Totally Hooked (Meantime Brewing)
We chat to Alastair Hook, founder, owner and brewer of Meantime Brewing in Greenwich, London.
How did you first get involved in beer?
The call to a life in beer materialised with a typically wild and wonderful escape from childhood. I drank my first pint of beer at the age of 13, Theakston’s Bitter, with my father at a pub in the Lake District – I can taste the fresh hop character to this day. I played in a punk band at school, but much preferred real ale to sniffing Tipex and smoking dope (I think my un-cool lifestyle choice cost me my place in the band). My first dissertation at university was a research project in to how Guinness in Dublin formed the first limited liability stock company. I got the bug… to build a business that made a great product with something that contributed to society at the same time.
What is fashionable in beer?
The same things that make the consumption of food and drink anywhere a pleasure without boundaries, and the subject of increased relevance in post modern consumer society. The pursuit of new tastes and flavours that provide more depth and character, and that give beer more meaning. The provenance of taste and flavour, its geography and history.
What do you think we’ll be drinking in the future?
The bland and the interesting… Utility products will be produced in a more efficient manner and taste of less, speciality products will develop even greater qualities. Beers that don’t know what they are will just die.
What’s the best thing about working in the beer business?
The fact that when people enjoy the fruits of your endeavour.....
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By Sally Toms
Section : Last Shout
Page number : 74
