357: Von Trapp Makes Conscious Process Choices For Lager Quality and Drinkability

357: Von Trapp Makes Conscious Process Choices For Lager Quality and Drinkability

While popular movies tell finite stories, the real lives of the people they feature don’t stop when the final credits roll. So, it was up to the von Trapp family—whose story was told with huge dramatic license in The Sound of Music—to write their own next chapters. They did so by establishing a popular, Austrian-inspired family lodge in northern Vermont—then, about 15 years ago, they opened a brewery just down the hill.

They launched with the goal of producing finely crafted European-style lagers, befitting the family’s heritage. Craft lagers weren’t exactly lighting up the sales charts at the time, but it was a long-term bet from a family that thinks in generations rather than quarterly returns. Now, with a beautiful automated Rolec brewhouse and an attached beer hall, they’re producing award-winning lagers at scale—including the Oktoberfest that we named one of our Best 18 Beers in 2018—all while making very intentional decisions about process and ingredients.

In this episode, brewing operations director Tom Everett and quality manager Jack Van Pappegem talk through their approach to ingredients and process, including:

  • avoiding decoction of many pale lagers, despite having an automated and dedicated decoction vessel
  • finishing pale lagers dry, but not too dry
  • using small amounts of specialty malts to build character
  • managing the grain crush
  • keeping a tight focus on pH
  • strategies to promote healthy fermentations
  • selecting yeast for the ideal character
  • lagering in cylindroconical unitanks
  • brewing Oktoberfest lager as well as dark lagers

And more.

This episode is brought to you by:

G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): At G&D Chillers they always strive to Build Great Chillers. Partner with them as you Build Great Beer. Choose G&D Chillers on your next Expansion or Brewery start up and receive 1 free year of Remote control and Monitoring of your new G&D Chiller!
ProBrew (https://www.probrew.com) By partnering with ProBrew, brewers can fill and seam their canned product at ranges from 100-600 cans per minute. Our unique filling process also ensures low dissolved oxygen pickup and focuses on product quality during the entire process. Visit probrew.com or email us at contactus@probrew.com.
Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Berry Blend, Blood Orange, Lemonade, and Tart Cherry are the latest additions to our lineup of flavored craft juice concentrate blends. To learn more and request your free samples, head over to oldorchard.com/brewer
Omega Yeast (https://omegayeast.com): Streamline efficiency with Omega Yeast’s Diacetyl Knock Out series. The DKO series is comprised of 8 familiar yeast strains engineered to knock out the formation of diacetyl before it starts. The strains you know, now better. Contact Omega Yeast today at omegayeast.com.
ABS Commercial (https://abs-commercial.com). ABS Commercial are proud to offer brewhouses, tanks, keg washers, and preventative maintenance parts to brewers across the country as well as equipment for distilling, cider-making, wine-making, and more! Contact them today at sales@abs-commercial.com to discuss your customized brewery needs.
Yakima Chief Hops Varietees (https://varietees.com). VarieTees Supply Co. offers hop apparel inspired by hop varieties, art, and community. Shop designs from various artists inspired by your favorite varieties including Citra, Simcoe, Sabro, and Mosaic! Shop VarieTees and use promo code CBB20 for 20% off at varietees.com.
OPA Design Studio (https://designopa.com): The architects at OPA Design Studio are your partners in developing the unique design you need. With over a decade of experience designing breweries, the folks at OPA are here to serve as your trusted experts from start to finish. Visit designopa.com to set up your no obligation introductory consultation today.
Craft Spirits & Distilling Podcast (https://spiritsanddistilling.com/podcasts/): If you’re a distiller or curious about it, check out the Craft Spirits & Distilling podcast. Click on the link and subscribe from your favorite podcast platform.

Jaksot(469)

461: Von Ebert and Zero Gravity Save Money and Make Better Beer with Process Aids

461: Von Ebert and Zero Gravity Save Money and Make Better Beer with Process Aids

In this episode, produced in partnership with RahrBSG, we’re taking a close look at process aids in the brewhouse and cellar, from anti-foaming agents and finings to enzymes and more. Whether you’re t...

24 Helmi 1h 8min

460: How Notch and Halfway Crooks Formulate Recipes for Tasty (and Convincing) Nonalcoholic Beer

460: How Notch and Halfway Crooks Formulate Recipes for Tasty (and Convincing) Nonalcoholic Beer

Last week, we hosted a series of three webinars focused on different aspects of nonalcoholic brewing. In this episode of the podcast, we share an excerpt from the first session—focused on formulation—...

21 Helmi 59min

459: Zach Typinksi of Urbanrest Brews Gold Medal Pilsner Without Pilsner Malt

459: Zach Typinksi of Urbanrest Brews Gold Medal Pilsner Without Pilsner Malt

Generally speaking, there’s some correlation between brewery scale and lager quality—and while there are plenty of exceptions to that rule, there’s no denying that honing lagers into the best versions...

13 Helmi 1h 9min

458: Tom Nielsen of Emberside Redraws the Boundaries between the Science and the Art of Beer

458: Tom Nielsen of Emberside Redraws the Boundaries between the Science and the Art of Beer

Through his decades of work in the brewing industry, many spent in R&D and quality at Sierra Nevada, Tom Nielsen has played a critical role in getting craft beer a seat at the broader brewing table. W...

6 Helmi 1h 18min

457: Cory Buenning of Fritz Family Focuses on Highly Attenuated Lagers With Perfect Proteins

457: Cory Buenning of Fritz Family Focuses on Highly Attenuated Lagers With Perfect Proteins

Fritz Family founder Cory Buenning brewed from the mid-90’s through the mid 20-teens for Wyoming craft beer pioneers Snake River, but the itch to do his own thing was strong, and after returning to Co...

30 Tammi 1h 8min

456: Jaron Anderson of Helper Beer Applies Modern Techniques to Classic Styles with Winning Results

456: Jaron Anderson of Helper Beer Applies Modern Techniques to Classic Styles with Winning Results

For Jaron Anderson of Helper Beer, listening to the beer itself, rather than following prescribed rules, is the only way to improve it. He’s well-versed in the theory, but not a slavish adherent to do...

23 Tammi 1h 15min

455: Doug Veliky of Beer Crunchers Offers His Predictions for Craft in 2026

455: Doug Veliky of Beer Crunchers Offers His Predictions for Craft in 2026

Doug Veliky, now of beverage consulting firm BrightBev, author of the BeerCrunchers newsletter and blog, and the personality behind the Beer Aficionado social media account, has a knack for explaining...

16 Tammi 1h 21min

454: Ronald Mengerink of Dochter van de Korenaar is Still Hoping to Make the Perfect Beer

454: Ronald Mengerink of Dochter van de Korenaar is Still Hoping to Make the Perfect Beer

De Dochter van de Korenaar is unusual even for Belgium—a country full of brewers who don’t particularly enjoy being hemmed in by style definitions. Founder Ronald Mengerink has a passion for aging bee...

9 Tammi 1h 7min

Suosittua kategoriassa Koulutus

rss-murhan-anatomia
psykopodiaa-podcast
voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
adhd-podi
rss-narsisti
rss-rahamania
rss-vapaudu-voimaasi
psykologia
aamukahvilla
rss-liian-kuuma-peruna
rahapuhetta
rss-valo-minussa-2
kesken
jari-sarasvuo-podcast
mielipaivakirja
rss-tietoinen-yhteys-podcast-2
uskonnon-pitka-oppimaara
rss-eron-alkemiaa
rss-koira-haudattuna
rss-arkea-ja-aurinkoa-podcast-espanjasta