phillybeerguy.com

Posted by Steve

Matt Allyn just might be the hardest working man in brewing.  Not only does he run his own well respected craft brewery, Voodoo Brewery in Meadville, but he’s also the guest Head Brewer at Straub in St. Mary’s and the Head Brewer at Blue Canoe in Titusville!

Back when we were initially planning this trip, Voodoo was one of the first breweries to be added to the list.  My personal experience with their beer began at the Philly Craft Beer Festival in March of 2008.  Not only were they pouring their excellent bottled goodies (Gran Met, Voodoo Love Child, Pilzilla, White Magick of the Sun and 4 Seasons IPA) but they also had a couple kegs of Big Black Voodoo Daddy.  BBVD was easily the best beer I had that day, and upon returning home I was devastated to find out that it was not yet available in bottle or keg.  But a week later I was pleasantly surprised to find a firkin of  it at the first Philly Real Ale Invitational and did my part to make sure the firkin kicked.  Eventually BBVD made its bottle debut (for which it still enjoys a healthy ‘A’ rating on BeerAdvocate).  Soon thereafter I ran into Matt at a local pub during Philly Beer Week 2009, and we had the opportunity to chat about brewing and beer and yeast, but also about the proposed central and western PA beer trip.  Not only did he think it was a cool idea, but he made some great recommendations including the amazing Sprague Farm (which he helped set up the brewery for).

This long-winded opening is designed to show how great Matt has been from the beginning of this whole project.  Not only that, but now here he was taking time out of his incredibly busy schedule to come open his brewery to us on a Saturday afternoon.  Once we arrived at the unassuming Meadville building that once housed a cabinet maker and morgue (is this a theme?), we were given the grand tour including the bottle conditioning room and a great space up front that Matt someday hopes to transform into a brewpub.  As we made our way toward the brewery proper, we could hear music playing nearby.  “Is that the street festival we saw on the way in?” we asked.  “Nope” came Matt’s smiling reply.  “That’s the music for the fermenting yeast. I figure it works on plants, so it must work on yeast.  I’ve even got this great German Polka CD for when I’m brewing a lager.”

We spent the next hour or so learning about the history of the brewing system, getting introduced to the fermenters (Mel (Brooks) et al), and having some great conversation with this brewing veteran.  Before we left, we were also able to sample some beer straight from the storage tanks, get the freshest growler of Pilzilla we’ll likely ever taste, and be gifted some ‘Trapped Under Eisbock”, Matt’s 14% sour cherry Eisbock to be released at some point in the near or not so near future.  All in all another amazing visit.  Thanks Matt, we owe you a beer.