3 Daughters Brewing

June 15, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

3 Daughters is located in St. Petersburg, FL, about five blocks away from Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. Our tasting room is at 222 22nd Street South, but our beers are sold on draught and in cans throughout the state of Florida.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Our owners actually come from the retail side of hospitality with Mike having a long history at Outback Steakhouse and then owning his own Italian restaurant on Beach Drive. With a focus on farm to table recipes, our introduction to craft beer came in the form of a beer battered fish. At that time, our Head Chef, Ty Weaver, was an avid home brewer. When he made the blonde ale that went in our fish recipe, we decided to put the rest on tap under the name "To Be", as in whatever Ty wanted the beer to be. That beer and subsequent others began to outsell our domestic beers on tap. That is when we decided to sell our interest in the restaurant and move full time into the craft industry.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Just like a parent is not supposed to have favorite children, so we shouldn't (in theory) have a favorite beer. When asked, our head brewer will talk about a lot of beers but his favorite came down to the Stern Line Stout because of the rich aroma during the boil.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

We asked around the brewery to see what everyone would say...

Ty (Head Brewer) - Stern Line Stout; Mike (Owner) - Stern Line Stout; Leigh (Owner) - Belgian Dark Strong; John (COO) - Bimini Twist IPA; Chris (Sales) - Rod Bender Red

There really is something for everyone!

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Depending on what music you hear when entering the brewery, you can guess who got there first to open. If you hear bluegrass, Susan or Tim may have turned the music on. If you hear Rock, Captain Steve (one of our brewers) is in charge of the tunes. That is definitely playing during the day while they are brewing. However, if you hear any country music, it is a good bet that Mike, Ty or Leigh had control of the playlist that day.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Everyone has a different answer to this story. At 3 Daughters Brewing lots of breweries have given us inspiration and assistance. We appreciate all the help given by Cigar City who came by before opening and gave very helpful suggestions. They have led the craft beer revolution in Tampa and it is awesome that they are also great people. As we were designing our tasting room in 2013, we went to Asheville, North Carolina, and toured many breweries including Highlands Brewery, Green Man, Wicked Weed, and a few others. They are all great but we were inspired by Wicked Weed who we consider true innovators and leaders in the market.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Using Cascade in several of our beers like the Beach Blonde Ale and it works really well.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

We love to go to other craft breweries when we have spare time. It is great to support the craft beer industry and taste what others are doing.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Ask others for help and advice! Find the breweries that are leading the industry and ask them for assistance. The craft beer community is closely connected and everyone is willing to other breweries. We have given others our business plan and are glad to let others come in and learn from our experience. Biggest advice: ask others who've done it before you.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs!

Aaren Simoncini - Founder Beer'd Brewing Co.

March 31, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

The Beer'd Brewing Company is located in Stonington, CT. Just about as far Southeast in the state that you can go. We're housed within an old velvet mill that operated until the mid 90's. It's a very unique building that now houses artist studios, a glass blower, a cheese maker, and us!

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

This is a tough one because it happened back in college, and my memory these days is shot! I'd have to say, at the time I started to venture into the world of "better beer" I was drinking a lot of Long Trail and Saranac. I'd have to call it a tie between both companies' IPA's at the time.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Based on our offerings, I'd say that the Double IPA is my favorite style to brew. I love the variety of hops available and how they can be so nuanced and different. There's nothing like dumping pounds of pungent hops in to a boiling kettle and just living in the aroma they provide the brewery for the rest of the day.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

I'd have to say the Bissel Brothers Baby Genius would fit the bill. I'd assume it's an island based in a warm climate, so I could slug these all day and still handle my business making fire, catching fish, and working on a killer base tan.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

It changes almost daily! If you asked my staff, they would without a doubt say Modest Mouse is in the highest of rotations. We also like some Rise Against and Thrice once in a while.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

I hate to be cliche, but Hill Farmstead has definitely had a heavy influence on how we operate here at Beer'd. We have an extremely limited distribution footprint, brew a bunch of highly sought after hoppy beers and don't package for sale anywhere other than the brewery. I admire the business Sean has built for himself up there in VT and I thoroughly enjoy his beers anytime I get my hands on some.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

If I had been quick to answer this, back when it was originally sent, it would have been Nelson Sauvin. It's such a unique flavor profile and our fans come specifically searching for our Hobbit Juice DIPA. Recently I've been playing with Azacca not only in a single hop fashion but also as a blend with some other infamous players. I really enjoy the super ripe mango character that this hop lends to the big yet clean double IPA malt profile.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

One of our best accounts is the Engine Room in Mystic, Ct. I love stopping there because it's on my way home, they always have beers that I've never tried, and everyone knows your name when you walk in.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

I'd have to say to find some experience and learn as much as you can from someone who's been there and done that before making the leap. It's a fun industry to be a part of and it's consistently changing as flavor preferences, ingredients, and techniques change. Just be ready to roll with the punches and adapt easily.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs, no explanation necessary.

Troy Casey - Founder Casey Brewing & Blending

February 23, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Glenwood Springs, Colorado. About 3 hours west of Denver.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

That's really hard to say. It was probably a culmination of many. When I worked at Bristol Brewing Company in Colorado Springs 10 years, I was exposed to many styles. It was there that I really started to think about making it a career. I still remember drinking their Red Rocket Pale Ale and telling people, "it's like an IPA, but lower alcohol!" It was so amazing to me.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Fruited farmhouse ales, like our Fruit Stand ™ series. Making farmhouse ales is so much fun, but then take it a step further using whole local fruit, it just makes sense to me. Getting to meet the growers and walk in their orchards picking out what variety and crop you want. There's nothing better.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Hip hop! Anything 1986 to 1994.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Cantillon. I love their brewing philosophy and beers - who doesn't? Their use of whole fruit and old world brewing methods are great to see still in use today.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

3-5 year old whole European noble hops for making Belgian-style sour beers.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

The Brick Pony in Basalt, CO. They have Coors Banquet on tap. Enough said.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Brewing, for most, is a hobby that quickly becomes a job. That's okay, but it's not for everyone. Volunteer as much as possible before completely changing your life for a small amount of pay.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs all the way.

