to continuous
in numbers such as Thai Stout, Grapefruit IPA and a New
improvement,” she says. “And when we look to produce
England IPA. Beers that have received unanimous positive
new beers, I want our brewing team to give things a try
feedback.
because if you don’t, you’ll never know. It’s ok to fail,
In addition to that, Young has has overseen a beer
congress.brewersjournal.info
because that’s all part of the learning process.”
28 November 2018
25
C on g r e ss
s p onso r
L allemand
We Brew with you Supported by decades of long-standing industry experience, an extensive support network and strong technical expertise, Lallemand Brewing is positioned to help your brewery achieve its growth and quality goals. Beyond an unparalleled global technical support and expertise, we offer an extensive range of products, services and education.
L
allemand’s presence in the brewing
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the world rely on the AB Vickers line thanks to the
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member of the Lallemand Brewing family, for over 140
Lallemand Brewing wants to help your brewery
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At Lallemand Brewing... we brew with you
B
rewers dry yeast typically carries over 93% dry matter. The most meticulous conditions are applied during manufacture to avoid microbial
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allemand Brewing offers distinctive lines of
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Dry yeast is packaged in 500g or 11g sachets and must
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storage under 4˚C (39˚F) is recommended, this will be
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2
28 November 2018
Brewers Congress
lallemand
con g r e ss
s p onso r
appropriate conditions, dry yeast can be used up to the expiration date mentioned on the package. Once a pack is open it is recommended to use the yeast as quickly as possible. Rehydration is a crucial step to ensure rapid and complete fermentation. There are important rules to follow to slowly transition the cells back to a liquid phase. Careful precautions were taken when drying the yeast and the brewer has the opportunity to revert the process to obtain a highly viable and vital liquid slurry.
Bacteria for brewing
F
ramed within the new WildBrew product line, and following our continuous effort to be innovative, Lallemand Brewing is pleased to
introduce to the market a series of bacteria products used for beer brewing. Exceeding in quality, purity, and performance, the bacteria products from Lallemand Brewing’s WildBrew product line offer avant-garde brewers a new set of products so that they can showcase their creativity and expertise. The first product of this exciting line is WildBrew Sour Pitch, a ready-to-use dried bacteria specifically selected for its ability to produce a wide range of sour beer styles. WildBrew Sour Pitch is a ready-to-use, high-
yeast cells are placed in stressful brewing environments, which can be caused by a wide variety of conditions.
performance, and high-purity lactic acid bacteria
These conditions range from high gravity environments,
specifically selected for its ability to produce a wide range
adjunct brewing or nutrient-poor wort, among many
of sour beer styles.
others.
WildBrew Sour Pitch produces a clean and balanced
Having inconsistent or tailing fermentation can lead to
citrus flavor profile typical of both traditional and modern
flavor defects, increased product waste, limited brewery
sour beer styles. When inoculated at optimal temperature
capacity and manufacturing downtime.
and the right conditions, it is a powerful, safe and
At Lallemand Brewing we have a strong range of yeast
easy way to handle bacteria for various beer souring
nutrients specially designed to give brewers flexibility and
techniques, such as a typical kettle souring process.
to deliver a more predictable and consistent fermentation.
Styles which can be brewed with WildBrew Sour Pitch
Enzymes
include, but are not limited to, Berliner Weisse, Gose, lambic, American Wild, and Sour IPA. WildBrew Sour Pitch will deliver unmatched consistency, effortless application, fully assured performance and unparalleled purity for brewing the sour beer style of your choice. Focus on your creativity and style and let WildBrew Sour Pitch do the rest
A
t Lallemand Brewing we offer a full complement of enzymes to aid your brewing process requirements. Whether you are improving your
wort run off, increasing extracts or preventing starch
Nutrients
L
carryover, you can be sure we have the right enzyme. All enzymes are non-GMO derived.
Processing aids
everaging our technical expertise and knowledge in yeast manufacturing, Lallemand Brewing has developed of a range of yeast nutrients designed
to support, aid and supplement fermentation processes. During fermentation, brewing yeast can struggle to achieve consistent performance. This happens when
congress.brewersjournal.info
L
allemand Brewing is also proud to offer brewers around the world the AB Vickers’ wide range of process aids and additives for optimizing capacity,
improving processes and delivering cost-savings.
