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].
Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works opened in July of 2016 in Middletown PA, and has been making a great name for themselves since. They are a veteran owned and operated business, and the first brewery and distillery combo to open in PA.
Dave Marrow is the head brewery at Tattered Flag. Learn how he got his start in craft beer, the first beer he ever brewed, where he sees the industry heading, and MORE!
What was your introduction to craft beer?
Troegs, going to their Harrisburg Brewery on weekends and getting tons of samples broadened my pallet for different styles of beer.
How did you get started as a brewer?
I started as a homebrewer for 10 years. A mutual friend introduced me to the owners of Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works, which lead to me making a few test batches for them. Shortly after, I got hired as an assistant brewer for Tattered Flag. In November of 2017 I became their Head Brewer.
What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?
Kettle Sours allow me to be the most creative because you can pair them with so many different ingredients. I enjoy building upon the tartness of the sours with spices and various fruits along with the hops.
What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?
It was a brown ale homebrew kit which is pretty standard for a first batch. Although it was thin and poorly carbonated, I loved every drop because I created it. However, it taught me there was a lot of room for improvement.
Where do you see the craft beer industry heading in the next few years?
I hope there is growth. I am rooting for the industry. I worry that oversaturation will crush peoples dreams and bank accounts. Quality of the product and customer demand will ultimately decide when or if there are too many breweries. I believe the industry will continue with the Hazy IPA direction as well as a push for low calorie beers.
Describe what it’s like to be a brewer in Pennsylvania.
Being a brewer in PA is great most brewers are willing to help you out. There are some great brewers around our state and I have learned a lot from them. We have access to a wide variety of local ingredients in PA that are useful in brewing.
What is the inspiration behind your beer names?
Most of our names are Military themed being Veteran Owned. The ones that aren’t we usually brainstorm as a group.
What is your favorite beer to drink right now?
I have been drinking a lot of our Knife Fight In a Phone booth which is our 5.5% NEIPA. I have also been drinking a lot of Cloudy and Cumbersome from Levante Brewing.
What is the most important lesson you learned in the beer industry so
far?
Never stop learning. There is always a new technique or a different way to accomplish your goals.
Thank you to Dave Marrow for talking with us! Make sure you visit Tattered Flag Brewery & Still Works for all the latest beers, news, information and special events. And also follow Tattered Flag on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