Doug Constantiner - Founder Societe Brewing Co.

February 16, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

San Diego, CA.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Rogue Chocolate Stout. I remember it vividly.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

The simpler the better. Brewing is though and has a lot going on. If I can avoid extra nuts and bolts, it's great.

Credit: @fourbrewers c/o Societe Brewing Co.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

The Harlot. The Harlot is a Belgian Extra Pale Ale at 6% ABV and it is the first beer that we brewed at Society. It is desert island worthy (trust me).

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Everything from bluegrass to death metal to country. We're an eclectic group.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

It's hard to only name one. Probably Russian River Brewing Company. My pallet aligns with their flavor profiles really well. Additionally, I like their approach to beer and business.

Credit: @Instapint c/o Societe Brewing Co. — Credit: @Instapint c/o Societe Brewing Co.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Amarillo.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

Here at the tasting room. It's great to hang out with co-workers after the day is done. Plus, we've made good friends with our regulars and it's nice to catch up with them.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Definitely work at a brewery for at least one year before you consider starting your own place.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs!

Nik Mebane - Brewmaster Wynwood Brewing Co.

February 09, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Our brewery is located in the Wynwood Arts District in Miami, Fl.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

I grew up in Pennsylvania so I was raised on Yeungling lager. By the time I was 21 I had been into beer for a while and going to different festivals but still couldn't get in to really hoppy beers. Even Sam Adams Boston Lager was on the bitter end of beers that I could handle... until one time at an even after a beer show I was handed a double IPA, called Edgar, made by Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport, PA. I don't know why this particular beer affected me the way it did but I remember after drinking it I knew that my palate was forever changed. After that, hops became a major part of my life.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

I love brewing the big beers; 9% and up. The ones with two mashes to one boil. Yeah its more work, longer day, etc., but it just makes the beer taste that much better.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

Either Magic City Pale Ale (my favorite beer style and a recipe based on a beer I drank almost exclusively for close to a decade) or Father Francisco (a recipe based on Duvel, another one of my favorite beers).

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

It all really depends on the mood and time of day in the brewery. We start really early, so in the mornings I like something a little more mellow, maybe some Pink Floyd or Sublime. If we are hustling around and have a ton of work to do, we may need something more up-beat like some punk rock or metal. But one safe thing to say about the music selection in our brewery... anything goes! You never know what you might hear.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

That is definitely a long list, but I have to say that Sierra Nevada is at or near the top of that list. I had a chance to visit their new facility in North Carolina and I was blown away. The amount of thought they put into recycling energy and water is just awesome. They have also become one of the largest craft breweries in the Country, yet they still don't budge on quality... I will never turn down a bottle of their pale ale.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Something amazing and hard to get... Simcoe, Falconer's Flight, anything from New Zealand. Some of those hops have an absolutely amazing flavor and aroma.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

I'm a dive bar kind of guy (as long as they have decent beer!) After work I like a nice quiet place with some decent scenery. Anything outside and by the water will work.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Go down to your local brewery and volunteer. There is A LOT more to this job than just brewing beer. Get a feel for what it involves on a daily basis, then decide if that is something you REALLY want to to do. Especially when you start out, you are going to be doing back breaking work for very little money. Still interested? Start reading. Working in a brewery encompasses many different fields: microbiology, chemistry, and engineering to name a few.

10. Dogs or cats?

Fish.

Brian Faivre - Brewmaster at Deschutes Brewery

December 29, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

It all started at our pub in downtown Bend, OR in 1988. About 1 mile away, alongside the Deschutes River, is our production facility which was built in 1993. We also have a pub in Portland, OR that opened in 2008.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Mendocino Brewing's Blue Heron Pale Ale. I remember being fascinated by the aroma, flavor and bitterness of this beer compared to the beer you find at most college gatherings. Around the same time I had just purchased my first home brew kit. After a lot more college and a different career I landed my first professional brewing job 8 years later. But I always trace it back to my original home brew experience and the craft beer available in the Bay Area of California that inspired me to a professional brewing career.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

I really enjoy brewing some of our specialty beers. Hop in the Dark, The Abyss, and our Imperial Black Butte Porter Anniversary series. These beers are very challenging from an ingredients point of view, and really test your brewing skills and this is why I enjoy brewing them so much.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

I'd go with the Dissident. The automatic replenishing system would create some unique blends over time.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

This is akin to asking what your favorite beer is. Depends on the weather, my mood, and what is going on around the brewery. But I've been known to move the dial between bluegrass, rock, alternative, R&B/rap to classic 80's.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Recently it has been Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project - I love the awareness and education that they are bringing to the sour and "wild" fermentation. I've also been inspired by Boulevard Brewing regarding their brewing systems and the talented and fun staff that is employed there in KC.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Mirror Pond Pale Ale - 100% Cascade

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

At Shifties - our Deschutes Brewery production facility lounge that includes 10 taps - 2 which are cask and 1 nitro handle. We always have a great selection and I love to shoot the bull with my fellow co-owners. We truly have a great group of people at Deschutes Brewery.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

This is a great question. Remember that there are so many things a craft brewery needs from brewers, QA, packaging, maintenance, sales, marketing, IT, finance, etc. So you don't necessarily need to be a brewer. However, if being a brewer is your goal - get your feet in the door at someplace - don't take no for an answer. Find out if it is the career for you. I know it was for me.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs all the way.