In today's episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mike Shield, a dedicated brewer with a wealth of experience at various breweries. We explored his journey in the brewing industry, discussed the finer points of beer production, and shared his insights on maintaining product consistency while navigating the complexities of the supply chain. Mike also illuminated the challenges and rewards of working in both small and large brewery settings, offering valuable advice to aspiring brewers.

Mike Shield graduated in May 2020 from a brewing program he started in 2018. He began his career with an internship at Highwire, landed a job at Wedge, and has since spent two years at Highland Brewing Company, where he transitioned from the cellar to the brewing deck. Mike is passionate about beer, particularly lagers and IPAs, and emphasizes the importance of sensory analysis and finding peace with repetitive tasks in brewing.

"Yeast management is both an art and a science, requiring genius and rigorous algorithms."

Today on Consuming the Craft:

· Sensory sessions can be challenging but are essential in refining a brewer's palate and maintaining quality control.

· Larger breweries must adapt to changing growing seasons and ingredient variations to maintain consistency.

· Working in a small brewery allows for greater involvement in the end product, while larger breweries focus on repetitive tasks and team culture.

· Yeast management is complex and crucial, demanding high precision and advanced tools like cellometers and PCR kits.

· Avoiding production downtime and ensuring product quality involve comprehensive cross-training and a robust production schedule.

· Expanding distribution without proper marketing and sales support can negatively impact customer experience due to product shelf life.

· The craft beer scene in Argentina and Chile is growing, offering potential collaboration opportunities.

· Continuous learning is vital in the ever-evolving brewing industry, challenging the concept of 'Master Brewer.'

Resources Mentioned:

• Michter's Small Batch Bourbon

• Contact Mike: Highland Brewing Company

This episode is brought to you by…

McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market. Visit the McConnell Farms website to learn more about our seasonal inventory and the delicious creations you can make with our homegrown produce.

Consuming the Craft

Thanks for tuning into this week’s Consuming the Craft Podcast episode, brought to you by AB Tech’s Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more craft beverage enthusiasts.

To learn more about AB Tech and the Craft Beer Institute of the Southeast, visit our website.

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Wylie DiaMond, a passionate distiller and recent graduate, to discuss his journey through the world of spirits, including single malt, gin, and whiskey. Wylie shared the exciting news about his company's expansion in their whiskey program, including a new barrel selection initiative that allows consumers to indulge in custom flavor profiles. We also touched on Wylie's impressive background, from salmon fishing in Alaska to completing his captain's license program, as well as his plans for the future and his burgeoning interest in coaching football.

Wylie DiaMond is a recent graduate as of May 2024, with a strong interest in distillation. During his education, he interned at a local distillery called the Chemist and pursued a captain's licensing program. Before diving into the distillation world, Wylie worked as a salmon fisherman in Alaska for five years. His journey through the AB Tech brewing, distillation, and fermentation program has been marked by dedication and a passion for the craft. Now working at the Chemist, Wylie continues to develop his expertise in creating distilled beverages.

"The idea of consumers being part of the whiskey production process

is incredibly exciting and revolutionary." ~Wylie DiaMond

Today on Consuming the Craft:

· Wylie's company is expanding its whiskey program and has introduced a barrel selection initiative for custom flavor profiles.

· Consumer involvement in whiskey production is a novel and engaging concept.

· Wylie’s background includes working as a salmon fisherman and pursuing a captain's licensing program.

· Wylie interned and now works at a local distillery called the Chemist, furthering his knowledge in distillation.

· Pursuing the AB Tech brewing, distillation, and fermentation program was challenging yet rewarding for Wylie.

· Wylie is considering getting involved with coaching football, though Puff advises him on the importance of mental health breaks.

· Puff also covered the job opportunities in the spirits industry and Wylie's potential future plans.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Distillery: The Chemist

• Monkey 47 Gin

• Old Edwards Hotel

This episode is brought to you by…

McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market. Visit the McConnell Farms website to learn more about our seasonal inventory and the delicious creations you can make with our homegrown produce.

Consuming the Craft

Thanks for tuning into this week’s Consuming the Craft Podcast episode, brought to you by AB Tech’s Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more craft beverage enthusiasts.

To learn more about AB Tech and the Craft Beer Institute of the Southeast, visit our website.

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of catching up with John Lyda, a celebrated faculty member at AB Tech and, perhaps, an accidental fashionista, with our mutual thoughts on jorts. We recorded live from the AVL Beer Expo at Battery Park in Asheville, where we discussed everything from the hustle and heat of the event to the educational endeavors of our students in the brewing, distillation, and fermentation program. John shared insights on the broad array of internships our students undertake, aimed at providing real-world experience to complement their classroom learning.

John Lyda has been a cornerstone in the brewing education community. With his extensive background and on-the-ground experience, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of many budding beverage professionals. His commitment to hands-on learning and his personable approach makes him an invaluable asset to the Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast at AB Tech.

"We try to keep it where they don't do the packaging, the whole internship.

Learn a little bit more." ~ Puff

Today on Consuming the Craft:

· The AVL Beer Expo at Battery Park in Asheville played host to our lively conversation about the craft beverage industry.

· AB Tech's brewing, distillation, and fermentation program offers students a 250-mile radius to find internships after their first year.

· Internships are designed to provide a rotation of roles so students can explore different facets of the industry, including quality control, marketing, and sales.

· The ultimate goal of the internships is not just about learning but also about job placement, often resulting in job offers post-internship.

· The only two-year degree in the country for an Associate of Applied Science in Brewing, Distillation, and Fermentation is offered at AB Tech.

· Students who excel during their internships often land jobs and continue to work during their second year of the program, adding substantial experience to their resumes.

· The Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast offers tours and utilizes commercial equipment to provide hands-on training for students.

· The college aims to ensure students are well-rounded professionals ready for the craft beverage industry through rigorous coursework and practical experience.

Resources Mentioned:

• Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast at AB Tech

This episode is brought to you by…

McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market. Visit the McConnell Farms website to learn more about our seasonal inventory and the delicious creations you can make with our homegrown produce.

Consuming the Craft

Thanks for tuning into this week’s Consuming the Craft Podcast episode, brought to you by AB Tech’s Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts | GooglePlay

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more craft beverage enthusiasts.

To learn more about AB Tech and the Craft Beer Institute of the Southeast, visit our website.