160: Brick West’s Sam Milne Takes an Exacting Approach to Pilsner and Gose

Sam Milne, head brewer at Brick West Brewing, details his technical approach to crafting traditional German-style lagers and gose. He emphasizes process-driven brewing, prioritizing consistency through meticulous data collection, such as monitoring mash pH, evaporation rates, and yeast vitality. Milne advocates for "cone-to-cone" yeast harvesting to maintain quality and utilizes natural carbonation techniques, or spunding, to achieve precise carbonation levels without relying on external carbonation stones. His philosophy centers on minimizing dissolved oxygen throughout the packaging process to ensure freshness and clarity. By sharing his specific methods—including decoction mashing for pilsners and controlled kettle souring for gose—Milne highlights how technical precision and adherence to traditional brewing principles allow for the creation of balanced, nuanced beers that prioritize drinkability and flavor integrity.