The construction industry thrives on shared knowledge, yet formal education opportunities for builders often lag behind the rapid pace of innovation in building science. That gap is exactly what the BS* and Beer movement set out to fill. What started as informal gatherings among building professionals in Portland, Maine has evolved into a nationwide phenomenon, and in early 2020 it took a significant leap forward with the launch of the BS* and Beer Show. Produced in partnership with Green Building Advisor, this weekly online panel discussion brings together architects, builders, and industry experts to explore high-performance building topics in an accessible, conversational format. The show represents a new model for construction education that emphasizes peer learning and real-world experience over textbook theory.
The Origins of the BS* and Beer Movement
The BS* and Beer concept began years ago as a grassroots initiative launched by Dan Kolbert and Steve Konstantinoto in Portland, Maine. The name itself carries a double meaning that resonates with anyone in the building trades: BS* stands for Building Science, and the informal after-hours format was designed to encourage candid conversations over a drink. The goal was straightforward but powerful: create a space where builders, architects, and designers could share information, debate approaches, and elevate the quality of residential construction in their community. The movement quickly gained traction, and one of its most notable achievements was the development of the Pretty Good House concept, a framework that advocates for sensible, cost-effective high-performance building without the rigidity of certification programs. As the idea spread, local chapters began forming across the country. Today there are active BS* and Beer groups in Tennessee, Connecticut, Washington DC, and Kansas City, among other locations. Each chapter maintains its own character and meeting style while staying rooted in the core mission of building science education through peer interaction.
The Hosts Behind the Weekly Show
The weekly BS* and Beer Show brought together three hosts who each contribute distinct perspectives on building science. Michael Maines is well known to readers of Green Building Advisor and Fine Homebuilding, having written extensively on high-performance design and construction. Emily Mottram is a Maine-based architect whose practice focuses on sustainable, healthy, and high-performance homes, bringing the designer eye for detail and system integration. Travis Brungardt is a Kansas-based builder and partner at Catalyst Construction who has become a vocal advocate for raising standards in residential construction through education, durability science, and energy efficiency. Together, they represent the three essential pillars of modern building: design expertise, construction craftsmanship, and technical knowledge. Their collaborative dynamic is central to the show appeal, as described in the official Fine Homebuilding introduction. Rather than a lecture format, each episode functions as a roundtable discussion where panelists challenge assumptions, share war stories from actual job sites, and dig into the practical details that matter most to builders working on real projects.
Format and Participation
The show follows a weekly schedule, with episodes originally airing on Thursday evenings at 6 PM Eastern Time. The format is built around accessibility: anyone can join the Zoom call without registration, and the conversation is recorded for later viewing on Green Building Advisor and the BS* and Beer website. Each episode assembles a panel of industry professionals who bring diverse expertise to the chosen topic. For the debut episode on indoor air quality, the panel included Brian Pontolilo, Scott Gibson, and Allison Bailes, joining the regular hosts and special guests to discuss one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of high-performance construction. The production model reflects the same grassroots ethos that defined the original meetups. There are no paywalls, no registration barriers, and no sales pitches. The only requirement is an interest in building better homes. This open-door approach has made the show a valuable resource for builders, designers, and homeowners alike, and it mirrors the kind of trend-driven learning that defines the best construction industry events.
Key Topics and Educational Value
The BS* and Beer Show covers a broad range of subjects relevant to modern residential construction. Each episode tackles a specific theme, with panelists sharing practical insights backed by real project experience. The educational approach is distinctive because it combines three elements that traditional training programs often keep separate:
- Building science principles: Air sealing, vapor diffusion, thermal bridging, and moisture management explained through real building assemblies
- Design integration: How architectural decisions affect energy performance, durability, and occupant health
- Construction reality: What actually works in the field, including cost trade-offs, sequencing challenges, and material selection
One of the early scheduled episodes tackled a question that resonates across the industry: how do we make high-performance homes more affordable? This remains one of the central challenges in residential construction, and the panel format allows for the kind of nuanced discussion that a single-author article cannot capture. For builders looking to stay current with industry trends, the show provides a complementary resource to what you might learn at a residential construction trade show, with the added benefit of being free and accessible from any location.
| Episode Topic | Key Focus Areas | Relevance to Builders |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor Air Quality | Ventilation, filtration, material emissions | Directly affects occupant health and code compliance |
| Making High Performance Affordable | Cost-effective assemblies, value engineering | Helps builders compete in price-sensitive markets |
| Spray Foam Applications | Thermal performance, vapor profiles, long-term durability | Critical for enclosure design decisions |
| Science of a Quiet Home | Sound transmission, acoustic assemblies, noise control | Increasingly important in multifamily and attached housing |
The table above highlights just a few of the episodes that demonstrate the show range. Each discussion balances technical depth with practical application, ensuring that viewers leave with actionable knowledge rather than abstract theory. The consistent quality of these conversations has made the archive a valuable reference resource for builders tackling similar challenges on their own projects.
The Broader Impact on Building Science Education
The rise of the BS* and Beer movement signals a meaningful shift in how building professionals approach continuing education. Traditional models rely on manufacturer-sponsored training, trade association seminars, and certification programs. While these have value, they often lack the candid, peer-to-peer exchange that drives real learning. The grassroots chapter model creates a regular rhythm of engagement that keeps building science top of mind for participants. When a builder in Kansas City discusses wall assembly strategies with a counterpart in Portland, the conversation transcends regional building codes and touches on universal principles of durability and performance. This distributed learning network has proven especially valuable during periods when in-person events were limited, and it has accelerated the adoption of better building practices across diverse markets. The show itself serves as a hub that connects these local chapters, creating a national conversation around building quality. As the housing market continues to show improvement, the demand for skilled builders who understand advanced building science will only grow.
Why Every Builder Should Tune In
Building science education has traditionally been fragmented across manufacturers, trade schools, and professional associations, making it difficult for busy builders to access consistent, high-quality information. The BS* and Beer Show addresses this gap directly by delivering expert-led discussions in a format that respects the builder schedule. Episodes are recorded and archived, creating a growing library of knowledge that practitioners can access on demand. The panel format also introduces viewers to perspectives they might not encounter in their local market, from architects experimenting with novel enclosure systems to builders who have tested those systems in the field and can report on what actually worked. For anyone serious about improving the quality and performance of the homes they build, the show represents a free, ongoing education that complements hands-on experience. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your career in construction, the conversations happening on the BS* and Beer Show are worth your time. To get the most out of industry resources like this, builders should approach them with the same strategic mindset they bring to major events. As we have discussed before, understanding how builders can maximize their learning at industry gatherings applies equally to online educational initiatives: come with questions, engage with the content, and apply what you learn on your next project.
The BS* and Beer Show is more than just a video series. It is a testament to what happens when building professionals decide to share what they know openly and generously. The movement that started over drinks in Portland has grown into a national network of builders and designers committed to raising the bar for residential construction. That is an achievement worth raising a glass to.