JOHN LOOSE
DETAILS
Brewery: Loose Ends Brewing
Position: Head Brewer
How did you get started in the craft beer industry?
I started drinking craft beer with some college buddies in 2008 and discovered home brewing a few years later. In 2011 I brewed my first batch, a pumpkin spiced porter. From the moment the water mixed with the grain, I knew I wanted to open a brewery someday. Fast forward to today (with many struggles in between), we are finishing up construction of Loose Ends Brewing, exactly 9 years after my first batch.
Where does your flavor inspiration come from?
It comes from trying to capture the style of beer and it’s intention. We focus mainly on classic styles of beer and pairing those with our chef’s worldly-inspired food.
What excites you about the future of craft beer?
The community of craft beer drinkers is always the most exciting to me. Whether it is someone that’s been drinking craft beer for 10 years or the person who only used to drink one brand and has just started exploring what beer can truly be, they are the ones who keep the industry alive. It is their interest, excitement, and enthusiasm that keeps me excited.
Favorite brew at your brewery?
That’s like asking a parent which is their favorite child and since I don’t have any children, my beers are my kids! My pallet changes with the seasons, currently it is early Fall so I typically will have Eddy Current, our Dark Mild. It is a light and refreshing beer that has tastes of chocolate, caramel, and coffee. At 3.1% ABV it is a perfect beer to drink at family and social gatherings.
JASON MOORE
DETAILS:
Brewery: Crooked Handle Brewing Co
Position: Head Brewer
How did you get started in the craft beer industry?
Our founders were introduced to brewing craft beer in 2008. Weekends were spent together in a small garage on a horse farm crafting beers using nothing more than a couple of igloo coolers, a small kettle, and a propane turkey fryer. As the garage brewery grew so did the appreciation for the art and science of crafting delicious beers.
Where does your flavor inspiration come from?
A lot of our inspiration comes from our Experimental Brew Club (EBC) program that is managed and operated by my assistant brewer Ken Starner. Ken has the freedom to brew any style using any ingredients he wants to experiment with. The EBC also consists of 20+ members that can offer suggestions on styles they would like to see brewed or variations of past Brew Club batches. Other inspirations include tracking trends, new raw ingredients, and just listening to our customers.
What excites you about the future of craft beer?
It’s the people that make up this industry and the customers who make it all possible. This industry is made up of so many amazing people striving to make their best beers and create a place for everyone to enjoy.
Favorite brew at your brewery?
My current favorite - and a beer that has been the most fun to develop - is Trinity Haze. It’s a New England style IPA brewed with the addition of wheat, oats, and a massive dry-hop to produce a medium body tropical citrus-forward ale with a soft pallet.
JOHN HAGGARTY
DETAILS:
Brewery: Warped Wing Barrel Room & Smokery
Position: Brewmaster
How did you get started in the craft beer industry?
I was living in Seattle, WA in the 1990’s and had gotten a job at a brewpub called “The Big Time Brewery and Alehouse” working in the kitchen. I decided that if I was going to continue working there, I should at least learn how to do something cool, like make beer. So I bugged the head brewer daily about letting me work in the brewery and after about 6 months of pestering him daily, plus his assistant brewer putting in his notice so he could return to grad school, I was given a shot to do the job. It seems to have worked out okay.
Where does your flavor inspiration come from?
If we are making something classic, like a pilsner, we are looking to historical cues for the type of flavors and raw materials that would have been thought highly traditionally when the style was being created in its place of origin. If we are getting a little weird, then I look a lot to the kitchen and flavors that work well together in various food dishes.
What excites you about the future of craft beer?
I really like the continuation of the movement toward supporting local breweries and small batch experimental beers like the kind we will be producing at our new Springboro brewery.
Favorite brew at your brewery?
My favorite beers always seem to rotate seasonally, so it varies depending on the weather. In the fall I really love our Creepshow Smoked Porter. It's robust, black, roasty and smokey - perfect around a bonfire. I also like pilsners so Superba is also a favorite in the winter.
