Q & A with Harpoon Brewer Matt DeLuca

Last week, we asked our Facebook fans to ask Harpoon Brewer, Matt DeLuca, somequestions... and boy, did you guys have questions! It was just what we wanted to see... and now, you can finally have some answers!

Out of 50 questions, five were selected and answered by Matt. 

So grab a pint of your favorite Harpoon beer and see if your question was answered!

Q: Which is your personal favorite from the special barrel series and why? 

- Michael O'Hagan 

A: Well since it was my own recipe I would have to say that the Haproon 100 Barrel Series #40 Black IPA is my personal favorite.  I love the black IPA style so having the ability to develop a recipe for Harpoon to be featured in the 100 Barrel series was quite an honor.  Trying to find the balance between the bitterness of the hops and roastiness of the dark malts was a fun challenge.

Q:  What's your everyday beer?  What's your favorite beer by another brewer? 

- Eric Branchaud

A: Everyday beer?  It usually depends on the season but I would have to say our own IPA is my go to.  And it's always easy to find living in Boston which is a plus.  There's nothing like a fresh Harpoon IPA.

I've been really into the Nitro Milk Stout by Left Hand Brewing in Colorado lately.  I'd prefer it on draft if I can find it but the bottles are great as well.  Smooth, creamy, and full of flavor.  If you enjoy a good stout than be sure to give this one a try if you haven't already.

Q: Been to any great Beerfest lately? - Craig Johnson

A: The Massachusetts Brewers Fest, which is put on by the Massachusetts Brewers Guild, was a great one. It's held on a Friday night in late August out on the 2nd level of the World Trade Center not far from our brewery in Boston.  The venue is incredible and its nice exposure for all the Massachusetts breweries that have opened in the last few years.  There's some really good beer being brewed here in the state and combined with the casual atmosphere makes this a fest I don't want to miss.

Q: What's your favorite hop? - Robert Lindsley 

A: It tends to change from time to time but I really like brewing with  Citra hops.  Citra can be used for both bittering and aroma which makes it a nice all-around hop.  You tend to get some sexy mango/citrus aromas and flavor in the beer when used.  I once had an all-Citra hop pale ale brewed by the Hill Farmstead Brewery in Vermont and it was one of the best beers I've ever had.  Citra hops have only been around since 2007. 

Q: Hey Matt. Was hoping you could explain what path a person would take to become a professional brewer? Be it secondary education, interning, homebrewing, etc.  

- Hank O'Neil

A: Most production breweries tend to hire brewers with some professional experience so finding a small brewery or brew pub that is looking for cheap or free labor would be my first route.  Once you get your foot in the door and get some grunt work under your belt is when the magic can begin to happen.  There are brewing programs out there as well that will definitely make your resume pop a bit if you have the means to enroll and these programs will help find you an internship most likely.  Definitely homebrewing though.  That is the best way to learn and will teach you the fundamentals. 

Keep the conversation going on Facebook and Twitter! We will try to answer everyone's questions as best as we can. So please... ask away!