435: Josh Penney of Threes Brings a Bicoastal Sensibility to Hoppy Lager, Hazy IPA, and More

435: Josh Penney of Threes Brings a Bicoastal Sensibility to Hoppy Lager, Hazy IPA, and More

Author: Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine September 12, 2025 Duration: 1:13:02

Before joining Threes, Josh Penney spent the better part of a decade brewing in Southern California, with nearly half of that time at hoppy-lager innovators Highland Park. Now at the helm of Threes in Brooklyn, he’s taking the knowledge he built in lager fermentation and layering in hops of various formats to create beers that pop from the package and the glass.

In this episode, Penney discusses:

  • the preservative power of lager fermentation and modern hop products in hop-forward styles
  • building hazy IPA to evoke “hop ice cream” that doesn’t feel heavy or sweet
  • using flowable hop products during active fermentation
  • using thiol-enriched hops such as Freestyle’s Mega Motueka
  • selecting for positive characteristics in New Zealand hops
  • optimizing contact time with Southern Hemisphere hops
  • adding terpenes during active fermentation and building deeper flavor blends with advanced hop products
  • fermentation profiles that optimize dry yeast performance
  • adjusting the timing of diacetyl rests based on dry-hopping regimens

And more.

This episode is brought to you by:

G&D Chillers (https://gdchillers.com): For years G&D Chillers has chilled the beers you love, partnering with 3,000+ breweries across North America and beyond. With our 24/7 service and support, your brewery will never stop. Remote monitor your chiller for simple and fast access to all the information you need, and gain peace of mind your operation is running smoothly.
Berkeley Yeast (https://berkeleyyeast.com). Berkeley Yeast bioengineers ordinary strains and make them extraordinary—enhancing the flavors you want and eliminating the ones you don’t. Visit berkeleyyeast.com to learn more and start brewing with science on your side.

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Indie Hops (https://indiehops.com) Celebrating 16 years of delivering compelling new hop varieties along with classics that thrive in Oregon’s terroir, Indie is the original source for Strata, Luminosa, Lórien, Meridian, and their newest variety Audacia. Release your creativity with the magic of pure, uncut Oregon hops from Indie. Indie Hops — Life is short. Let’s make it flavorful.
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Canoe Wild Rice (https://breweryworkshop.com) Brewers, have you ever considered brewing with North America’s only Ancient Grain—Wild Rice? Joe at Canoe Wild Rice has a stockpile of this unique roasted grain ready to ship to you. Send Canoe Wild Rice an email at joe@canoewildrice.com or give the office a call at 1-800-626-3809

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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

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