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.
Eleventh Hour Brewing Company (Pittsburgh, PA) opened in September of 2017 in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Located in an old gas grill/gas light showroom, they operate a 20bbl brewhouse producing a wide variety of beer. From lagers to IPA’s, stouts, and sours, there is something for everyone. Owners Keana and Matt McMahon also work hard to integrate the community as well as many local charitiy events.
Justin Strzelczyk and Phil Lehman are the brewers at Eleventh Hour. They have been crucial to the growth of the brewery, as well as the expansion of the barrel and sour programs. Learn more about Justin and Phil including how they got started as brewers, where they see the industry heading, what their favorite beers to drink are, and MORE!
What was your introduction to craft beer?
Justin: Definitely Matt and his homebrewing, and then any craft beer he brought home. I was under 18 when he started, so I didn’t really get into craft or start drinking until college. Sometimes Matt would have me try stuff (like Hell or High Watermelon back when it was good), but he first two beers I really remember having and enjoying were Dale’s and Raging Bitch.
Phil: Living in Michigan from 2007-2011, there was lots of great craft beer around. Oberon Day might as well be a state holiday up there, and for good reason. I also took a fermented beverage technology course during my senior year of college, which was hosted at a local brewery.
How did you get started as a brewer?
Justin: Again, because of Matt. I’d occasionally help out with his homebrews when he asked but never understood it. It was mostly “hold this, add that” kind of helping. It wasn’t until I was in college, unhappy with how my major was going, and Matt really got 11th Hour off the ground. I decided I wanted to help him through this great journey of his after he had helped me throughout my life, and enrolled in the Siebel Brewing Sciences course.
Phil: Like many brewers, I started out brewing in my home kitchen. My brother bought a one gallon homebrew kit for me for Christmas in 2011, and I think I ended up with 9 bottles. After that I was hooked. I found a local homebrew shop and the rest is history.
What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?
Justin: You can be creative with just about any style, albeit in different ways. Its not all just seeing what crazy and fun ingredient you can use in stouts, IPAs, and sours. Sometimes its fun to see how a different yeast may perform, use new hops at different rates, or varied types and amounts of malts.
Phil: One of the cool things about working at a small brewery is the wide variety of styles we can explore. I’ve been on a sour kick for quite a while now, and those beers are a lot of fun to make. You never know exactly what you’re going to get from mixed fermentations, which makes them well suited for exploration and experimentation.
What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?
Justin: First one we did was a Pale Ale here at 11th Hour. Everyday at work we pretty much learn something new. That first brew we learned it’s critical to have your slide gate open from the grain mill to the mash tun when mashing in.
Phil: Chocolate maple porter. I learned that I wanted to make a lot more beer
Where do you see the craft beer industry heading in the next few years?
Justin: I think we’re going to see a larger amount of the big guys (Sierra Nevada, Troegs, Firestone Walker etc.) trying to make hazy IPAs, milkshake beers, pastry stouts, and the like. Also, it wouldn’t surprise me to see more breweries being acquired by or merging with others in more and more markets.
Phil: I expect we’ll see a continued push to hyper-localization. There was a time when every small town had its own brewery and I think that’s where we’re headed.
Describe what it’s like to be a brewer in Pennsylvania.
Justin: We have lots of great resources, as well as great communities locally and across the state. While there may not be as many breweries getting national attention as other cities and states, I truly believe there’s many in PA that can hold their own against many more popular places.
Phil: Pennsylvania is a really exciting place to be a brewer. The industry is really taking off here, which leads to a lot of innovation. We’re at a great place for trends moving inward from the coasts, but with enough local character to differentiate ourselves from elsewhere in the country.
What’s the inspiration behind your beer names?
Justin: I like to choose names that I think sound good. Typically my names come from songs I like, video games, or bits of historical trivia. We also like to pick names relating to science, or space.
Phil: My educational background is pretty scientific, so I tend to pull terms from those fields, usually with pop culture or other references thrown in. It’s also important that each name differentiates the beer from our other offerings. It’s always really satisfying to hear a consumer give positive feedback on a name.
What’s your favorite beer to drink right now?
Justin: If I’m drinking beer, I prefer something light and crisp. Typically I reach for German beers if I can. Einbecker pils, Reissdorf Kolsch, Weihenstephaner Vitus. I love a liter stein of Vitus.
Phil: I mentioned that I’ve been drinking a lot of sour beers lately. But we’re also on the cusp of summer, so I’ve mostly been sticking to pilsners and wheat ales.
What’s something in the beer industry you never thought you would see?
Justin: As someone who’s very new to the beer industry, I can’t really answer this question. Had you asked me five years ago, I would’ve said 11th Hour.
Phil: The level of excitement and enthusiasm from craft beer consumers always amazes me, even as somebody who has been a part of it. To so many people, it’s not “just beer” but an important part of their lives.
What is the most important lesson you learned in the beer industry so far?
Justin: Be kind. Help out your neighbors. Its better to look out for each other in this industry.
Phil: If you think you know everything there is to know about beer, you’re probably not going to be successful. Brewing is an ancient craft but there’s always room for growth and innovation, which is the core of the industry.
Thank you to Justin Strzelczyk and Phil Lehman for talking with us! Make sure you visit Eleventh Hour Brewing Company for all the latest beers, news, information and special events. And also follow Eleventh Hour on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
