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.

Seven Sirens Brewing Company opened in February 2020 in Bethlehem, with a 7 bbl brewhouse. The brewery converted an old parking garage into their taproom and recently won an award for their efforts on it. Josh Divers is a co-owner and head brewer at Seven Sirens Brewing Company. Read more to find out his introduction to beer, where he sees the craft beer industry heading, and more!

What was your introduction to craft beer?

A few friends and I build a bar in my garage and every week we added more variety of brews. That’s where I got my interest in trying new styles and learning what breweries were doing.

How did you get started as a brewer?

Like most, I started with a “Mr. Beer” kit and didn’t really get the brewing bug until my wife got me a kit from Keystone Homebrew. I brewed 3 batches in the kitchen and stank up the house (smelt beautiful like a brewery). My wife asked to move it to the garage so the bar came out and I added kettles. I turned one car garage into a brewery then years later we upgraded to a parking garage (Seven Sirens Brewing Co.)

What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?

IPAs allow me to be creative, experimenting with different hop combos but I love easy-drinking beers where less is more sometimes, and giving life to previously used barrels is fun.

What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?

I don’t really remember the “Mr. Beer” beers but what I consider my first beer was a coffee porter. Because you drink coffee until it’s acceptable to drink beer. That was the only beer I designed a label for. What I learned was it’s important to have a cool label since that’s what draws attention but the important focus is what’s inside the vessel. That’s what you want people to come back for.

Where do you see the craft beer industry heading in the next few years?

Lol! What a fun year to open a brewery! Hazies and sours will stay but hopefully, west coast IPAs and easy-drinking like pilsners come back a little more. Our palates can only handle the sweet and sours for lengths at a time.

Describe what it’s like to be a brewer in Pennsylvania.

Many hats, hope you like cleaning and fixing things. I grew up in the landscape industry for a family business so I’m not a stranger to many hats and hard work. I don’t shovel dirt on and off trucks. I now shovel hot spent grains. But I love what I do, it’s not a job if you have a passion for it. If it was a job…I’m going to need a raise.

What is the inspiration behind your beer names?

I hate naming beers. I like to involve our team in naming beers. We have a communication channel just for beer ideas and names. I’ll put in a short description of a beer and ask for a name in the channel, then pick a fun one. A beer may be named after a conversation with a friend, our truck getting towed in Philly, or me reading horribly at a beer fest. Ask our bartenders about IPA we are brewing called Dor Ray Doe! Lol!

What is your favorite beer to drink right now?

It always depends on the environment I’m into what I’m drinking. I’m not drinking heavy beers at picnics. I like to drink lighter beers, sessions, fest beers to hang longer with friends, and beer-flavored beer in the shower where beer is truly just a beer. So to answer your question I don’t have a favorite, I like diversity and I hope our menu shows you that.

What is the most important lesson you learned in the beer industry so far?

Never stop learning! Do what makes you happy! People would love to have my job! And that good beer is better enjoyed with great friends! Cheers!

Thank you to Josh for talking with us! Make sure you visit Seven Sirens Brewing Company for all the latest beers, news, information, and special events. And also follow Seven Sirens on Facebook and Instagram.