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].
GearHouse Brewing Company opened in December of 2016 in downtown Chambersburg, PA with a 5 BBL brew system. Recently (summer 2019) GearHouse upgraded to a 15 BBL brew system to bring fans more of the beer they love! David Kozloski is the head brewer at GearHouse, and brings with him over 10 years of professional brewing experience. Read more about David, including how he got started as a brew, and where he sees the beer industry heading!
What was your introduction to craft beer?
I was introduced to “local” beer as a teenager, visiting Bavaria, Germany as an exchange student right after high school graduation. Brauerei Ludwig Erl is still there, and cranking out some amazing Deutsches Braus. They even won some awards in 2016 at the European Beer Star Awards.
How did you get started as a brewer?
I originally got my start in professional fermentation/production through Breaux Vineyards, in Loudon county, VA (back in 2006). I spent three years with them, learning and doing everything from vineyard management to wine festivals. I had just started dabbling in home-brewing when Flying Dog made the move from Denver, CO to Frederick, MD. I (somehow!) managed to get my foot in the door, and spent just under 5 years with them; ultimately working my way from the cellar to running the brewhouse on third shift. From there, I moved into PA; working another 3 years with Troëgs at their new facility in Hershey.
What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?
I don’t know that any one style would be the “correct” answer; I’d prefer to say I love brewing because of the meld of art AND science in the process(es). I love the extra challenge brewing has: with four basic ingredients you can come up with thousands of variations of the same thing…
What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?
My first “Pail Ale” kit that my wife bought me for my 26th birthday! It was a Honey-Nut Brown ale. I learned that the “kits” provided by the homebrew shop(s) left a lot to be desired in the “instructions”—I am a fairly detail-oriented person—and even just reading the directions I had so many questions… It wasn’t all that great when it was finished, but I kept trying and learning from there!
Where do you see the craft beer industry heading in the next few years?
I’d like to think that the industry itself is still growing. Slowly, we (craft brewers) are gaining on the macro-brewers. I still believe in the “little guys’” ability to be infinitely more creative and responsive to our customers. Our small(er) scale(s) of operations and networking (cap)abilities are pretty strong tools to help us all continue forward. The camaraderie and unity of craft brewers is so reminiscent of the military, we all have each other’s backs, and that’s the kind of thing that can make a “super-power.”
Describe what it’s like to be a brewer in Pennsylvania.
I am a transplant. I never, ever thought that I’d end up in PA of all states… But, despite what some consumers think, we have really great brewing laws/regulations in our state. For instance, the ability, as a manufacturer, to carry and serve ANYTHING made within our state lines makes us instantly more popular among our customers. We utilize that tool as much as possible at GearHouse. Add to that, over 300 other breweries in the state, with an annual production that supersedes CA, and we have an even stronger network; with some pretty big hitters as part of our membership. It’s pretty damn amazing (and humbling) to tell people that I know these folks, personally. I am instantly excited at the thought of working with them—and learning from them—every chance I get.
What is the inspiration behind your beer names?
I don’t think we have anything as a consistent inspiration for any of our names. “Canary in the Coal Mine” (our blonde ale) was not named after the “Police” song, as many think, but more as the test-fire of our first (5BBL direct-fire) system. Our staff and the ownership team at GearHouse Brewing Co. are all involved in suggesting names for our beers. “Flying Squeegee” (a seasonal Wee-Heavy) was chosen after I flung a squeegee during a “bad” day, nearly hitting our GM as he came through the employee entrance one morning… It’s funny now, but it wasn’t then. We try to use some cycling terms sprinkled in as well, such as Shifting Gears IPA (a rotating, changing recipe) and Single Speed IPA (designed as a rotating, single hop recipe), reflecting on our name and brand.
What is your favorite beer to drink right now?
Currently, we have a one-off version of my DIPA, known as Mad Machinist, on tap. This one is more of a Triple IPA though: almost 6lbs/BBL of hops, 116 IBUs, and 9.8%ABV!! But it is so smooth, and very tasty. We also just released the Rising Hope IPA on behalf of the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Brewing Funds the Cure. These institutions were trying to get all 50 states involved by selecting one brewery per state; and I am extremely proud that GearHouse Brewing Co. got to be the brewery to represent PA.
What is the most important lesson you learned in the beer industry so far?
CLEANLINESS!!!! If I have ever repeated any advice to others, it has been sanitation related. Beer is a living organism, with thousands of potential risks and variables to consider with every batch; so it is of the utmost importance to ensure your CIP/SIP processes are efficient (but not wasteful), measurable, and repeatable. The logistics and maintenance of running a brewery can be pretty daunting too.
Thank you to David for talking with us! Make sure you visit GearHouse Brewing Company for all the latest beers, news, information and special events. And also follow GearHouse on Facebook and Instagram!
