DENVER — Before most people in Memphis had ever heard the term “craft beer,” Chuck Skypeck was already brewing it.
As co-founder of Boscos in the early 1990s—and later Ghost River Brewing Co. in 2007—Skypeck helped lay the groundwork for the city’s modern beer scene. Today, he works for the Brewers Association as Technical Brewing Projects Manager, supporting small and independent breweries across the country.
I caught up with Chuck during the Great American Beer Festival in Denver last week to talk about Boscos, craft brewing and how the industry has evolved.
Memphis Beer Blog: When you started Boscos, you essentially created the foundation for the Memphis craft beer scene. How do you feel seeing how that beer scene has evolved since then?
Chuck Skypeck: It’s great seeing more breweries in Memphis, because for an awfully long time we were the only brewery there. Craft brewing is such a collaborative industry, and in a lot of ways, we had to go it alone. A rising tide floats all boats, as the old saying goes, and it’s certainly good for the industry to have neighbors and collaborative neighbors. It’s exciting to see that growth.
MBB: Are there any Memphis breweries you’ve kept tabs on or people you’ve stayed in touch with?
Skypeck: I talk with (Wiseacre’s) Davin [Bartosch] often. He was out here judging this week as well, so I caught up with him about what he’s doing. When he and his brother came by Boscos years ago and said they wanted to start a brewery, you could tell right away they had the experience and the knowledge to make that happen.
MBB: You’ve been with the Brewers Association for a while now. What’s your focus there, and how does it connect to your time as a brewer?
Skypeck: My focus at the Brewers Association is primarily producing resources for our members to help them operate their breweries safely, sustainably, and brew quality beer. A lot of that is networking in the industry. It’s not that I know everything about those things, but it’s about knowing who knows the right answers and having access to the people who can help our members.
Fortunately, it’s such a collaborative industry. We have our technical committee and different technical subcommittees, and I work with about 100 members who volunteer their time to help develop resources for the entire industry. It’s really gratifying to take what I know and who I know and help in a wider network of people.
MBB: What are the biggest challenges facing small and independent breweries right now?
Skypeck: Clearly, a decline in sales. We’re seeing more members turning to non-alcohol beverages and other types of beverages, and it’s good to see those opportunities. But I think there’s still a lot of opportunity in beer.
Almost one in two craft beers is an IPA. When you look at consumer data, people who don’t drink craft beer say it’s because they’re too bitter. I think the industry got very focused on IPAs, which are great for the hardcore craft beer consumers, but not everyone.
When we started in ’92, we had to do an awful lot of education about what beer was and what flavors it offered and how well it paired with food. I think, as a whole, the industry has gotten a little lazy about educating people about beer. So there’s opportunity both in exploring new beverage types and getting back to the basics of all the styles and flavors beer can offer.
MBB: How would you like people in Memphis to remember your role in shaping the city’s beer story?
Skypeck: I don’t think that’s really important. I was involved with Boscos for 21 years. At 21, you’re legal—and nothing’s quite as much fun when you’re legal. I was ready for a change.
I’m glad we were able to turn a lot of customers on to good craft beer and set the stage for others to be successful.
MBB: But you helped change Tennessee law to make Boscos possible.
Skypeck: That’s true. We played a role in getting the law changed to allow us to brew and sell beer at the same time. A lot of people don’t realize it was actually illegal to do that before 1992. The only way to open Boscos was to change that law.
MBB: What’s your favorite beer that you brewed at Boscos or Ghost River?
Skypeck: That’s so hard to say. Some of those beers evolved over time, and some had their place in time, but if I get nostalgic, I’d say the first beer we brewed—our Tennessee Cream Ale. It came out of the tank really refreshing and delicious. That was exciting.
Leave a Reply