Cider Chat

Shea Comfort began dabbling in home brewing in 1996. This History of Art and Philosophy major didn’t choose to become a Yeast Whisper. Some names can’t be chosen, they just come along. Having read extensively the books of the day he is, suffice to say, a self taught technical  yeast expert. “You realize you have to get some type of competency in science…basic formulas, concepts, ideas and just get use to it [the language of science].” But, “You can be really good with science and the numbers and still make average wine.” In 2011, Shea began focusing on cider. “You need tools to do the job.” Shea began with trials with yeast, oaks, tannins. Around 7-8 years ago (2010) after stepping away from a winery startup, Shea was looking for a job. It was during this time, that friends began calling him a “Yeast Whisper”. The name stuck and it was then that he began working with Lallemand, a manufacturer of yeast. “If you want to get competent on this and learn more and go deeper about this you have to have an understand