Brewer Q and A: John Bryan

John Bryan, head brewer at Oakham Ales in Peterborough, talks beer, brew kits and Michael Bublé.

Age? 38

Birthplace? A farmhouse just outside Crowland (near Peterborough)

How did you become a brewer? Ever since I was young I have been interested in pubs and beer. On reaching 16 and still being too young to drink, I took up home brewing. This eventually led to my appointment at Oakham Ales and it has been downhill ever since!

When did you have your beer epiphany? I didn’t ! That was Abbeydale …..

Who has been your brewing inspiration? In my early days at Oakham I gained a lot of knowledge from my mate Tim at Greenjack Brewery. Lately I have picked up points from a number of brewers in the States.

What was the first beer you brewed and what was it like? As I said my first brew was at the age of 16 in 1998 and although I went on to full mash brews on my own home-made equipment, my first few brews were made from beer kits. In my “wisdom” I decided to brew a very strong beer by using two beer kits and halving the water. Looking back I am surprised it even fermented, but it did (albeit very slowly). I put the end result into one-litre bottles and left it for a couple of months. The first taste of my first beer is something I will never forget – the aroma you could only describe as unique and the flavour was like a mouth full of farmyard! Not to be put off I found that 20 minutes in the freezer took the edge off the flavour to the point I could drink it – but only in moderation of course.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a brewer? I’m not sure really, although I would love to design lingerie.

If you could have a beer from another brewer, what would it be? Probably Ruination I.P.A from Stone.

What’s your top hop? Citra at the moment.

How would you describe Oakham Ale in three words? Stains and rivets

Favourite Oakham beer? That depends on the day and what form it is in.

Favourite pub that serves Oakham Ales? Any that I haven’t been barred from!

What’s the secret to good brewing? Don’t use beer kits, and only use the very best ingredients.

What is British brewing doing right/wrong? There is a lot of good in British brewing and we have some great beers out there, but some brewers do seem to be stuck in the 19th Century. Yes, we need our brewing heritage and ALL of the styles of beer. The UK is known for ‘must be preserved’ (not just Mild) but there are many new styles out there. Tastes are changing, things evolve. Just look at what you can get to eat in your supermarket these days or even your local pub. There is a place for Fish & Chips or Pie & Mash on any pub blackboard but if you ordered a Roasted Mediterranean Vegetable & Goats Cheese Tart or a curry you wouldn’t expect the chef or anybody else to look down their nose because you had ordered a dish that is not traditional English fare would you – I do wish that some “old style” brewers would follow suit.

Favourite beer and food match? Oakham Hawse Buckler & Smoked Salmon.

Which country is making the best beer in the world at the moment? The USA is making the most exciting beer at the moment.

Advice for any home-brewers out there? Don’t use beer kits.

How much money have you got on you? Right now £85.16.

What’s the hardest style of beer that you brew? The hardest beers are the ones you have to fiddle with the most throughout all of the different stages – so the aged/vintage beers tend to be the ones that soak up the most time and effort.

Who would win in a fight between a chimp and two swans? Depends. If the chimp was a chimp and the swans were Michael Gira and Jarboe I would put my money on the latter.

What’s your idea of happiness? To fulfill all of my goals and die a legend.

Who would play you in a film of your life? Joe Pineapples.

Minstrels or Revels? Neither – I don’t like chocolate.

Whisky or Gin? Do either come in a pint glass?

What was the last CD you bought? Michael Bublé.

What was the last decent film you watched? 101 Golden Moments.

Can you tell us a joke? Keep it clean, mind. Two drunken men were driving home, the first started screaming “Dave, watch out for that tree!, Christ sake, look out!” BANG ! The next day they wake in hospital and James says to Dave “You useless prat, why didn’t you stop when I shouted at you?” Dave replies “You were driving!”

If you could have a beer with anyone from history who would it be and which beer would you choose? Attila The Hun – Oakham Attila.