Q&A with Toby Heasman

A Q&A with Toby Heasman, head brewer at Hall & Woodhouse – home to Badger beers.

How did you become a brewer?

A keen interest in fermenting things to make alcohol whilst a teenager culminated in some serious career discussions on Ridlington Village Cricket field at the age of 16. The then opening bowler David Batten, a former employee of Ruddles recommended I met up with the former Ruddles production director Jim Prior and the then head brewer Tony Davis. Science A levels were duly sat and off I went to Brewing School at Heriott-Watt. A summer at Greene King and a summer microbrewing in the US, and then a top Brewing Student 1997 award followed. Then out to the big world, joining Bass who trained me and put me through my master Brewer exams. Then, after nine years, the opportunity to explore the fabulous world of ale brewing opened up for me at Hall & Woodhouse

When did you have your beer epiphany?

Rather than an epiphany, I like to think that an introduction to Ruddles Best Bitter and Ruddles County in 1991 has opened up a lifetime of beer experiences, where you learn and experience something new every day.

What was the first beer you brewed and what was it like?

A homebrew in the kitchen. Very drinkable although my mother used to complain that it made my father anti-social in bed.

If you could only drink one Badger beer for the rest of your life, which one would it be?

The one I have just invented. Aside from that Pickled Partridge – such great balance

If you could have a beer from another brewer, what would it be?

Probably Deuchars IPA

What’s your top hop?

Partial to a bit of Styrian Goldings but Cascade and First Gold can be excellent when used correctly

What’s the secret to good brewing?

Be inventive, but never forget that a beer must be balanced and always remember that without perfect hygiene beer will not taste as great as it should.

What is British brewing doing right/wrong?

There are some great new beers coming through and we have seen an increase in the number of ales which is great. The micro brewers are getting a good entry to the market whilst the regional brewers have seriously improved the quality and choice in their estates making a visit to the pub truly exciting. The choice within the Premium Bottled Ale market has increased drastically which has to be good. So if you are an ale drinker, choice is up and quality is up whether at home or in the pub. Good lager should not be frowned on. But the public should be aware that there is more to a good lager than a marketing story.

Favourite beer and food match?

Top 3: Pickled Partridge and roast beef. Hopping Hare and goats cheese salad. Poacher’s Choice and Stilton cheese

Advice for any home-brewers out there?

Hygiene. Once you have a beer that works, write the recipe down

Big money cash player! What’s the hardest style of beer that you brew?

Organic Ale

Who would win a fight between a polar bear and a shark?

On land a polar bear. In the sea a shark.

That makes sense, what’s your idea of happiness?

BBQ and beer with my wife and son Freddie on a warm summer evening.

Minstrels or Revels?

Minstrels

Correct. Whisky or gin?

Whisky

What was the last CD you bought?

Lily Allen “It’s not me it’s you”

What was the last decent film you watched?

I tend to fall asleep during films and would rather be talking to people than sat watching films

Can you tell us a joke? Keep it clean, mind.

A chicken falls in some quick sand. A passing stock broker driving past in his Porsche sees the chicken and the chicken shouts: “Hey Mr, can you pull me out? The stock broker says why of course, so he goes home to fetch a rope. Whilst he is away a horse walks past and the chicken shouts hey Mr Horse please save me. The horse straddles the quick sand, the chicken grabs that which hangs lowest and the horse pulls him out. The moral of the story if you are hung like a horse you don’t need a posh car to pull the birds.

Ba-boom-tshhh. If you could have a beer with anyone from history who would it be?

Richie Benaud.

Ben McFarland, 18.06.2010