Brewer to Brewer: Steve Luke and Dan Suarez (Ep. 36)
Dec 7, 2023
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Steve Luke, a brewer from Cloudburst Brewing, interviews Dan Suarez, a brewer from the Suarez Family Brewery. They discuss topics like the changing brewery landscape, brewing delicate beers, business growth, brewing juicy IPAs and Pilsners, transitioning to canning, staying inspired in the industry, and more.
Suarez Family Brewery focuses on brewing simple and delicate beers that are easy to drink, prioritizing ease of drinkability and aiming to create enjoyable and accessible beers.
Dan Suarez emphasizes the importance of achieving a healthy work-life balance, acknowledging the challenges of owning and operating a brewery but highlighting the need to prioritize personal and family time, as well as mental and physical health.
Dan Suarez finds inspiration in European beer culture, particularly during his travels to the old world, appreciating the simplicity and casual vibe of European beer scenes, as well as the unique flavors and styles of traditional European beers, which informs his brewing philosophy and motivates him to create standout and distinct beers.
Deep dives
Brewing Simplicity and Delicate Beers Geared Towards Ease of Drinkability
Suarez Family Brewery focuses on brewing simple and delicate beers that are easy to drink. They prioritize ease of drinkability and aim to create beers that are enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of people.
The Importance of Work-Life Balance for Brewery Owners
Dan Suarez emphasizes the importance of achieving a healthy work-life balance, especially for brewery owners. He acknowledges the challenges of owning and operating a brewery, but emphasizes the need to prioritize personal and family time, as well as taking care of one's own mental and physical health.
Drawing Inspiration from European Beer Culture
Dan Suarez finds inspiration in European beer culture, particularly during his travels to the old world. He appreciates the simplicity and casual vibe of European beer scenes, as well as the unique flavors and styles of traditional European beers. This inspiration informs his brewing philosophy and motivates him to create beers that stand out and offer something different.
Questioning Brewing Dogma and Embracing Individuality
Dan Suarez encourages brewers to question brewing norms and dogma, and to embrace their individuality and personal preferences in their brewing process. He believes in brewing beers that reflect personal passion and experimentation, and prioritizes the enjoyment and satisfaction of the brewing process.
Finding Balance between Business Ownership and Personal Life
Dan Suarez reflects on the challenges of balancing business ownership with personal life responsibilities, particularly as a parent. He emphasizes the importance of setting priorities, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and finding fulfillment and satisfaction in both professional and personal spheres.
Firsd Tea Firsd Tea is a proud sponsor of the Brewer to Brewer podcast. Falling temps and festive seasons are fast approaching, which means now is a good time to develop holiday stouts and brown ales using hibiscus and cinnamon from Firsd Tea. Looking for other new ideas? You can find out more about Firsd Tea’s collaborations with brewers and tea ingredients by visiting firsdtea.com/blog.
Malteurop Malting Company Malteurop Malting Company (MMC) is based in North America—specializing in growing and producing quality malts for the craft beer and distilling industries. With local farms and Malthouses spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, MMC's commitment to excellence is fully ingrained into every batch it produces, ensuring breweries and distilleries of any size can create the finest beverages on the planet. Visit www.malteuropmaltingco.com to learn how MMC can support your malting needs. Contact MMC at customersuccess@malteurop.com or (844) 546-MALT (6258) for questions or to place your order.
Host: Steve Luke
Guest: Dan Suarez
Sponsor: Firsd Tea, Malteurop, All About Beer
Tags: Brewing, Lager, IPA, New York, Business, Burnout, Careers