The Escarpment Labs Podcast

Escarpment Labs

Welcome to The Escarpment Labs Podcast— a weekly podcast that brings you deeper into the science and strategy behind exceptional fermentation. Hosted by Sales Coordinator Mark Korczynski and CEO Richard Preiss, each episode explores popular topics from Escarpment’s blog and Knowledge Base with fresh insight, research updates, and brewer-focused tips. Whether you're a homebrewer looking to level up or a professional chasing consistency and flavour precision, this show has something for every fermentation nerd. New episodes every Tuesday!

  1. 4d ago

    The Ultimate Yeast Draft 2026 (Pt. 1): Selection

    If you could start a brand new brewery tomorrow with a blank slate, which yeast strains would you stake your business on? Over 90% of breweries in North America operate as small, nimble taproom models. In this environment, your yeast isn't just a fermentation agent—it's your most flexible employee. It needs to turn tanks fast, adapt to multiple styles, and deliver standout flavour profiles without creating absolute chaos in the cellar. In Part 1 of this special two-part episode, Mark and Richard go head-to-head in a classic, high-stakes Snake Draft to build their ultimate liquid yeast rosters. The rules are strict: each host can only pick one strain per category, and they have to justify exactly how that strain will keep a tap list full, versatile, and profitable. The Draft Categories & Results: Round 1: Exclusives & New Tech (Richard strikes first with Superlager, Mark counters with Hydra) Round 2: The Lager Board (Mark secures Premium Pils, Richard locks down Biergarten Lager) Round 3: Classic Ales & Neutrals (A battle of the titans: Foggy London Ale vs. English Ale II) Round 4: Specialty & Wild Ales (Ardennes goes up against Weizen I) Round 5: The Dry Yeast Backup (Choosing the ultimate safety net between Pomona and House Ale) Who drafted the superior starting lineup? Listen in, look at the draft board, and then head over to our social media to cast your vote. Next week, our hosts will take these drafted strains and actually build out their competitive opening taproom menus! Featured in this Episode: Visit our Instagram to view and build your own line-up! Let us know your selections in the comments.Want to learn more about the strains we've selected? Visit escarpmentlabs.com

    21 min

  2. Jun 2

    The Hidden Danger of Excess FAN (And Why Hops are to Blame)

    We spend all our time choosing the perfect hops and dialing in our water profile—but are we treating our yeast like an afterthought? A few weeks ago, we did a massive, deep-dive Q&A on yeast nutrition. But after our joint presentation with Dr. Glen Fox at the Craft Brewers Conference, a lot of brewers reached out asking for a quick, "high-level" breakdown of the fundamentals. On this short and sweet episode, Richard takes you under the hood of that CBC talk to look at yeast nutrition through the lens of the Pareto Principle: the 80/20 rule. We cover the foundational inputs that drive 80% of your fermentation results, and why modern brewing trends are completely breaking the traditional rules of yeast health. In this episode, we unpack: The FAN Goldilocks Zone: Why craft beer has an excess residual FAN problem, how hops add cold-side nitrogen, and why it leads to mousy or cooked-onion staling flavors. Mind the Zinc Gap: How the malting process accidentally strips away 86.7% of a grain's natural zinc, and why zinc deficiency triggers brutal diacetyl issues during hop creep. The Calcium vs. Magnesium Battle: Why hammering your Hazy IPA with Calcium Chloride ($CaCl_2$) might actually be blocking magnesium uptake and stalling your ferment. The $H_2S$ Vitamin Deficit: How a simple lack of Pantothenic Acid ($B_5$) causes yeast to pump out rotten-egg sulfur, even in high-FAN worts. Think of this as your quick, executive summary of nutrition science—the perfect primer before you tackle our deep-cut Q&A episode! Featured in this Episode: Learn more about our nutrient specifically formulated for the needs of beer yeasts, Yeast Lightning.

