“Drinking beer in good company is enlightening. It’s that feeling of freedom – friendships are forged, hopes and dreams are put into words and bold plans can be made.” – John Magill, Powder Keg Brewery
South West England is positively pulsating with exciting breweries. One of our local favourites is Powder Keg Brewery who are based in their custom-designed brewhouse near Exeter in East Devon. Powder Keg are propelled by the ethos “that life is not all about working and achieving – there is beer to be drunk, pleasure to be had and dreams to follow.” We’ll raise a glass to that one, Chaps!
As big fans of PK beers we were curious to discover more about the rebellious spirits behind the beer so we reached out to PK’s Head Brewer and MD, John Magill, to chat about brews, his own brewing journey and the freedom of beer.
THE POWDER KEG BREWS
Our most recognised beers are Speak Easy pale and the Cut Loose pils. As with all of our beers, these are ”Session Craft” – which is what we have always made. We didn’t want to jump on the Double IPA bandwagon or whatever it was back in 2015 – we really wanted to move Devon beer on from brown beers named after local wildlife.
We wanted good, interesting, Devon-made beer available in venues across the county so we were never stuck drinking average beer again. To do that, we had to pioneer modern session beers that your average landlord could just about be persuaded to put on and then push on from there.
All PK brews (keg, cask, cans and bottles) are gluten free and suitable for vegetarians. Many are also suitable for vegans.
THE BREWER’S JOURNEY
It was 2006 when I decided to become a brewer. I had had a beard for a couple of years already and it was just going unappreciated in my uninspiring ‘executive’ job. I also had a microbiology degree just gathering dust and a pressing need to have my work bring out the best in me, rather than stifle me.
But I wanted to know the industry before going it alone, so I started at the bottom, spending four years learning the ropes at a Somerset microbrewery and then two further years in a Head Brewer role in Devon. Only then did I feel ready to start my own brewery.
“Begin it now”
Then it was a case of taking a giant leap of faith. I have a quote on my office wall, often attributed to Goethe, the abridged version of which is “The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. Begin it now.” And a truer word has never been spoken. I just started a ball rolling and all sorts of brilliant things have happened along the way that I could never have predicted or planned for.
ON THE FREEDOM OF BEER
Drinking beer in good company is enlightening. It’s that feeling of freedom – friendships are forged, hopes and dreams are put into words and bold plans can be made. For me, beer and brewing were a catalyst for change; it enabled me to escape drudgery and inspired me to choose a better life. And I always hope that can happen to other people when they drink our beer – as a minimum they might get a moment of happiness, at best they might decide to change the world.
GET THE DRINKS IN!
Look out for PK brews in independent bottle shops and good drinking establishments.
Discover more at powderkegbeer.co.uk
Image credits: all photos by Powder Keg.