For Kevin Ashford, brewmaster of Figueroa Mountain Brewing in Buellton, California, every beer can always be improved. After winning two medals for their Danish Red Lager, Ashford and team made the difficult decisions to simplify the malt bill, dry it out a touch, and add a decoction step—significant moves for a beer that had a following and had wowed judges. But for Ashford, truly great beers are created through a process of subtraction—iterating and eliminating anything that doesn’t need to be there, while using all the tools in the brewing playbook to maximize the expression in what’s left.

In this episode of the podcast, Ashford shares his optimization strategies, primarily in the lager realm. These include:

Decocting Mexican-style lager to build malt character and create “weight” in light lagers
Using Contessa hops for a classic but fresh feel
Employing multiple lager yeast strains in the production brewhouse
Cellaring with a combo of cylindroconical fermenters and brite tanks to optimize clarity
Understanding the importance of time in lager brewing
Using contemporary hops like El Dorado and Strata in lagers
The benefit of cold fermentation on retaining hop aromas

And more.

*This episode is brought to you by: *

G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): Like your flagship beer you can rely on G&D Chillers for the same quality and consistency. G&D guarantees that every chiller they build will hit 28 degrees without breaking a sweat. They never stop. They draft, they craft, they service each and every brewery – big or small. All in an effort to build one hell of a chiller. For nearly 30 years, G&D's been committed to cold. Reach out for a quote today at GDChillers.com.

BSG (https://bsgcraftbrewing.com/) Even the best yeast deserves a helping hand with seltzer fermentation, which is why Pathfinder N-Pure Seltzer Nutrient ensures reliable and complete fermentation of a seltzer base, while providing a clean, neutral fermentation profile. Not to mention it provides all the essential nutrients required by yeast for production of hard seltzer bases fermented from those sweet refined sugars. Give your seltzer yeast a boost by visiting bsgcraftbrewing.com and searching for Pathfinder N-Pure Seltzer Nutrient, or call BSG at 1.800.374.2739.

Old Orchard (https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer): The most common complaint about hard seltzers? They need more flavor. Extract alone is a weak flavoring agent and can leave a chemical aftertaste. But there's a better way. The craft concentrate blends from Old Orchard are packed with REAL FRUIT FIRST, no added sugars, and just enough natural flavor. Breweries are turning to Old Orchard concentrates for seltzer with more body, color, and aroma. Turn seltzer skeptics into supporters with seltzer that drinks like a beer. Get started at www.oldorchard.com/brewer.

Brewmation (https://www.brewmation.com): With nearly 20 years of innovation and experience, Brewmation specializes in electric, steam, and direct fire brew houses, complete cellar solutions, and automated controls for the craft brewing industry. From a half barrel to thirty barrel systems, Brewmation puts you in control to design a brewery that fits your needs and brewing style. Whether you’re starting a new brewery, upgrading your cellar, or just need some parts to keep you up and running, Brewmation has you covered. Visit Brewmation.com to get started.

Clarion Lubricants (https://www.clarionlubricants.com/Welcome.do): There’s nothing easy about brewing beer. It’s an intricate, time-consuming art. The last thing you need to face is a recall or contamination that can hurt your pride and your pocketbook. Clarion lubricants meet strict purity and performance standards to help make your system 100% food safe. That’s protection for your equipment and your beer. So, make the switch to Clarion, and ensure your system is running smooth and safe. Go to clarionlubricants.com to learn more.

Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

196: Kevin Ashford of Figueroa Mountain Does More by Using Less

Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast