Why This Beer?

In this episode of Why This Beer? , Darren and Azlan sit down with Conrad Gmoser of Brassneck Brewery to explore the blend of creativity, precision, and problem-solving that has made Brassneck one of BC's most respected breweries. Conrad shares his unconventional path from studying architecture to becoming a brewer, and how a process-driven mindset continues to shape the brewery's approa...

Step into the world of brewing with industry veteran Nancy More as she reflects on more than 40 years of shaping beer culture, brewing education, and innovation around the globe. From her early beginnings in Canada to influencing breweries and students worldwide, Nancy shares the lessons, challenges, and breakthroughs that defined her remarkable career. In this conversation, Nancy dives into the f...

In this episode of Why This Beer? , hosts Darren Binnema and Azlan Graves sit down with Dave Henry , founder and brewer at Camp Beer Co. , to talk about his journey from passionate homebrewer to award-winning brewery owner. Dave shares how early experiments with Belgian beers sparked his interest in brewing and eventually led to scaling up recipes from the homebrew level to full production. The co...

In this episode of Why This Beer? , Azlan and Darren sit down with Donovan Fast , brewmaster at Eighty Eight Brewing in Calgary. Donovan traces his path from small-town Manitoba to the heart of Alberta’s craft beer scene, sharing how early brewing experiences and time spent in Germany helped shape his approach to making balanced, expressive beer. The conversation dives into the evolution of Eighty...

In this episode, we sit down with Andy Innes of Driftwood Brewery to break down the technical evolution of Fat Tug IPA , one of Canada’s benchmark West Coast IPAs. Andy walks us through recipe development over time — from hop selection and layering strategies to process adjustments that maintain consistency at scale. We get into fresh hop logistics and chemistry, harvest timing, utilization challe...

In this episode, the hosts sit down with Ben Owens , head brewer at 33 Acres , for a wide-ranging conversation about finding balance — in beer and in life. Ben traces his brewing journey from Australia to Germany, where time spent immersed in traditional lager culture helped shape his philosophy around precision, patience, and restraint. The discussion dives into how classic brewing techniques can...

What happens when the same beer is brewed on opposite sides of the Atlantic? In this special follow-up episode of Why This Beer? , Azlan Graves and Darren Binnema are joined once again by Andy Thomas from Hook Norton Brewery in the UK. After first connecting in episode 30, the three brewers set out to brew the exact same red ale recipe — Red Barchetta — using the same malts, hops, and yeast, but o...

Summary In this episode of 'Why This Beer', hosts Azlan Graves and Darren Binnema engage with Eric Sannerud, a passionate advocate for hops and agriculture. They explore the intricate relationship between beer and agriculture, emphasizing the importance of local ingredients and the stories behind them. Eric shares his journey in the hops industry, the significance of public hops versus p...

Summary In this episode, Azlan and Darren welcome Miguel Molina, co-founder of Changing Colours, to discuss his journey from Ecuador to Canada and the evolution of his craft beer philosophy. Miguel shares how punk music influences his brewing style, the importance of community and collaboration in the craft beer scene, and the innovative techniques he employs to create hop-forward beers. The conve...

In this episode of 'Why This Beer', Azlan and Darren are joined by Mike Roberts from Cru Brewing Systems. They explore Mike's journey from a novice brewer to a craft solutions facilitator, discussing the evolution of brewing techniques, the importance of equipment innovation, and the unique challenges faced by brewers across different regions.  The conversation delves into the intri...

In this episode, Azlan Graves and Darren Binnema welcome Andy Thomas from Hook Norton Brewery, exploring the rich history and innovative practices of one of England's oldest breweries. Andy shares his journey from the cask shed to brewery supervisor, emphasizing the importance of tradition and collaboration in brewing. The conversation delves into the brewing process, the significance of fres...

Summary In this episode, Azlan Graves and Darren Binnema engage in a captivating conversation with Olivier Moreau, a unique figure in the craft beer industry who transitioned from brewing to coopering. Olivier shares his journey, detailing the evolution of his brewing company, and the challenges faced in sourcing barrels. The discussion delves into the art of barrel aging, the importance of sanita...

Summary In this conversation, Ian Cameron from Balebreaker Brewing shares his journey into the craft beer industry, detailing his unique path from studying commerce to becoming a brewer in Yakima, Washington. The discussion covers the evolution of Balebreaker Brewing, its connection to Loftus Ranches, and the advantages of brewing with fresh hops. Ian explains the hop selection process, the role o...

