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Consuming the Craft

Jeff "Puff" Irvin

Interviews and entertainment in the craft beverage industry. Join Puff as he explores the wonderful world of craft beer!

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  • 23 episodes
  • Avg 33 min
  • English

Episodes 23

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  • Jul 30, 2025 · 32 min

    Green Man Brewing’s Matt Peyton and Joe Summers on Trends, Classics, and Craft Beer Resilience

    Today on Consuming the Craft, I welcomed two of the driving forces behind Green Man Brewing Company: Joe Summers, Managing Director, and Matt Peyton, Director of Brewing. We dove deep into the world of legacy beer styles, the ebb and flow of trends in the craft beer scene, and how Green Man keeps pivoting and thriving even as the industry gets more crowded and competitive. From war stories about hay-infused brews and pumpkin beers arriving way before the harvest, to the real-world logistics of steering a brewery battleship in the wake of ever-shifting consumer preferences, this conversation was packed with insight, laughs, and a couple of surprise bottles (including some soju in a plastic liter bottle). We explored everything from experimental IPAs to the comforting return of classic ESBs and sessionable lagers, not to mention what it will take to bring Asheville’s South Slope back to full vibrancy. Joe Summers has nearly two decades of experience in the beverage industry, steering Green Man Brewing through thick and thin as Managing Director. Matt Peyton, whose background is in civil and environmental engineering, has spent almost every waking moment of the last twelve years climbing from delivery driver all the way up to Director of Brewing. Both are passionate advocates for beer brewed with balance, intention, and a healthy respect for tradition—even as they chase after the occasional trend or wacky adjunct. "Brewery is not an F1 car, it's a battleship. And it takes a long time to turn it and move it in a direction." ~Matt Peyton Today on Consuming the Craft: · Trends in the craft beer industry are cyclical; legacy beer styles, such as ESB, IPA, and Porter, are making a comeback as trends shift from fads to classics. · Steering a brewery toward a new trend requires years of planning, from label approval to production schedules; you can’t just pivot overnight. · The “haze craze” and IPA experimentation are still very much alive, but there’s growing consumer interest in sessionable, lower-ABV beers and clean lagers. · Legacy brands, dependable classics consumers know and trust, help breweries stay resilient when distributors prioritize trendier items like hard seltzers. · Economic uncertainty means more people are reaching for tried-and-true classic beers, rather than taking a chance on expensive new releases. · The Asheville craft scene is recovering after a tough year, and both breweries and locals are eager to welcome back visitors and celebrate a return to normal. · Experimentation isn’t dead, surprise tastings during the conversation included a robust Armagnac and a surprisingly smooth (and subtle) Korean soju. · Food, beer, and community remain at the heart of what breweries like Green Man do, whether its chili made with porter or a scotch egg and a pint at Jack the Wood. Contact Green Man Brewing Company: Website: https://www.greenmanbrewery.com/ Locations: 27 Buxton Ave, Asheville, NC (plus additional taproom info online) Resources Mentioned: Green Man Brewing Company beers: ESB, Porter, Damn Fine Pilsner (currently on draft) East Village Grill (offering Green Man’s “Easy Drinking Pills”) Sierra Nevada Brewing (new pilsner noted for excellence) McConnell Farms This episode is brought to you by… McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market. Visit the McConnell Farms website to learn more about our seasonal inventory and the delicious creations you can make with our homegrown produce. Consuming the Craft Thanks for tuning into this week’s Consuming the Craft Podcast episode, brought to you by AB Tech’s Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | GooglePlay Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more craft beverage enthusiasts. To learn more about AB Tech and the Craft Beer Institute of the Southeast, visit our website.

