Topic: A Sip of Knowledge with Dr. Pat Heist of Wilderness Trail Distillery

Hosts: Liz Rhoades, Lew Bryson, & Martin Duffy

What You’ll Learn: If you want to learn about yeast and fermentation in spirits production, Dr. Pat Heist is the person you want to talk to. On Tuesday, that’s exactly what the “A Sip of Knowledge” crew has planned!

Not only did Dr. Heist co-found Ferm Solutions, a provider of yeast and fermentation products to hundreds of distilleries around the world, he also co-founded Wilderness Trail Distillery in 2013, which has already grown to be the 14th largest bourbon producer in the U.S.

About Dr. Pat Heist: 

Dr. Heist is well known in the beverage alcohol industry for problem solving skills relative to the microbiology and biochemistry of fermentation. Education includes B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Kentucky in Plant Pathology and microbiology-related fields. 

Dr. Heist spent 6 years as a Medical Microbiology Professor at Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine before co-founding Ferm Solutions, Inc., a provider of yeast, fermentation products and technical services to hundreds of distilleries in the U.S. and worldwide. Dr. Heist and his research team collaborate with industrial and academic partners on projects related to controlling bacterial contamination during alcohol production and yeast strain selection and improvement for Bourbon and other distilled spirits and have published multiple times. 

In 2013, Dr. Heist, along with his business partner Shane Baker, co-founded Wilderness Trail Distillery, which is currently one of the fastest growing premium bourbon whiskey distilleries and in six short years has grown to become the 14th largest Bourbon producer in the U.S. and the 18th member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

About the Hosts: 

• Liz Rhoades, founder of Spirit Safe Consulting, former research scientist for DIAGEO, distilling consultant, spirits writer for The Whiskey Wash & presenter.

• Lew Bryson, former managing editor for Whisky Advocate Magazine for 20 years, whiskey author, beer/whiskey writer and presenter.

• Martin Duffy, former DIAGEO Master of Whisky for the Midwest, DIAGEO Reserve Brand Ambassador for The Republic of Ireland, North American Brand Representative for Glencairn Crystal.