22 Aug 2025
1h 10m

432: Ben Clayton of Test Approaches Brewing with a Chef’s Discipline and a Beginner’s Mind

Podcast cover

Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast

Test Brewery's Ben Clayton discusses innovative brewing approaches, emphasizing ingredient biodiversity and a "beginner's mind." Clayton details Test Brewery's Mexican lager, which uses nixtamalized corn for unique flavors, and their hazy IPAs, highlighting the importance of heirloom oat varieties for texture. He shares how a cook, Jorge, inspired the use of diverse corn, leading to a James Beard Award-winning book on Masa. Clayton advocates for supporting local agriculture and embracing variance in ingredients, drawing inspiration from the culinary world to push brewing boundaries.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction, Origins

Part 2: Mexican Lager, Nixtamalization

Part 3: Hazy IPA, Heirloom Ingredients

Part 4: Biodiversity, Innovation

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