Welcome to our “Meet The Brewer” series! Where we interview brewers in Pennsylvania, from breweries small to large. Let us know if you know anyone who should be featured, email us at info@breweriesinpa.com.
This week’s ‘Meet The Brewer’ is a bit different. Many of you will be meeting Alex Hoffman for the first time as he was recently named head brewer at Downriver Brewing Company! Downriver, which opened in November of 2019 in Stroudsburg, PA, is the cities first brewery since 1937. We recently spoke with Alex to find out how he was introduced to craft beer, the first beer he ever brewed, and more!
What was your introduction to craft beer?
My first introduction to craft beer was a year after the Marine Corps. Two buddies of mine introduced me to a small tavern with BIG taste, Liberty St. Tavern in Allentown. My first beer was Merry Monks by Weyerbacher. I was blown away that there was other flavored beer out there other than Miller Lime, Bud Light, and Guinness.
How did you get started as a brewer?
Well, It started with the passion of always wanting to create my own beer but I wanted to see as many angles as possible within the beer industry. So I started working for Stockertown Beverage with friends. Started as a beer delivery driver/warehouse picker covering 21 counties in PA. Met so many great businessmen such as Matt Capone (Capone’s Restaurant, Bar, and Bottle Shop), Lindo (Sabatini’s Pizza), and the Free Will Brewing family. These strong-minded individuals taught me a lot about how to survive the beer scene. Then I moved up the ranks becoming the graphic designer/social media/web page designer for the sales reps for Stockertown Beverage. Worked there for about 5 years then wanted to move onto working at a brewery.
I won first place at Weyerbacher’s first homebrew competition with “Pecannoot” which was a Golden Belgian Strong Ale with pumpkin and pecans. Still proud of that beer. I realized then I wanted to work for a brewery and see that side of the industry. Was offered a job at bottling/packaging, and in a few months, I moved to the cellar and decided I wanted to pursue this as a career and enroll into Siebel Institute. Took on two educational courses and passed them with being one of the top percentiles in my class. On top of working at the brewery full time and DJing Thursdays, Friday, and Saturday nights in Stroudsburg at my residency, Philly’s Pub. I signed up for multiple homebrew competitions over the years. I wanted feedback. I like hearing criticism, helps me make the next batch better. I won 1st place one year and tied for 1st another year at Clam Jam in Easton.
I was a busy bee for a while until this pandemic happened. Most small businesses were really hurt, but entertainers, in my opinion, were hurt the worst. I was laid off from the pandemic for a while but that didn’t stop me from making beer in my basement and excel in my education. I applied at multiple breweries, several I had interviews and one, in particular, wanted me to come aboard and share my knowledge and experience. Downriver Brewing Co, a small craft brewery but so much potential in growing larger. Stoked for 2021!
What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?
Hmm. Well seeing how the industry took an explosion in New England styles and sours getting dosed with fruit purees. I’m gonna have to say those two. There are more capabilities in producing what the customers want without altering the grain bill. Win/Win situation! Some brewers don’t think that’s brewing and I can relate to that also, but times have changed, so many more breweries opening up every year. Great beers in the day will become nostalgic while these styles build popularity. But being a balanced brewer, you have more control of still making those nostalgia beers as well!
What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?
Oh god. My worst to be honest! It was a Black Cherry Pale Ale. The brewing wasn’t the hard part. It was figuring out what to do with the cherries. I ended up poking holes in them and dumping them, with pits, into the fermenter. Once fermentation was done, I hand squeezed the cherries and the beer just became mush. But I said to myself, you brewed it, bottle it and drink it. Over-carbed the bottles, some were exploding like fireworks. It was a mess. I’m not even fond of cherry flavored stuff but I’ve come to realize I want to brew the beers I don’t like… in order to appreciate the style and in return enjoy drinking it. It’s been working out really well so far! But I don’t know if I’ll ever brew that one again.
Where do you see the craft beer industry heading in the next few years?
I feel there’s another style that will come out and become the new craze. You can only drink so many fruit bombs, pastry stouts, and heavily bodied IPAs. But I’ve noticed some big brand named breweries have been bringing a twist to one of their classics and crazy different flavored hard seltzers. All I want to see in the near and far future is the beer industry continues to grow. And I wish all the breweries still surviving this pandemic, hoax or not, to keep their heads up and wish them the best. Consumers, keep on supporting your local craft breweries, they are surviving because of you!
Describe what it’s like to be a brewer in Pennsylvania.
PA has been in the top 5 states for craft breweries for a few years now. I couldn’t ask for a better state to work in. We are smack in the middle of the New England states making off the charts IPAs and the South states making fascinating sours. I think we have the best of both worlds here. Main St. Stroudsburg needed a brewery. There are wineries, cidery, pubs, bars, and restaurants. This was the hidden gem. I’m glad someone else thought of the same idea.
What is the inspiration behind your beer names?
Most of the time, beer names I don’t rush. I let it flow while working on the recipe. From building it to kegging it. But our revamped flagships will incorporate our town. I reached out to most of the bars and restaurants around our area seeing if they would like to be involved in making a beer that represents our community. Making it available to only the local businesses. Especially now, we all need to stay strong together.
What is your favorite beer to drink right now?
When it comes to a crushable beer. I am a huge fan of Guinness, Stella Artois, and Yuengling Flight. I have a hard time drinking the same beer twice for some reason. I like for my taste buds to do more exploring than consumption. Craft wise, I do love Kragle Light from Free Will Brewing and Treehouse Sap.
What is the most important lesson you learned in the beer industry so far?
The brewery community is indestructible! I have met so many talented brewers in my time and always excited to meet more. The brewing process in general is so vague. One brewer likes doing one way and another does it differently. Coming together in collaborations inspires me and opens my eyes that this industry isn’t about competition, it’s about a brotherhood that I have furloughed since the Marine Corps. We have each other’s backs and support one another. That’s what makes PA #1 in my heart. Shoutout to the men and women in Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild! Cheers Everyone!
Thank you to Alex for talking with us! Make sure you visit Downriver Brewing Company for all the latest beers, news, information, and special events. And also follow Downriver Brewing on Facebook and Instagram!
