418: Faster, More Reliable, More Consistent—Dialing In Hot-Side Process Improvement and Optimization

418: Faster, More Reliable, More Consistent—Dialing In Hot-Side Process Improvement and Optimization

Author: Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine June 17, 2025 Duration: 1:07:13

The focus of this spotlight episode is hot-side process improvements that will make your brew day quicker, more reliable, and more consistent. We get into the nitty-gritty of tank jackets, grist hydration, lauter-tun geometry, pressure differentials, kettle heating, and more, with a clear focus on lean manufacturing, reducing variability with Six Sigma DMAIC models, optimizing systems for the chemical and physical processes of brewing, workflow improvement for efficiency with provable ROI, and more. Joining for this conversation are:

Kevan McCrummen: owner and head brewer of Vantage Point Brewing in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho

Matthew Whitaker: sales engineer for Boiler Technologies Unlimited

Vernon Spaulding: president and owner of Providence Process Solutions

This in-depth discussion about hot-side process is brought to you interruption-free by Miura, the global leader in modular on-demand steam solutions. Miura’s boiler solutions are efficient, safe, and reliable, with flexible fuel options, compact footprints that fit today’s breweries, modular expandable systems that grow with your brewery, and monitoring technology that gives you peace of mind. Their boilers are backed by the industry’s only pressure-vessel guarantee against corrosion, and they offer a full lineup of equipment that integrates with your boiler, from water softening to de-aeration, reverse osmosis, and more. Learn more or contact them at Miuraboiler.com.

Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast


There’s always more to discover in a glass of beer, whether you’re patiently tending a fermentation in your closet or just appreciate the craft behind a well-made pint. The Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast brings that curiosity to life through weekly conversations with the people who shape the industry. Instead of vague overviews, you’ll hear professional brewers and seasoned experts break down specific techniques, from water chemistry to hop selection, in a way that’s useful for both homebrewers and dedicated enthusiasts. These discussions go beyond simple tips, offering a deeper look at the evolving trends and science that influence how beer is made and enjoyed today. Tuning into this podcast feels like having a seat at a lively taproom table where the talk is always honest, detailed, and genuinely passionate about quality. It’s that blend of practical advice and broader insight that makes each episode a valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand-and savor-the art of brewing a little better.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast
Podcast Episodes
393: Your Favorite Craft Beer & Brewing Podcast Episodes of 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:57
This final episode of 2024 is our chance to look back at the conversations that resonated most with you, the listeners. Here, we count down the ten most-dowloaded episodes of the past year, with excerpts from each. The c…
392: Zichovec Nods to Czech Tradition While Exploring Modern Craft Beer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:03
It’s easy for New World brewers to lump Czech beer into the “historical” category, but—while many prominent brewers there focus intently on the lagers we all love—a growing contingent are also tackling evolving styles su…
390: Sam Calagione Says the Spice Must Flow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:38
Dogfish Head has a reputation for pushing the envelope with culinary ingredients in their beer, and that penchant for experimentation was incorporated into the program at this year’s Brewer’s Retreat through this panel d…
387: Best in Beer 2024 Special with Jamie Bogner and Joe Stange [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:18
Our annual issue on the very Best in Beer today hits subscribers alongside this special, once-per-year episode of the Craft Beer & Brewing podcast. Hosts Jamie Bogner and Joe Stange reveal results from our annual Readers…