This year alone, I’ve seen multiple breweries unknowingly bleed cash through their refrigeration systems. Why? Because chillers are often misunderstood, undersized or poorly maintained. And they happen to be one of the biggest operational costs in any brewery. In this episode, I sit down with Jon Keyte from RefCool, one of the sharpest minds in refrigeration, to break down everything a brewer needs to know about chillers. From sizing to heat recovery, operational efficiency and how you ca...

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do you actually become a great brewer?” this episode is for you. We’re joined by the brilliant Georgina Young, Brewing Director at @St_Austell_Brewery and one of the most respected figures in British beer, to unpack the real story behind learning, mentorship and development in brewing. From running Fuller’s iconic Griffin Brewery to now leading brewing at St. Austell, Georgina shares an honest, insightful, and often funny look at what it takes to grow gre...

What happens when a brewery grows really fast…but still wants to make world-class beer? In this episode, I sit down with Mark Gammons, Head of Operations at Tiny Rebel, to talk about what it actually takes to scale production without sacrificing flavour, brand or quality. We dive deep into the balance between efficiency and volume, how Mark manages production, expansion and quality and why your brew team might be more important than the brewery itself. Expect honest reflections, trie...

Ever wondered what it’s like to brew at one of the countries most historic and respected breweries? Or have you ever wondered what it would be like to manage a dual yeast strain? In this fun but insight-packed episode, I sit down with Fergus Fitzgerald & Dan Gooderham from Adnams to talk about their truly unique brewing approach, the quirks of square fermenters and the art of managing a dual yeast strain. Expect great stories, funny anecdotes and plenty of knowledge bombs as we di...

Innovation and NPD in Beer 🍻 New Product Development - Something DEYA are industry leading in without question! When brewers from outside the UK ask me ‘which UK brewery should I try’ I nearly always say DEYA. Why? Because I know, whatever the style that person loves, DEYA will nail it. That, in my opinion, is world class NPD. In this episode, I sit down with Gareth Moore from DEYA to dive deep into their NPD process and what’s coming up in 2025. We talk hop selection, relationships ...

Is Craft Beer Doomed? ☠️ Is it f*%k. I'm sure, like most, you are sick to death of the relentless doom and gloom surrounding the craft beer industry. "It's too saturated" "Brewery closures LEAP 49%" "Cost of living means people are spending less" In this episode I sit down with the iconic Luca Lorenzoni to discuss exactly why these tpyes of headlines are absolutely wrong. Luca's experience of delivering consistent craft brewery growth over a long successful career, speaks for itself. My...

2024 was a year to remember in brewing! 🍺 From sustainability wins to industry shake-ups, join me, Chris as I share: 🖐️ My top 5 brewing highlights 👨‍🏫 Lessons learned across the year 🔮 Bold predictions for what 2025 might bring Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to the Show! 02:12 - 2024 in Review: The Biggest Wins 07:45 - Chris’s Top 5 Moments of 2024 15:32 - Sustainability: Where Are We Winning? 21:05 - Brewing Predictions for 2025 28:50 = The Challenges We Need to Face 34:12 - Listener Question...

The Best of 2024: My top 5 This year has been crazy! 🎙️ From hitting 10k downloads to ranking in the top 10% of podcasts globally, the show couldn't have done it without YOU. Join me, Chris as I revisit my 5 favourite clips of the year—moments that made us think, laugh, and reassess what we all believe as brewers 🍻 A huge shout out to this episode’s sponsor, Brewing Trade. Tune in now and celebrate an epic year with me! 🎉 🔗 Chris' LinkedIn Send us a text

In this episode, we dive into the art and evolution of Beavertown’s branding with none other than Nick Dwyer, the creative mind behind Beavertown’s iconic look. From the home brew kits in the early days to navigating life under Heineken, Nick shares a candid glimpse into the world of brewery design and its challenges. What you'll learn: 💀 How Beavertown’s unique branding came to life 🏗️ The highs and lows of merging creativity with commercial goals 💘 Why authenticity is non-negotiable in b...

In this episode of the Modern Brewer podcast, we focus on the growth of non-alcoholic beer, featuring an in-depth discussion with Jordan Childs, founder of Mash Gang. A leading non-alcoholic craft beer brewery. Jordan discusses the challenges and intricacies of brewing non-alcoholic beer, including recipe development, stabilisation and market perception. We touch on the importance of proper cleaning practices in brewing and the innovative methods Mash Gang employs to maintain quality. L...

