BYO Nano Brew Podcast

Brew Your Own

The Nano segment of craft brewing is growing fast with the majority of new breweries opening up falling into this small-scale, hyper-local segment working on brewing systems five barrels or under. Each month on this podcast learn the business, marketing, and brewing strategies targeted for this smaller-scale sized brewery needs. From strategies to maximizing taproom sales to forecasting brewery budgets to brewing great beer in small spaces, you'll learn from craft beer experts and fellow Nano brewers the tips and strategies for success to improve - or launch - your small brewery. The BYO Nano Brew Podcast is brought to you by Brew Your Own, the leading homebrew magazine as well as organizers of the annual NanoCon event for this small-scale craft beer niche and the monthly BYO Nano Newsletter available by email.

  1. Jul 15

    Episode 79: Diversifying Beyond Beer

    From coffee to kombucha, wine, and spirits, there are a lot of different ways brewers are offering beverages beyond beer. There are some natural connections between some of the categories, but also a lot to learn. Often it comes with experience, passion, and a good push.  This month, we're glad to be talking with Rich Michaels, who is the co-founder of Second Act Spirits in New York. As the name suggests, this is a new chapter for him and his wife Stacey. You’ll hear about his background in brewing in a moment and how he found his way into distilling and the work that goes into changing gears.  There are a lot of important nuggets in this conversation that you’ll pick up along the way. If you’re thinking about adding a new fermentation program to your business or looking to make a switch, Rich is here with some guidance.  The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 79 is sponsored by: Five Star ChemicalsRunning a nano brewery means making every minute count, and your cleaning products should work just as hard as you do. Five Star Chemicals' Saniclean PAA Pro combines an acid rinse and no-rinse sanitizer into one powerful solution, helping remove beerstone, protect your equipment, and simplify your cleaning routine. Spend less time switching between products and more time brewing exceptional beer. Learn more about Saniclean PAA Pro at FiveStarChemicals.com and keep every batch tasting its best. NanoCon OnlineRegistration has opened for NanoCon Online. On October 23rd craft brewing industry experts will present a full-day of live seminars covering Brewery Operations, Business Operations & Sales, and Start-Ups for the small-scale, taproom-oriented brewer. Get your questions answered live and have future access to NanoCon Online video recordings and course materials for all sessions. Register now at NanoCon.beer and save $25! BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nano-plus-membership for more details. BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 79Host: John HollGuest: Rich Michaels Contact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbellPhoto: Second Act Spirits

    Episode 79: Diversifying Beyond Beer
  2. Jun 15

    Episode 78: Making the Most of Malt

    Spending some time with beer’s raw ingredients is important. Finding out what is new, exciting, or how other brewers are utilizing them to create world class beer helps make the whole industry stronger and pints taste better. This month, we’re taking a look at malt and speaking with two industry professionals who are intimately involved in the processing and promotion of grain. Andrea Stanley is the co-owner of Valley Malt, a craft malthouse in Western Massachusetts supplying craft brewers, distillers, and bakers with locally grown malts and grain. In 2009 Andrea read an article about local farms and bakeries in the fertile CT River Valley reviving the lost art of growing and processing local grains. As an avid supporter of local food, Andrea saw an opportunity to connect this emerging local grain growing with craft brewing. She reached out to a local vegetable grower in her hometown of Hadley and convinced him to plant 25 acres of barley as a crop rotation. Initially her goal was to prove that malt barley could be successfully cultivated in Massachusetts and malted into an ingredient that local breweries would want to use. In October 2010, Andrea shoveled the first 1-Ton batch of locally grown malt and has since worked with her husband, malting team, and the local farming community to build a supply chain in the Northeast that continues to grow, despite many challenges to overcome.  In 2022 Valley Malt underwent a major expansion, adding 1 million pounds of grain cleaning and storage and the capacity to malt 1.5 millions pounds annually.  Valley Malt now supports over 700 acres of grains annually in NY, VT, NH, MA, ME and CT with the plan to keep growing in the coming years by installing additional germination bins.  On the larger-scale commercial side of malt, Zach Kelly the territory sales manager in Northern California for the Country Malt Group. After a career in the brewhouse - where he worked for companies like Russian River and Hen House, he now helps brewers make smart decisions when it comes to finding the right grain bill for their next brew. Passionate about lagers and west coast IPA, Zach shares insight on what’s exciting, reliable and available. The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 78 is sponsored by: NanoCon OnlineRegistration has opened for NanoCon Online. On October 23rd craft brewing industry experts will present a full-day of live seminars covering Brewery Operations, Business Operations & Sales, and Start-Ups for the small-scale, taproom-oriented brewer. Get your questions answered live and have future access to NanoCon Online video recordings and course materials for all sessions. Register now at NanoCon.beer and save $25! BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details. BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 78Host: John HollGuests: Andrea Stanley, Zach Kelly Contact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbellPhoto: Andrea Stanley

