Passionate People Behind Good Chemistry
While our beer might be the star of the show here in the brewery, it's the dedicated individuals across our small team who keep the beer flowing and the kegs rolling. We recently asked everyone to share a bit about themselves and their journey with Good Chemistry. Let's introduce you to the Good Chemists (we promise we don’t actually call ourselves that!) at GCHQ who truly make magic happen.
Kelly: Co-founder
At the heart of Good Chemistry is Kelly! When they first launched, Kelly and Bob handled absolutely everything themselves. Starting a business of this scale is a mammoth task and not coming from a beer background meant “…it was a steep learning curve for both elements…”. Although the business Kelly had previously run was on a much smaller scale, she was able to utilise her business background to lay the foundations for what has become a thriving brewery. In the beginning, Kelly managed the office side of things, covering sales, marketing, accounts, and all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into running a business (as well as frequently pitching in in the brewing, packaging, deliveries...).
Today, her role has evolved significantly. "I do all our people management stuff – including new starter inductions, reviews, annual leave management, payroll. I work closely with Dan on our marketing, particularly when it comes to events. I work with Lorin and our bookkeeper on accounts stuff, with Lorin, Bob and Elliot on our brew schedule, and with Mike on the sales side of things. And with Bob, Neil and Laura on pubs stuff. I mean, I basically still do everything that isn't production-related, but in more of a managerial way than an actually doing-it way!"
Kelly's journey into the industry came through Bob. "He was home-brewing before we started the brewery and worked for a couple of other local breweries too. So I started getting immersed in the industry at the same time as starting actually drinking beer." When asked about her favourite part of the job, Kelly’s response was what the brewery has been widely recognised for - our events and our community! "I love running our many and varied events – and we've got so many brilliant ones coming up this year as part of 10 years of Good Chemistry! Working with venues, and other partners, and at the taproom…”. Bringing people together to drink our beers and creating ‘Good Chemistry’ in its broadest sense has always been a core driver for the brewery. "She Drinks Beer has been incredibly rewarding. Getting women to the pub, and also to the brewery for our open brewdays, disrupting the traditionally male pub space, and showcasing other women-led breweries, has been such an important thing for me to be able to do."
With nearly 700 Gyles of beer brewed over a decade, choosing a favourite is pretty challenging! Kelly’s selection? PURE OPTIMISM "I love its light touch and pithy flavours, it's incredibly refreshing, dead easy-drinking, and I love the message it gives. The pairings on the can, which was one of the first we put out when we got our canning line in September 2020, are Hopefulness, Thankfulness and Resilience, and I still think those are really important words."
Bob: Co-founder
Introducing the other half of Good Chemistry, here's Bob! When they launched the brewery, Bob brought his brewing expertise and industry knowledge. His focus has always been on production and packaging, and together with Kelly, they covered all aspects of the business. Bob's journey into brewing began with a clear purpose: "I wanted to start a business doing something I enjoyed, so I started home-brewing with the aim of opening a brewery. I got really into the brewing side of things, planning recipes, putting flavours together, the science behind it all. But I also really got into the problem solving aspects of brewing. How to build equipment and design processes to make the job more efficient."
As the brewery has grown, he's still deeply involved with how it functions. "Now I plan the beer we brew and work on making the business run more efficiently." From brewing processes to equipment innovation, and building the brew schedule alongside Kelly, Lorin and Elliot, Bob is our efficiency expert. And with an expanding list of venues, who can forget good old fashioned "…fixing things, lots of that, particularly now we have the two pubs. Never underestimate the propensity for equipment to breakdown!"
The early days in this industry drove Bob's passion: "There was so much learning, innovation and creativity in brewing back then, it was really exciting and rewarding to be a part of." Despite navigating an emerging industry, the challenges of running a small business, and opening multiple locations, Bob's favourite aspect remains refreshingly simple: "It's still the beer, for me. I'm really proud of the beer that we put out and it's still really satisfying seeing that on the bar, and seeing people enjoy it."
His favourite Good Chemistry creation? Well, despite having a beer named after him (Bob's Best), we weren't surprised by his choice: "I still love a pint of bitter, so probably TIME LAPSE." A traditional style brewed to watch the world go by.
Lorin: Operations Manager
At the centre of our daily operations is Lorin, whose keen organisational skills and versatility keep Good Chemistry running smoothly. Her journey into the world of craft beer began organically, as the best stories often do. "I was working in a rather trad pub when they opened a craft beer bar in one of the spaces there," she explains. "It was fairly easy to get swept up in it all, especially when I realised, I actually quite liked beer, I just didn't like all the macro lagers I'd tried before!"
This revelation led Lorin to explore the industry further, working for another Bristol brewery before eventually bringing her talents to Good Chemistry. Her role now encompasses the countless details that keep the wheels turning at the brewery. Her favourite part of working at Good Chemistry? "Probably that I dabble in all parts of the business. Means I get to know everyone and get to work very collaboratively." This collaborative spirit is essential in a small business and what makes Lorin such a valuable member of the team is her understanding of the entire process, from planning the schedule to making sure invoices get paid, giving her a unique ability to dip in and out, and work with the wider team.
Her favourite GC beer from over the years? A perfect choice from our practical operations guru, it had to be MICRO MACHINE. “Perfectly punchy for a 2.8% table beer, and perfect for the summer. Have a couple of beers at a BBQ but it's only 2.8% so you're not going to bed risking a headache in the morning".
Tyler: Drayman and Brewery Assistant
You’ll most likely see Tyler out and about, rolling kegs and casks into your favourite pubs (though hopefully not cans!). As our drayman (that’s the brewing-specific term for delivery driver) and brewery assistant, he’s the link between our brewery and the many establishments that serve our beer! In many ways he’s the face of our brewery, “delivering yummy beers to the good people of Bristol and beyond".