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s SV
LTD
A step ahead SSV Limited has taken great strides in recent years, supplying and serving customers such as Northern Monk, Verdant and Tiny Rebel, among others. For company founder Sam Lawson, the business and its customers are well set for even greater success in 2019 onwards.
2
018 has been a year of growth for the Leeds-
group of customers following growth in the Brewhouse
based company. With sales of the newly
division, means the company now offer full installation
designed brew-bloc brewhouse system
and commissioning. Further reducing the time between
hitting double figures and the demand for
order and first brew.
their Hopinator far surpassing expectation.
Managing director and founder Sam Lawson thinks the
future is bright for the small business. He explains: “We’re delighted with the growth we’ve seen over the last 18 months. There’s a real buzz within
To ensure SSV Limited stay ahead of the ever changing industry and to ensure the company has a complete technical brewing offering they have recently appointed two full time qualified brewers to join the team. Venkatesh Iyer, former head brewer at Leeds Brewery,
the brewing industry and we believe we’ve got the
joined the company in October and brings a wealth of
perfect range of products to attract a wide range of
knowledge from his input and involvement in growing
customers. We’ve invested a substantial amount of time
Leeds Brewery.
and money into developing our products and ensuring
In November, James Campbell, former head brewer
the best possible value for money and delivery times.
and co-founder at Cloudwater Brewing joined the team.
We’re pleased that our customers have responded to this
James was instrumental in the meteoric growth of the
which can be seen our order book.”
brewery and together the two new starters will offer
When they launched their new brew-bloc design, for a simplified installation of the modern craft brewhouses, at
consultancy to all SSV Limited clients old and new. Their continued investment in new technologies,
the 2017 Drinktec trade show in Munich, they expected to
equipment, R&D and staff means the small company
sell a handful in the first year.
now offer not only affordable quality equipment but the
Lawson says: “Brewhouse installations took several months prior to our new design, but all of a sudden we
knowledge and expertise to work with customers to help grow their brewery for years to come.
could install and commission a brewhouse from delivery
Products
to completion within a couple weeks”. With no compromise on quality and a price point most find hard to beat, the company has more than tripled their original estimates. The addition of a full UK based installation & commissioning team, to support the ever expanding
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s well as the new 2, 3, 4 & 5 vessel brew-block brewhouse and a full range of tanks, including fermentors, dual purpose vessels and bright beer
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s SV
LTD
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tanks, SSV Limited have designed and manufactured a unique Hopinator to increase the hop utilisation during dry hoping. With more than fourty sales in the six months it’s proved both a popular and invaluable addition to any brewery.
Customer focus
W
ith customers such as North Brew, S. A. Brains, Northern Monk, Verdant, Tiny Rebel and William Brothers along with having just
completed installations for By The River Brew co, and Salt Beer Factory, Lawson is optimistic. “2019 is going to be another busy year for us but we’re confident our product and our service is up for the challenge. We stand by the quality of our products and invite potential customers to visit our kit at any of our installations,” he explains. In just four years since SSV have started, they have managed to turn the brewing industry upside-down and they are not stopping there. With new products, services and a webshop to be launched in the new year. For more information on SSV Limited or to discuss your brewing needs contact sales@ssvlimited.co.uk or call 0113 873 0021 www.ssvlimited.co.uk
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M untons
More than just a maltster Muntons are a little different from the average maltster. They make malt, of course. Producing around 200,000 tonnes each year, no less. And being based in the centre of the finest barley growing region in the world, it's very good malt it is too. But Muntons are more than just a maltster.
S
ince its inception nearly a hundred years
facilities, one that has provided exactly what was needed
ago, Muntons began life making malt extract
to get them closer to understanding the needs of their
in their converted brewery in Bedford. Then
customers.
moved to their 45-acre site in Stowmarket, in the heart of the East Anglian malting barley
Their stainless steel, 100-litre test brewery housed within their Centre for Excellence was designed and
region. They constructed their innovative Boby Drum
made especially for Muntons. Not only is it a complete
maltings at their new site, well-designed and still used to
replica of a modern craft brewery, capable of test brewing
this day. They built another maltings in 1965 in Yorkshire
all types of beer, but it is used to develop new homebrew
to supply demand from northern breweries and the
recipes and to emulate the wort production from their
Scotch whisky industry and in the 1970’s expanded their
full-sized malt extract plant.
