Today on Consuming the Craft, I had the pleasure of catching up with Seth Hewitt, brewing supervisor extraordinaire at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Fresh off a trip to Ireland, Seth dives into the sensory nuances between Guinness in its home country versus what we get stateside, the mystique behind Guinness’ global quality control, and some behind-the-scenes tales from his brewery tours. We also venture into the world of Irish whiskey, exploring Jameson’s unique blend of column and pot still techniques, and sample some Tolmore Dew together, picking apart its flavor notes. Seth shares his journey from environmental geology to craft beer, details how geography and terroir influence ingredients, and lets us in on his new passion project—Beer City Bouquets, which merges two worlds by arranging flowers in upcycled beer cans.

Seth Hewitt brings a wealth of hands-on brewing experience, creative passion, and a geologist’s eye for detail. Starting with a degree in environmental geology from Appalachian State, Seth’s curiosity and craftsmanship led him from Volcano research in Africa to homebrewing and then to professional roles at Howard Brewing, Lost Province, and ultimately Sierra Nevada. With nearly a decade at Sierra Nevada, he’s shaped beer production, developed new releases, and now blends his love for plants and beverages with his flower-farming side business. Always tinkering, Seth embodies the heart of craft brewing and creative entrepreneurship.

“All the breweries around the world are creating just a base beer, like a pale ale beer, as close as they can get to the original…then they use this essence of Guinness that is made all in Ireland and then shipped out.” ~ Seth Hewitt

Today on Consuming the Craft:

·     Guinness brewed in Ireland tastes notably less roasty compared to the American version, influenced by process and possibly local ingredients.

·     Guinness uses a system of concentrated “essence” produced in Ireland and shipped globally to ensure quality and consistency in foreign markets.

·     Nigeria is Guinness’s second-largest market outside Ireland, influenced by historical and economic factors.

·     Jameson Irish Whiskey combines both pot still and column still spirits, offering a distinct flavor profile depending on the blend.

·     Terroir—from soil to water availability—impacts the flavor of base ingredients such as barley, hops, and wood used in barrels and spirits.

·     Seth leveraged a degree in environmental geology and a lifelong passion for crafting into a brewing career, showing the unexpected pathways into beer.

·     Beer City Bouquets is Seth’s side project, where he crafts flower arrangements using upcycled beer cans, blending his two creative passions.

·     Craft brewing requires balancing ever-changing agricultural variables to maintain consistency in flagship beers, a true mix of art and science.

Resources Mentioned:

Jameson Distillery Tour Experience

Riverbend Malt House (barley malting and terroir project)

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Beer City Bouquets (Seth’s floral side business)

McConnell Farms (sponsor mentioned)

Connect with Seth Hewitt:

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

This episode is brought to you by…

McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market. Visit the McConnell Farms website to learn more about our seasonal inventory and the delicious creations you can make with our homegrown produce.

Consuming the Craft

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