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.
Iron Hill Brewery opened its first location in 1996 in Delaware. The next year they were winning awards at the Great American Beer Festival, and soon they had a second location in West Chester, PA. Fast forward to today, and they have built 17 individual breweries, with 11 in Pennsylvania!. Their unique locations, all featuring an on-site brewery for freshness and quality, would prove to be successful for them. Iron Hill recently build its Center City, Philadelphia location in September 2018.
What was your introduction to craft beer?
I spent a lot of time in Belgium as a child and young adult and was exposed to a lot of the amazing beers there.
How did you get started as a brewer?
I started out homebrewing and shortly after got a gig at Nodding Head brewpub interning a couple days a week.
What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?
The overall IPA category allows me to be the most creative because there are so many sub-styles and variations to play with within the style.
What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?
The first beer I ever brewed was an English Brown Ale that I brewed at home. It turned out pretty terrible. I learned that there’s a lot more that goes into crafting a great brew than simply following the steps and combining the ingredients.
Where do you see the craft beer industry heading in the next few years?
I see it continuing to grow as more and more people appreciate quality beer, just maybe not at the explosive rate we’ve been seeing these past few years.
Describe what it’s like to be a brewer in Pennsylvania.
It’s wonderful in that it’s such a vibrant community of breweries and brewers that continues to grow and evolve in unexpected ways.
What is the inspiration behind your beer names?
My main inspiration for my beer names are the beer or recipe itself; I try to always come up with a name that is clever and catchy but that also concisely describes what that beer is.
What is your favorite beer to drink right now?
Saison Dupont. Always has been and probably always will be (that’s the Belgian in me).
What is the most important lesson you learned in the beer industry so far?
Always think at least five steps ahead!
Thank you to Ben Shamberg for talking with us! Make sure you visit Iron Hill Brewing Company for all the latest beers, news, information and special events. And also follow Stick City on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
