Beer and Networking? Not Such a Bad Match!
Our series, “Converve – Behind the Scenes” offers you a closer look at the Converve team. Which one of the Converve staff do you think might be a part-time beer brewer?
Supposedly, networking is said to run a lot smoother after a few beers. That is of course up to each of you to decide yourself. One of the Converve team, however, has combined his passions for networking software AND delicious beers – to the extent that he has even started his own private brewery! Sören Gregor is one of the Converve pioneers, by day as Chief Technology Officer, he is responsible for the development of our networking and matchmaking software, by night a beer brewing enthusiast. In our interview, Sören tells us more about his fascination for brewing.
What inspired you to start your own brewery?
Sören: “I was listening to a podcast on my way to work on brewing your own beer in your kitchen. I toyed with the idea for quite a long time. Two years later, I read a guide to brewing beer in a magazine and I thought I’d give it a go myself. I was so thrilled with the outcome that I decided to continue.”
What fascinates you the most about your hobby?
“It is pretty diverse. You can dive into various areas and learn new skills. It starts with the brewing process itself, something you can automate and tweak by implementing electronics, physics and chemistry. But, there is still a lot more to it than just that. At the moment, I’m focusing on designing bottle labels. Last but not least, you also learn about the importance of cleanliness and tidiness, which is essential in avoiding infections.”
What makes your beer so special?
“It is homemade. Apart from that, I love to try out various beer styles and brew according to their specifications. Take an India Pale Ale (IPA) for example, you’ll taste a lot of hops. A Christmas Bock, on the other hand, has a stronger focus on malt.”
How would you describe the taste of your beer varieties?
“They taste very fresh, quite different from the beers you buy at your local store. There is not just one style that I prefer, I always try to test new stuff. When I started, I soon found out that there are a zillion ways to influence the taste of beer.”
In the meantime, there are not only wine sommeliers – you can find beer sommeliers as well! Does that sound like a job you’d like to do?
“Although I love trying out new beer varieties, I do not see myself as a beer sommelier. The vocational training would be interesting, though. However, I am not a gourmet and I am pretty picky when it comes to food. Most probably, I would not be up to matching food and beer. Production is more my kind of thing – but more as a hobby, just like I do it at the moment!”
Remember the next time you’re on the phone with Sören: Should you ever have considered starting your own brewery yourself, he’s the go-to guy!
Here are some interesting links about brewing your own beer:
Brew Your Own – all the equipment, techniques and ingredients
