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Eddy Torres - South Florida El Lector Cigar City Brewing

December 23, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Tampa, Fl, not in Ybor.

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

Technically it would be Sam Adams Winter Lager but I always give credit to Ommegang's 3 Philosophers and Victory Golden Monkey.  Those two really changed me for good.

3. What is your favorite style and why?

It really depends on my mood.  For the most part a really hoppy session IPA really hits the spot but I really enjoy sipping on a nice barrel aged stout.  I really do enjoy every style of beer, except for Lichtenhainers.  Not a fan of smoke in my beer.

4. What has been your favorite memory working for Cigar City, thus far?

Honestly, it's the comradery with my co-workers and other breweries.  Being able to travel to other cities like Boston and Denver to share our beers with other craft beer enthusiasts. 

5. 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, what would it be?

This is going to sounds so masturbatory; but honestly, fresh Guayabera.

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

My real preference is someone's house to share some bottles with friends.

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

Volunteer.  Try and get involved with any local beer festivals or brewery events.  Let your presence be known.  Do your research.  When someone sees you know what you're talking about, putting work in, and donating your time, they will take notice.

8. Any sales trends that you've noticed lately? What do you predict as far as popular styles and/or specific Cigar City beers emerging in 2016?

I definitely see a shift towards more sessionable beers.  CCB Lager is poised to be a big mover for 2016.  Also goses, berliners, and wild ales will continue to grow, especially here in Florida where it's so hot.  People want to down something refreshing.

9. What music do you listen to while working?

If doing computer work, usually something low key and electronic heavy like Puscifer or Aphex Twin.  Most of my work however requires me to be on the road driving in which case I blast metal all day.  Pantera, Mutoid Man, Dillinger Escape Plan, Deftones, amongst many others.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs for their loyalty.  I am allergic to cats anyways.

 

 

December 23, 2015 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
cigar city brewing, craft, craft commander, craft beer, beer, iamcraftbeer, cigar city, IPA
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Jim Crooks - Masterblender Firestone Walker Barrelworks

November 23, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Buellton, California

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

1991 San Luis Obispo County; Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.  The idea of beer completely flipped in my head.  I could finally understand what I was tasting.  So much depth.

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

I've worked hard at keeping an open mind with regards to classifying beer into categories. Regardless of style, if the beer in my hand at that moment is a well-crafted, balanced beer with layers of depth, free of off-flavors, then I'm enjoying it.

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?

Is that island in the tropics, temperate or frigid environment?  For consistency, drinkability, and technical merit, I have always loved Duvel for all those aspects.  It's been one of those beers I've geeked out on over the years, and just chance that we now work hand-in-hand with this company.  I'm in heaven.

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

Soul-funk with a bit of alt-country pop.  Think Curtis Mayfield meets Blitzen Trapper.

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

From a technical standpoint, the people at New Belgium and Sierra Nevada have offered so much of their time and expertise to me.  I owe them.

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

Saphir.  For the versatility of using it in Lambics as well as Pilsners.

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

Firestone Walker Barrelworks, Buellton.  It's hard to find a fresher and more diverse selection of beer in the SY Valley. 

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

Constantly reach out to the older industry statesmen for advice.  There's no shame in asking questions to people who know more and have already made the mistakes.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs.

November 23, 2015 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
firestone walker, barrelworks, firestone walker barrelworks, sour beer, jim crooks, sour jim, barrelmaster, masterblender, barrel whisperer, wild ale, craft commander, craft beer, iamcraftbeer
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Trevor Rogers - Founder De Garde Brewing

July 09, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Our brewery is located on the Oregon coast, just outside of Tillamook.

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 a difficult question! It's certainly been awhile... I suspect it was Rodenbach. Can't recall which though! Really, I came from a wine background and a good friend introduced me to a broad range of great beers, both domestic and imported, in a short period of time. The excitement and desire to be involved happened very quickly.

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

Probably our Lambic inspired beers. The process of making the wort is such a small part of the creative process. The beauty is in the long transformative maturation and fermentation. Seeing the slow progression over time as different strains of our local yeast and bacteria exert their influence is inspiring. The final composition is also one of the most challenging and artistic things that we do: selecting barrels, sampling, and ultimately hoping that the composition expresses itself as desired and imagined. We quite simply don't have control as most breweries do because of the complex nature of honestly wild fermentation, and the extreme breadth of organisms creating a unique 'ecosystem.' We have to embrace the beauty of being ultimately submissive to the beer.

