490: Mike Stein and Pete Jones of Lost Lagers Look Back at American Brewing Over the Past 250 Years

Mike Stein and Pete Jones are brewing buffs and historians based in the Washington, D.C., area, and the intersection of those two interests has proven to be fertile ground over the past decade. Through their consultancy Lost Lagers and Extinct Ales, they’ve done the research and helped surface recipes and process information about brewing in the founding years of the United States—for example, this recipe for an 18th century pale ale, from an English cookbook found among Martha Washington’s belongings.

In this episode, the two share a glimpse into what brewing was like in those formative years, and they chart the milestones as brewing developed from a household-based enterprise in the 13 colonies to an industrial business in the 50 states.

Along the way, the two discuss:

• beer versus ale in the context of the 1700s
• persimmon beer and the growth of local ingredients
• digging into historical records to recreate historical recipes and brewing processes
• updating historical recipes to modern ingredients
• cleaning historical malt with lobsters
• malt choices in modern beers to approximate less-consistent malt in past centuries
• brewing with wheat bran
• the shift from brewing on estates to brewing as a business
• America’s diverse brewing history

And more.

This episode is brought to you by:

G&D Chillers
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Berkeley Yeast
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PakTech
This episode is sponsored by PakTech—delivering craft-beer multipacking you can trust. Our handles are made from 100 percent recycled plastic and are fully recyclable, helping breweries close the loop and advance the circular economy. With a minimalist design, durable functionality you can rely on, and custom color matching, our carriers help brands stand out while staying sustainable. Trusted by craft brewers nationwide, we offer a smarter, sustainable way to carry your beer. To learn more, visit paktech-opi.com.

Indie Hops
Oregon hop country is heaven to world-class lager varieties, and Indie Hops is proud to have introduced Oregon’s newest lager hop, Lórien, in 2022. Lórien is in a growing list of beers that have found their way to the podium and—more importantly—into the hearts of lager lovers across the country. Discover Indie Hops Lórien. (Side effects may include rampant festivity, sales bumps, and exceeded expectations.) Indie Hops—Life is Short. Let’s Make It Flavorful.

Midea 50/50 Flex
This podcast is sponsored by the Midea 50/50 flex—the industry’s first dual-compartment three-way convertible freezer. The 50/50 Flex is designed to flex with your life. It can convert to all fridge, all freezer, or half and half with just the touch of a button. Plus, with reversible doors and adjustable storage compartments, you can stay organized no matter your food-storage needs. The 50/50 Flex is also designed to maintain a stable temperature even in non-climate-controlled spaces. So it’s perfect for your garage, man cave, or wherever you need a little more space. Maybe use all 20 cubic feet as a beer fridge! Check out Midea.com/us/ for more information on how to take your beer storage to the next level.

Briess Malting
Briess Malting has been supplying craft brewers with the highest quality base and specialty malts since the early 1980s. As Briess celebrates their 150th Anniversary this year, they are proud to remain a fifth-generation, family-owned company. They love to support the creativity and passion in craft brewing that results in amazing beers. All Briess malts are made in America, so you can count on a reliable supply chain. Barley is sourced from 300 growers in the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming and Montana. Plus, technical support is available through their Center of Malting Excellence. With 150 years of malting expertise, check out why so many craft brewers trust Briess for their specialty malt at BrewingWithBriess.com.

John I. Haas
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