    30 min

  3. May 26

    The Complete Guide to Quick Souring with Lactobacillus

    Kettle souring doesn't have to be a gamble. If you’ve ever been haunted by a "mousy" off-flavour or a stuck fermentation, this episode is your roadmap to safety. In this complete guide, Mark and Richard break down the fast, controlled method of quick souring using pure Lactobacillus cultures. We demystify the entire process, walking through the three essential pillars—wort production, bacterial fermentation, and the optional second boil—while arming you with the data needed to protect your beer's foam, flavour, and turnaround time. In this episode, we break down: The Three Steps: A foolproof workflow for conventional quick souring. The Anatomy of THP: What causes that dreaded cereal/mousy off-flavor, and why a 15-minute pre-boil is your best defense. Cellar Hacks: The hidden benefits of pre-acidifying to pH 4.5 (spoiler: it saves your head retention). Advanced Adjustments: Weighing the co-pitch method against a second boil, and how to use Kveik to simplify your brew day. Lacto vs. The New Wave: How traditional Lactobacillus blends hold up against newer souring yeasts like Philly Sour and Sourvisiae. Featured in this Episode: Check out our full Kettle/Quick Souring Guide for free download here OR watch our YouTube video, "How to Make A Kettle Sour Beer".Explore our selection of souring yeasts like the fan favourite Lacto Blend 2.0, and dry options like LalBrew Sourvisiae and Philly Sour.

    45 min

  4. May 19

    Beyond the Basics of FAN and Zinc: Yeast Nutrition Q&A

    We went to the Craft Brewers Conference in Philly, gave a talk with Dr. Glen Fox, and realized one thing: Brewers have a lot of questions about yeast nutrition. In this episode, Mark and Richard recap their recent CBC session on Yeast Nutrition, Zinc, and FAN. Because the live Q&A was so packed with "deep-cut" technical inquiries, we decided to bring those questions back to the lab for a dedicated Yeast Nutrition Lightning Round. We move past the "add a spoonful of nutrient" advice and get into the complex chemistry that actually dictates fermentation success. We break down: The FAN vs. YAN Debate: What are you actually measuring, and why does proline matter? Zinc Security: To sterilize or not to sterilize? Plus, the risks of metal-induced oxidation. Nutrient Timing: Why TOSNA is great for mead but might not be the right move for your Lager. Pro-Tips for Repitching: How feeding your yeast today changes the health of your pitch next week. Non-Alc & Hop Creep: Adjusting your nutrient strategy for modern brewing challenges. Resources: * Brewers Association members can find the full talk recording and slides with Dr. Glen Fox on the BA website. Featured in this Episode: Learn more about Yeast Lightning, our nutrient specifically formulated for beer yeasts, here.Read our FREE guide to Yeast Nutrition, here.Check out our Lab Services, including ad-hoc FAN testing, here.

    46 min

  5. May 5

    Battle of the Pomona vs. Suava: A Hop-Headed R&D Tasting

    Ever wonder what happens when Vinnie from Russian River sends you a care package of hops? You brew a side-by-side trial, obviously. In this episode, Richard and Mark are joined by Escarpment’s own Production Manager and brewing veteran, Pat Wynn-Williams, for a deep dive into the glass. We’re tasting through an R&D American Pale Ale split between two heavy-hitters that we developed in the dry yeast world: LalBrew Pomona™ and WLP079 Suava™. We get into the technical weeds (so you don’t have to) to discuss: Flavour Profiles: Which strain brings the peach and which brings the tropical punch? The Haze Factor: Understanding the biotransformation and haze stability of these strains. Recipe Tweaks: Why you might want to reach for Phantasm when brewing with Suava to unlock those elusive thiols. Beyond the IPA: Why these yeasts shouldn't be "pigeonholed" and which alternative styles they shine in. (Note: We’ve done our best to keep the professional sensory slurping to a minimum for your listening comfort!) Featured in this Episode: Learn more about LalBrew Pomona by visiting here.Learn more about WLP079 Suava Ale Yeast by visiting here or by listening to last week's episode, "From Farmhouse to Fermentor: The Story Behind WLP079 Suava Ale Yeast"Want to dive more into increase thiol expression? We have Phantasm available for purchase through our website!