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?

Drie Fonteinen Oude Geuze.

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

No music. I like hearing what happens around me, and I find a beauty in the presence of the barrels and my thoughts without the interruption of extra sound.

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

Another difficult question... The traditions and history (and expertise!) of Cantillon, and the unparalleled blending skills of they and Drie Fonteinen are humbling. Likewise, Tilquin came out of nowhere and blew my mind.

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

Well, we love our three year old Oregon grown Cascade and Willamette hops. Put them in almost every beer! Probably more to the question though (hops that actually provide character to the beer), we've been very much loving dry-hopping with Azacca recently. It seems to provide a wonderful ripe stonefruit and tropical character to complement the citrusy notes in many of our ferments. Ask me again next week, and I'll possibly have a different answer. We like to try new things.

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

Either home, or our taproom. Home, to relax and think about the beer. Our taproom to socialize and share beer with like minded beer drinkers.

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

Be ready to work incredibly hard. Be prepared to sacrifice a lot. Be aware that you will almost certainly make a modest income. We consider ourselves the most fortunate brewery around because of the modest recognition and success we achieved, and the market was decidedly less competitive when we started than it will be in the next couple years. But passion, love and great product go hand-in-hand, and are always apparent to the consumer I believe. If you've got those, the first pieces of advice aren't a burden.

10. Dogs or cats?

Cats. Well behaved dogs may apply as well.

July 09, 2015 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
craft beer, de garde brewing, de garde, sour beer, beer, iamcraftbeer, craft commander, lambic, berliner weisse
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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.

March 31, 2015 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
Beer'd Brewing, Beer'd, Beer'd Brewing Co., brewing, craft beer, craft commander, IPA, Hops, Aaren Simoncini
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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.

Credit: Casey Brewing & Blending

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.

February 23, 2015 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
casey brewing, troy casey, brewing, beer, beerblog, craft commander, beer blog, farmhouse ales, sour beer, craft beer, casey brewing & blending, barrel
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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. 

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!

February 16, 2015 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
societe, societe brewing, société brewing co., craft beer, craft commander, beer, brewing, IPA, Harlot, San Diego, California, I am Craft Beer
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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.

Credit: Wynwood Brewing Co.

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.

February 09, 2015 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
wynwood, wynwood brewing co, nik mebane, brewing, craft beer, beer, cheers, IPA, Miami Craft Beer, craft commander
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Khris Johnson - Head Brewer at Green Bench Brewing Co.

December 15, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Downtown St. Petersburg, 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?

 Stone Ruination.  It has just come to Florida and I was at lunch with my friend and his family after he graduated from college.  The waiter asked if we liked craft beer and I hadn't really had a lot of craft beer in my life, so naturally as a 21 year old I said, "yes."  He poured the bottle into a glass and it was so bitter that I couldn't drink it all.  I had no idea so much flavor could be put into a glass.  At that point, I knew that I wanted to learn everything I could about making beers that were that aggressive and flavorful.

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

Farmhouse ales.  There's no real definition for the style so it allows for infinite variances.  Probably more so than any other beer style.  They can be virtually any ABV, any color, almost any acidity level or hop profile; and you can use basically any form of mixed culture or single strain that you'd like.  They do very well in stainless or in wood for primary, and they're excellent on fruit, spices, treatments, wood, and micro flora post fermentation.  They're great clean, they're great funky, and they can be as complex as any beer out there, even when it's a simple. low ABV beer.

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?

Right now? Aweseom Mix Tape #1.  Guardians of the Galaxy is my jam.

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

This is a difficult question because I find myself inspired all of the time by so many different breweries.  I'd have to go back to Stone, first.  I'd had good craft beer before drinking their beers, but non that affected me quite like Ruination, Sublimely Self Righteous, and Arrogant Bastard.  Those beers changed me as a person.  After having them (all on separate occasions) I was reminded of how much I don't know in the world.  When it comes down to it, I'm an insignificant moron in a vast universe of unknowns.  Whenever I began to think that I had it "all figured out," these beers individually brought me back to reality.