In this episode of 'Why This Beer', hosts Azlan Graves, Darren Binnema, and guests Donovan Fast (Eighty Eight Brewing), Mike Foniok (The Establishment Brewing), and Mitch Warner (Dageraad Brewing) delve into their experiences on the Czech trade mission for brewing professionals. They explore the cultural significance of Czech beer, the immersive experiences they had, and the unique brewi...

In this episode, Darren and Azlan sit down with Cam McKeigan, co-founder and head brewer of Smithers Brewing Company. Cam shares his journey from home brewing to establishing a successful brewery in Northern BC, highlighting the unique challenges and rewards of crafting beer in a small community. The conversation delves into the innovative use of birch sap in brewing, the importance of community s...

In this conversation, Martin Szot shares his journey from growing up in a family brewery in Chile to becoming the head brewer at Coast Mountain Brewing in Canada. He discusses the evolution of craft beer styles, the importance of local ingredients, and the unique brewing techniques he employs, particularly for hazy IPAs. The conversation also touches on the cultural differences in craft beer betwe...

In this engaging conversation, Mike Foniok discusses the importance of local ingredients in brewing, innovative techniques, and the role of community in crafting unique beers. He shares insights from his recent travels to Czech Republic and Bamberg, emphasizing the cultural significance of beer and the focus on drinkability. Mike also reflects on the evolution of the Canadian brewing scene and off...

Brad Van Haastregt of GEC Systems shares his journey in the craft brewing industry, focusing on the rise of non-alcoholic options, innovations in canning technology, and the importance of quality control. He discusses the value of sourcing local parts, evolving packaging trends like super ends and new lid designs, and the need for attention to detail to deliver a top-quality product. Throughout, h...

Summary In this episode of Why This Beer, hosts Darren and Azlan sit down with Graham With, the Director of Brewing Operations at Parallel 49 Brewing. Graham shares his journey from home brewing to leading one of Vancouver's most recognized craft breweries. The conversation delves into the challenges of starting a brewery, the evolution of Parallel 49, and the importance of community in the c...

In this episode, Azlan and Darren welcome Brad Tomlinson, a passionate brewer from Jackknife, who shares his unique journey into the world of craft beer. The conversation explores Brad's early inspirations, the discovery of Kveik yeast, and the significance of traditional brewing practices showcased at the Kornøl Festival in Norway. Brad emphasizes the importance of honoring yeast cultures an...

In this episode, Azlan and Darren welcome Chris Lewington from the Modern Brewer podcast to discuss his journey in the craft beer industry, from his early experiences in brewing to his current focus on sustainability and efficiency in brewing practices. Chris shares insights on the challenges of contract brewing, the importance of resourcefulness in brewing, and his experiences working in the Brit...

Guest: Ben Howe, Otherlands Beer Main Discussion Points: Ben’s Journey into Brewing: Ben shares how cultural heritage and personal philosophy have shaped his approach to brewing, leading to the founding of Otherlands Beer. Brewing in a Lager-Dominant Region: A look at the challenges and unique opportunities of brewing in an area where lagers reign supreme, and how Otherlands Beer stands out in the...

Guest: Jeremy Taylor, Co-Founder & Head Brewer of 2 Crows Brewing Topics Discussed: Jeremy’s journey into brewing, from his first exposure to craft beer in Vancouver to moving across the country and establishing 2 Crows Brewing in Halifax. The challenges and adjustments of brewing on the East Coast, including  differences in craft beer markets. The evolution of 2 Crows Brewing over nearly a de...

Guest: Tristan Stewart, Founder of Temporal Artisan Ales Topics Discussed: Tristan’s journey into brewing, from his first exposure to craft beer to his transition from nomadic brewing to establishing a permanent location for Temporal Artisan Ales. The challenges and unexpected positives of being a "nomadic" brewer and working in various setups, including his favorite and most unconventio...

Guest: Brent Mills, Co-founder of Four Winds Brewing Topics Discussed: Brent’s journey into brewing, from his first exposure to craft beer, and his time at R&B, to launching Four Winds in 2013. The opening of The Beach House in Tsawwassen’s Southlands—how it differs from the original tasting room and what guests can expect. The dynamics of running a brewery as a family business and how it has...