Brewer Q&A: Jeff Rosenmeier

This month the beer business made its way to Henley-on-Thames to have a chat with Jeff Rosenmeier, chief zymurgist at Lovibonds Brewery.

Age? 40

Birthplace? Madison, Wisconsin, US.

How did you become a brewer? I started home brewing in 1995 with the hobby sort of taking over my life.

When did you have your beer epiphany? I’m not sure if it came first, but I’ll never forget my first Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, as it was my first true taste of hops and it absolutely blew me away.

Who has been your brewing inspiration? My initial home brewing was inspired by Charlie Papazian and his book The Complete Joy of Home Brewing. His book and his “relax, don’t worry, have a homebrew” approach was a perfect introduction for me.

What was the first beer you brewed and what was it like? I’m pretty sure I brewed a hoppy pale ale using one of Charlie’s recipes. Was it good? I think your first brew is awesome no matter what it really tastes like.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a brewer? I have an IT background so I’d still be commuting to the big bad city or flying out of Heathrow trying to meet some insane deadline for some project.

If you could have a beer from another brewer, what would it be? Right now I’m craving a Racer 5 by Bear Republic in California.

What’s your top hop? I really dig Columbus as a dry hop at the moment.

How would you describe Lovibonds’ beers in three words? Diverse and dangerously drinkable (err… isn’t that four words? – db).

Favourite Lovibonds beer? Hard to pick a favourite, but at the moment our 69 IPA is tasting really good.

Favourite pub/bar that serves Lovibonds? Again, hard to pick a favourite. They don’t serve it all the time, but you can’t beat The Rake in London for great beers beyond ours.

What’s the secret to good brewing? Be super clean on the sanitation side of things, do all you can to have healthy fermentations and think positive as the yeast can feel it.

What is British brewing doing right/wrong? I think British brewing is doing a lot of things right. There is a lot of innovation at the moment and brewers today are finally going beyond that of the boring brown cask beer.

Which country is making the best beer in the world at the moment? I am biased, but I think the US has got to be at the top of their game right now for quality, diversity and innovation.

Advice for any home-brewers out there? Keep brewing and don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t brew.

How much money have you got on you? I am as skint as I was when I left university, actually more skint. I’ve probably got a fiver worth of loose change in my pocket.

What’s the hardest style of beer that you brew? Our best-selling beer, Henley Gold, is a German wheat beer, something I regret every now and then as that yeast is a bit temperamental and even though we are super clean, we can still have problems due to the very low IBU levels in this beer.

Who would win in a fight between a lion and a tiger? Tiger.

Who would play you in a film of your life? Jim Carrey.

Minstrels or Revels? Neither, that stuff is bad for you.

Whisky or Gin? Gin.

What was the last CD you bought? God knows, all my CDs were stolen when I moved house about 11 years ago and have been electronic since. I’m into Joe Bonamassa at the moment.

What was the last decent film you watched? The Social Network.

Ben McFarland, 13.05.2011