Welcome to our “Meet The Brewer” series! Where we interview brewers in Pennsylvania, from breweries small to large. Let us know if you know anyone who should be featured, email us at [email protected].
Wacker Brewing Company was reopened in 2014, after being in business throughout the 1800s, and then closing in 1956. Wacker produces classic German-style beers, among many others. Recently the brewery announced they were moving their operations to a much larger space in Lancaster. Jon Briggs is the hear brewer of Wacker Brewing Company, read more to find out how he was introduced to craft beer, the first beer he ever brewed, and more!
What was your introduction to craft beer?
In 1990 I turned 21 and was regularly an import drinker at the time. While in the take out place I came across a 6 pack of Stoudt’s & this sparked my love of craft beer ever since. Regularly getting my hands on what I could, which was slim pickings at the time, Stoudts, Ithaca, Anchor, and even JW Dundee’s stuff at the time.
How did you get started as a brewer?
Not too long after that in 1991, I got my first Homebrew kit and started my brewing career from there. To this day I still do a bit of homebrewing, I am constantly experimenting.
What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?
I think when making Stouts, one really has the latitude to do some off the wall stuff and still make it an enjoyable experience.
What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?
How about the first beer that I brewed that didn’t just suck instead? Seriously, I know no one that came from homebrewing and their first several beers weren’t terrible! Anyway yes, my first good beer, it was a Pear Wheat Ale. Harvested on the property that I was living at, there were several pear trees, and the fruit was delicious. Fortunately for me, I did do some reading and heeded the advice given on how to properly fruit a beer, and the extra steps needed to make it come out drinkable.
Where do you see the craft beer industry heading in the next few years?
Lager! Local lagers, for the love of Mike, every locality needs to have local lagers. Secondly, I think the novelty of flavoring everything will wear thin and the trend may move back to clean traditional styles.
Describe what it’s like to be a brewer in Pennsylvania.
I would not want to do what I do anywhere else but in PA. The water here really makes some of the best beer in the world.
What is the inspiration behind your beer names?
Tradition OR just us being total freaking idiots, this might require some explanation! We’re a heritage brand from Lancaster’s past, so some of the names are the old ones, but we made a new style (recipe) for the name. Conversely, we have a few out there that are just totally ridiculous (re. Little Sheepy Sherpa, Peaching Weasel, etc) stuff that stemmed from some random zaniness that we were involved in at the time.
What is your favorite beer to drink right now?
What we make at Wacker. I stand behind what I brew and I’m constantly making adjustments.
What is the most important lesson you learned in the beer industry so far?
All of them. Everything you do or don’t do matters. Everyone has an opinion and you’re not going to make everyone happy – stop trying to.
Thank you to Jon for talking with us! Make sure you visit Wacker Brewing Company for all the latest beers, news, information and special events. And also follow Wacker on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
