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].

Quinn Brewing opened in 2016, in Irwin, PA. Quinn is growing and announced their second taproom last December at the Lodge at Indian Lake. Brothers Alan and Arty Quinn are both brewers at Quinn Brewing Company. Read on to see how they each got started as brewers, where they see the industry headed, and more!

What was your introduction to craft beer?

Alan: Anchor Steam at a place called Chiodos Tavern in Homestead, PA. It blew my mind at a time when everyone was drinking Budweiser.

Arty: Alan bought me a beer of the month membership for Chrismas around 1994. They sent different beers from around the USA every month.

How did you get started as a brewer?

Alan & Arty: At home, we brewed on a Mr. Beer kit around 1995 or so.

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

Alan: I’d say doing our take on traditional styles. We’ve never copied anyone else’s version so every beer we make is created from no real conceived starting point. 

Arty: Our original takes on classic styles.

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

Alan: The first all-grain recipe of ours was a Belgian Triple. I learned that if you drink a lot of it at one time, you end up laughing, sometimes crying, and maybe naked.

Arty: A Belgian Triple, the same beer we brew to this day, that beer is good!

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

Alan: I definitely see a palate fatigue setting in. A lot of folks are looking for lighter, easier to drink beers. I’d say lighter ales, blondes, etc, and more traditional styles. 

Arty: Less trendy and flavored beers, leaning to more classic and traditional beers. 

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

Alan: Brewing beer for a living is awesome; taxes suck.

Arty: I make beer, how cool is that?!

What is the inspiration behind your beer names?

Alan & Arty: Most of our names are very personal. They’re named after pets, people, songs, thoughts, and emotions. 

What is your favorite beer to drink right now?

Alan: Of ours, I’d say a toss-up between Braddock’s Blonde and Horsi Oatmeal Stout. Of others, I’d say Dos Equis lager, you can drink 50 of them and have no lasting effects. 

Arty: Grande Reserve Belgian Triple with Lucky Black IPA as a close second, both by QBC.

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

Alan: Stay focused, don’t try to do too much too fast.

Arty: Don’t try to impress everyone. 

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