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].
Union Brothers Brewing opens this Wednesday, June 17th in Harmony, PA. Brewing on a 3.5 BBL brewhouse, the brewery is known in the Pittsburgh market for their fruited sours, IPA’s, and stouts. Zach Waltz co-owner and head brewer at Union Brothers Brewery. Read more to find out how he was introduced to craft beer, where he sees the craft beer industry heading, and more!
What was your introduction to craft beer?
I’m not exactly sure what beer it is first was but I had a buddy who was really into craft beer. I remember trying this beer and thought I had a mouth full of pine cones.
How did you get started as a brewer?
I was driving from Pittsburgh to Cleveland to hit these bottle releases before lines were even cool. So one day it dawned on me to save the gas money and try to make my own beer.
What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?
To be honest I love brewing fruited sours. Your imagination can take you anywhere. From desert fruited sours. I brewed a pineapple upside-down cake that at the time really pushed the boundaries for me. To a more to style margarita gose. I just feel that you can go anyway and if executed well they are solid summer beers.
What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?
I want to say a brown ale. It was an extract recipe on a turkey fryer. I learned that scorching your wort is a real thing. I didn’t know that was a thing until I went to try it and had no clue what the awful burnt taste was from.
Commercially it was a strawberry blackberry sour. I learned that it’s just beer at the end of the day. I had a glycol chiller issue and the beer got down to 58 degrees and didn’t sour. I thought I lost the whole batch. I let it rise up in temperature and It soured and tasted spot on to what I was looking for.
Where do you see the craft beer industry heading in the next few years?
I see craft beer continuing to a more local approach. With so many options in the market and with craft drinkers becoming more knowledgeable, I feel that the consumers want to stay local and support local. But on the other end, they know what they want and like.
Describe what it’s like to be a brewer in Pennsylvania.
The camaraderie in the Pennsylvania scene is insane. I never met so many people that were willing to help. Everyone will help no matter how close your brewery is to theirs. It’s a good feeling to know you can count on your neighbors when you need something. At the end of the day, we are all doing this for the passion of good liquid. We really are all in this together!
What is the inspiration behind your beer names?
I am not really good at naming beers. It’s usually long thought out and something comes to my mind and fits. Lately, we have been rolling with Union themed names for our beer.
What is your favorite beer to drink right now?
Right now for me 400 from 4 points is a beer that I can’t seem to get away from. And their fourth street plus series has been really killer
What is the most important lesson you learned in the beer industry so far?
Trust the process and everything will be good. Be kind to your neighbors and they will be kind back.
Thank you to Zach for talking with us! Make sure you visit Union Brothers Brewing for all the latest beers, news, information, and special events. And also follow Union Brothers on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
