462: Bierstadt, New Belgium, Wayfinder, and the Anatomy of a Lager Collaboration

Lager brewing innovation and the collaborative process drive this conversation between three prominent brewers—Kelly McKnight of New Belgium, Ashleigh Carter of Bierstadt, and Natalie Rose Baldwin of Wayfinder. The group explores the technical and creative nuances of brewing a rice lager, emphasizing the importance of ingredient selection, such as pre-gelatinized jasmine rice, and the strategic use of cool-pool whirlpool additions to enhance hop aromatics without excessive bitterness. Beyond the specific recipe, the dialogue centers on the value of shared knowledge, the necessity of maintaining rigorous brewing standards, and the challenges of balancing artistic experimentation with the realities of production. These brewers highlight how collaborative environments foster professional growth, allowing them to test new techniques like Mexican lager yeast strains and advanced filtration while maintaining the integrity of their individual brewing philosophies.