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. 

Spoonwood Brewing Company opened in January of 2015 in the Bethel Park neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Spoonwood has a 15bbl brewhouse and 12 beers on tap to try at all times. They also have a full food menu, and a wood fired pizza oven! Steve Ilnicki is the head brewer at Spoonwood, read more to find out his intro to craft beer, where he see’s the industry heading, and more!

What was your introduction to craft beer?

In college, early to mid-90s, we were still drinking a lot of Milwaukee’s Best. Then some Yuengling, and dabbling with Sam Adams Boston Lager, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and Saranac. I took a liking to that stuff, for sure, but the first real shock to the system was Victory Hop Devil. That was life changing, and it’s still such a fantastic beer.

How did you get started as a brewer?

A homebrew kit with a white plastic 5 gallon bucket and a can of stale malt extract. And more importantly, a copy of Charlie Papazian’s “The Complete Joy of Homebrewing.”

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

I don’t have a particular style in mind, but I really like to take a basic golden ale and add unexpected flavors. Unexpected because people are used to heavily flavored stouts. But a coffee blonde still has that novelty factor, and ours was a thing before anyone was talking about “blonde stout.” Peanut butter and/or chocolate can also be really great in a lighter ale.

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

Probably a terrible English Pale Ale from hopped malt extract, which taught me that it was more fun to read and dream about brewing the all-grain recipes in Charlie’s book.

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

I suppose there will be continued growth, a brewery for every neighborhood. Maybe a rebirth of classic European style, “old is new.” And cannabis-infused beers.

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

I can’t imagine it’s any different to be a brewer in PA than in any other state, but it’s the only thing I know. I don’t get out much.

What is the inspiration behind your beer names?

Above all, I look for a combination of words that (hopefully) sound good together. I don’t get into random word generators or the beer names that they produce. We’ve done a bunch of beer names inspired by music, including two of our four year-round beers. But I’d hate for that to be our identity. I’m determined not to do another Coheed and Cambria beer. Ha!

What is your favorite beer to drink right now?

It changes often. I spent some time in Florida this summer and drank a lot of Cigar City Jai Alai. It’d be hard to find a better IPA, especially the White Oak version. I’m still really into that one.

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

I’ve learned to keep my eyes on my own page and to think twice before opening my mouth. At least in theory.

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