Gil Peterson and Brandon Fischer both started out home brewing beer for their own enjoyment. Gil started working at Michigan’s Mount Pleasant Brewing company while he was in college and then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska to accept his first official brewer position. Gil’s experience landed him an interview and shortly after, a position as Head Brewer at Fairhope Brewing Company this past July. When Gil arrived at the brewery, Brandon Fischer, patron and volunteer turned employee, was already a part of the operation. He started helping out when the brewery implemented their bottling line and was recruited to assist as the volume increased. The brewery initially started out with a staff of three and has grown to a hearty fourteen.

The beer selection on tap has increased from four beers to twelve and they also offer a cider. The bottled beers include an amber, a coffee stout, an IPA and a pale ale. Fairhope Brewery products are distributed across the state of Alabama, coastal Mississippi, the Florida panhandle and in Georgia and Pennsylvania.

Owners Brian Kane and Jim Foley report that the local support has been incredible and they look forward to a big turnout for their 4th Anniversary party on January 21st.

During the month of December, Fairhope Brewery will host their annual 12 local “celebrity” bartenders of Christmas that will volunteer their time and tips to the charity of their choosing.

The tap room is open six days a week (closed on Mondays) and tours are given on Saturdays at noon. Fairhope Brewery hosts local music on a regular basis and offers live trivia on Wednesday evenings. The tap room can also be made available for private events and functions. For more information about Fairhope Brewing Company and their upcoming events visit their website or Facebook page.

Fairhope Brewing Company, 914 Nichols Avenue, Fairhope (251) 279-7517 http://www.fairhopebrewing.com • Facebook “Fairhope Brewing”