Pursuing the Perfect Pint

Beer is holding steady in the UK. So why are pubs still closing at a rate of one a day? In episode #44, Brent and Danielle talk with Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association and Chair of the World Brewing Alliance, about what it means to be a pub, why the cost of doing business is crushing the sector, and what has to change to protect the place where communities come together. I...

Now Live: Episode #43 The US burned 143 million tons of corn for ethanol in 2025. That's more than the normal crops of Ukraine, the EU and Argentina combined. And barley is stuck in the middle of it. In part two, malt legend Don Grambsch explains why barley is the only grain-processing industry with a perishable raw material, and why brewers now have to contract every acre. Then comes the uncomfor...

The US once had 22 malt plants. Today it has about six. Industry legend Don Grambsch joins Brent to explain how craft beer, GMO corn and soaring freight costs reshaped the malt supply chain—and why the biggest brewers missed the shift to premium. As malt production moved west and consumers remained in the east, freight became the industry's deciding factor. Plus: Napa left 400,000 tons of grapes u...

Australia is one of the world’s leading barley producers—but what will it take to remain competitive over the next decade? In Episode 41 of  Pursuing the Perfect Pint , Brent speaks with Mark Lewis, Chief Commercial Officer at Riordan Grain Services and Chair of the Grains Australia Barley Council. They discuss Australia’s strong barley production, changing grower priorities, narrowing malting-bar...

In Episode #40 of  Pursuing the Perfect Pint , Brent is joined by Samantha Rockey, co-founder of Thompson Harrison and co-author of  The Social Brain: The Psychology of Successful Groups . They explore the human reality behind better business decisions—from choosing the right group size and facilitating productive discussions to building the trust needed to navigate complexity and make difficult d...

Episode #39 — Beer’s next big competitor may not be beer The opportunity isn’t just more beer drinkers. It’s more reasons to drink beer. What if the biggest opportunity for beer isn’t taking share from another beer — but competing with everything else we drink? Dan Kopman of the World Brewing Alliance joins Brent Atthill to explore why non-alcoholic beer could open entirely new occasions for the c...

Regenerative agriculture is talked about a lot — but what does it actually mean in practice? In Episode #38, Brent chats with Brooke Sauer of Boolah Farms to put Regen Ag into an understandable context — from improving soil health and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers to balancing sustainability with yield, quality and farm profitability. Brooke also shares how Boolah Farms is putting the...

Episode #37 | Nowhere to Hide Behind a Lager A lager may look simple, but getting it right is anything but. This week, Brent Atthill is joined by  John Brauer of The Brewers of Europe and the European Brewery Convention (EBC)  to explore the technical side of brewing and why there is nowhere to hide behind a crisp, clean lager. Plus,  Brent and Danielle provide the latest market update , looking a...

Pursuing the Perfect Pint – Episode #36 | Different Mix Brings Different Perspectives Why does gender diversity matter to business? In Episode #36, Brent Atthill speaks with  Sharon Peake, Founder & CEO of Shape Talent , about the business case for bringing different perspectives into traditionally male-dominated industries such as brewing, malting and distilling. Sharon shares research linkin...

What does it really take to create lasting change? In this episode of  Pursuing the Perfect Pint , Brent and Danielle travel to Denmark to meet  Soren , a farmer who has spent more than 25 years refining his approach to regenerative farming. His message is refreshingly simple: stop chasing every new idea, choose a direction, and commit to it. Joined by  Simon Klemmensen (DLG Group)  and  Karl Stok...

Canada rarely grabs the headlines in brewing—but perhaps it should. This week, Brent and Danielle uncover the country's hidden role in keeping brewers supplied across North America and beyond. Joined by Tom Ryan of Richardson International, they discuss crop conditions, export demand, brewing quality, and why Canada's barley industry continues to be one of the quiet strengths behind the global bee...

In this episode of Pursuing the Perfect Pint, Brent Atthill & Danielle Bekker visit Ørbæk Bryggeri in Denmark to meet Andreas Jakob Wedel Falkenberg, Production Manager, and uncover the story behind Denmark's first 100% organic brewery.

Visits to Hverringe Gods and Fuglsang Malt reveal why organic has become a commercially viable choice, while regenerative agriculture has yet to establish the same economic certainty

Every guest added another piece to the puzzle, revealing how climate, energy, geopolitics, consumer behaviour and innovation influence every part of the global barley, malt, brewing and distilling supply chain. Brent & Danielle reflect on the biggest stories from the first 30 episodes of Pursuing the Perfect Pint.

Regenerative agriculture has become one of the defining conversations shaping our industry. But one important question remains:  is it finally rewarding the people at the heart of it—the farmers? Brent sits down with Robert Price from Rooks Nest Estate for an honest conversation about the realities facing today's barley growers. 

How six generations of one family brewery have kept the story of Maris Otter alive. What happens when a brewery founded in 1849 continues brewing with the same values nearly two centuries later? James Clark of Hook Norton shares a story of family, barley, brewing heritage, and the importance of preserving traditions while adapting to changing consumer tastes.

Sustainability, resilience, contracts, and soil health—UK farmer Nick Bumford from Guiting Manor Farms explains what it really takes to make regenerative agriculture work.

Solar panels. Batteries. Electric vehicles. China's clean-tech exports are now worth more than U.S. fossil fuel exports, signalling a profound shift in global energy markets and economic influence. Katrien Even explains why electrification is accelerating faster than expected. 

🎙 Episode 26 | No Barley. No Beer. No Bourbon. Are beer and whiskey markets finally showing signs of recovery? Brent and Danielle discuss the latest market trends before Brent speaks with Ashley McFarland, President of AMBA, about how collaboration across farmers, maltsters, brewers, distillers, and policymakers is helping shape the future of U.S. barley.

From the realities facing today’s farmers and brewers to one brewery transforming surplus artisan bread into distinctive craft beer — Brent and Danielle explore the market trends, sustainability challenges, and creative innovation shaping the future of beer alongside Crumbs Brewing.

In this episode, the team from Limagrain discusses the future of malting barley, sustainability, and how new breeding innovations could help secure the future of beer production. Plus, Brent and Danielle break down the latest market trends shaping the global barley and brewing industries.

Episode #23 of  Pursuing the Perfect Pint  features North Dakota Barley Council growers Steve, Nathan, and Frank discussing the future of malting barley, crop competition, contracting, and building a resilient malt supply chain. Brent and Danielle also explore the latest global barley market developments, beer demand trends, and why the farmer story matters more than ever to the future of beer and...

With Kasper Madsen, this episode explores how the beer industry is navigating climate pressure, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting consumer trends. As the market enters a period of slower growth and structural change, resilience, innovation, and adaptability are becoming critical to staying relevant.

This week's episode we continue our recordings from Lisbon as we connect with Fernanda and Andres from Maltexco as they go on a deep insight tour of the barley, malt and beer industry in Chile.

Join us as we chat with Dr. Paul Telfer from AGT who discusses the strengths of barley development in Australia and the recent harvest.