• Gareth Andrews - Brewer/Managing Director

Gareth first started brewing in the mid 1980’s while a student at college. Being poor uni students, he and a few mates converted an old wardrobe in a suitcase storeroom where they boarded, into a temperature controlled brew cupboard and “Old Graebner” strong malt beer was born.  Gareth found this more interesting than his studies in Arts and Social Science, and here dreams of running a small brewery were first conceived. Unfortunately the budding enterprise was short-lived. A pity, considering that even the college Bursar was a fan of the brew but reluctantly had to shut them down due to complaints from other students.

By the mid 1990’s when Gareth and wife Angela were living in the Riverland, South Australia, Gareth had the brewing bug back again, but time constraints led to it lapsing once more. Still, the dream of running a micro continued.  Gareth would often spend time discussing the pros and cons of such a venture with Robert Schrapel (Angela’s uncle) of Bethany Wines. Robert and his brother had taken a small family winery to great heights, and Robert and Gareth would often joke about using winery equipment in the off-season to brew beer!

By 2003 Angela and Gareth were living on the south coast.  The pace of life had lessened somewhat and the old idea of building a brewery reared its head again. It was then that The Encounter Bay Brewing Company was originally founded as a concept. A chance meeting with Simon at a yeast conference has allowed that concept to develop into reality.

• Simon Fennell - Brewer/Production Manager

Simon’s brewing career at The Steam Exchange spanned three years, from 2006 to mid-2009.The brewery’s continued success spans from the work done by Simon in this time. A testament to his work are the Australian and International Beer Awards gained by the brewery - four Bronze, two Silver and two Gold medals, during the last three years. After finishing his contract in May 2009, Simon has moved on to greener pastures, although we still hope to coerce him back for the occasional specialty brew in summer!

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• Gidget - Spillage Control Manager/General Dogsbody

Gidget is the Steam Exchange Golden Retriever ‘Brewdog’.
Born in 2003, her sole aim in life has always been to live it in luxury - long walks on the beach, fresh bones to chew on, and lots of snoozes in the sun.  When visiting the brewery, please do NOT leave your beer glass unguarded.  Despite all our efforts, she has managed to develop a refined palate for a lick of dark ale...

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