• Simon Fennell - Head Brewer/Production Manager

After discovering that he couldn’t make very good red wine, he entered the world of malt, hops, and yeast.
Having done a few “kit and kilo” brews the desire to refine the process, and have complete control over all facets of the brewing process, he moved into all grain brewing in 2001. At this time his hobby and passion for the amber fluid flourished, supplying family and friends with a ready supply of tasting stock (and sometimes getting nice feedback!).

“To be serious at this racket is going to take some sort of formal education”, Simon said, so university studies in Malting and Brewing Science followed.

Whilst managing a vineyard in the Limestone Coast of South Australia and studying at the same time, Simon was approached with the offer of a full-time brewing job with new local Coonawarra brewery, Lawrence Victor Estate. It is believed that he was at this time, Australia’s youngest commercial brewmaster.
Accolades followed in the short history of the LV operation, with silver and bronze medals, and a best in class at two consecutive Australian International Beer Awards, (2003/2004).

The LV “Old Ale” of 2003 was judged “Best Of The Darks” in The Advertiser newspaper annual beer tasting, beating some of the countries most well-known and revered brewing companies. It also received the title of “Beer of the Year” in Oliver and Geoff’s Beersite.
So, the next chapter in Simon’s brewing career begins with the “Steam Exchange Brewery”. “I’m really excited about the prospects of this new, unique venture on South Australia’s beautiful South Coast. The facility is truly fantastic, and is ideally located”.
Simon’s brewing studies are currently continuing externally at the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, London.

• Gareth Andrews - Assistant 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.

• 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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