Episode 263: Bale Breaker Brewmaster Kevin Smith Lives the Hop Life

Episode 263: Bale Breaker Brewmaster Kevin Smith Lives the Hop Life

Brewers and hop growers are closer today than they ever have been before, but Bale Breaker—in the Yakima valley town of Moxee—takes that proximity to a level rarely seen in beer. The brewery literally sits on the Loftus Ranch, in the middle of a hop field, with trellises and bines surrounding the production brewery and taproom. Trellises surround the taproom patio. Trellises stretch out from the parking lot. Hops are everywhere, so it’s no surprise that Bale Breaker focuses on hop-forward beers.

Brewmaster Kevin Smith started his brewing career on the other side of the cascade range, in Seattle, before returning to the family farm and joining with his sister and brother-in-law to launch the brewery. But through Bale Breaker, he’s been able to showcase a hop-forward identity that embraces the crop he grew up around. Hoppy West coast and hazy beers are the brewer’s forté, and in this episode, Smith stays focused on hops. In it, he discusses:

  • building a new approach to West coast IPA and pale ale
  • understanding the impact of cohumulone levels on bittering
  • creating unexpected hop blends with underutilized hops like Loral
  • the sensory range driven by pick time in popular hop varieties like Citra and Mosaic
  • dry hopping methods that maximize hop flavor and minimize vegetal matter
  • building a common sensory language in the brewing team
  • selecting and processing hops from the farm

and more.

This episode is brought to you by:

G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): G&D Chillers’ Engineers are committed to green technology design, while developing a more energy efficient chiller for the brewing industry. Contact G&D Chillers today at gdchillers.com

Probrew (https://www.probrew.com) Check out www.probrew.com for info on patented ProCarb inline carbonation technology, ProFill rotary filling & seaming can fillers, the Alchemator inline alcohol separation system, 7–50bbl brewhouses and more!

Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): Old Orchard has partnered with a leading logistics firm in the craft beverage industry to transport your craft concentrate blends. To get started on a freight quote for craft concentrates today, head over to oldorchard.com/brewer

Fermentis (https://fermentis.com): To learn more about how Fermentis can improve the quality of your fermentation, and for the latest on their exciting new product releases, visit Fermentis.com.

ABS Commercial (https://abs-commercial.com): ABS Commercial is a full-service brewery outfitter, proud to offer brewhouses, tanks, and small parts to brewers across the country. Contact one of their brewery consultants today at sales@abs-commercial.com to discuss your brewery project.

Perfect Puree (https://perfectpuree.com/beer): Craft the perfect pour with superior fruit from The Perfect Purée. But don’t just take our word for it, experience flavor first-hand by curating your own complimentary sample box at perfectpuree.com/beer. Samples are complimentary for brewing professionals only.

Avsnitt(470)

462: Bierstadt, New Belgium, Wayfinder, and the Anatomy of a Lager Collaboration

462: Bierstadt, New Belgium, Wayfinder, and the Anatomy of a Lager Collaboration

Beer collaborations are a particularly effective way for brewers to share and learn, but what if you could take that experience and share it with a wider audience? That's the idea behind this episode,...

28 Feb 1h 20min

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 Feb 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 Feb 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 Feb 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 Feb 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 Jan 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 Jan 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 Jan 1h 21min

Populärt inom Utbildning

historiepodden-se
rss-bara-en-till-om-missbruk-medberoende-2
det-skaver
alska-oss
nu-blir-det-historia
not-fanny-anymore
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
allt-du-velat-veta
johannes-hansen-podcast
sektledare
rss-viktmedicinpodden
rss-foraldramotet-bring-lagercrantz
roda-vita-rosen
rss-max-tant-med-max-villman
i-vantan-pa-katastrofen
rss-sjalsligt-avkladd
rikatillsammans-om-privatekonomi-rikedom-i-livet
sa-in-i-sjalen
rss-beratta-alltid-det-har
rss-basta-livet