This is a continuing series highlighting the oldest craft brewery in each state with members of the organization that helped build the brand. Brewer Magazine will share business and personal insights each Monday to help learn how these veterans of the industry have grown.
Chris Compton, Head Brewer, Highlands Hollow Brewhouse — Boise, Idaho
Highlands Hollow stands out as a cornerstone of Boise’s brewing scene. Grand Teton Brewing, now located in Idaho, started as Otto Brother’s Brewing in Wyoming in 1988 but moved to the state a decade later with the name change. According to the brewery’s website, Compton started with the brewery in 1993 — when it was then known as Harrison Hollow (until 2004) — and trained under then Head Brewer Jim Fishwild and assistant brewer Ben Brownell.
Date the brewery opened: May, 1992
What beers were tapped on opening day? Fiegwirth—an English-Style Pale Ale
BREWER: Why did the brewery open in the first place? What was your biggest “Year 1” struggle?
COMPTON: The owners were caught up in the burgeoning microbrew fad of the time. Our first-year struggle was appealing to old-school beer drinkers.
BREWER: Go ahead, pat yourself on the back; what was one of the key “good ideas” that were had early on which help drive growth or sustainability to the brewery?
COMPTON: Working with the other brewery in town to establish a base of customers.
BREWER: OK, now admit a defeat; what was a decision or a circumstance that hurt the brewery? How did you solve that issue or find your way through it?
COMPTON: I can’t remember anything that hurt the brewery. In fact we expanded it.
BREWER: What excites you in your brand (be it liquid, equipment, strategies or something else) this year and how did you decide to pursue this avenue?
COMPTON: Well, I’m old and stuck in my ways, so anything I find out that’s new to me makes me a little giddy.
BREWER: Being a veteran company in the craft beer industry, what “words of wisdom” do you like to share when a new brewery owner approaches?
COMPTON: The one piece of advice I’d give is to focus on product quality and never take any shortcuts.
Editor’s Note: Answers edited to provide clarity.
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