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Pursuing the Perfect Pint

RMI Analytics

Journey around the world with industry expert Brent Atthill as he pursues the perfect pint all while discussing the malt supply chain within the brewing and distilling industry.

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  • 23 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 28 min
  • English

Episodes 23

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  • Wednesday · 30 min

    Episode #42 | 22 US Malt Plants Down to 6: What Happened to American Beer? w/ Don Grambsch

    The US once had 22 malt plants. Today it has about six. Industry legend Don Grambsch joins Brent to explain how craft beer, GMO corn and soaring freight costs reshaped the malt supply chain—and why the biggest brewers missed the shift to premium. As malt production moved west and consumers remained in the east, freight became the industry's deciding factor. Plus: Napa left 400,000 tons of grapes unpicked last year. Is beer next? Part 1 of 2. Barley is up next.

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  • September 16 · 28 min

    Episode #41 | How Is Australia Shaping Barley’s Next Decade? w/ Mark Lewis

    Australia is one of the world’s leading barley producers—but what will it take to remain competitive over the next decade? In Episode 41 of Pursuing the Perfect Pint, Brent speaks with Mark Lewis, Chief Commercial Officer at Riordan Grain Services and Chair of the Grains Australia Barley Council. They discuss Australia’s strong barley production, changing grower priorities, narrowing malting-barley premiums and the growing importance of feed markets. They also explore how improved varieties, sustainable farming practices and closer collaboration across the supply chain could shape the industry’s future. Can Australia turn these strengths into a lasting global advantage? Listen to How Is Australia Shaping Barley’s Next Decade? and subscribe for more insights from across the global barley, malt and brewing industries.

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  • September 9 · 26 min

    Episode #40 I Real Work Happens Between Meetings w/Samantha Rockey

    In Episode #40 of Pursuing the Perfect Pint, Brent is joined by Samantha Rockey, co-founder of Thompson Harrison and co-author of The Social Brain: The Psychology of Successful Groups. They explore the human reality behind better business decisions—from choosing the right group size and facilitating productive discussions to building the trust needed to navigate complexity and make difficult decisions. Why can sharing a meal before an important meeting lead to a better outcome? Why do smaller groups make decisions more efficiently? And why are the informal moments between meetings often where the real work happens? The discussion also examines the role of face-to-face interaction, social rituals and beer in creating connection, strengthening teams and opening the door to new ideas. Tune in to Episode #40 of Pursuing the Perfect Pint on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify.

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  • September 1 · 32 min

    Episode #39 I Beer’s Next Big Competitor May Not Be Beer w/Dan Kopman (WBA)

    Episode #39 — Beer’s next big competitor may not be beer The opportunity isn’t just more beer drinkers. It’s more reasons to drink beer. What if the biggest opportunity for beer isn’t taking share from another beer — but competing with everything else we drink? Dan Kopman of the World Brewing Alliance joins Brent Atthill to explore why non-alcoholic beer could open entirely new occasions for the category — from choosing a beer instead of a soft drink at a party to reaching for one after a run. They discuss changing demographics, affordability, the rise of non-alcoholic beer, and why brewers increasingly find themselves competing not only with wine and spirits, but with the wider beverage category. Dan also explains why he believes non-alcoholic beer could reach 100 million hectolitres globally — and why its growth may only be starting to accelerate. Plus, Brent and Danielle share the latest market update and ask: if brewers are looking at the soft drinks market, what happens when soft drinks start looking back? Tune in to Pursuing the Perfect Pint on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify.

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  • August 24 · 34 min

    Episode #38 | What Does Regenerative Agriculture Really Mean? w/Brooke Sauer

    Regenerative agriculture is talked about a lot — but what does it actually mean in practice? In Episode #38, Brent chats with Brooke Sauer of Boolah Farms to put Regen Ag into an understandable context — from improving soil health and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers to balancing sustainability with yield, quality and farm profitability. Brooke also shares how Boolah Farms is putting these ideas into practice through its Regen for Real programme and scaling the approach across its grower network. A practical look at what Regen Ag really means for farmers, barley and the future of brewing.

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  • August 19 · 33 min

    Episode #37 | Nowhere to Hide Behind a Lager w/John Brauer

    Episode #37 | Nowhere to Hide Behind a Lager A lager may look simple, but getting it right is anything but. This week, Brent Atthill is joined by John Brauer of The Brewers of Europe and the European Brewery Convention (EBC) to explore the technical side of brewing and why there is nowhere to hide behind a crisp, clean lager. Plus, Brent and Danielle provide the latest market update, looking at the European barley harvest, quality variability, the prolonged heat across Europe and the wider influence of wheat, corn and geopolitical markets. And ultimately, it all comes back to one goal: creating that “lip-smacking enthusiasm” for a great lager.