The second brewery would be Cigar City.  Hunahpu's gave me a similar experience.  A few other breweries that I admire and draw inspiration from would be Russian River, Jolly Pumpkin, New Belgium, Crooked Stave, Trinity, Wicked Weed, Allagash, Three Floyd's, The Rare Barrel, Jester King, Evil Twin, Prairie, The Bruery, New Glarus, AC Golden, Anchorage, 7venth Sun... Yeah... Just to name a few...

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

Cascade.  It's by no means my favorite hop, but we know more about it than most American hops and I don't usually like many single hop beers.  Hard to go wrong with classic.

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

I hardly ever want to get a beer after work, but if I had to choose, probably Cycle Brewing.  They're five blocks from my brewery, it's really low key, dimly lit, rad beers, and I can usually be alone for a few minutes.

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

Spend time working in a brewery.  Get experience brewing on a system, cellaring, packaging, barrel aging: everything.  Learn the practical process before jumping in.  It's complicated.  In the meantime, drink a lot of different beers and come up with a niche that you love.  Focus on what you do well and allow your passion to shine through.  Last, do not be afraid to ask for help.

10. Dogs or cats?

I own neither.  I'm not a pet person, honestly.  I love other people's animals, but I chose to forego the responsibility.  I guess you could say I dislike them equally.

 

December 15, 2014 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
craft beer, beer, green bench, green bench brewing, green bench brewing co, craft commander, 10 questions, foodie, saison, St. Petersburg
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Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergso - Beer King/Founder of Evil Twin Brewing

December 08, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Everywhere and nowhere.  I don't own a brewery but brew all over the world from my own recipes under my own label.  I have two main breweries I use, Two Roads in Connecticut and Westbrook in South Carolina. 

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

Rodenbach and Saison Dupont.  When I tasted them many years ago, I realized how diverse and flavorful beer could be and haven't looked back since.

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

I don't know if I have a favorite style to brew but people tell me I'm really good at making stouts.  It's a fun style because you can do so much with it, there is pretty much nothing you can't do.  You can play with yeast, spices, fruit, etc.

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 classic answer, but I mean it: Orval.  Such a perfect beer in so many ways.  Hoppy at first, turns funky almost.  It's like many different beers in one bottle.  I have always said "Orval is magic."

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

Again, since I don't own the breweries I usually listen to what is being played.  I have realized that by far the most popular "brewery music" out there is hard rock or heavy metal.  I guess it goes well with the noise and the hard work!?

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

won't say a certain brewery inspired me more than others but the American craft beer scene in general has been very inspiring to me.  I love the approach of taking classic styles and making them your own.

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

I have done two and not for the sake of the hop but for the sake of the beer.  I actually find the single hop thing a little silly unless it's for a purpose of making the beer better, different, and more interesting.  I did an all Brett fermented beer with Nelson just because I thought the hop and yeast would work really well together and I just did an Imperial India Pale American Wheat Lager with Mosaic.

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

At home.  I love going out, but being at home relaxing with a good beer (or wine or cocktail) is enjoyable.

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

Be prepared to work your ass off.  It's a fun, but also fast moving and very competitive scene.  The breweries I see have the most success are the ones that work the hardest.  Some think craft beer is so popular now that you can just start a brand and lean back; but that is definitely not the case!

10. Dogs or cats?

one, I'm not much of an animal person.  My wife just got a dog, so I guess I will have to say dogs...

December 08, 2014 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
evil twin brewing, evil twin, jeppe jarnit-bjergso, craft commander, craft beer, 10 questions
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Steve Theoharides - Brewer at Harpoon Brewery

December 01, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Boston, MA and Windsor, Vt.

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

It is really difficult to name one, but if I had to, I would say Magic Hat, Jinx.  I went to school in northern Vermont and that beer stands out as one of the first real offerings I had.  I remember thinking, "this is remarkable.  I didn't know this was possible in beer."

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

I am an iconolast when it comes to style.  I want to brew something that tastes great; period.  That is what I strive for.  These days I am either trying to create something well balanced or taking things in different direction.  At the moment, I am working on a session Pale Ale with big aroma and a generously hopped Braggot.  Believe it or not, for as much as I make it, I really enjoy brewing Harpoon IPA - the end product is fantastically well balanced.

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?

