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Why Malt Deserves More Credit in Beer
When people talk about beer, hops usually steal the spotlight. They’re flashy, aromatic, and easy to identify. But during my recent live stream on Rod J BeerVentures , I sat down with Ian Goering, Director of Operations at Blue Ox Malthouse , to talk about the ingredient that truly forms the backbone of beer: malt . This conversation was all about peeling back the layers of beer and helping drinkers understand what’s really happening before the hops ever show up. Malt: The Foundation of Beer Malt plays a critical role in beer, influencing nearly every aspect of the final product. From sweetness and body to color and mouthfeel, malt is responsible for much of what we experience when we take that first sip. Ian explained how different malt varieties contribute flavors ranging from bread and cracker to caramel, chocolate, and roast—often without beer drinkers realizing where those flavors originate. One of the biggest takeaways from the conversation was just how much intentional decision-
- news
FIRESTONE WALKER MARKS 30 YEARS OF SHAPING THE LANDSCAPE OF AMERICAN CRAFT BEER
FIRESTONE WALKER MARKS 30 YEARS OF SHAPING THE LANDSCAPE OF AMERICAN CRAFT BEER A milestone year anchored by timeless originals, modern evolution and singular focus on brewing the perfect beer Paso Robles, California - Thirty years after brewing its first batch of Double Barrel Ale (DBA) in a vineyard on California’s Central Coast, Firestone Walker enters its fourth decade with the same restless spirit that shaped its beginning. The 30th anniversary is not a look back. It is a reaffirmation of values, vision and an enduring belief that beer can be better. Founded in 1996 by brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker, Firestone Walker helped define what American craft beer could become. From pioneering techniques to obsessive quality standards, the brewery has spent three decades crafting beers that stand the test of time while never standing still. “Thirty years in, we still believe the best beers are the ones that respect tradition bu
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Is the Rising Cost of Beer Changing How We Drink? The Data Says Yes.
There’s been a lot of conversation across the beer industry lately — brewers, distributors, bar owners, and even retailers — all asking the same question: Are rising beer prices causing people to drink out less and buy less beer overall? Based on multiple industry reports from the Brewers Association, IWSR, Beverage Information Group, Gallup, and retail sales data from top beer companies, the answer appears to be: 👉 Yes — rising costs are contributing to measurable shifts in consumer behavior. Here’s what the data shows: 🔺 Beer Prices Keep Rising Ingredients, shipping, aluminum, labor — it’s all more expensive. Industry analyses estimate that U.S. beer pricing has climbed 20%+ over the past 4–5 years , well ahead of historical averages. 🔻 Beer Sales & Volume Keep Falling U.S. beer volume dropped 4.4% in 2023 , hitting its lowest point in years. Craft beer saw its first net decline in brewery count in two decades , with closures outpacing openings. In 2024, U.S. beer production f
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Thoughts On My First Time Attending CBC...Finally
This is a long overdue piece, but time and life always bring surprises, delays, and all kinds of unexpected curveballs. This being said, I am finally getting time to get caught up and share some of the great happenings over the last few months and the first half of the year. This piece is just that, and a big thanks to the Brewers Association for the recent Craft Brewers Conference that took place in Indianapolis from April 28-May 1st this year. Attending the event as a media presence was a great opportunity to get behind the scenes with the many companies that are bringing success to the craft brewing industry. From the breweries to the suppliers and marketers, and all that make it happen…it was a worthwhile experience. I had the honor to meet and talk with some legendary folks from the beer world, and here, just like many of the events that I have been a part of, the beer industry is one of the most welcoming and community-building ones that I have ever seen. It is something to see.
- news
A Thought On High ABV Beers
One thing I often tend to notice is that there are a good amount of people that prefer to drink higher ABV beers as we approach the colder months, beers like the Imperial stouts and barley wines start showing up and people start to enjoy them, especially at some of the fall and winter beer festivals. I, myself, tend to enjoy all types of beers year-round, even the larger ABV ones so I often find this interesting. Are people doing this because they just like these beers in colder months as they can add warmth or is it just because they have become trained to expect and drink these often at this time of year because this is when many of the breweries release them? Having a space where I can store some of these bigger beers allows me to build a collection that I can enjoy year-round, but it has never been a seasonal thing for me. Now I am not saying I will crack a 15% ABV in the middle of a hot summer day, but sitting out on a summer night having a nice stout and stogie is a pleasant expe