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  • August 17 · 25 min

    Episode #36 | DIFFERENT MIX BRINGS DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

    Pursuing the Perfect Pint – Episode #36 | Different Mix Brings Different Perspectives Why does gender diversity matter to business? In Episode #36, Brent Atthill speaks with Sharon Peake, Founder & CEO of Shape Talent, about the business case for bringing different perspectives into traditionally male-dominated industries such as brewing, malting and distilling. Sharon shares research linking gender diversity with better decision-making, innovation and business performance, alongside lessons from her time at SABMiller on developing female talent and building stronger leadership pipelines. They also explore why “every appointment matters” — and why the people businesses recruit and promote today can shape their success for years to come. Plus, Brent and Danielle discuss the latest market picture, from European drought and geopolitical disruption to why the global grain outlook may be less bleak than the headlines suggest. Gender diversity isn’t just good practice. It’s good business.

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  • August 3 · 35 min

    Episode #35 | Don't Chase Every New Trend. Make a Decision. Commit.

    What does it really take to create lasting change? In this episode of Pursuing the Perfect Pint, Brent and Danielle travel to Denmark to meet Soren, a farmer who has spent more than 25 years refining his approach to regenerative farming. His message is refreshingly simple: stop chasing every new idea, choose a direction, and commit to it. Joined by Simon Klemmensen (DLG Group) and Karl Stokes (Viking Malt), the discussion explores how long-term thinking, collaboration across the supply chain, and the right economic incentives can help build a more resilient future for barley production. Plus, Brent and Danielle share their latest market update, covering Europe's heatwave, geopolitical risks, crop conditions and what they could mean for grain and malt barley markets. 🎙️ In conversation with Soren, Simon (DLG) and Karl (Viking Malt).

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  • July 28 · 27 min

    Episode #34 | Canada's Hidden Role in Global Brewing

    Canada rarely grabs the headlines in brewing—but perhaps it should. This week, Brent and Danielle uncover the country's hidden role in keeping brewers supplied across North America and beyond. Joined by Tom Ryan of Richardson International, they discuss crop conditions, export demand, brewing quality, and why Canada's barley industry continues to be one of the quiet strengths behind the global beer supply chain.

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  • July 23 · 22 min

    Episode #33 | Organic Came First. Beer Came Second.

    In this episode of Pursuing the Perfect Pint, Brent Atthill & Danielle Bekker visit Ørbæk Bryggeri in Denmark to meet Andreas Jakob Wedel Falkenberg, Production Manager, and uncover the story behind Denmark's first 100% organic brewery.

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  • July 21 · 27 min

    Episode #32 | Why Organic Still Has the Edge

    Visits to Hverringe Gods and Fuglsang Malt reveal why organic has become a commercially viable choice, while regenerative agriculture has yet to establish the same economic certainty

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  • July 7 · 21 min

    🎙Episode #31 | 30 Powerful Conversations. Building the Bigger Picture.

    Every guest added another piece to the puzzle, revealing how climate, energy, geopolitics, consumer behaviour and innovation influence every part of the global barley, malt, brewing and distilling supply chain. Brent & Danielle reflect on the biggest stories from the first 30 episodes of Pursuing the Perfect Pint.

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  • June 30 · 23 min

    Episode #30 – Is Regenerative Agriculture Finally Rewarding Farmers?

    Regenerative agriculture has become one of the defining conversations shaping our industry. But one important question remains: is it finally rewarding the people at the heart of it—the farmers? Brent sits down with Robert Price from Rooks Nest Estate for an honest conversation about the realities facing today's barley growers.

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  • June 22 · 25 min

    Episode #29 – Heritage Barley, Timeless Beer

    How six generations of one family brewery have kept the story of Maris Otter alive. What happens when a brewery founded in 1849 continues brewing with the same values nearly two centuries later? James Clark of Hook Norton shares a story of family, barley, brewing heritage, and the importance of preserving traditions while adapting to changing consumer tastes.

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  • June 1 · 34 min

    🎙 Episode 26 | No Barley. No Beer. No Bourbon.

    🎙 Episode 26 | No Barley. No Beer. No Bourbon. Are beer and whiskey markets finally showing signs of recovery? Brent and Danielle discuss the latest market trends before Brent speaks with Ashley McFarland, President of AMBA, about how collaboration across farmers, maltsters, brewers, distillers, and policymakers is helping shape the future of U.S. barley.

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  • May 26 · 26 min

    Silver Episode #25 🍺| Where Waste Bread Becomes Craft Beer

    From the realities facing today’s farmers and brewers to one brewery transforming surplus artisan bread into distinctive craft beer — Brent and Danielle explore the market trends, sustainability challenges, and creative innovation shaping the future of beer alongside Crumbs Brewing.

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  • May 19 · 23 min

    Episode #24 | Inside Limagrain’s Barley Breeding Strategy

    In this episode, the team from Limagrain discusses the future of malting barley, sustainability, and how new breeding innovations could help secure the future of beer production. Plus, Brent and Danielle break down the latest market trends shaping the global barley and brewing industries.

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  • May 12 · 25 min

    Episode #23: The Untold Farmer Story: Malting Barley’s Important Role in Beer and Whiskey

    Episode #23 of Pursuing the Perfect Pint features North Dakota Barley Council growers Steve, Nathan, and Frank discussing the future of malting barley, crop competition, contracting, and building a resilient malt supply chain. Brent and Danielle also explore the latest global barley market developments, beer demand trends, and why the farmer story matters more than ever to the future of beer and whiskey. No barley, no beer… or whiskey.

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Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes