Andrew Estabrooks “Esty” of Foghorn Brewing received the Brewer of the Year award at the Brewer’s Journal Canadian Brewer’s Choice Awards in early December.

“It happened fast,” Estabrooks says. “I just got an email sort of hinting ‘we strongly recommend that you come to the workshop.’ It was the first time I’d heard about it. [I only had] two weeks to get tickets and get there,” he said in an interview with Huddle. 

“He has proven not only to be an exceptional brewer, but he also has an incredible sense of humour, making everyone feel welcome and included,” says Richard Piotrowski, publisher and Canada bureau chief of Brewers Journal.

“In a nutshell, Andrew is a compassionate leader, a devoted family man, a clever jerry-rigger, a tireless workhorse, and a true craftsman in the brewhouse, as referenced by friends, colleagues, partners – and has created quite a strong impression on all of us. “

“We think that it’s important to get a perspective from professionals outside Canada as well,” Piotrowski says.

“To be nominated is a big deal because there were some amazing brewers in that category,” Estabrooks says.  “Everybody in our industry works so hard… nobody does this because they expect to retire in a mansion somewhere. It’s very passion-driven.”

“It was a great honour. An opportunity to lift each other up and showcase craft beer.”

“Andrew has worked for, consulted for, or trained the best and most decorated breweries in New Brunswick over the course of his career before risking it all to open one of his own, which is six years strong this year,” says Piotrowski.

“His passion and craft has proven to be remarkable. If you’ve had a craft beer in New Brunswick in the last 20 years, the odds are better than good that Andrew had a part to play in it.”

“I love everything about beer culture, brewing culture. This taproom has created friendships, some of which would never existed outside of this place,” he says.  “Beer is that social elixir that gives people a chance to sit down, put their phones down, connect with people. And I love the craft beer creates that.”