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 [email protected].
Broken Goblet Brewing originally opened in 2014 in their Bristol taproom, on a 3 barrel system. They quickly outgrew the system and location, and in 2019, they opened a brand new entertainment venue/brewery in Bensalem. Bubba Grosse is the head brewer at Broken Goblet Brewing. Read more to find out his the first beer he ever brewed, where he sees the craft beer industry heading, and more!
What was your introduction to craft beer?
It wasn’t all craft beer at the time but my friend hosted an Octoberfest party every year. At this party, we would all bring a case of a different fall/fest beer. Depending on how many people were involved you would leave with one of the beer you brought and 23 different beers. It was great, the next few days you had a couple of new beers every night. Some bad some and some I still search out today. After a couple of years of doing this, we branched out to make it any beer/style that we had and thought other people needed to try.
How did you get started as a brewer?
I can’t remember what year it was but it’s been a while. My wife bought me a homebrew kit for my birthday or Christmas, can’t remember which. Things went from there. I started with extract brewing and quickly went to all-grain beers within a year.
What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?
I don’t think there’s just one style, but when I started brewing, I messed around with a simple Pilsner recipe, clean and not too hoppy. This made things easy to flavor because that time I was using teas to flavor beer. God, I’ve been using tea in beer for 15 years now. The first professional beer I made with tea was Bubba’s Teabag, a simple Pilsner beer with a fruited green tea.
What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?
Wow, the first one I brewed, I don’t remember. That’s how bad it was! I remember it was on my stovetop and my wife walking in and hating the smell. I think the smell has grown on her but not 100% sure. She’s just happy it’s out of the house.
Where do you see the craft beer industry heading in the next few years?
Of course, I don’t see the IPAs going anywhere. You see the shift to these big pastry stouts and kettle sour beers right now. With those beers, there are so many flavor options that you can go on and on. I wish the next few years things would turn back to nice clean, clear beer. Pilsners, Lagers are what I’m hoping makes a comeback. When we first opened Broken Goblet we couldn’t brew anything that needed to be lagered. We didn’t have temperature controls on our tanks so that was the last thing on our minds. Any place I go I look for a lager first. To me, nothing is better right now than a nice bright and clean lager.
Describe what it’s like to be a brewer in Pennsylvania.
I think it’s great being a brewer in PA right now. There are so many breweries that you need to stay on top of your game. Breweries around here are great as we always help each other out. If you need anything one text or call and help is on the way. The quality of beer that comes out of the area has people coming from all over to see what’s going on.
What is the inspiration behind your beer names?
Our beer names are a group thing most of the time. Mike does the most with the names.
What is your favorite beer to drink right now?
Like I said any pilsner or lager right now is what I go for. As of late, I’ve been drinking our F@#king Pilsner. When I go to the beer store I ask if there are any new lagers from local breweries before I start to look for any else.
What is the most important lesson you learned in the beer industry so far?
I think I’ve learned that you never stop learning. Every time you talk to someone you learn something new. If you have a chance to go to a seminar anywhere take it. The things I’ve learned by going to CBC, Craft Brewers Conference, each year is crazy. I’ve never had formal training so everything I know has come from reading, talking to local brewers, and the seminars. Always got to keep an open mind.
Thank you to Bubba for talking with us! Make sure you visit Broken Goblet Brewing for all the latest beers, news, information, and special events. And also follow Broken Goblet on Facebook and Instagram.