capacity further with the addition of their cedar maltings at Stowmarket. Meanwhile their malted ingredients business grew
This facility has proved useful for developing malt extracts without having to interrupt mainstream production, saving money on potentially wasted material
as interest in high quality, clean label malted ingredients
from full scale production trials. Within their facility
became more prevalent in an increasingly health
they are able to replicate all of their many production
conscious world. In addition their malt extract, where
processes including evaporation, vacuum band drying
they stand as the largest manufacturer in Europe and,
and spraydrying. Customers and potential customers
arguably, the largest sales manufacturer in the world, but
can book the facility to hold brainstorming and product
also malt flours, kibbles, flakes, flour blends and beer
development sessions and also tap into the expertise
making kits.
readily on hand with Muntons in-house baker, food
The brewing industry has always been important to Muntons but it is perhaps the rapidly growing craft
technologist and head brewer. For years, Muntons have been regarded as leaders
brewing movement which has benefitted most from
in the field of sustainability, taking their environmental
Muntons approach towards innovation. They recognised
responsibilities very seriously. They have even coined
that the only way to drive development of their products
a phrase which sums up their beliefs: P.S. Practical
in the right direction was to increase their understanding
Sustainability – it’s no afterthought. This is so ingrained
of how their products were being used in real-world
within Muntons that it forms an integral part of their
applications.
project process, with the environmental benefits clearly
This led to the construction of their Centre for
forming a major part of the decision-making process.
Excellence, a state-of-the-art new product development
This year they have again proved themselves at
and innovation facility which was built in the height of the
the forefront of the global malting industry. They are
credit crunch at a cost of half a million pounds. A bold
the first maltster in the world to have signed up to The
investment yet with a test brewery, test bakery and test
Science Based Target Initiative, setting an ambitious 45%
kitchen, sensory evaluation and meeting/conference
reduction of their carbon footprint within 15 years based
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on their 2010 level. Over the past six years they have
facilities offered within their Centre for Excellence to
invested in excess of ÂŁ11.3 million in projects which bring
develop workable recipes for innovative new beers and
environmental benefits, such as reductions in carbon
lagers. This cost-effective development method ensures
footprint and reduced energy use. But they are not just
that these fully developed and proven new beers can be
content at looking at their own environmental impact.
confidently released by the customer onto the market
They have worked with the Government to help produce a carbon footprint calculator for the farming
following full scale production at their brewery. Muntons are a little different. They consider how
industry, and with fertiliser manufacturers and farmers to
markets are moving and use their innovation and new
encourage the development and use of abated fertilisers,
product development facilities to create products
which offer significant reductions in CO2 emissions. And
relevant for brewers and manufacturers alike to capitalise
at the other end of the supply chain have developed
on market opportunities. They care passionately about
recipes which can reduce bake time by up to 15% for
malt and the environment, vital for good growing
products such as bread rolls, cakes and muffins, bringing
conditions and a good crop, investing wisely to minimise
significant energy savings to their customers.
their environmental impact. And they know a lot about
Consumers are continuing to show growing interest
malt and the benefits it can bring.
in new and innovate products as is clearly seen within
Not just in brewing and distilling but within a wide
the burgeoning craft brewing market. A market which
range of food, confectionery and beverage applications.
has clearly bucked the general trend, with craft brewed
An advantage of being not just a maltster but a
beer sales growing year on year. Interest in the new and
manufacturer of ingredients made from their malt. It
unusual is driving innovative craft brewers to experiment
is perhaps this broad understanding of how malt is
with fresh new flavours and beer styles to satisfy
used, the benefits it brings and their craving to innovate
consumer cravings.
and develop that makes Muntons stand out from the
Muntons have worked with many brewers both regional and craft, using their pilot brewery and the
congress.brewersjournal.info
crowd. They see nothing wrong with being just a little bit different, as the French would say: ‘vive la difference’.
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Q C L
Bringing Quality Control to the Brewery
CDR BeerLab: The Importance of Analysis for Consistency QCL has been serving laboratory scientists in the UK for more than 35 years, providing innovative, rapid analytical testing products for a wide range of industries.
