In this exciting episode, we bring together some of the most innovative minds in brewing to discuss the Sorghum Brewing Challenge. Hosted by Kweza Craft Brewery in Rwanda and Yakima Chief Hops, the challenge aims to introduce sorghum, an ancient African grain, to the global craft beer scene. Joining the conversation are Jessi Flynn, founder of Kweza Craft Brewery, Luke Kulchstein from Yakima Chief Hops, Canadian craft beer pioneer Steve Beauchesne, and Kweza’s brewer Tapiwa Charosa.
We dive into the history and significance of sorghum in African brewing traditions, the technical challenges of brewing with this gluten-free grain, and how it can be adapted for modern beer styles. Jessi and Luke share how the collaboration between Kweza and Yakima Chief Hops was designed to encourage more breweries worldwide to experiment with sorghum. They also discuss the importance of creating recipes that blend traditional brewing methods with contemporary hop varieties to make sorghum beers more accessible to global palates.
This episode covers everything from the environmental benefits of sorghum farming to how this unique grain can create lighter, more sessionable beers. Whether you’re a brewer curious about sorghum or a beer enthusiast interested in African brewing traditions, this episode is packed with insights into the future of craft brewing.
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