Twenty Five Years Brewing

Slave to the mash tun for twenty-five years – that’s me, Seamus Scullion, Partner and Brewer at Hilden Brewing Company.  Owen Scullion has joined the Company this year as Head Brewer.  So that’s two if us working hard to produce great beers.

“Nice work if you can get it”, I hear you say. But you should see it from where I stand.  There’s the early morning starts, temperamental pumps, sticky mashes which set as soon as you turn your back and so on.  And then there are the late nights, pulling pints for thirsty customers with never a minute to wet my own lips.

So it’s not all beer tasting and standing around over a pint exchanging views with happy drinkers.  There is a lot of hard work and somebody has got to do it and as long as people appreciate good beer, we will continue to brew,

November 2006 marks the 25th anniversary of our first mash.  Our Brewery celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.  And we haven’t survived 25 years by missing an opportunity for a celebration. And how do we propose to celebrate?

First, by brewing even more great beer.  That’s always a good start and it stimulates ideas.  Watch out for our Annual Beer Festival (25, 26 and 27 August). It’s how the Ulster Beer Drinkers mark the end of Summer: with a feast of good beer, food and music – always a great event.  Our Anniversary Party will be later in the year.  Nothing too extravagant.  Just friendly people enjoying good beer, good food and a bit of craic.  And that’s the way I want the year to go on.  We like people who like our beer.  We love people having a good time liking our beer.

So that’s what keeps my spirits up as I slave over the mash tun. I think of the great beer that is going to result from my labours and the pleasure that my beers are going to bring to so many people.  Don’t call me a brewer; call me a philanthropist.  But call me and make a date with Hilden Brewing Company and/or its great beers.

And watch this space.  Owen and I will use it to air our views on beer and brewing and on what’s happening in our world.