Page 30 - Thirst Magazine Issue 2 June 2017

and told everyone in the industry that she decades of serving mainstream commercial
was looking for a job. But after talking to beers, Taiwan finally passed the law allowing
people in the country, she felt that there was independent microbrewery in 2000. Before
a cultural and work ethic difference between this, brewing, like all other alcohol and
the Taiwanese and Americans and she didn’t tobacco production in Taiwan, was solely
know if she could get used to it. Deciding that controlled by the government. For a relatively
she would enjoy her work more in Taiwan, she young brewery, Taihu has already gained TAIHU’S AWARDS
moved back home where she felt she belonged. much attention and an enviable reputation 2016 INTERNATIONAL
JOINING TAIHU within Taiwan and internationally for BEER CUP
delivering quality beers.
Taihu was founded in 2013 by 5 Taiwanese GOLD PRIZE:
Americans who met at school and who THE FREEDOM TO CREATE 041 Kumquat Kölsch
wanted to bring good quality craft beer served In Taiwan, one can’t brew onsite so Taihu’s SILVER PRIZE:
in a professional way to Taiwan. Like other taprooms are only for serving beer. There are 004 Imperial Stout
Asian countries, craft beer was new to the many different stages in the application for
drinks industry in Taiwan. As there weren’t brewing beer and a brewery must set shop in 2017 NEW YORK
many options at the time, they started by an industrial area. Whilst Taihu were waiting INTERNATIONAL BEER
importing craft beers such as Japan’s Yoho for approval to sell and distribute their first COMPETITION
Brewing and Stone Brewing from the US, and beers they began to test recipes with a small
serving them at their first taproom which pilot system using a 10hl brew tank from TAIWAN BREWERY
opened in 2014. The aim of the bar was to do Krones (a German company with one of the OF THE YEAR
things the “American way”. Taihu has now best brewing systems in the world). As soon as SILVER MEDAL:
expanded to 6 outlets in Taipei. the license was approved they would be ready Imperial Stout
While all this was taking place, Winnie who to begin distribution. Winnie didn’t want to BRONZE MEDAL:
was still very much in touch with Taihu, found waste any time. Luck was on their side; within Spiced Amber,
out about their plans to focus on developing 3 months, they had approval. Imperial IPA
and brewing quality craft beers. Winnie saw
from their planning that they were very serious
about the business so when she returned
from the US, she met with Taihu to talk about WINNIE SAW THROUGH THEIR PLANNING
working for them. To her surprise, all five
partners attended the meeting and they shared THAT THEY WERE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT
with her their plans for the brewery. That’s
when she thought that this was the company THE BUSINESS SO WHEN SHE RETURNED
with the right people and sincerity.
She joined in May 2015 before the FROM THE STATES, SHE MET WITH TAIHU
brewery opened. TO TALK ABOUT WORKING FOR THEM.
Taihu’s brewing operations is currently 6
months old at the time of writing. Following

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