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].
Old Thunder Brewing Company built its brewery inside the former Blawnox Post Office at 340 Freeport Road in the Blawnox neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Old Thunder released its first canned beers in December 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. They then opened for sit-down service for the first time in April 2021, and have been off to the races ever since.
Zach Gordon is the head brewer and co-owner of Old Thunder Brewing Company. Read more to find out how he got started as a brewer, the most important lesson he’s learned so far, and more!
What was your introduction to craft beer?
I believe it was either Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or Allagash White.
How did you get started as a brewer?
I started homebrewing in college. Shortly after college, I found myself in a job that I hated and wanted to change careers. I remember emailing hundreds of breweries and only getting a couple of responses. Thirsty Dog Brewing in Akron OH was one of them. They had just lost a cellarman and asked if I could move and start the next week. I was thrown into cellaring, brewing, and barrel aging without any previous experience, but I learned fast and enjoyed the work.
I was at Thirsty Dog for about 1.5 years when I decided I wanted to move back to the Pittsburgh area. I took the Head Brewer position at Brew Gentlemen Beer Company and stayed there for a little over 5 years before leaving to start Old Thunder with my two business partners Rob Dillman and Josh Taylor. While we worked on getting Old Thunder up and running, I also worked part-time in the cellar at Dancing Gnome.
What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?
I would say wood maturated Saison, especially when whole fruit is used.
What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?
I honestly don’t remember the first beer I brewed, but I do know that it was a shitty extract kit, and it tasted horrible. I switched to all-grain home brewing after that batch. I was obsessed for a while with making a clone of Bell’s Two Hearted. I believe the first professional batch of beer I brewed was Hoppus Maximus at Thirsty Dog.
Where do you see the craft beer industry heading in the next few years?
I see the industry heading toward traditional styles and quality over gimmicks and fads.
Describe what it’s like to be a brewer in Pennsylvania.
Being a brewer in PA is great. There is such a rich brewing history here, and some of my favorite beers are brewed here. A few of the most nostalgic for me include beers from Victory, Troëgs, and Yards.
What is the inspiration behind your beer names?
Inspiration comes from everywhere. The three of us have a Google Doc that we add names to when they come to us. We then try to fit these names with the style of the beer. It’s actually one of the most difficult things we do on a monthly basis.
What is your favorite beer to drink right now?
Old Thunder Beer? 340 Lager. I’m also loving Palatine Pils from Suarez Family Brewery.
What is the most important lesson you learned in the beer industry so far?
It’s hard work, and you have to truly love the process of making beer and everything that comes with it. Otherwise, you will definitely burn out.
Thank you to Zach for talking with us! Make sure you visit Old Thunder Brewing Company’s website to see all the latest beers, and what they have going on! And also follow Old Thunder on Facebook and Instagram.
