Elijah Ellis - From Homebrewer to Pro

Elijah Ellis, co-owner and head brewer of Bays Mountain Brewing Company, shares his journey from homebrewing to professional brewing. He discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing a full-time job with running a brewery, the importance of community in Kingsport, and the unique flavors and beers they create. Elijah also offers valuable advice for aspiring brewers, insights into the business side of brewing, and reflections on the impact of the pandemic on their operations. The conversation highlights the growth of the craft beer scene and the significance of brewing as a means to bring people together.-------------------------------------------Jeremy Lincoln Show Links SUBSCRIBE: / @jeremylincolnshowSign up: jeremylincolnshow.beehiiv.comListen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jeremy-lincoln-show/id1853010507Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3bLkPSvvBgIKYAOA3hlylAFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremylincolnshow/Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremylincolnshowFollow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583833223126 Follow on X: https://x.com/jlincolnshowSupport the Show: Pateron: https://www.patreon.com/cw/jeremylincolnshowBuy me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/jeremylincpRecipes from Homebrewershttps://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1b65jXOFevFO4JRUq0TyxU7gmFpTrXcvy?usp=sharingChapters00:00 Introduction to Elijah Ellis and Bays Mountain Brewing02:09 The Journey from Homebrewer to Professional Brewer05:13 Advice for Aspiring Brewers08:03 Transitioning to Head Brewer and Ownership11:08 Brewing Techniques and Quality Control14:08Feedback and Improvement in Brewing17:06 Surviving the Pandemic: Canning and Sales19:58 Innovative Brewing: Ghost Pepper Stout22:02 The Business Side of Brewing Ownership24:57 Day One as Owners: Changes and Continuity28:01 Considerations for Aspiring Brewery Owners30:06 The Brewing Journey Begins34:11 Competition Insights and Awards36:09 Craft Beer Community and Downtown Kingsport39:59 Distribution Challenges for Small Breweries42:08 Flagship Beers and Customer Preferences45:07 Brewing Disasters and Learning Experiences49:58 Future Plans and Growth Strategies55:04 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Preferences