Daniel Gadala-Maria on Leaving Academia for Craft Beer & Reinvention | In The Harbor #28

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when a Princeton and Yale-trained scientist walks away from academia to pursue craft beer full time?In this episode of In The Harbor, Jason Johns and Mackey Daniel sit down with brewer and scientist Daniel Gadala-Maria of Kills Boro Brewing to explore one of the most fascinating career pivots we’ve covered on the show. Daniel shares how his background studying yeast and computational biology unexpectedly became the perfect foundation for a career in brewing, why he left the traditional academic path behind, and how curiosity, mentorship, and passion shaped the transition. The conversation dives deep into the science of brewing, yeast management, Czech lagers, beer innovation, and the evolving trends reshaping the craft beer industry. Daniel explains why consistency matters more than creativity, how breweries are adapting to changing consumer habits, and why the future of craft beer may be more community-driven and inclusive than ever before. They also discuss: The parallels between brewing, cooking, and scientific research  The rise of non-alcoholic and low-ABV beer trends  Cannabis terpenes, hops, and flavor chemistry  Why beer and food pairings are underrated  Lessons on career risk, reinvention, and trusting your instincts Whether you’re a beer enthusiast, entrepreneur, scientist, or someone considering a major career pivot, this episode blends science, creativity, and business into a conversation that’s both thoughtful and surprisingly relatable. ⚓️ Find us In The Harbor Where sports, leisure, and finance come together — from the rink to the markets and everywhere in between.🎙 Subscribe, follow, and join the conversation: 📸 Instagram & TikTok → @intheharborpod 💼 LinkedIn → Rock Harbor LLC 🐦 X & 📺 YouTube → @InTheHarborPod