Monkish Brewing

I have a friend named Henry Nguyen.

Henry has a great education, and teaches theology. He is married, and has three children. Henry has served in the Marines. For years, Henry has brewed beer at home. He is passionate about opportunities to create, and about the spiritual connections between life and food.

Last week, Henry opened Monkish Brewing in Torrance.

Henry is the kind of person who takes his time and does things well. He recognizes the importance of being in tune with the brewing process. Henry knows a lot about how beer becomes beer, and that brewing is a combination of art and science. Henry’s brewing has become part of him, and he becomes part of each batch that he brews.

Henry values knowing that things are complete. Sometimes he will do something and it just does not feel right, so he will make sure that it is complete. Sometimes it is a challenge for him to work with people who do not understand his sense of completion, and he does not often ask for help.

Henry brews beer in ways that are true to himself and true to the monks who have been brewing for hundreds of years. Monkish Brewing is a handcrafted, personal business. Henry does not have outside investors, and he usually does everything himself. His work flows out of who he is. As we talked and tasted his first batch of Oblate Blonde Ale, Henry was making beer pulls for the places that serve Monkish Brew on tap.

Henry’s quiet attention to detail and appreciation for the art and spirit of brewing help him create great beer.

My Craft Brewery Pilgrimage will be visiting the Monkish Brewing tasting room in a few months.

What are you passionate about?

[Image by compujeramey]