Home » Episodes » GBM 19 – The Past, Present and Future of Beer with Larry Sidor

Larry Sidor (left) in his natural habitat

I’d like to introduce you to Brewmaster Larry Sidor who has been Captain of the brew kettle since the early 1970s. During his time he witnessed American beer culture hit its lowest point and even endured having to brew to the palates of the time. 

Larry Sidor (left) in his natural habitat
Olympia Beer

In the years that followed, Sidor developed procedures and equipment that have improved the entire industry. He’s brewed many world class beers that have brought him medals and renown.  In what may be his swan song, he has fulfilled a personal dream of opening his own brewery, Crux Fermentation Project, so he can continue pushing the boundaries of beer culture. 

The low point of American Beer

In the 1980s he bore witness to the rise of microbrews.  He was a believer amongst a sea of doubt as to whether microbeer would survive.  Microbrews eventually became craft and again he witnessed, the now threatened, national breweries’ response to it. 

Age old wisdom tells us to not let our past define us, but instead, let it be our guide.  Beer culture has always struggled with tradition vs. innovation and big vs. Independent.  If Sidor’s story tells us anything, it is that the future of beer will be decided by the beer each of us chooses.

Crux Tasting Room

Join us in the next episode where we visit a woman who endured terrible disease, discovered her own cure and started a prolific, world-wide blog, all through gluten-free beer.

Show Links:

Famous Wine competition of CA 1976

SS Steiner Hop company

Olympia Brewery

Fritz Maytag – Anchor Brewing

Pilsner Urquell – The first pilsner

Development of Cryo hops with AB (While at Steiner)

Haas Hops

YCH

Indie Hops

Dan and Sarah Gamber podcast – The Next Thing

Deschutes Brewery

Red Chair NWPA with Cryo hops 

Dissident

The Abyss

Buzzsaw Brown

Chainbreaker White IPA

Inversion IPA

Fresh Squeezed IPA

Hop Trip

Crux Fermentation Project

Yuengling Brewery