BREWER SPOTLIGHT
Just as each and every brewery here in Indiana has its own unique style, atmosphere and craft beer recipes, the brewers that work tirelessly behind the scenes have their own unique stories as well!
Meet Simon Sothras from Scarlet Lane Brewing Company!
Simon Sothras is no stranger when it comes to brewing beer. Sothras is currently the head brewer at Scarlet Lane Brewing Company, a fresh brewery on the market in McCordsville, IN. Sothras hearth of former experience in brewing includes his role as Senior Brewer at Ninkasi Brewing in Eugene, OR for a total of eight years. Sothras started with the brewery as one of the original brewers and was fortunate enough to assist in the brewery’s growth into a major northwest craft brewery. His craft beer experiences also include an internship at an Iceland Brewery, Gaeoingur. Professionally, he has been brewing for nine years.
Originally from the southside of Chicago, Sothras later moved to Eugene, Oregon where he was a winemaker long before his craft brew
experiences. Oddly enough, his previous experience helped him with his current position in the craft beer industry as wine making is similar to brewing beer, Sothras explained. He recognized his calling in life while being fascinated with the “balance of the art and science” of brewing craft beer. Sothras further explains, “I can get as creative and nerdy as I want and produce a product people love to drink.” However, most of Sothras experiments with craft beer are at the brewery. He isn't able to spend much time at home brewing since most of his time is dedicated to perfecting the balance of art and science in his craft brews for the beer lovers at Scarlet Lane!
Sothras’ favorite brews to make include brewing different styles of IPAs. Sothras adds, “[There are] so many hops to play with and create something different each time. I also enjoy brewing Berliner Weisse (sour).” When asked about advice for future brewers, Sothras replied, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness!”
Sothras joined Scarlet Lane shortly after the brewing Company was founded by Eilise Land, Nick Servies and Doug Sheets in April of 2014. The brewing company prides itself on its rigorous training it provides yearly to its employees in order to match up with industry standards. Scarlet Lane also pays respect to its past by honoring and recognizing female brewers. Scarlet Lane is operated under primarily female management and a female investment team. The brewing company looks forward to its exciting future and already envisions paying respect to its future by reaching sustainability goals.
Finally, we leave this poem insisted on by Sothras.
The Beer Prayer
Our lager
Which art in barrels
Hollowed be thy drink
Thy will be drunk
(I will be drunk)
At home as I am in the tavern
Give us this day our foamy head
And forgive us our spillages
As we forgive those who spill against us
And lead us not into incarceration
But deliver us from hangovers
For thine is the beer
The bitter and the lager
Forever and ever
Barmen
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For more information on Scarlet Lane Brewing Company, please visit scarletlanebrew.com