Sharp as a tack (Dougal Sharp)

This issue, we share a pint with managing director of Innis & Gunn, Dougal Sharp

How did you first get involved in beer?

I started working in our family’s brewery in Edinburgh to earn pocket money while I was still at school – filling barrels, helping out on the lorries and the like. The brewery was just down the road from my school so it was very convenient for a quiet glass of beer with friends after rugby; that cemented my relationship with beer.

The part time work continued during my time at University and I gradually learned more about the business.

Then the brewery suffered a major fire in 1994, the year I graduated, and I was asked to join full time to help manage the rebuild. Of course I was happy to do so.

What is fashionable in beer at the moment?

The emergence of a ‘speciality’ beer category has certainly impacted the retail landscape recently and the key brands have worked hard to promote beer with food, which is increasingly evident in the press. Consumers see this as natural territory for beers like Innis & Gunn and Leffe and retailers have responded by making these beers widely available.

Branded glassware, smaller ice-cold servings, interesting flavours and unique product stories define the brands in this new category. It’s regarded as optimistic by consumers who enjoy experimenting with the beers – you want to try them all.

What do you think we’ll be drinking in the future?

Consumers want real choice, and they are prepared to pay a premium for beers which unquestionably deliver on flavour and authenticity.

Speciality beers and im.....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Beers of the World to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By Sally Toms

Section : Last Shout

Page number :