So much time and one option, that is a cruel question to ask a craft brewer!  From the Harpoon lineup I would have to say The Long Thaw White IPA.  World over? Rodenbach, Grand Cru.

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

The music choice tends to reflect the mometn at the brewery and is therefore pretty dynamic.  If things are going well it would be something like Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Caroline Rose.  If we are troubleshooting, formulating recipes, doing research, etc., something a little more low key: Ben Howard, Chris Smithers, The Barr Brothers, Beirut, Neil Young.  If I am hand milling, working on our pilot brewhouse, or something equally as labor intensive, the energy level gets kicked up a notch: Waylon Speed or some 90's grunge rock.  The lab crew, on the other hand, get pretty deep into death metal at times... Who would've thought?!

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

What the traditional German lager brewers are capable of is mind blowing to me.  I dare you to try a classic Weihenstephaner and say the yeast signature is anything less than remarkable.  It demonstrates an unprecedented mastery of the craft.

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

Simcoe.

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

The Beer Hall at the brewery here in Boston here is pretty remarkable.  Alongside the regular offerings there is a series of rotating pilot beers available.  Experiencing the beers through the brewing process to their culmination is pretty cool.  Beyond the brewery my local is Highland Kitchen, in Somerville, MA.

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

Offering just one piece of advice would be tough, I would say three things: (A) Enjoy cleaning - you are going to do more of it than you can imagine.  (B) For every ounce of hard work you put, the dividends are exponential.  The camaraderie in the craft community is incredible, get ready to have alot of fun.  (C) If you are planning to serve a local community where demand is unmet, then the standard craft offerings are fitting - brew what you like and the styles that have become commonplace.  If you are planning on expanding your distribution beyond your locality, think long and hard about offering something unconventional to the craft beer segment.  I am a hophead through and through, but there is an IPA or two out there already.  Do something different!

10. Dogs or cats?

Daaags - like the pikey kind.


December 01, 2014 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
craft beer, beer, craft commander, Harpoon, Harpoon Brewery, 10 Questions, IPA
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Cory King - Founder/Brewer Side Project Brewing

November 24, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

I do all of my brewing at Perennial Artisan Ales in St. Louis, MO

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

One of my brother-in-laws homebrews.  I was really big into wine and whiskey (I was working in a fine-dining restaurant at the time), so beer wasn't on my radar till he started sharing his kitchen creations with me.  I was hooked and then started working towards making the craft beer industry a bigger part of my life...

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

Saison. The interpretation of the style is very open and allows the brewer the freedom of experimentation and the freedom of expression.  From low ABV and tart to robust and hoppy, it's a fun style to play around with.

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?

Island, so I immediately think its going to be warm, so Firestone Pivo Pils.

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

None.  I prefer the peace and quiet.  The other brewers listen to really loud music, so when its just me in there, I go with the quiet.

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

I have been thinking about this one for a while and I don't know that I have just one brewery that I can name.  My inspiration in this whole thing comes more from the industry as a whole I think.  The barrel aging from Perennial, the saisons from Hill Farmstead and Sante Adairius, the lambics of Belgium, the sours of Russian River.  Side project does a lot of variety, all of which see time in oak, but that variety comes from my love of different challenging in producing, the want to drink different things all of the time, and a lack of attention span.

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

Amarillo.  My cultures are very fruit forward and Amarillo works very well with them in my beers.  If I could get another one, it would be Saaz...

Credit: Tim Bottchen

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

At home.  Between Side Project, Perennial, and now our tasting room, my wife and I spend a lot of time not at home, working... Sometimes its just nice to sit on the couch and open a saison or something sour...

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

Intern first.  Too many people's perception of the industry is skewed.  They think that brewing is just fun and games when in reality its hard labor and janitorial professionalism.  You may love beer, but hate working in a brewery. 

10. Dogs or cats?

Ha!  Unfortunately, we have neither right now, but I am a dog person...

November 24, 2014 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
craft beer, craft commander, cory king, side project brewing, side project, perennial artisan ales, sour beer, lambic, saison
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Bob Sylvester - Founder/Brewer Saint Somewhere Brewing Co.

September 29, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Tarpon Springs, Fl.  Sponge capital of the world.

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

Bass Ale.  1979 (Drinking age was 18 in the dark ages).  The real deal.  Still used the Burton Union system back then.

