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Garrett Oliver
Garrett Oliver by David Shankbone.jpg
Born (1962-07-29) 29 July 1962 (age 63)
Alma mater Boston University
Occupation Brewer, writer
Employer Manhattan Brewing Company
Brooklyn Brewery

Garrett Oliver (born July 29, 1962) is a famous American brewer and writer from New York City. He is best known for his work as the brewmaster at the Brooklyn Brewery, a job he has held since 1994. A brewmaster is like the head chef of a brewery, in charge of creating and making all the different kinds of beer.

Garrett Oliver's Early Life

Garrett Oliver grew up in Hollis, Queens, a neighborhood in New York City. His father enjoyed cooking and being outdoors. When Garrett went to college, he studied filmmaking at Boston University. While he was a student, he helped organize concerts for various music groups.

After graduating from college, he spent a year in London, England. There, he worked behind the scenes, helping to manage music shows at the University of London. Later, he traveled around Europe. He visited countries like Belgium and what was then West Germany and Czechoslovakia. During his travels, he tried many different kinds of beers.

When he returned to the United States in 1983, he started making his own beer at home. This is called homebrewing. Before becoming a professional brewer, he worked for HBO and a law firm in New York.

Becoming a Brewmaster

Garrett Oliver began his professional brewing journey in 1989. He started as an apprentice brewer at the Manhattan Brewing Company. An apprentice learns a skill by working closely with an expert. By 1993, he had become the brewmaster for that company.

In 1994, Garrett Oliver moved to the Brooklyn Brewery. He became their brewmaster, and he has been in that important role ever since. He also became a partner in the company, meaning he helps own and run the business.

Oliver's Passion for Food and Beer

Garrett Oliver is very interested in how different beers can taste great with different foods. This is called beer pairing. He also enjoys cooking with beer. He has written several books about these topics. One of his well-known books is The Brewmaster's Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food, published in 2003.

Because of his interest in food, he became involved with the Slow Food movement. This movement encourages people to enjoy local, traditional, and healthy food. Garrett Oliver also worked as the editor for The Oxford Companion to Beer, a large book about beer, which came out in 2011. He has also been a judge at the Great American Beer Festival, where different beers are tasted and ranked.

Awards and Recognition

In May 2012, Garrett Oliver received a special honor from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling through the Beer Academy. He was named an 'International Beer Champion'. He was also made an 'Honorary Beer Academy Sommelier'. A sommelier is an expert in wine, but a beer sommelier is an expert in beer. Garrett Oliver was one of the very first people to receive this title from the British organization that trains and certifies beer experts.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Garrett Oliver para niños

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