Hops are an agricultural product. That means they are subject to weather, climate and terroir. Sometimes those year-to-year differences are subtle, but in years of wildfires or drought, differences can be dramatic, if not in the hops themselves, then in their prices.
By using advanced hop products, and by using hop blends, brewers can achieve greater consistency and predictability in flavor. Blending can also help add complexity and achieve balance in flavor. As an added benefit, brewers can enjoy cost savings. It’s an approach with multiple benefits.
Guests
Dan Rowe is currently the Head Brewer for Yee-Haw Brewing Company, at their production facility in Johnson City, TN. For the last 15 years, he has gained experience in the craft beverage industry. From small to large scale facilities, Dan’s passion has definitely involved fermentation process development and improvement, as well as leadership and innovation of new products.
Dan has been fortunate enough to work and learn from the teams at Dogfish Head (Milton, DE), White Labs (Asheville, NC), Hi-Wire, (Asheville, NC) and Nepenthe Brewing Co. (Baltimore, MD), while also being a graduate of the AB-Tech Professional, Brewing & Distillation program based in Asheville, NC.
Paul Schroeder has spent more than a decade working in the brewing industry, helping breweries of all sizes—from startup craft breweries to large producers—navigate ingredient selection, brewing innovation, and supply chain strategy. Before specializing in hops, he worked for a large ingredient supplier, gaining firsthand experience with the raw materials that form the foundation of great beer. Today, Paul works closely with brewers to connect hop science, agricultural innovation, and practical brewing applications, helping them create distinctive beers while staying ahead of industry trends. His passion lies in exploring the intersection of hops, brewing, and the evolving tastes of today’s beer drinkers.
Outside of work, Paul enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters, and their two dogs. An avid outdoorsman, he loves camping, vegetable gardening, mountain biking, and snowboarding. He also enjoys tending to his flock of more than 50 chickens and ducks, combining his passion for agriculture, self-sufficiency, and life outdoors. Whether he’s helping brewers create exceptional beer, exploring a mountain trail, or working around the homestead, Paul is driven by a deep appreciation for the connection between agriculture, innovation, and the natural world.
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This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is brought to you by Hopsteiner and Alora™ hops. If you’re looking for the next breakthrough aroma variety, Alora delivers. With 5 times more bound 3MH thiol precursors than Cascade hops, Alora gives brewers incredible potential for unlocking vibrant tropical and citrus character. Add in a unique oil profile featuring over 50% selinene—and you get expressive notes of peach, apricot, yuzu, and sweet melon. Discover otherworldly flavor with Alora™. Shop Alora and other products at shop.Hopsteiner.com.
Don Tse
Living near seven malthouses, Don Tse is a freelance beer and malt writer and consultant known globally as The Don of Beer. He has been active in craft beer for over 25 years and has famously sampled and written tasting notes on over 31,000 different beers. He is the co-host of the All About Beer podcast. Don has also written for magazines and presented on beer in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ukraine and Singapore. Nobody in those countries thinks his jokes are funny.