Dorchester Brewing

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By in Meet Our Team Comments Off on Meet the Team: Director of Operations, James Haugh

Meet the Team: Director of Operations, James Haugh

As DBco approaches it’s fifth year birthday, our growing brewery’s needs spurred us to hire a high level Director of Operations to oversee the entire business. We were so lucky to meet James at the right time and bring him on board to support the brewing operations and our staff to pump out the best craft beer imaginable. And we’re excited to be cranking out even more amazing beer as we head into the summer months as things return to normalcy.

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I grew up on the South Shore and was taught from a very early age to not to travel north of the city if I didn’t need to! I left at 18 years old to join the U.S. Navy as a combat aircrewman, which meant I never spent a day on a ship. I was also fortunate to see A LOT of places (good and bad) on 6 out of the 7 continents! Fast forward 10 years and I have a wonderful wife, a 125 lb Greater Swiss Mountain Dog named Hattie, and our new baby boy Abel. 
How did you get into craft beer and the brewing industry? 
I wanted to find a hobby that I could do while not deployed and it seemed like the perfect blend of science and art. My first couple beers took 4 hours to heat on an electric stove eye which tested my patience, but I figured it out…

Tell us a little bit about what you do day to day at DBco.

My role at DBCo is the Director of Operations. I have the unique task of leading all of the rockstars that plan, brew, care for, package, and ship the beer that DBCo and our partners need to keep customer’s glasses full!

What do you like best about the industry?

The smells… no the people and product. I also love that you can tangibly see the fruits of your labor at the end of an honest day.  

Favorite part of your job.

I love developing people and teams, poking holes in current processes, and getting people home the same way as they came!

Favorite beer style.

German or Czech Pilsner

Favorite DBco beer.

Parish Pilsner

Favorite M&M BBQ item.

I told Candice and Geo that I would get through their entire menu before I can give my honest feedback. EVERYTHING I have tried is ridiculously good though!

By in Meet Our Team Comments Off on Meet our Team: Brad Johnson, Lead Bartender

Meet our Team: Brad Johnson, Lead Bartender

As we continue to share the faces and stories of our team members, we can’t help but appreciate their dedication shown during this pandemic. They are truly the lifeblood of Dorchester Brewing Company as we make our way through this challenging time. To that, here’s another Meet the Team Blog post, introducing Brad Johnson, one of our kick-ass Lead Bartenders, helping to make your experience at DBco as awesome as possible!

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I grew up in South Carolina, but moved to Boston for work after I graduated from Clemson. I spend my free time mountain biking, streaming on Twitch, and appreciating craft beer. I have lived in Boston since 2017 and fell in love with the city. I ride my bike everywhere so please say “hi” if you see me!


How did you get into craft beer and bartending? 

I started at DBco part time as a door person while I was doing sales. It’s been such a fun place to work that when the expansion opened up I took the full time position bartending.


What do you like best about the industry?

The people! Everyone is so fun and passionate about what they do. Boston is a great place for microbreweries and the energy is contagious.


Favorite part of your job

Introducing people to beer. Lots of people come in not knowing much about beer. It’s always great to pass on knowledge and get others as excited about brews as I am.


Favorite beer style?

Juicy New England IPAs, all day, every day!


Favorite DBco beer?

Clapp’s Cream Ale. I know the Lightyear Journey fits my favorite style description but Clapp’s Cream is nearly a perfect ale.


Favorite M&M BBQ item?


Brisket dumpster fries! No contest.

By in Meet Our Team Comments Off on Meet Our Team: Colleen Rankin, Brewer

Meet Our Team: Colleen Rankin, Brewer

With International Women’s Day on the horizon, we are working to celebrate all women in the beer industry and females worldwide. Read more about our special collaboration beer release with proceeds supporting several institutions to empower women everywhere. With that in mind, we’d love to introduce you to an awesome member of our brewing staff, who works to bring you fresh, tasty beer weekly in the DBco Tap Room and beyond. Meet Colleen Rankin.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

I grew up in Akron, Ohio, where I lived through college. Since then, I have had stints living in Russia, Columbus, Baltimore, Washington state, Oregon, and Cleveland. I moved to Boston in July to work for Dorchester Brewing. When I’m not brewing, you can usually find me doing something outside  — biking, climbing, skiing, hiking, etc. — or reading a book, listening to music, or wandering around town looking for good cocktails, coffee, or beer.

How did you get into craft beer and become a brewer?

My fascination with craft beer began in my early 20s, when I had become bored of drinking Rolling Rock and Newcastle Brown Ale. Not too long after discovering craft beer, I started dabbling in home brewing. Looking for a more fulfilling career choice and dissatisfied with working for the man, I woke up one day and decided to become a production brewer. I was lucky enough to find a terrific brewer in Eugene, Oregon that felt that I had the stuff necessary to succeed in brewing, so he gave me an Assistant Brewer position with no production experience, which is quite a lucky thing in this industry. After working at Sam Bond’s Brewing in Eugene, I put in a good stint as an R&D brewer at Platform Beer Co. in Cleveland, Ohio, and now I’m here brewing up fantastic brews at DBco. Working hard to gain knowledge and experience, I hope to eventually open my own brewery.

What’s so special about the brewing industry?

I like brewing because it is both hands on and intellectually driven. An average day’s work allows me to work hard doing manual labor, which is really satisfying, and use my brain in the course of operating mechanical systems, trouble-shooting problems, or writing recipes. I have had successful jobs behind a desk and other, equally great jobs, working outdoors and in customer service; I find that brewing really feeds all facets of me as a human. It brings me good balance that keeps me feeling good about going to work every day.

What’s the favorite part of your job?

Since I started brewing, my favorite thing to do is to hose out the whirlpool vessel. It is so satisfying to me to start with a massive mess of a hop pile and end with a shiny and clean tank. The process of transformation from mess to cleanliness is a really satisfying thing. It is so laughable, I know, but it is the little things in life. On a broader level, I love the process of creating a beer from start to finish — beginning with an idea, writing a recipe, brewing it, caring for it during the fermentation process, then pouring it into a glass that the masses (and I) get to enjoy. I think that is a really rad thing.

Favorite beers?

My favorite beer style generally changes with the seasons, but I love them all. Dark, light, Belgian, American, sour, IPA, or cask, I try not to get stuck in the rut of drinking one style more than the rest. Every style of beer has the prefect time and place for appreciation and enjoyment. To date, my favorite DBco. beer (that I wasn’t the mastermind behind) is Born to be Mild, an English Mild Ale that we released a batch of a while back. My favorite partner beer is probably Stupid Head by Stillwater Artisanal, a delicious double-dry hopped Hefeweizen style ale.

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DORCHESTER BREWING CO.
1250 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02125 (Dorchester)

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Sun 11:30am-9:00pm
Mon 11:30am-9:00pm
Tue - Thu 11:30am-10:00pm
Fri - Sat 11:30am-11:00pm

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