So, can you tell us how it all started for you?
When I was 18 I started drinking ales and IPA’s and came across a home brew kit online. Before I knew it I had the whole kit, FV, stirrer, capper, hydrometer and a Dark Abdij beer kit! Having failed to do my homework on how to brew at home I ended up with an infected brew. It was like vinegar, not to worry though my wee brother bought the whole batch off me to drink between his friends. I went to clean the FV out by adding boiling water to it, I closed the lid and the bucket collapsed in on itself. That was that for the home brew adventure back then.
10 years on I am 28 and still loving trying beers from around the world and drinking amazing IPA’s. LETS TRY BREWING AGAIN! I started watching guys on YouTube and reading up on various methods of brewing beer. My wife bought me a starter kit and an Evil dog Double IPA kit for Christmas. It turned out amazing, since then I have done Lager, Australian Pale Ale, Real Ale and wheat beer!
What was your first brew and how did it turn out?
Evil Dog Double IPA, one of the most amazing IPA’s I have ever tasted. Another one going on soon!
Were there any mishaps / funny moments along the way leading to now?
Infecting a batch as an amateur and selling it to my underage brother, He said it was awful for the first few sips but quickly became tolerable (probably due to the alcohol taking over)
Are there any pieces of equipment that you are looking to buy soon, or are converting for the future?
Infecting a batch as an amateur and selling it to my underage brother, He said it was awful for the first few sips but quickly became tolerable (probably due to the alcohol taking over)
Bottle or Keg?
Bottles at the moment as I don’t have the room for a keezer yet but one day I hope to never have to bottle again, It’s fun the first time but quickly gets old. A double corny keg system is on the way soon!
What is your go to recipe or signature brew?
I am still on kit brews at the moment but have a recipe from a friend on the brewcrew to make an IPA to die for, Again in the future I will be trying out a few AG’s and see where I go from there!
What is your schedule for a typical brew day?
30 mins to put a kit brew on then have a beer or two waiting for the first bubble (don’t tell me you all don’t do the same!)
What do you love about home brewing and the industry in general?
Its turned from a hobby into a love, Tasting the first brew off a batch is so rewarding and being able to sit back and relax with a brew I have made myself, you can’t beat that! I love giving friends and family a few bottles, they all love the freebies but do say that they are impressed with the quality and taste!
The Craft brewing industry at the moment is booming and its people like me who benefit! The competition is very healthy. The “small batch” method without all the filtration just makes the most amazing beers! Don’t fear the sediment! I would take one bottle of a Comarty Brewings Rogue Wave over a lifetime supply of a “premium” commercial lager any day!
Are you attending any festivals / competitions in the coming months?
I live in East Kilbride (Scotland) and just a few miles down the road in Eaglesham is an annual Beer Festival which feature an amazing selection of microbreweries. On a summers day it is the only place to be!
What are your plans for the future and where do you think the industry is headed?
Hopefully moving into a bigger house this year will allow me to expand my wee brewery and upgrade from bottling to kegging!
The industry I think is in a very good place at the moment, every supermarket has an extensive range of craft beer to choose from. There are over 2000 micro brewery’s in the UK and we can only hope that number increases!…..It will I’m sure!
Are there any breweries that you admire for what they are producing?
Williams Bros from Alloa, You can never go wrong with a bottle of their Redial or Creasers Augustus or Joker IPA or Pavlovs Dog AAHHH they’re all too good! If you guys at Williams need an apprentice, give me a shout!
A shout out to Comarty brewing for their “Rogue Wave” awesome IPA
A final shout to my local brewery DryGate, their Bearface is a beauty!
Finally, what is the name of your “one day” brewery?
You ready for this?………. BIG TAMBO’S WEE BREWERY!
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So there you have it, another interesting interview with a homebrewer – a big thank you to Tam Robb for giving up his time. If you fancy being interviewed please feel free to get in touch.
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