Meet the regions Regional SIBA directors Andrew Hayward from the South East and Darren Batten from the South West

Name:

Andy Hayward

Brewery:

Thames Side Brewery

Region: South East

Contact details:

andrew.hayward@siba.co.uk

How did you first get into brewing?

“I started home brewing in 1978, when good beer was much harder to find, and I realised that I could make better beer than I could buy in many pubs, at a fraction of the cost. Meanwhile, I spent my career handling US insurance claims in the City and did not get a chance to leave that world and start a commercial brewery until I had paid off the mortgage, but managed to do so in 2015.”

What do you love most about the industry?

“The collaborative nature of it. We are all in it because of a passion for the product, and most brewers seem happy to help other brewers out when necessary.”

How long have you been involved with SIBA and why did you join?

“I joined as a “Not Yet Brewing” member in 2015 because I have always wanted to be fully part of everything I have ever been involved with. Joining SIBA felt like I was joining a lot of likeminded people all striving for the same general thing, and pulling in the same direction.”

What do you see as the most important part of your SIBA role?

“Trying to convince non-member breweries that they should join us, and work together for the benefit of the industry as a whole, rather than hanging on to SIBA’s coat tails and getting a free ride on the back of SIBA’s achievements.”

Why should Members get involved in SIBA locally?

“Networking and building relationships locally (and even nationally) are wonderful things. It can really be beneficial to have friends in the area who you can rely on if you need help or advice.”

What challenges do you see breweries facing in your region this year?

“Obviously, we are all (hopefully!) coming out the other side of a seriously bad two years and trying to at least get back to the position that we were all in before the pandemic struck, and pushing on from there will be a challenge.”

What do you see as SIBA’s most important role in 2022?

“Facilitating the above.”

What is your favourite beer in your region other than your own?

“Greensand IPA by Surrey Hills Brewery”

Who do you most admire in your local brewing community and why?

“Actually there are two, and I admire them both for the same reasons: Derek Prentice of Wimbledon Brewery, and Paddy Johnson of Windsor & Eton Brewery. They are both career brewers but have been welcoming to me as an “upstart home brewer” turned commercial brewer, coming near to their patches.”

Name:

Darren Batten

Brewery:

Palmers Brewery

Region: South West

Contact details:

darren.batten@siba.co.uk

How did you first get into brewing?

“My first job as a teenager was bottling up and glass collecting in a village pub a couple of miles from the brewery, and then progressing to bar work throughout my teens I found I loved the unique atmosphere you get in pubs. As part of my Biology degree I spent a year in in Sittingbourne/Faversham area and discovered real ale in the village pubs of Kent. On graduating I was approached in the pub by the then Palmers Head Brewer and took a job stacking pallets in a bottling hall. Following the old Brewers Guild ‘Fundamentals of Brewing’ course at Durham Uni, a Management Diploma, WSET Higher Certificate in Wine, and finally the IBD Diploma in Brewing I became Head Brewer about 15 years ago.”

What do you love most about the industry?

“I think brewing is a very small family. I love that at whatever level or size your brewery is, we are all willing to help and share experiences.”

How long have you been involved with SIBA and why did you join?

“Palmers have been members of SIBA for as long as I can remember. We joined because we wanted to be involved with our fellow South West brewers (there were only a handful in those days) to meet up, share experiences and really to just have a beer together.”

What do you see as the most important part of your SIBA role?

“My role as a Regional Director is important to express the view of a ‘family brewer’ who has a pub estate. Often smaller brewers see pub owners as ‘the big boys’ and see us as limiting access to market despite us being only just above the 5,000hl threshold. I am passionate about changing that view and educating our members on the importance of the slightly bigger brewers being involved in SIBA. We all have similar issues and must work together to drive change.”

Why should Members get involved in SIBA locally?

“The more members that join SIBA the more the ‘voice of British brewing’ we become. The network of brewing friends you gain from joining trade associations is so important when times get tough. ”

What is your favourite beer in your region other than your own?

“I know this will be a controversial answer, but I am a big fan of St Austell Tribute. The late great Roger Ryman was a good friend who supported me when I first became Head Brewer (they were SIBA members then and I am please they have just re-joined) Roger stood for quality and brewed real ales so that you could stand in a pub and have a few pints. Tribute is a great example of a well brewed drinkable pint and George Young continues Roger’s legacy. So, I raise a pint of Tribute to Roger.”