1. Collab Hour

Engineering a Kettle Boilover Prevention Device

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Speakers: John Blystone, Chris McCombs, Kent Taylor

Kettle boilovers can cause major on-the-job injuries or loss of life. Still, many craft brewers are lacking the tools to prevent harm to themselves and brewery employees. This webinar, presented by members of the Brewers Association (BA) Engineering Subcommittee, describes low-cost solutions for preventing kettle boilovers. From the lens of a real-world brewpub case study, you’ll learn how to audit your equipment for necessary modifications, select the appropriate sensor for your application, and consider holistic strategies to prevent boilovers in the brewery.

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About the Speakers

John Blystone

John Blystone, Manager of Engineering and Maintenance

Great Lakes Brewing Company

John Blystone is a 2005 graduate of the University of Akron where he studied Electrical Engineering while working as a co-op at Morton Salt. Upon graduation he began his career as an Electrical Controls Engineer, automating process equipment in the coal power, food, chemical, and rubber industries at facilities around the world, from Costa Rica to Poland and all over the continental United States. In 2013 John gave up the perks of continuous travel, large amounts of time away from home, and the grime involved in making rubber products for an Automation Specialist position at the Great Lakes Brewing Company. Shortly thereafter he earned his Professional Engineering (PE) license in the State of Ohio for Control Systems, simultaneously becoming an International Society of Automation (ISA) certified Control Systems Engineer (CSE). John is currently the Manager of Engineering & Maintenance at GLBC, managing a team of maintenance, engineering, and occupational safety professionals. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Cleveland Section of the ISA, and is also Honorary President of the local Lambda Lambda Lambda chapter. His hobbies include all things geek, such as steam locomotive preservation, HAM radio, NASA-themed LEGO, and vintage video games.

Chris McCombs

Chris McCombs, Head Brewer

Coopersmith's Pub & Brewing

Chris McCombs is the Head Brewer for Coopersmith's Pub & Brewing, located in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 24 years of experience in the independent craft brewing industry, he has worked as both a Cellar Operator and Plant Engineer at New Belgium Brewing, and Brewer at Red Rock Brewing and KettleHouse Brewing Co. Additionally, he helped develop several award-winning brews, judged at the Great American Beer Festival, is currently volunteering as Chair for the BA Engineering Subcommittee, and mentoring senior project groups for Colorado State University's Fermentation Sciences Program.

Kent Taylor

Kent Taylor, Co-Founder

Blackstone Brewing Co.

Kent Taylor has been involved in the craft brewing business for over 25 years. He co-founded Blackstone Restaurant and Brewery, a brewpub, in 1994 and the Blackstone production brewery in 2011, both in Nashville, Tennessee. Kent managed the design, engineering, and building of both breweries. With the help of many talented folks, he managed all technical aspects of the brewpub brewery until its closure in 2016 and continues in that role with the production brewery to this day. He serves as a member of the BA Technical Committee and as vice chair of the Engineering Subcommittee.

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