We are thrilled to introduce Jeremy Hunt, our new Head Brewer at NoCoast Beer Co. With over two decades of brewing experience, Jeremy’s journey is as unconventional as it is inspiring, marked by a leap of faith that took him from academia to the brewing world.
A Serendipitous Start
Jeremy’s path to brewing started unexpectedly while he was pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Media Studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville. It was during his time there that a dormmate’s home brewing setup sparked his interest in the craft, leading to what would become a lifelong passion. Although his academic focus was far from brewing, this moment planted the seed for Jeremy's future career.
A Global Adventure
Jeremy and his wife’s travels enriched his brewing knowledge, especially during their time immersed in Belgian beer culture through a local beer club in Austria. This global perspective helped shape his brewing style and deepened his appreciation for the intricacies of beer, particularly Belgian styles.
A Leap of Faith
Upon returning to the U.S., Jeremy made a life-altering decision to pivot from his academic background and pursue brewing full-time. Taking a bold step, he sent ten cold emails to breweries, leading to five job oMers, including one in Massachusetts that set the found ation for his brewing career. After working for various breweries in New England, Jeremy m oved south, scaling small businesses in Texas, where he honed his skills in brewery oper ations and eMiciency. His expertise contributed to the successful opening of new brewer ies in Virginia.
Dogfish Out of Water
Jeremy started his time with Dogfish Head Craft brewery in 2008 as Senior Brewer, eventually working his way into his role as Head Brewer over the next few years. He worked in a team environment, implementing the usage of various esoteric ingredients for Dogfish Head's "Ancient Ales" series of beers. He helped brew giant beers like 120-minute IPA and World Wide Stout, as well as barrel-aged monsters like Palo Santo Marron.
But really, what affected him most was the "Dogfish Ethos" and the team centered environment that Dogfish Head promoted. "Together... we are HEAVY," was a phrase that he heard and felt regularly. And Jeremy took that team centered approach to heart, bringing it with him to NoCoast Beer Co. "Any one of us can make a great craft beer. But together, we can come up with a beer that quickly becomes more than the sum of its parts. A beer that we all believe in and stand behind because we all learned something in designing and crafting it. This is one of the MANY things that separates us from the "big 3 American macro-brewers. We have art, science and passion! I guess they have marketing dollars."
Award-Winning Brewer at Waters End Brewery
After his success at Deep Ellum and working to open several small breweries, Jeremy brought his skills to Waters End Brewery in Virginia (2020–2024), where his brewing prowess earned multiple awards. His Grand Crü received a Silver Medal at the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup in 2023, and his Barley Beast Barleywine won Bronze in 2022. Jeremy's Christmas Quad also earned a Silver Medal in 2021, continuing his tradition of excellence with Belgian-style beers. Additionally, Jeremy was instrumental in opening and running new breweries in Virginia, further solidifying his reputation as a trusted leader in brewery management and operations.
From the Coast to NoCoast
Now in Iowa, Jeremy brings his extensive experience and award-winning brewing techniques to NoCoast Beer Co. He is particularly excited about an upcoming Belgian-style project, a beer close to his heart that will allow him to reconnect with the styles that have defined much of his career. For Jeremy, brewing is a collaborative eMort, from crafting the recipe to bringing the community together at launch events with his NoCoast teammate and marketer, Quinn.
"Go Full Nerd"—Jeremy’s Brewing Philosophy
One of Jeremy’s core philosophies is what he calls “going full nerd.” He believes in diving deep into your passions and not overthinking every step: “Folks think about things too much. Sometimes you’ve just got to follow, and maybe fall a little along the way. There’s adventure in learning, especially when you take that leap.” Jeremy is a firm believer that learning should be a joyful, ongoing process, and it’s a mindset he carries with him in both brewing and life. He encourages aspiring brewers not to be afraid of putting in the research, even in their free time, just for the sake of learning something new. "Don’t be afraid to research in your free time if it’s something you want to do, even if it’s just to learn." This philosophy of learning is also why Jeremy homeschools his six children. “I want them to LOVE learning,” he explains. “Every day is a chance to learn and have an adventure. That’s what I want to instill in my kids—never stop learning.” Even after decades in the industry, Jeremy admits, "I’m still learning here at this small brewery, and I absolutely love. The adventure never stops."
From the Coast to NoCoast
Now in Iowa, Jeremy brings his extensive experience and award-winning brewing techniques to NoCoast Beer Co. He is particularly excited about an upcoming Belgian-style project, a beer close to his heart that will allow him to reconnect with the styles that have defined much of his career. For Jeremy, brewing is a collaborative eMort, from crafting the recipe to bringing the community together at launch events with his NoCoast teammate and marketer, Quinn.
Join the Adventure
Jeremy's journey from crafting award-winning beers at renowned breweries like Deep Ellum and Waters End to leading the charge at NoCoast is just beginning. Stay tuned for exclusive new brews and join us at our upcoming launch parties to experience the innovative beers Jeremy and our team are brewing. At NoCoast Beer Co., we’re not just crafting beer; we’re creating experiences and building community—one brew at a time.
Cheers to new beginnings and endless possibilities with NoCoast Beer Co.! 🍻
Meet Our New Head Brewer: Jeremy Hunt’s Journey to Craft Beer in Iowa
Date:
11 / 06 / 2024