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].
Conny Creek Brewing Company opened in October of 2017, in Lower Burrell, PA. The name and fishing hook logo, are both a nod to the brewery’s roots in Evans City, PA. Lee grew up next to Connoquenessing Creek, and spent much of his childhood playing there. Lee Layton is the co-owner along with his wife Erin, and also the head brewer. Read more to find out what his introduction to craft beer was, his inspiration for beer names, and more!
What was your introduction to craft beer?
My introduction to craft beer was during my college days. I had a buddy bring his dad’s home brewed imperial stout back to school. My wife and I also used to frequent North Country Brewery.
How did you get started as a brewer?
A best friend and I started home brewing in 2010. We got a local home brew kit, enjoyed the end product, and was a slippery slope to brewing more.
What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?
I would say our Coffee Camp series (Coffee desert stouts) and different fruited beers allow me to be the most creative.
What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?
A Porter recipe from Porterhouse Brewshop (formerly in Portersville, PA), and I learned to use a blow off tube. The fermenter lock clogged and the beer blew up in the closet.
Where do you see the craft beer industry heading in the next few years?
I see the industry continuing to move more local, with brewers continuing to make better beer.
Describe what it’s like to be a brewer in Pennsylvania.
It’s great to be part of the brewery movement. I continue to try local brewers beer and it drives me to make better beer. We are happy to be nestled in our niche area, as we have a great regular group.
What is the inspiration behind your beer names?
My beer names are all over the place, sometimes a play on words or sayings, sometimes based off an event that happened when brewing. Sometimes I ask others to come up with a name.
What is your favorite beer to drink right now?
We’ve recently been making lagers so I’d say those and hazy IPAs.
What is the most important lesson you learned in the beer industry so far?
I have two lessons learned. Everyone’s palates are different, and every brewers’ situation/business are different. Just because a concept works for one brewery doesn’t mean it’ll work for yours.
Thank you to Lee for talking with us! Make sure you visit Conny Creek Brewing Company for all the latest beers, news, information and special events. And also follow Conny Creek on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