    26 min

  6. Apr 28

    From Farmhouse to Fermentor: The Story Behind WLP079 Suava Ale Yeast

    For over a century, brewing has relied on a narrow band of industrial yeast monocultures. But outside the lab, a different story has been quietly unfolding. In this episode of The Escarpment Labs Podcast, we explore the “living reservoir” of yeast diversity preserved by farmhouse brewers across Northern and Eastern Europe—and why it matters more than ever. We cover: What defines the newly identified “European Farmhouse” genetic groupWhy farmhouse yeast is far more than just kveikInsights from our 2024 research paper and newly published work from leading yeast researchersHow traditional brewing practices preserved genetic diversity lost in industrial brewingThe behind-the-scenes story of WLP079 Suava Ale Yeast—a farmhouse-derived strain refined through modern science and brought to market through a unique three-way collaborationThis episode connects history, genetics, and modern brewing—showing how the past is shaping the future of yeast. Featured in this Episode: To learn more about WLP079 Suava Ale Yeast, visit our website. Read the 2024 article, European farmhouse brewing yeasts form a distinct genetic group, written by Richard Preiss, Eugene Fletcher, Lars Marius Garshol, Barret Foster, Emine Ozsahin, Mark Lubberts, George van der Merwe & Kristoffer KrogerusDistinctive domestication of farmhouse beer yeasts preserved pre-industrial genetic and phenotypic diversity.

    35 min

  7. Apr 21

    CBC Spotlight: Inside Nine Mile Brewing (with John Leingang)

    Specially recorded for the Craft Brewers Conference (April 20-22nd, 2026), this special episode of The Escarpment Labs Podcast features a conversation with Richard Preiss and John Leingang, Head Brewer of Nine Mile Brewing Co. in Bloomington, MN. With over a decade in the Minnesota craft beer scene—spanning everything from pouring pints to leading production—John brings a practical, taproom-first perspective on brewing. We cover: The story behind Nine Mile Brewing Co. and its place in the Twin CitiesJohn's experience using the newly released WLP079 Suava strain (referenced on the pod as EXP-666!)How they’re using LalBrew® House Ale across multiple brands—and repitching it for consistencyA cross-border collaboration with the Canadian 9 Mile legacyThe realities and constraints of running a taproom-focused breweryPractical advice for brewers balancing creativity, efficiency, and customer expectationsThis episode is all about brewing in the real world—where process, people, and pints all have to line up. Featured in this Episode: Learn more about WLP079 Suava™, a experimental Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain developed through a joint effort between Escarpment Labs, Lallemand Brewing, and White Labs to provide brewers with a high-quality solution for modern hop-forward styles. Pre-orders now open!Dive into LalBrew House Ale and the true versatility of the strain (Red IPA, anyone?).

    40 min

  8. Apr 14

    Taproom-Focused Brewing: Creativity Without Chaos (with Niko Tonks & Steve Finnie)

    How do you stay creative without losing control of your process? In this episode of The Escarpment Labs Podcast, we sit down with Steve Finnie and Niko Tonks from Little Thistle Brewing and Double Elbow Beer to explore how a taproom-focused brewery balances innovation with operational reality. From experimental releases to consistent core beers, this conversation dives into how decisions actually get made on a working brewhouse floor. We cover: The story behind Niko’s residency brand Double ElbowUsing American-grown noble hops in lager productionA four-generation trial of LalBrew Pomona™ across multiple stylesWhat changes (and what doesn’t) across repitchesHow taproom breweries navigate constraints, tradeoffs, and customer expectationsBuilding a beer program that works for both creativity and consistencyIf you’re brewing for a taproom—or trying to balance new ideas with repeatable results—this episode offers a practical, behind-the-scenes look. Featured in this Episode: For more information on LalBrew Pomona™ and the versatility and flavour it could bring to your beer, visit here.Learn more about Yakima Chief Hops' Krush Brand, here.Learn more about the concentrated hop oil, Hyperboost, here.

    46 min
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About

Welcome to The Escarpment Labs Podcast— a weekly podcast that brings you deeper into the science and strategy behind exceptional fermentation. Hosted by Sales Coordinator Mark Korczynski and CEO Richard Preiss, each episode explores popular topics from Escarpment’s blog and Knowledge Base with fresh insight, research updates, and brewer-focused tips. Whether you're a homebrewer looking to level up or a professional chasing consistency and flavour precision, this show has something for every fermentation nerd. New episodes every Tuesday!

Information

  • Creator
    Escarpment Labs
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Escarpment Labs
  • Show Website
    The Escarpment Labs Podcast

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