Meet Our Brewing Operator Dom
Meet Dom, our Brewing Operator, who's settled in just fine.
We caught up with Dom to see how his hands-on help in the brewhouse is vital to keep the beer flowing.
Q: How long have you been at Hogs Back Brewery?
A: I've been at Hogs Back Brewery for three months. It's still early days, but I've already learned a huge amount and it's been great getting stuck into brewery life and seeing everything that goes into making great beer. Big shout to Head Brewer Dewald for giving me all his wisdom!!
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself?
A: Outside of the Brewery, I'm slightly obsessed with chillies. I grow a wide range of superhot varieties at home and recently started a small chilli business with my partner Lizzie based in the South Downs. When I'm not thinking about chillies, you'll usually find me on a tennis court or chilling in the garden. I’ve also dabbled in home brewing over the years, so it probably comes as no surprise that I eventually found my way into a brewery!
Q: How did you get into brewing?
A: I've always had an interest in beer and how it's made. The combination of science, craftsmanship, and creativity really appealed to me. Once I got the opportunity to work in a brewery and see the process first-hand, I was hooked.
Q: What is you beer of choice and why?
A: I'm not sure I could pick just one, but Floc and Howling Hops are two breweries I always keep an eye on. They brew some fantastic modern pales and IPAs and consistently put out beers I'd happily drink again and again. Anything packed with Crush or Idaho 7 hops is usually a winner in my book, so if I see either of those on the pump clip, there's a good chance I'll be ordering it.
Q: Who would you most like to share a beer with and why?
A: I'd love to share a beer with Rafael Nadal. I'm a big tennis fan and have always admired his attitude, work ethic, and determination. I'd love to pick his brain about training, competition, and what it takes to perform at the highest level for so many years. I'd also take the opportunity to see if he's interested in partnering up for my long-term project of turning Lizzie into a Wimbledon wildcard contender. I suspect he'd have a few tips over a couple Alhambra 1925s.
Q: What do you do away from the Brewery to relax?
A: Most of my free time revolves around chillies. I grow them, make sauces from them, and spend far too much time researching new varieties to add to the collection. At this point, my idea of a good weekend is finding a pepper that's hotter than the last one and convincing somebody else to try it first!
We’re sure Dom will continue to make a great success of his role. Watch out to see if any of our new beers have a chilli kick!
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