As of early 2011, the Pub Brewer position is scheduled to rotate among brewers that currently work at our production facility on the north side of town. The Pub Brewer is responsible for creating specialty pub brews- beer only available on tap at the pub. Click here to view our current specialty brews available on tap.
Next in line for the rotating Pub Brewer position is Brandon MacClaren. As a production brewer, Brandon does everything from brewing and filtering, to kegging, bottling, and cellar work. As the current pub brewer, Brandon will be spending part of his week at the production plant as well as 2-3 days a week to brew small batches of pub specialties. “I am looking forward to having the opportunity to brew whichever style of beer I feel like,” says Brandon. “At the production brewery we follow a production schedule, which means brewing a lot of the same beers over and over again. That’s great and all; it’s just nice to have a chance to brew something different.”
Brandon’s official title is Keller Meister, or Cellar Master. Some of his specific responsibilities include making sure all employees that work in the cellar are trained and understand procedures and protocols for the following: filtration, dry hopping, tank cleaning, tank sanitation, and yeast harvesting and pitching.
The pub brewer position allows the brewer to learn a new brew system, get creative and make… well, whatever they want, really! We asked Brandon to give us a sneak peak of what is on deck for pub specialty brews. “My first beer is an American Red Ale. I wanted to brew a lighter ale for my first beer to get used to the system,” Brandon stated. “Next up, I plan on brewing some English style ales including: English Mild, English IPA, Sweet Stout, and maybe an English Barley Wine. It’s fun to experiment with a different yeast that I don’t regularly have the chance to work with at the production brewery.”
Brandon has worked for New Holland Brewing since March 2009. “I wanted to work with New Holland because they have a great reputation and I really enjoy their beers. I thought it would be a great brewery to work for and learn from,” says Brandon.
Some of Brandon’s interests outside of work include poker, basketball, bike riding, swimming, and snowboarding. He also enjoys spending time up north at his family cabin, camping and canoeing. When at the pub for lunch, he loves the house made corned beef.
Cheers!
