Business & Tech

From Teacher to Homebrew Supplier

Say hello to Jamaica Plain's newest prospective homebrewing supply store owner.

Joshua Sattin is a homebrewer turned school teacher turned back to homebrewer. He's in the fundraising stage of his own homebrew supply business - aptly labeled Boston Homebrew Supply - out of his Forest Hills home. The local 32-year-old father of twins took the time to answer a few questions via email about what it takes to make it in the do it yourself homebrew scene.

Jamaica Plain Patch: Where/What did you teach?

Joshua Sattin: My wife and I both grew up in Brookline. We lived in Boulder, Colo. from 2005 to 2010 and I taught high school math at a public school in Arvada, Colo. I taught all grades nine through 12 and almost every class over the course of my five years there. These classes were Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus.

JPP: Why the switch to homebrew supply?

JS: My passion lies with brewing (and drinking of course) either homebrew
or commerical beer and teaching others how to make and enjoy excellent
beer at home.

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JPP: What types of ingredients will Boston Homebrew Supply carry? Hops, etc. or more equipment based?

JS: Customers will enjoy a clean, efficient and well-stocked shop that
will supply them with a healthy variety of fresh ingredients,
essential equipment, a knowledgeable staff and a friendly environment.
The ingredients for making beer include but are not limited to cereal
grains (barley, wheat, oats, rye), hops, yeast and malt extract. Wine
kits will also be available for purchse. I am personally designing
custom recipe kits that will be sold in the shop.

JPP: What sort of beer have you brewed? What are your favorite beers?

JS: Being a homebrewer for most of my life and a commerical brewer for
almost two years, I have brewed just about every style and also brew
some beers that don't follow a specific style. I enjoy a wide variety
of beers, but usually my favorite beer is whatever beer I have in
front of me.

JPP: Why Jamaica Plain? Are you a JP lifer or have you decided to open up shop there?

JS: I live near Forest Hills in JP with my wife and our 2 year old twin
boys. There are no convenient shops to homebrewers that live in JP and
its surrounding communities. There are over 1 million homebrewers in
the United States and the hobby is continually growing along with the
growth of craft beer.

JPP: Any upcoming events?

JS: Here's my ad for a fundraiser I'm having Friday: "Come meet Josh and drink some of his homebrew. Enjoy the beer, some appetizers and leave with a BHS logoed pint glass. There will be IPA, Nitro Dry Stout, and Hefeweizen on draft. The money raised will go towards funding the startup costs of Boston Homebrew Supply. Hope to see you there! $30/person or $50/couple." Also, We have an Indiegogo fundraising campaign to help raise additional funds.

JPP: When do you plan to open?

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JS: We hope to open in the spring of 2013 and need all of the help fundraising as we can get.

You can follow Boston Homebrew Supply on Twitter @bostonhbsupply and you can like them on Facebook.


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