416: Derrick Robertson of BreWskey Narrows His Hop Palette to Explore the Variations Within Varietals

Before he took the leap and started his own, BreWskey cofounder Derrick Robertson was a process engineer who helped design breweries. That background was invaluable when building out a brewhouse and cellar in a building that’s a historic landmark in Vieux-Montréal. With multiple spaces and sprawling patios, BreWskey is popular among travelers who drink plenty of pale lager in warmer months—with many who also appreciate BreWskey’s creative and contemporary approach to hazy IPA. Robertson has an unquenchable thirst for experimentation, treating each batch on their two- and 10-barrel systems as an opportunity to tweak variables, test ingredients, and dial in processes. He’s not afraid to brew beer with a point of view informed by his own tastes—witbier without phenolic Belgian yeast, for example—and he’s always up for experiments, such as pushing 34/70 to see just how much heat it can endure. When it comes to hazy IPA, however, he can’t bear the astringent burn that certain hops exacerbate, so he’s dialed in processes to turn beers at brewpub speed with robust body and just enough haze—because, as he says, there is such a thing as too much haze. In this episode, Robertson discusses: balancing brewpub and taproom beer menus with an on-the-fly creative process adjusting the beer program week to week, based on tourism trends brewing white beer with London Ale III while replacing certain yeast-driven flavors with targeted ingredient additions using New Zealand hops strategically for light color without the burn the fungibility of many hazy IPA grain bills selecting hop varieties, such as Rakau, that improve the expression of others why Riwaka is like smoked malt avoiding “Galaxy paste” when brewing with the Australian hop accepting inefficient extraction techniques when using certain hops, to avoid picking up off-flavors dialing in his hop palette to eight to 10 hops, while expanding the number of lots of each dry-hop bench-testing for lot selection, to understand how the rub connects to the actual flavors and aromas in finished beer 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. Old Orchard ( https://www.oldorchard.com/brewer ) : As breweries expand beyond beer into other segments like mocktails and CBD beverages, Old Orchard is here to help. We can formulate custom blends featuring specialty ingredients. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer. Indie Hops ( https://indiehops.com ) Lórien seamlessly combines traditional elements of European noble hops with an elegant twang of American modernity. Learn more about Lórien and the rest of Indie’s varieties at www.indiehops.com . Indie Hops — Life is short. Let’s make it flavorful. Steel Chill Cups ( https://SteelChillCups.com ) Steel Chill-Cups are the perfect promotional tool! Crafted from 100% recyclable steel and proudly made in the USA. Discover how Steel Chill-Cups can “Put your brand on every pour”—visit SteelChillCups.com today! Arryved ( https://www.arryved.com ) Not only does Arryved offer a world-class POS built specifically for breweries, but they also provide Arryved Brewery Management, e-commerce, and more to help breweries scale and thrive. Visit arryved.com to learn more. Paktech ( https://www.paktech-opi.com ) With a minimalist design, durable functionality you can rely on, and custom color matching, PakTech helps brands stand out while staying sustainable. Trusted by craft brewers nationwide, they offer a smarter, sustainable way to carry your beer. To learn more, visit paktech-opi.com Brewery Workshop ( https://breweryworkshop.com ) If you’re launching a brewery or acquiring an existing one, consider our brewery workshop and new brewery accelerator, September 14 through 17th in Fort Collins, Colorado. Over four days, we engage in panel discussions, technical brewery tours, networking, and small working group sessions that help you better understand and prepare for the challenges of brewery operation. Tickets are on sale now. Support Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast