![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.craftbeer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20200507110036\/RovinskieBriana.jpg\")
Bring in Andrew Harton, the one with some brewing experience. \u201cI was an avid homebrewer since my Sophomore year in college, and I eventually became an Assistant Brewer for Iron Hill Brewery, and later a Lead Brewer. I met Jeff Hamer in 2015 through a mutual friend who told me he was interested in installing a small brewery in one of his restaurants.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harton recognized what was special about Hamer and FHG from day one. \u201cThe culture is what first caught my eye. At FHG, and the Delaware beaches in general, it is very relaxed, personable, and friendly. FHG also offered more creative freedom and independence, two characteristics I look for in a job. I was hired as a Head Brewer and recently transitioned into a Director of Brewing Operations Role.\u201d<\/p>\n
So how did Killpack and Anderson make the final jump from busboys to working in the brewing industry? \u201cIt was pretty much a coin flip between Red and me for which one of us was going to brew and which one was going to make sales,\u201d shares Anderson. His flip landed him as Director of Sales at Big Oyster Brewery, and Killpack began to apprentice with Harton. Killpack states, \u201cI was managing for the company as Big Oyster Brewing was coming together, but then I got the chance to take off the managing shoes and put on the brewer\u2019s boots and work in the brewery with Andrew. Best move I ever made!\u201d<\/p>\n
Busboys to Brewers and Beyond<\/h2>\n
After just four years since its opening, Big Oyster Brewery ranked as the second fastest-growing brewery in America in 2019, according to the Brewers Association. So how to maintain that success?<\/p>\n
For Killpack, \u201cI\u2019d like us to continue to serve our local market with a great product that people enjoy. As long as we are doing that, I think we are on the right path.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Anderson, \u201cWe\u2019ve got some loyal supporters and a little bit of notoriety, but there\u2019s still a ton of space for us to grow and expand into the craft beer market both locally and nationally.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for Hamer, the one who started it all with just a simple oyster house on the shore, \u201cI think it is very important for us to have a shared vision between all of our people. We look at what grabs our interest, and we look at what the market is asking. Then we put two and two together and go for it. Our team loves beer and is very creative, really you need to let them do their thing, and good things will come. I hope to see the localization of beer continue. If people continue to drink local and support their local businesses, there will be plenty of customers to go around.\u201d<\/p>\n
The shared vision Hamer envisions is clear. A focus on the locals. Tourist season on the Delaware shore only lasts for the summer. Still, as any busboy knows, it\u2019s the fantastic year-round residents that give their support, no matter the season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What began as summer jobs led a few busboys to move up the ladder to brewer and director of sales at Big Oyster Brewery in Lewes, Delaware.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6452,"featured_media":110307,"sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"sticky_collection":"","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[4296],"class_list":["post-110306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-brewery","tag-breweries"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n