    Episode 78: Making the Most of Malt
  3. May 15

    Episode 77: The State of Small Brewing in 2026

    The brewing world is grappling with a lot of challenges, but there are still some bright spots and things to look forward to. This month host John Holl talks with two brewers who are building community, making thoughtful beers, and working to better the industry each and every day.  Jeremy Lees of Flounder Brewing in Hillsborough NJ and Justin Steinberg of Sacred Vice in Philadelphia are thoughtful owners who are focused on finding new ways to bring people into their taprooms and to offerer experiences of great quality. Visiting their breweries guarantees not only great pints, but a chance to learn something new about the industry and to see how thoughtful works in progress benefit us all.  So as beer navigates 2026 and experiences what it is doing to the beer industry, Holl connects with them both to find out what’s happening within their walls and how we can learn from them. The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 77 is sponsored by: NanoCon OnlineRegistration has opened for NanoCon Online. On October 23rd craft brewing industry experts will present a full-day of live seminars covering Brewery Operations, Business Operations & Sales, and Start-Ups for the small-scale, taproom-oriented brewer. Get your questions answered live and have future access to NanoCon Online video recordings and course materials for all sessions. Register now at NanoCon.beer and save $25! BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details. BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 77Host: John HollGuests: Justin Steinberg, Jeremy Lees Contact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbellPhoto: Sacred Vice Brewing's cream ale. Photo by John Holl

    Episode 77: The State of Small Brewing in 2026
  4. Apr 15

    Episode 76: Expanding Your Brewery's Beverage Options and Taproom Space

    Expanding your brewery's beverage program beyond beer can be tricky, but rewarding as a way to widen your customer audience. Expanding your physical footprint from indoors to outdoors when weather allows can also be a challenge with similar business rewards when done well. On this episode we have a conversation with Chelsea Rhodes of Alley Brewing in Denver about how and why a Nano brewery can also offer much more than beer on the menu and the evolution of using outdoor taproom spaces in better weather. The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 76 is sponsored by: NanoCon OnlineRegistration has opened for NanoCon Online. On October 23rd craft brewing industry experts will present a full-day of live seminars covering Brewery Operations, Business Operations & Sales, and Start-Ups for the small-scale, taproom-oriented brewer. Get your questions answered live and have future access to NanoCon Online video recordings and course materials for all sessions. Register now at NanoCon.beer and save $25! BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details. BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 76Host: John HollGuest: Chelsea Rhodes Contact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbellPhoto: by Chelsea Rhodes

    Episode 76: Expanding Your Brewery's Beverage Options and Taproom Space
  5. Feb 15

    Episode 74: Running Private Events at your Brewery

    There’s more you can do with your taproom and brewery space than just serve beer. We’ll talk with Christian Weber of Common Roots Brewery in upstate New York. He is using his brewery locations for weddings, office parties and more. On this episode he offers tips and insight on how you can add private events as a revenue source to your small brewery business.  The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 74 is sponsored by: RahrBSG / Gambrinus IPA MaltBrewers, meet To Thee!—a new North American pils malt built specifically for the craft beer industry by Rahr Malting Co. To Thee! was developed in collaboration with pFriem Family Brewers in Hood River, Oregon, and crafted in Alix, Alberta from Canadian-grown barley.Beer writer Jeff Alworth calls it “a watershed moment” for craft. With low color and low modification, To Thee! creates a clean, bright base that lets your beer shine—perfect for classic continental pilsners, craft lagers, or as a base for light-colored, hop forward West Coast IPAs.To Thee! is available now. Contact your RahrBSG account manager, or visit RahrBSG.com to learn more. BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details. BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 74Host: John HollGuests: Christian Weber Contact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbellPhoto: by John Holl