T
here are hundreds of factors that can affect
Quarterly Analysis
the flavour of your beer – Yeast, Hops, Malt, Fermentation temperature, Mash temperature, water chemistry… but how many parameters are measured in your
finished product to ensure a consistent flavour profile? The main four parameters frequently tested in finished
beer include:
Parameter
Common Test
Alcohol (% ABV)
Specific Gravity calculation
Specific Gravity calculation
Grain bill calculation/colour chart
pH
pH probe and meter
Bitterness (IBU)
Calculated from alpha acid % and hop utilisation
Monthly Analysis
I don’t think anyone would argue that the bitterness of a beer is one of the most important factors when judging the flavour of a beer; however it is rare that bitterness is routinely measured on the finished product, instead it is calculated from the alpha acid content and hop utilisation of the Brewhouse with full analysis run by an external laboratory every 3 – 6 months. u If bitterness is such an important flavour component of your finished product, why is it measured so infrequently? u What happens if a new hop season affects your IBU pickup? u What if you replace an element in the kettle that improves utilisation? Here is a comparison for the difference between quarterly and monthly testing for a 30 IBU beer:
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28 November 2018
At first glance, Quarterly analysis might look as if your beer is consistently testing to specification; however the data from Monthly analysis shows that more data points can shed light on changes in the brewery that might not be apparent through Quarterly analysis. This is crucial for delivering a consistent product to your customer. Colour is also important for consistency of flavour
Brewers Congress
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due to a change in EBC value arising from varying levels of roasted/caramelised malts. Again, colour is usually estimated using a calculation and roughly checked against a colour chart, but could be measured more accurately to give the brewer more control over consistency.
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Mash analysis Fermentable Sugars (Glu, Fru, Mal)
15 – 200 g/L
Starch
0.10 – 10.0 g/L
FAN (Post Boil)
30 – 300 ppm
CDR BeerLab – Consistency Throughout the Brewing Process The CDR BeerLab can provide quick and accurate analysis of your finished product, giving you in-house
Yeast Health Yeast Vitality
analysis for the main four specification tests – ABV, IBU,
VDK
colour, and pH.
Yeast Count
Where in the brewery can I use the BeerLab?
Finished beer
Liquor Treatment Calcium
5 – 250 ppm
Magnesium
2 – 50 ppm
5 – 100 IBU
Bicarbonate
0 – 300 ppm
Colour
1 – 100 EBC
Chloride
100 – 500 ppm
pH
3.60 – 6.00
Sulfate
20 – 250 ppm
Zinc
0.05 – 1 ppm
Alcohol by Volume
0.1 – 17.0 % v/v
Bitterness
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#MadeWithMuntons
Muntons - Est. 1921 -
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N C O N TA C T: MUNTONS DIRECT SALES
Katie Richardson
David Hannah
South & Ireland
Scotland & Northern England
07979 537759
Katie.richardson@muntons.com
07525 809093
David.hannah@muntons.com
DISTRIBUTOR SALES
Total Brewing Supplies
Absolute Brewing Supplies
Staffordshire Brewery
North East, Yorkshire & Humberside, East Midlands
Wales, South West & Hampshire
North West & West Midlands
01636 823909
01733 700089
01538 361919
gary@totalbrewingsupplies.co.uk
sales@absolutebrewingsupplies.com
info@staffordshirebrewery.co.uk
Muntons plc, Cedars Maltings, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 2AG T: 01449 618300 muntons.com
y b e R
Food The
Business
The podcast for the food and drink industry From Reby Media, we bring you The Food Business. If you’re in the industry, or just super interested in all-things foodie, then this is right up your alley. Our informative and entertaining fortnightly episodes will keep you in the know. We’re a British-focused show, bringing you the best stories from the industry featuring authentic, and sometimes candid inter-
views. You’ll hear personal stories about big successes, failures, and lessons learnt from industry heavyweights and successful startups. We’ll be investigating the biggest trends, developments in technology and food science. Experienced journalist, editor, and host to The Brewers Lectures, Rhian Owen, co-hosts The Food Business alongside producer and journalist Bernadette Ballantyne.
Listen at: foodbusiness.reby.media
DESIGN & SUPPLY OF BREWHOUSES
LIQUID PROCESS & STORAGE VESSELS
PROCESS PIPEWORK
DELIVERY & INSTALLATION
THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND THE CRAFT +44 113 873 0021
sales@ssvlimited.co.uk
@SSVLimited
Photograph shows SSV Brewhouse installation at Salt Beer Factory.
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