328: Art History Brewing is Finding Innovation in Its Focus on Tradition

In Geneva, Illinois, Art History Brewing doesn’t want to be everything to everyone, but they’re committed to brewing traditional styles well, while also making them relevant to today’s drinkers. That message has resonated in the broader Chicago beer world, winning them fans among some of the most influential bars and retailers in the city. For head brewer Greg Browne, it’s the logical outcome of a career spent brewing these beers in smaller ways at other breweries. And for co-owner Tom Rau, it’s a way to focus on beers about which they’re personally passionate, meanwhile offering something different and beer-focused to the broad community of Chicago drinkers.

In this episode, they discuss:

• innovation through focusing on traditional styles
• achieving the flavor results of decoction through other brewing means
• building color in Czech-style pale lager
• using the Hochkurz mash and an oversized lauter tun
• ingredient selection for Northern German-style pils and Czech-style dark lager
• designing and brewing smoked lagers
• choosing yeasts for specific, regionally-inspired English-style ales

And more.

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