Ohio Brewery News

Friday Six Pack with Dan Lauro, Carillon Brewing Company

Every Friday, we ask an Ohio craft brewery owner or employee to answer six questions about their path to the brewing industry, what sets their brewery apart and their thoughts on craft beer in Ohio.

Today we’ll chat with Dan Lauro, head brewer at Carillon Brewing Company, the historically authentic, 1850s-style brewery located in Dayton.

 

What drew you to craft beer and brewing?

I started homebrewing 20 years ago, learned from my father. Quit my corporate job to go back to school for history and Lifetime movie-style ended up working at Carillon. Been there for six years now and worked my way up from part time to where I am now.

 

Which of your beers do your customers enjoy the most and why?

Currently the Kentucky Common. Partly because of the name. It’s not a regular style you see. Then when they ask about it the story gets them. It’s also an easier drinker, pairs well with a lot foods and is a perfect bier garden drink with friends.

 

What’s your favorite thing about your brewery?

I get to use my degrees, history, to do my hobby professionally. Plus, we are so unique, seeing people’s reaction when they find out/realize that it’s not an act – we are brewing with wood fires for real – is priceless.

 

What’s one historic beer style, brewing process or drinking custom that you’d like to see have a renaissance in the current craft beer scene?

I would love to see the return of cask ales and their traditional serving method, the beer engine. So often now cask preparations are used more as a vehicle for infusion of flavor and/or a novelty. But I think sitting in a brewery that made that their business and seeing a bartender actually “pull” a beer and then experiencing the difference in flavor would be pretty cool.

 

Besides your own, what Ohio craft breweries impress you the most and why?

Wooly Pig, easily one of the top breweries in the state. Beautiful location and Kevin (Ely) makes some of the best brews hands down. Little Fish, obviously there is a bit of a kindred spirit there but what they do is really amazing. Plus, they are truly caring people and thoughtful in everything they do.

 

Where do you think craft beer is headed? What do you think craft beer will look like five years from now?

I definitely see a trend for more easy drinking, sessionable beers. People want to be out again and be social. The beer they drink tends to be something that adds or compliments that experience, not something that becomes a center piece or is distracting. Five years from now, no clue honestly. The industry can be fickle as can people. Probably more consolidation and sell outs from the large OG breweries. I think the hyper local breweries will be where it’s at.