Any owners/operators/brewers who are Non-Drinkers?

[theweeb]

I am wondering if it is even possible to own, operate, brew in, or otherwise be an active part of this industry and not drink?

I am just about to pull the trigger on a half a million dollar investment to build and operate a brewpub with plans on developing a regional brand, and have the "liver damage" scare. Routine blood tests have revealed some abnormal readings; doctor suspects liver damage and advised that I stop drinking. I am going for more tests and an abdominal CT scan in the upcoming weeks.

I have been an avid beer lover all my life, a homebrewer, and have spent the past ten years saving close to $100K for creating this business. I cannot see a life in and around beer without drinking it.

Any others in this situation? Is it possible to do this, to work this dream, this passion, without consuming?

[MatthewS]

I know that one of the owners of Cisco Brewers on Nantucket doesn't drink at all for a similar reason.

Health should be the most important aspect of this decision.

I don't believe you should have to drink in order be in this business.

Does a heart surgeon have to have heart surgery to be a good heart surgeon?

As long as you have people in the company that know what they are doing... you should be fine.

Good luck and stay healthy!
Matthew

[HinduKush]

I don't drink, but still brew. I do have the advantage of working with a bunch of excellent palates though. I do taste gravity samples, small samples of each transfer and at packaging time so my beer is closely monitored.

[Vendetta]

I can imagine it would be tough for someone who loves beer, but HK's idea seems like a workable compromise. I worked for a head brewer who took a month-long "liver break" twice a year, constraining himself only to small QC samples. This is a huge occupational risk, and such concerns seem almost likely to happen somewhere along a career. I'm sure this is nothing new for anyone here but I always recommend (apparently hepatoprotective) coffee to people who routinely consume alcohol:

http://www.jhep-elsevier.com/article...113-4/abstract

[lhall]

Wow, now I know why I crave coffee in the morning. Maybe someday the TTB will let coffee-infused beers have a health claim on their labels?