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].

Evil Genius Beer Company was founded in 2011 by two friends who met in college. They have built a name for themselves by doing what they do best: brewing great beer and naming them after hilarious pop culture references. Fast forward to 2017, and they opened their first location, a brewery and beer garden in Philadelphia.

Jon Defibaugh joined the team before the new location, and has been their head brewer since. Read on to see Jon’s introduction to craft beer, the first beer he ever brewed, and much more!

What was your introduction to craft beer?

Oh man.. The first craft beer I had was when I was 18 years old. My then girlfriend’s brother had bought a sixpack of Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot, and he didn’t like it all so gave it to me. One sip of that 11% nectar and poor little innocent Jon was hooked.

How did you get started as a brewer?

When I was younger I always wanted music to be my career. I was in bands forever, but as I got a bit older I realized the chances of me making that my career were slim to none. I saw the craft beer movement start to take off, so without any real homebrew experience I applied to every brewery in the country I could find. This was in 2008, and lo & behold Tom & Peggy from Heavyweight Brewing (RIP) were opening a new spot in Philadelphia and happened to give me a chance. I moved to the city for that job at Earth Bread & Brewery, and rest is fuzzy, drunken history.

What style allows you to be the most creative, and why?

Definitely saison, because there is really no style limitation outside of what yeast you choose to use. It can be 2% or 12%, pale blonde to jet black, hoppy or malty, plus you can add whatever fruits & spices you want to this style. It can be stainless or barrel aged, or a careful blend of both, and when packaged either naturally or forced carbonated. 

What was the first beer you ever brewed, and what did you learn from it?

Good question, I don’t remember! I had a buddy that homebrewed in my hometown, so it was probably something with him. Professionally it was a biere de garde that I brewed with Tom at Earth Bread & Brewery. I learned that I didn’t know shit about brewing and had a lot of homework to do!

Where do you see the craft beer industry heading in the next few years?

I think we’re going to continue to see drinkers shifting towards local breweries, and shifting away from larger regional brands. I also think the days of wacky one-offs are dying, and consumers are now demanding a higher quality and more consistent product. Finally, I think we’re going to see a trend back towards lagers & pilsners, which is exactly what everyone who works in a brewery would like to see. Beer flavored beer will be making a comeback for sure!

Describe what it’s like to be a brewer in Pennsylvania.

Being a brewer in PA is awesome. We have a wide variety of amazing breweries in our state regardless of what part of it you’re in. The scene itself is particularly tight-knit and has been this way for a long time. A lot of OG craft breweries are in Pennsylvania, and it’s nice to be in a state that has played such a crucial role in the brief history of craft beer.

What is the inspiration behind your beer names?

Well most of our names are inspired by pop culture and social media. We have an absurdly lengthy group message going with hundreds of names in it that all of our employees can submit to. It’s a long and arduous process..

What is your favorite beer to drink right now?

Favorite beer ever? Jever Pilsner, Gaffel Kolsch or Negra Modelo. Favorite beers right now? Second District Bancroft, Susquehanna Brewing Goldencold, Yards ESA, Crime & Punishment Space Race, Love City Lager, Victory Braumeister Pils, Tonewood Fuego, Eight & Sand Flynn’s Irish Red, and everything from Bonn Brewing.

What is the most important lesson you learned in the beer industry so far?

Be good to and take care of those around you, your world is smaller than you realize 🙂

Thank you to Jon Defibaugh for talking with us! Make sure to follow him on Instagram to see more behind the scenes action from the brewery.

Also, visit Evil Genius Beer Company for all the latest beers, news, information and special events. And also follow Evil Genius on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!