Brooklyn Brewery’s Garrett Oliver On His James Beard Award Win
We’re #1! We’re #1!
Well, technically, Garrett Oliver is #1. The legendary headbrewer at Brooklyn Brewery is now a James Beard Award winner in the “Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional” category. So, we thought we’d reach out to the longtime Brooklynite, who also happens to be celebrating 20 years at the helm of the borough’s longest operating craft brewery. Here’s what he had to say about the win:
Well, we certainly partied “like it was 1999” last night, that’s for sure!
It’s an awesome thing, especially as the culinary world has been oddly slow to recognize craft beer’s spectacular versatility with food, and the brewer is the chef’s nearest peer–we’re creating new flavors from our own ideas, ingredients and techniques. Modern brewing is a creative pursuit.
I wrote a book on beer and food pairing more than 10 years ago (“The Brewmaster’s Table”) and Brooklyn Brewery just opened up a new brewery and restaurant in Stockholm, Sweden. Aside from that, we’re now going to open a brewery at the Culinary Institute of America. So, I do feel that Brooklyn Brewery has been a real pioneer in the culinary world, and this award is a recognition of that. Brewing is hard work, and this award is a great thing for everyone in craft brewing. I’m grateful for the opportunity to fly the flag for our tribe!
So, there you have it, folks. Also, make sure you check out our 2013 interview with Oliver on the 25th anniversary of Brooklyn Brewery. Cheers!
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