BeerSmith Home and Beer Brewing Podcast Starting a Brewery with Alex Wenner – BeerSmith Podcast #279
Apr 29, 2023
Alex Wenner, a guest who started his own brewery in the Hudson Valley, talks about his experience in starting Lasting Joy brewery. They discuss topics such as the seasonal nature of the Hudson Valley, the influence of environment on beer tasting, selecting equipment for brewery expansion, managing wastewater in a rural brewery, sourcing local malts and barley, and the future of the craft beer industry.
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Wastewater Treatment Challenges
- Being on a well and septic system presented unique wastewater treatment challenges unlike city systems.
- Their small onsite treatment plant adjusts pH and digests waste before releasing it safely to the septic field.
Planning for Cost Overruns
- Always add 50% more to your brewery construction budget to accommodate unexpected costs.
- Supply chain disruptions can cause major cost increases that negotiations won't offset.
Brewery Design Inspired by Nature
- They designed the brewery using modern but natural elements inspired by Hudson Valley's landscape and rustic farm aesthetics.
- The space balances blending into its surroundings while standing out as a hospitable, family-friendly environment.