Episode Details

Living Waters in Nashville, Tennessee, is a full-service coffee house as well as brewery, and its affinity for strong, well-articulated flavor runs through all the beverages they produce and serve. Recently, the brewery’s Barrel-Aged Dyson Sphere (Construct IV) scored a 97 in Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine^®—garnering the highest score in the category—so, naturally, we wanted to know more.

That success stems in part from cofounder Ryan McCay’s deep passion for barrel-aged stouts and barleywines, and he uses the brewery’s proximity to major bourbon and whiskey producers to his advantage. While Living Waters may be small, and the releases are somewhat limited, they’ve nonetheless built a deep stock of casks with aging stock now averaging around three years old, and they take a brand-agnostic, flavor-first approach to building blends from these various components. At the same time, their counterintuitive approach to adding coffee to stout may surprise you.

In this episode, McCay discusses:

• building different base recipes to fit specific whiskey casks
• blind blending for a brand-agnostic, flavor-first approach
• barrel selection to maximize desirable flavors
• off-gassing coffee to avoid green-pepper notes in beer
• cinnamon addition methods that vary by variety

And more.

G&D Chillers
The Craft Brewers Conference is coming up April 20 through 23, 2026—and G&D Chillers will be there. If you’re heading to CBC, swing by and talk shop with the folks who know brewery operations inside and out. G&D’s biggest strength isn’t just the equipment—it’s our deep understanding of how a brewery runs. From cellar layout to production flow, our team brings decades of hands-on experience to every install and every conversation. Whether you’re running a single-stage 5H unit or scaling up with a Vertical Air Chiller, G&D builds systems that are reliable, efficient, and built to last. Because when your chiller’s solid, your beer stays cold—and your operation stays on track. Plan your visit at gdchillers.com/podcast—and come see us at CBC, Booth 1518.

Berkeley Yeast
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PakTech
This episode is sponsored by PakTech—delivering craft-beer multipacking you can trust. Our handles are made from 100 percent recycled plastic and are fully recyclable, helping breweries close the loop and advance the circular economy. With a minimalist design, durable functionality you can rely on, and custom color matching, our carriers help brands stand out while staying sustainable. Trusted by craft brewers nationwide, we offer a smarter, susta