  • Jul 24, 2025 · 1 hr

    Celebrating Growth and Hands-On Learning at AB Tech with President John Gossett

    Today on Consuming the Craft, I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. John Gossett, president of Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College, to mark his five-year anniversary leading the institution. Together, we took a candid look at how education, especially at the community college level, has evolved in response to hurricanes, pandemics, technological disruptions, and shifting attitudes about the value of a college credential. Our conversation ranged from the challenges of outdated bureaucracy and the importance of hands-on education to the ever-growing need to align what we teach with what employers and students actually want, including industry certifications, apprenticeships, and practical experience. We also dug into the boom in the craft beverage industry—including non-alcoholic and specialty drinks—and what the changing tastes and job market mean for our students and programs. And, as always, there was time for a thoughtful toast, a few laughs, and some great Scotch. Dr. John Gossett has dedicated nearly forty years to advancing education, with a career that began in the classroom and led him through the ranks to his current role as president of AB Tech. He is recognized for championing hands-on learning, building resilient and student-focused pathways, and forging deep connections with local employers to ensure education is relevant and impactful. His vision centers on community colleges as engines for transformation—not just academic but personal and regional—and he remains committed to making education more accessible, modern, and in tune with our rapidly changing world. "You're not gonna find AI coming in and fixing your plumbing, rewiring your house." Today on Consuming the Craft: · The future of community colleges depends on adaptability, aligning programs with the actual needs of industries and students, and being open to new models of credentialing, such as the certificates offered by technology companies. · Hands-on, skilled trades remain stable and lucrative career paths, with the added benefit of being relatively resilient to automation and artificial intelligence. · AB Tech continues to break down the outdated stigma around community colleges, showing that its graduates go on to meaningful, high-paying local jobs and leadership roles. · Bureaucracy and red tape—from excessive paperwork to inflexible credential rules—are real barriers that educators must address to better serve tomorrow's students. · Apprenticeships and partnerships with industry are crucial, as they provide students with practical experience, foster employee loyalty, and strengthen the regional workforce. · The craft beverage field is evolving rapidly, with a growing interest in non-alcoholic products, seltzers, CBD/THC-infused drinks, and specialty teas, expanding the range of skills the college must teach. · Data-driven, personalized student pathways—using insights similar to online retailers—could revolutionize how students find, select, and complete their educational journeys. · Education must emphasize both practical, work-ready skills and the soft skills of communication, critical thinking, and adapting to change, especially in a post-pandemic world. · Contact for Dr. John Gossett: Email: johngossett@abtech.edu Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College: abtech.edu Resources Mentioned: Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast at AB Tech McConnell Farms UC Davis (brewing and beverage science) Siebel Institute Western Governors University This episode is brought to you by… McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market. Visit the McConnell Farms website to learn more about our seasonal inventory and the delicious creations you can make with our homegrown produce. Consuming the Craft Thanks for tuning into this week’s Consuming the Craft Podcast episode, brought to you by AB Tech’s Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | GooglePlay Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more craft beverage enthusiasts. To learn more about AB Tech and the Craft Beer Institute of the Southeast, visit our website.

  • Jun 26, 2025 · 19 min

    Brewing, Distilling, and Everything Between: The Ever-Growing Beverage Curriculum

    Today on Consuming the Craft, I’m celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the first graduating class from the Brewing, Distillation, and Fermentation program here at AB Tech. Joining me is John Lyda, a full-time faculty member, brewing industry veteran, and program cornerstone who’s been instrumental in driving the evolution of our curriculum. Together, we reflect on how far the program has come—from its beer-centric roots to now embracing a diverse array of beverages like cider, seltzer, non-alcoholic options, wine, and even innovative creations like mushroom wine. We discuss the ever-changing demands of the craft beverage industry, the importance of flexibility and quality assurance, and the ways our program responds to students’ varied backgrounds and aspirations, from international students to second-career professionals. We also unpack the realities of teaching distillation, the challenges of non-alcoholic beverage safety, and our ongoing efforts to develop continued education for enthusiasts and industry veterans alike. John Lyda brings nearly a decade of experience as an educator at AB Tech, following his successful tenure in the professional brewing world. Known for his technical expertise and approachable teaching style, John has seen the program grow in both scope and ambition, guiding students as they tackle everything from traditional lagers to fruit wines and beyond. Highly regarded for his commitment to industry standards and innovation, John champions the importance of adaptability and quality in every phase of craft beverage production. “Making sure that your quality control and quality assurance is there before it releases to the market… is something that people get very, very excited and want to get to market very, very quickly with their idea, but they want to make sure it’s safe.” ~Puff Today on Consuming the Craft: · The Brewing, Distillation, and Fermentation program at AB Tech has expanded far beyond its original beer-focused curriculum to include cider, seltzer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. · Student interests now span the full spectrum of craft beverage production, including international and second-career students with diverse backgrounds. · Quality assurance and safe production protocols—such as pasteurization—are critical, especially in non-alcoholic and new beverage categories. · The curriculum exposes students to the hands-on production of beer, mead, wine, cider, seltzer, soda (including ginger ale), and even unique experimental fermentations, such as mushroom wine. · Distillation training is provided within the bounds of federal law, emphasizing consistent and sanitary fermentation as the foundation for high-quality spirits. · Ongoing program updates include new equipment, such as open-top fermenters, and facility design projects, which help students adapt to industry needs. · AB Tech is developing continuing education and workforce development options to serve working professionals and enthusiasts seeking to expand their knowledge or acquire industry credentials. · Flexibility and innovation remain at the heart of the program, preparing students to adapt to industry trends and shifting consumer demands. Resources Mentioned: • AB Tech Brewing, Distillation & Fermentation Program • Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast • Canada Dry Ginger Ale (for sensory training and ginger ale/beer discussion) To learn more or request information about courses, continuing education, or industry partnerships, reach out to jeffreymirvin@abtech.edu. If you’re interested in lifelong learning or supporting your business’s growth in the craft beverage field, let us know how we can help! This episode is brought to you by… McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market. Visit the McConnell Farms website to learn more about our seasonal inventory and the delicious creations you can make with our homegrown produce. Consuming the Craft Thanks for tuning into this week’s Consuming the Craft Podcast episode, brought to you by AB Tech’s Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | GooglePlay Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more craft beverage enthusiasts. To learn more about AB Tech and the Craft Beer Institute of the Southeast, visit our website.

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