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

Saison/Farmhouse ales!  They lend themselves to everything I enjoy in a beer.  Dry, moderate alcohol, spicy yeast driven flavors.  The Florida weather is perfect for brewing saisons.

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

Orval, no question.

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

There is a great community station in the area that plays a lot of Americana, local music, blues, to alternative, they even have a Native American music show. Each DJ has 2-3 hours to play whatever they want. If that’s not on… a lot of Wilco, Steely Dan and Stevie Ray Vaughan!(maybe a little Buffett).

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

Jolly Pumpkin. Love everything they do and for some reason, Tampa was one of their first markets outside of Michigan back in 2004-2005... La Roja was a game changer for me. Ron Jeffries was a huge influence and a big help getting me started. I was calling him (annoying him) two-three times a week asking advice in the early days about everything from bottles to keg conditioning. Eventually, Saint Somewhere became the second US brewery under the Shelton Brothers umbrella… Jolly Pumpkin being the first. 

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

Saaz.

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

My backyard. We live on a lake in a fairly rural area. Nothing better after a long day than having a beer by the lake. Other than that a place called Mr. Dunderbak’s in N. Tampa. Ground zero. The entire Florida Craft Beer scene came out of that place. Saint Somewhere, Cigar City, 7venth Sun, Angry Chair Brewing, Six Ten Brewing, Loose Stool Brewing to name a few all started right there. 

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

Think outside the box, so to speak.  Fill a niche.  Creat a niche if there isn't one to fill.  Shortly, it will be difficult to break into the market with just an IPA, a stout, a porter.

10. Dogs or cats?

Cats. Like myself, they just don't give a shit.


September 29, 2014 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
saint somewhere, saison, craft beer, beer, craft commander, saint somewhere brewing, saint somewhere brewing co, drink local
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Patrick Lynch - Lead Brewer/ Upland Brewing Co.

September 01, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

We have two locations in our hometown of Bloomington, Indiana.  The first is a downtown restaurant, which we opened in 1998 and is where we still brew all of our sours.  In July 2012, we expanded into a new production facility on Bloomington's westside to brew our core line up of beers.

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 started drinking good beer during a semester abroad in London during my junior year in college and have been partial to English styles ever since.  When I got back to the US, the first beer I remember standing out was Bell's Porter.

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

It's exciting that we have the opportunity at Upland to brew a wide variety of styles over the course of the year.  While we have a core lineup that we brew year round, we also have plenty of seasonals and a new "Side Trail Series" where we can try out new styles and recipes.  The one I look forward to brewing the most each year is our fresh hop Harvest Ale.  There's an anticipation that builds before we brew it because we don't know the exact date of the harvest until it's happening and then we mash-in as soon as the hops arrive so they are as fresh as possible.

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?

've never gone wrong with Oskar Blues' Dale's Pale Ale.

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

That's probably the most divisive question you could ask at Upland, but I'm usually brewing with some alternative/indie rock playing.  Gaslight Anthem and The Thermals are a couple of my favorites right now.

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

New Glarus has always been a favorite of mine and I was finally able to stop at the brewery on the way back from the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison, WI this past weekend.  Everything about the place was incredible and their beer is always fantastic.  I have huge respect for the attention to detail and local pride that is evident in everything they do.

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

We added a Session IPA last year and a new Imperial IPA this year that both feature a lot of Simcoe.  I love using it any chance I get and would definitely like to use it in a single hop beer.

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

My first stop after a shift is always the taproom at Upland.  It’s great to interact directly with the customers and get immediate feedback on the beers.  When I’m not drinking at Upland, Bloomington has two other breweries (Bloomington Brewing Company and Function Brewery) with a couple more in planning so there are great options for craft beer all around town.

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

I hope people are getting into the craft beer industry because they have a passion for great beer and not because they see a rising trend.  It’s a lot of long hours, cleaning, and hard work, but there’s no better industry to work in if you have passion for what you do and create.

10. Dogs or cats?

Definitely dogs.  I don't have my own in Bloomington, but enough Upland employees bring their dogs into work that our patio becomes a de facto dog park on most days. 

September 01, 2014 /Marco Leyte-Vidal
craft beer, beer, craft commander, upland brewing, upland brewing co, sour ales
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