Continuing on our tradition of sharing the faces in the Tap Room and our Brewery, we’re bringing you another familiar face you may know if you visit our Tap Room! Meet Peter Huhn, a local who joined our team after converting from a dedicated local customer into employee. Next time you swing by the Tap Room, make sure to say hello!
How did you get into craft beer and join the brewing industry?
I had always been passionate about craft beer, so my roommates and I decided to brew at home. Needless to say the first few batches were awful, but that’s where it all started. I found myself working in restaurants with a selection of craft beers and spent my time drinking only craft beer and figuring out what I liked and didn’t like. I would taste as many different things as I could, learn about the process when I had time and discuss it with whatever bartender would let me.
So while helping open and General Managing a restaurant in Boston, I would walk past Dorchester Brewing Co. every night and stop in for a few. The staff started to know me and when they weren’t busy, we would all chat and hang out. Eventually I got wind of a position opening up, my new friends urged me to apply, and then all of a sudden I was in. When this opportunity came up I knew I had to take it. Haven’t looked back since.
What do you like best about the industry compared to other fields?
My first job was working in my Uncle’s hardware store when I was young talking to guests and helping them find what they needed. Helping out guests and making them happy always made me feel satisfied. My dad was a chef in restaurants in New York City, so my love for food came from that. Ultimate, I decided to combine the two and work the front of the house in restaurants. Since my first job in college bussing tables, I never looked back. This industry is incredibly rewarding but brutal. You work long hours, you have a lot on your plate, and you have to be practically crazy to do it. But the networks you make, the satisfaction of making someones day, and the friendships along the way all make it worth it. I cant see myself in any other field, because no other field is as crazy and as tightly-knit as the industry.
Tell us a little bit about what you do at DBco on a day to day basis.
Make sure the day runs smoothly! When I get in, I am in charge of making sure the staff has everything they need to operate smoothly. Guests have to be happy, beer has to be flowing, and rules have to be followed! You will either see me behind the bar, or strolling around the tap room making sure everything is fine and people are having fun.
Favorite part of your job
Favorite part of the job has to be closing time. Not because people are leaving and the day is done, but because that tends to be the most personal moment at the bar. There isn’t much left for us to do, giving us a few minutes to actually talk and have more in-depth conversations with whoever is left at the bar. I get to hear about who they are, why they came to Dorchester Brewing Co., how we may or may not have made their day and whatever else is on their mind. Something about closing time just tends to be the most personal time of the day.
Favorite beer style
Tough to say! Beer is changing and evolving so much its hard to lock yourself in to one style of beer as your favorite. It all depends on the season and my mood I guess. If I absolutely had to choose, I would think I would have to go with any barrel aged imperial stout. So much flavor can be packed into it, plus you only need one or two to really feel it. Saisons are really starting to creep up on my list.
Favorite DBco beer
My favorite beer DBco has ever brewed was on tap when I was still coming as a regular. It was the Divination, a Bully Boy bourbon barrel aged imperial stout. Heavy chocolate notes, very boozey, not overly sweet, and subtle smokiness from the barrel. I could drink gallons of it and never get tired of it.