    Episode 74: Running Private Events at your Brewery
  6. Jan 15

    Episode 73: Making the Most Out of Yeast Cultures

    As we kick off another year of the podcast, let’s talk about yeast. From innovations in the space, to creative uses, and how to foster a house culture that can define your beers, we chat with passionate experts from Berkeley Yeast and the brewer/owners of Oregon's Funky Fauna Artisan Ales about beer’s most important ingredient. The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 73  is sponsored by: RahrBSG / Gambrinus IPA MaltGambrinus IPA Malt possesses an elusive color falling between very pale pilsner and golden pale ale malt. Tailor-made to complement contemporary West Coast IPAs, it provides balancing sweetness and body in the presence of piney, juicy, and tropical hop profiles. Delivering a delicate profile of bread, toast, grain, and slight nuttiness, Gambrinus IPA Malt is a workhorse base malt. Available now as the latest addition to the premier range of brewing malts offered by RahrBSG. More info at: rahrbsg.com/gambrinus-ipa-malt/  FermentisIt’s here: the new Lager strain by Fermentis has finally been released! Discover SafLager™ SH-45, the yeast that enhances thiols in Lagers! Want to know more about Fermentis yeasts? Visit www.fermentis.com. BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details. BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 73Host: John HollGuests: Charles Danby, Anthony Bledsoe, Michael Frith, Danielle Burns Contact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbellPhoto: Funky Fauna Artisan Ales

    Episode 73: Making the Most Out of Yeast Cultures
  7. 12/15/2025

    Episode 72: New Small-Scale Brewery Strategies for the New Year

    You’re living through some serious headwinds in the beer industry right now. There’s a lot of worry, a lot of gloom, but also a lot of positivity on the horizon. As we head into the end of 2025, it’s a look forward with a trio of guests who believe the best in beer is yet to come. On this episode you'll hear from Paul Leone, the Executive Director of the New York State Brewers Association, beer educator LaTreace Harris a.k.a. The Beery Godmother, and Brandon Hernández, the editor-in-chief of San Diego Beer News.  The BYO Nano Podcast Episode 72  is sponsored by: RahrBSG / Gambrinus IPA MaltGambrinus IPA Malt possesses an elusive color falling between very pale pilsner and golden pale ale malt. Tailor-made to complement contemporary West Coast IPAs, it provides balancing sweetness and body in the presence of piney, juicy, and tropical hop profiles. Delivering a delicate profile of bread, toast, grain, and slight nuttiness, Gambrinus IPA Malt is a workhorse base malt. Available now as the latest addition to the premier range of brewing malts offered by RahrBSG. More info at: rahrbsg.com/gambrinus-ipa-malt/  BYO Nano+ MembershipGet access to hundreds of hours of on-demand videos covering small craft brewery strategies with BYO’s Nano+ Membership. Learn from craft beer experts watching replays of past NanoCon seminars plus a complete library of in-depth workshops. You’ll also have full online access to all of BYO’s digital content and an annual digital magazine subscription. Check out byo.com/nanoplus for more details. BYO Nano Brew Podcast Episode 72Host: John HollGuests: LaTreace Harris, Paul Leone, Brandon Hernández Contact: nano@byo.comMusic: Scott McCampbell

    Episode 72: New Small-Scale Brewery Strategies for the New Year
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About

The Nano segment of craft brewing is growing fast with the majority of new breweries opening up falling into this small-scale, hyper-local segment working on brewing systems five barrels or under. Each month on this podcast learn the business, marketing, and brewing strategies targeted for this smaller-scale sized brewery needs. From strategies to maximizing taproom sales to forecasting brewery budgets to brewing great beer in small spaces, you'll learn from craft beer experts and fellow Nano brewers the tips and strategies for success to improve - or launch - your small brewery. The BYO Nano Brew Podcast is brought to you by Brew Your Own, the leading homebrew magazine as well as organizers of the annual NanoCon event for this small-scale craft beer niche and the monthly BYO Nano Newsletter available by email.

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