Yeast isn’t just doing the work, it’s writing the entire flavor story.

In this episode of The BrewDeck Podcast, we get into what yeast is really doing in spirit distillation and why it’s way more than a sugar-to-alcohol machine.

With insights from Denise Jones (Fermentis) and Kevin Kawa (AB Biotek), we break down how fermentation variables shape the final spirit. Temperature, pH, and strain selection aren’t just technical choices, they’re flavor decisions. We also explore how yeast innovation is evolving, from non-traditional strains to new research giving distillers more control across different mash bills. It’s less guesswork, more intention.

The takeaway: the more dialed-in your yeast strategy is, the more distinct your spirit becomes.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, this episode highlights the women helping to shape the future of barley and agriculture.

We’re joined by Ashley McFarland, President of the American Malting Barley Association, and Miranda Gibson, third-generation farmer at B & H Farming. Together they discuss barley research, sustainable farming practices, and how collaboration across the supply chain supports both brewers and growers.

From the Baselining Barley Project and government advocacy to on-farm innovations like soil moisture sensors and solar energy, this conversation explores how sustainability, technology, and leadership are helping the barley industry evolve.

If you're a brewer, farmer, craft beer enthusiast, or just looking for stories of leadership, resilience, and breaking new ground, this conversation is for you too.

Brittany, Heather and Matt go deep on lagers, adjuncts, and the quiet chaos that makes great beer possible.

We’re talking:

• Wiseacre Brewing and the art of patience behind Tiny Bomb, a flagship Pilsner that carries half their production (plus a very real bird-in-the-whirlpool moment )
• Live Oak + Hold Out Brewing teaming up for Spudweiser, a potato-powered lager with award-winning results and a surf-ready spud on the label.
• Epiphany Craft Malt breaking down rice malting, heirloom grains, and why local ingredients are shaping the future of brewing lagers.

Hit play for brewing stories, fermentation talk, collaboration magic, and a whole lot of cereal-grain chaos.