Meet the (Real) Team
A wee while back I wrote a silly blog about the Team here at the brewery, in which I suggested the brewery was staffed exclusively by dogs. While I still live in hope that one day my dream of a canine workforce will become reality, the truth of the matter is that we have a dedicated team of (allegedly) human staff who work tirelessly to bring you your favourite Arran beers.
In the spirit of fairness, and as a way to express my gratitude to them for putting up with me on a daily basis, please take this opportunity to say hello to the Team here at the Brewery. For real-real this time.
Veronica (Director/Office Manager)
Veronica has worked for Arran Brewery since 2010, having never visited Arran at all before then. In her own words, she was offered a Summer job that has since gone on for a bit longer than anticipated. Her job covers literally all aspects of the business, from organising deliveries to sorting our tax bills. Veronica is the voice of reason in the weekly management meetings, and the cool head when the rest of us are panicking. It’s very irritating.
Favourite Beer - Sunset
Chris (Retail Manager/Quality Manager)
Originally hailing from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, Chris arrived at the brewery in August 2020 with an engineering degree, experience in building Quality Assurance systems, and the patience of a saint. He’s personally responsible for making the rest of us look competent. Chris visited Arran numerous times with family throughout his childhood, and always hoped to move up here. So remember, kids - be careful what you wish for!
Favourite Beer – Milestone Special Reserve
Roel (Delivery Driver)
Papa Roel came to Arran for love, the big softie that he is. His wife wanted to move to Arran, and he was fed up driving trucks on the mainland – so they sold up their house and moved in together. Roel is the man who keeps the island fully stocked with our beautiful beer, doing deliveries with an infectious smile on his face. He’s the adoptive grandfather to all of us here in the brewery – he never comes into the office without Dentastix for the dogs, and sweeties for the staff.
Favourite Beer - Blonde
Adam (Junior Brewer)
Originally from Warsaw in Poland, Adam visited Arran as a teenager before finally moving to the island in 2016 to be closer to his family. His career here at the brewery began with a part-time job on the bottling line, which evolved into a Brewery Assistant position where he learned the joys of cask washing and tank cleaning. When the lockdown began to ease and production started to ramp up again, it was only fair that he began his training as a brewer – so now he knows the joys of digging out a mash tun and copper as well.
Favourite Beer – Brewery Dug IPA
José (Senior Brewer)
José Bravo, in addition to having the coolest name in the business, is the longest serving brewer on the team. He started as a Brewery Assistant in September of 2010, having never brewed before, and learned the ropes as he went – eventually becoming the Senior Brewer. He’s the man responsible for developing the Sleeping Warrior Barley Wine and the id Black IPA – so if you’re a fan of those brews, you owe José a pint. It’s just the rules, I’m afraid.
Favourite Beer - Blonde
Hollie (Shop Assistant)
Hollie started working within the Brewery Shop in May 2011, and is generally considered to be the Bad Influence whenever we go for after work drinks (I don’t know why, but “D’you want one more?” sounds like a great idea when asked in a sing-song Islay accent) Hollie is currently on maternity leave, so if you’ve visited the brewery this summer, you won’t have had the pleasure of meeting her (sorry).
Favourite Beer - Dark
Yorick (Shop Boy)
Yorick is the latest recruit to the team here – if you visited the shop over this summer, there’s an above average chance that Yorick served you (sorry). He was, in his own words, exiled to Arran from Holmfirth, Yorkshire, after a lifetime of visiting the island. He recently became deeply enthusiastic about protective clothing after being involved in a high speed moped incident.
Favourite Beer – Red Squirrel
Steve (Bottling Assistant)
Steve joined the team here in April 2021, having moved to Arran in October 2020 to try his hand at retirement (it didn’t work, he’s too young!). Originally hailing from the frozen North-East, Steve’s background in the oil & gas industry saw him spending a career ping-ponging between two different companies, which frankly sounds exhausting to me. If you’ve bought a mail order from us this year, there’s a very good chance it was shrink-wrapped by Steve.
Favourite Beer - Blonde
Danny (Bottling Assistant)
Danny is the newest addition to the Production Team here at the brewery, having started in early July. He’s a “doonhammer” from Dumfries who moved to Arran in 2001, having worked at our local cheese shop on work experience while at High School. Fittingly, he fondly remembers carrying a bottle of Red Squirrel to the top of Goatfell to mark the occasion of his first ever mountain climb. I’d like to hope the beer was nicer than the mountain, but I’ll leave that to your imagination.
Favourite Beer - Red Squirrel
Craig (Head Brewer/Me)
Hello! I’ve been in the brewing industry for 10 years, but only started at the brewery here on Arran last August – the first time I ever set foot on the island was for my interview, despite being born and raised in Troon. My job largely consists of: coasting on the hard work of my colleagues; getting nerdy about water chemistry; and drinking coffee. I also occasionally write blogs.
Favourite Beer – Ego Session IPA