Upcoming Yeast & Fermentation Workshop For Distillers
Image from White Labs
On October 4th and 5th I'm going to be in San Diego, attending White Labs' 4th annual Yeast and Fermentation Workshop and Webinar for Distillers. The two day workshop will cover a broad range of topics related to yeast, such as, basic biology, how to select strains for specific distillates, and the sensory impact of yeast on distilled spirits. The first day of seminars will be at White Labs, and the second day's practicum will be held at Ballast Point Spirits.
Lee Medoff of Bull Run Distillery in Portland took the class last year and I talked with him to get his impression of the class. Lee has worked as a brewer, vintner and distiller for quite some time and told me he was interested in picking up some tips about low nutrient cane sugar fermentations for rum. Lee said that he particularly liked the hands on yeast hydration and culturing lab. And, in his opinion, one of the best parts of the workshop were the unstructured times he could talk one on one with the White Labs staff and the other distillers, trading tips and best practices. Like with any two day workshop there were a couple of topics he wanted more of. But, when he returned to Bull Run, Lee brought back some new yeast protocols that required some trial and error to get just right for his distillery. However, he seems to feel that the workshop helped him improve his fermentations for rum. Lee told me that since he has taken the class, he has recommended it to all of the members of the Oregon Distillers Guild. That sounds like a resounding recommended to me and I'm excited that I can attend.
For anyone interested in improving their yeast management and or learning about good fermentation practices particular to the needs of distillers, this sounds like the workshop for you. To find out more details about the class call White Labs at 1-888-5-Yeast-5 or check out their website.