Faces of SBC: Brian Allen

September 1, 2019by admin

 

Meet Brian Allen our newest Head Brewer at Springfield Brewing Company

With over 20 years of commercial brewing experience, Brian is a great asset to our team and we are excited to see what he brews up next! We sat down with Brian to learn more about his favorite beer styles, how he got into brewing, and what happened the first time he brewed a batch of beer.

How did you start brewing beer?

I decided to be a brewer after college. Moved to Portland, OR to find a job. While there made two and only two batches of the worst homebrew in the history of mankind. Ended up getting an opportunity in Boston, so I moved back to the east coast to start my career.

Favorite Style of Beer?

Pilsner- Czech or German

First time brewing beer, what happened?

First two homebrews came in rapid succession, so I did not have the opportunity to try the first beer before brewing the second. At the time I was drinking a lot of brown ales- so I made a couple at varying strengths. I decided that to make these beers extra special I would double the amount of roasted and chocolate malt in the recipes. Bad move. Undrinkable. Did not attempt homebrewing again.

Favorite Beer Memory?

Field trip during brewing school to Sheboygan to tour Schrier Maltings. After the tour we went to the Schrier lodge and had plenty of brats and Celebrator doppelbocks. The night ended with a sing along from the students who came from around the world.

Worst beer memory?

I was transferring yeast from one brewery to another. It was a twenty mile drive, in summer in Wisconsin. The corny kegs that the yeast was in failed and the entire back of my car was soon covered in ale yeast.

Dream beer vacation?

Oktoberfest or Prague

Oldest piece of beer history you own… ratty t-shirt, safety glasses, beaker, beer stein…

MBAA (Master Brewers Association of the America keychain from 1948 convention

Favorite SBC beer?

Mayhem Marzen

Best part of the brewing process?

Mashing in- the initial smell when each different type of grain hits the water is really gratifying.

Favorite beer-related movie or book?

Michael Jackson’s New World Guide to Beer fantastic photographs and snippets from beer history. Maybe a bit outdated but a great coffee table book.

Favorite way to cook with beer?

Ragout or Chili

We are happy to have you on our team Brian! Cheers to new brews,