Ep 33 - How to Get to Net Zero: George Wade - Zevero Every brewery wants to be more Sustainable — but what does it really take to get there? In this episode, George Wade, founder of Zevero, guides us through the realities of reaching Net Zero. From the basics of carbon neutrality to the practical steps every brewery can take, George breaks down complex sustainability challenges into actionable insights. We dive deep into the hurdles breweries face on their journey to Net Zero, from under...

Wastewater: Craft Beer’s Dirty Secret 💧🤐 The topic that no brewer wants to talk about. Wastewater. But what if that “waste” could power your brewery? In this "Tomorrow's World" style episode, Dr. Thomas Fudge, Founder of WASE, reveals how wastewater can be converted into valuable biogas—turning pollution into power. With brewing as a significant contributor to water waste, Dr. Fudge challenges the industry to rethink wastewater as an untapped resource. Explore the science, real-life exam...

In this episode of The Modern Brewer Podcast, we sit down with Felix James, the mastermind behind Small Beer’s world-class water efficiency. Discover how they’ve redefined brewery operations with radical concepts like the Dry Floor Policy - NO floor drains, NO hoses, just innovative water-saving techniques that brewers globally are taking note of. Felix breaks down their approach to minimizing water use, from rethinking wort cooling to using hot water sanitizing over chemicals. Whether ...

In this episode of The Modern Brewer Podcast, I sit down with Chris White, the founder of White Labs and a true G.O.A.T in the brewing industry. From pioneering yeast research to shaping the future of fermentation, Chris has been instrumental in the evolution of brewing science. Get an inside look at Chris's journey, the pivotal moments that defined his career, and his thoughts on the role of yeast in brewing today. We cover everything from common yeast misconceptions to how brewers can...

Get exclusive early access to the 2024 hop harvest insights from both America 🇺🇸 and Germany 🇩🇪 in this episode of The Modern Brewer Podcast! Myself, Chris Lewington is joined by Douglas Mackinnon, providing an independent resource for brewers looking to navigate the ever-evolving hop market. With practical advice on how to play the market this year, this episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about brewing in 2024. This is a true world exclusive, the only source of independent 20...

Is pulse cooling the game-changer that we’ve all been waiting for? In this episode of The Modern Brewer Podcast I, Chris Lewington, chat with Jassa Amir-Lang and Alex Marschall about the future of cooling beer and its impact on sustainability. From energy efficiency to environmental impact, this episode delves into the factors that could make pulse cooling the next truly implementable innovation in brewing. Take a chill and listen to this brrrilllll-iant episode and its genuinely impleme...

Ever looked East? The Asian beer market has been in many breweries expansion plan for years…but should it? In this episode of The Modern Brewer Podcast, join me, Chris Lewington as I’m joined by with brewing veteran Neil Playfoot to explore the ins and outs of the Asian beer market. From China's “booming” beer market to the rise of IPAs, Neil shares his insights on everything East of Europe. Whether you're considering brewing in Asia, distributing or sourcing equipment - this episode i...

Keeping history alive, the Burton Union Join me, Chris Lewington and Thornbridge’s Rob & Ben as we discuss how they keep an old brewing system alive as part of their brewery’s future. We get into the nitty-gritty of how they acquired such an amazing piece of brewing history, what brewing on this system is actually like and how it affects the final beer! This is a groundbreaking project that I’m so privileged to discuss with the team. Listen on your favourite podcasting app NOW! 00:0...

I'm bringing you cutting-edge research conducted by myself (Chris Lewington), Gipsy Hill Brewery, Pneumatech & H&M Compressors & Pumps. We set to see if nitrogen at 99.5% purity is fit for purpose in a craft brewery set-up. This is the first of its kind research and it is being first aired on the Modern Brewer Podcast. This episode will also divulge the optimum usage of Nitrogen as found by Gipsy Hill and recommended best practises. Here are the episode chapters: Pre-Tri...

💃🎉🎈 Happy 1 Year Anniversary Everyone!!! With me is Alix Blease from Lallemand, this episode is targeted at brewers looking to repitch their yeast. We will cover everything from start to finish and by the end you should have the confidence, understanding and know-how to stop the dreaded pitch and ditch and start maximising the yeast you purchase. If you are already repitching your yeast, don’t drop out just yet, I am sure you will want to confirm that you are repitching your yeast cor...