Yes, I've heard those excuses from real ale brewers too. Went to the Ringwood Brewery near Southampton a few years back - saw the man talking about the fabulous equipment and the slow processes involved (this thing was obviously his baby), but he didn't get to tell us that much about it because we were accompanied on the trip by several Hell's Angels (lovely lads, one and all) who kept leaning on his shoulder and muttering (with only a hint of menace), "When do we get to drink the beer?" Now, that's how to do it.
A lecture tour, that's a good idea. Newcastle Uni's folk degree often have visiting lecturers, though I don't think they've had anyone from ower the pond yet. Worth a punt?