Winter might not be here, but colder temperatures have arrived signaling the return of Phoenix holiday ales, Surly Gnome Winter Warmer and Krampus Kandy White Stout, and a new addition, the Snowglobe Spice Holiday Ale. Snowglobe, is a blond ale brewed with honey and spices and infused with cranberry, orange, and apple. It is a refreshing winter ale and a departure from the traditional winter warmer styles.
The ultimate reward for every brewer is seeing someone enjoying their beer. Watching faces light up when they try a new creative recipe or taste fresh hops for the first time. Jim Hill and Matt Dudley are veteran home-brewers who have seen the smiles on friends, family, and their Bellville brew club faces when they shared their home-brew. But on September 9th, they will get to see an entire community try their winning recipe brewed on a professional system.
What happens when your hobby and your job collide? You end up with what Siera has coined, a “hobby job.” Siera had tried different craft beers but none really stood out until she met the Ferryman. Her love of the Ferryman, her enthusiasm and knowledge towards craft beer, and her personality were noticed and lead to being offered a position at the Phoenix.
Tap technicians or beertenders in a microbrewery must posses a few important qualities. They must have a strong knowledge of beer, enjoy tasting and learning about beer, and have excellent customer service skills. And in Ohio, being a Buckeye fan is almost a requirement. Jim has all of the necessary qualities of a fantastic tap technician, except for one. He's not a fan of the Scarlet and Gray.
It is considered lucky to have a job that you enjoy, but to enjoy your career and love the people you work with, is kind of like winning the life lottery. Scott Cardwell, co-owner of the Phoenix Brewing Company and his son, Phoenix assistant brewer Ian Cardwell get to do that every day. Most recently, they collaborated on the newest addition to the Phoenix beer portfolio, Firth of Clyde. A nod to their Celtic heritage bringing together 4 generations of Cardwells. They began planning the recipe late summer of 2017 after a customer suggested they should brew a beer together. They both agreed they wanted to brew a Scottish Ale….