Tyler's path to us began with hands-on experience: "through a combination of semi-successful home brewing and enthusiastic exploration of Bristol's beer scene”. His genuine appreciation for craft beer was built on this foundation and his happy friendly nature make him a great person to represent our brewery across the region.
Beer needs to be treated well to reach its destination in perfect condition, it’s a crucial but often overlooked aspect of brewery operations. It’s precision over brashness, and reliability over speed. The physical nature of distribution isn't lost on Tyler, we all know those kegs don't lift themselves, and Tyler’s favourite part of the job is, hilariously, “getting hench”!
When it comes to his beer of choice, Tyler likes it rich and complex with our coffee stout - FRESH POTS. “Coffee and beer were made for each other!" Fun fact: Tyler recently recreated a similar style on his home brew kit and shared it with the team; by all accounts his house smelt incredible afterwards.
Elliot: Lead Brewer
The alchemist behind many of your favourite brews, Elliot "started out home-brewing, before getting a job as a brewer at St Austell brewery and being sponsored through brewing qualifications whilst with them". His journey into brewing follows a classic path and he is now the creative force behind many of our newest brews. Elliot brings both formal training and natural talent to his role as Lead Brewer.
For Elliot, the creative process is the most rewarding part of brewing: "Designing recipes for new and exciting styles of beer and obviously tasting the results!" He brings a boat-load of enthusiasm, a scientific approach to his role and fills the brewery with an eclectic mix of bangers on the stereo too.
When asked about his favourite Good Chemistry beer from the past, "I can tell you that it's UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE but I can't tell you why”. We'll allow the pun here, Heisenberg would be proud.
Ed: Brewer
Working alongside Elliot is Ed! His journey into professional brewing follows a similar path “starting as a home brewer for a number of years. Moved to Bristol and happened to see a job for a brewery assistant.”
Whether it’s beer, motorbikes, or blues music, Ed’s a man who follows his passions. He brings years of practical experience, technical knowledge and a lot of humour to the brew floor. He’s the powerhouse in the brewery and when asked about his favourite part of the job, Ed's answer? "I make bleeping beer!" When you put it that way, it’s a pretty awesome job and we couldn’t do it without you Ed.
When it comes to his favourite Good Chemistry beer, he didn’t hesitate. "I'm biased but I'm gonna say DEEP ROOTS," our recent and immensely popular liquorice porter, designed and brewed by the man himself. A brewer who stands by his creations – we'd expect nothing less.
Mike: Sales Maestro
Mike manages our sales with genuine passion, ensuring our beer makes its way into venues across the country. His role is vital in building the relationships that introduce Good Chemistry to new audiences.
Mike's introduction to the wonderful world of craft beer follows a unique route through Bristol’s hospitality scene. "My first real exposure to this world was working a whisky bar at Bristol Craft Beer Festival 2020. I met loads of great people, tried some wicked beers and loved it!”. When asked about his favourite part of the job, Mike couldn’t just pick one "Working with a small, tight-knit team full of great people is loads of fun. I enjoy being part of the wider operation and getting stuck in with the occasional canning run or brew day. I also love being out in trade meeting all the great people that pour our beer. Can I say all of it is my favourite?" Yes, Mike, you just did.
His beer of choice comes with a sun warning: "BRAMBLE FIZZ, hands down. The flavour profile is great, refreshing and very well balanced. Crushing a few of these in the sun is all too easy." Consider yourselves advised. Mike’s great fun and since he arrived in our brewery at the end of 2024, he’s been nothing but full of enthusiasm for what we do, it’s exactly what makes him such an effective ambassador for our brand.
Dan: Marketing & Design Man
Much of our graphic design and marketing output comes from Dan (like putting these recent blogposts together, for example, and talking about himself in the third person sometimes!).
His journey to our team has been through the beverage industry. "I worked in New Zealand for a winery and when I returned to Bristol in 2017 fell in love with the craft beer movement," Dan explains. “While managing the Tobacco Factory in south Bristol I was lucky enough to meet Kelly and Bob in their early days. They brought me in to manage their taproom and over the years my role slowly changed into what it is today." This evolution from taproom manager to marketing man gives Dan a unique perspective on our brewery and the industry it sits in.
His favourite part of the job? "The obvious answer has to be the beer! Although I do love the people. Our little part of the industry attracts such a vibrant collection of people and they're all lovely. It’s something I try to capture in our marketing”. This passion for people and community is a cornerstone of our brand and Dan makes a great contribution to that! Dan has broad appreciation for beers but when pushed his choice was more on the traditional side: “If I had to pick, EXTRA SPECIAL is always a winner. I'd go out of my way to find it on cask but since it's sort of seasonal I always order a pint when I see it".
So, there you have it, the faces behind the pints. Together, these individuals form the heart of Good Chemistry - a great group of people, brought together by a shared love of good beer. From the careful crafting of recipes to the final delivery of beers, each person contributes their unique talents to create Good Chemistry in its broadest sense. Next time you're enjoying one of our beers, you'll know exactly who to thank. Cheers!
In the meantime…
From throwback brews to fresh pours, you can still pick up some of our teams favourite beers.
Kelly’s Choice - PURE OPTIMISM. Firmly rooted in our core range and always available on our webshop!
Mike’s Choice - BRAMBLE FIZZ. Grab it while you can from the webshop.
Dan’s Choice - EXTRA SPECIAL. Only have a few casks left, so keep an eye out at your local before it's gone - the next batch won't be brewed until autumn.
As many of our team picked beers from years gone by, why not take a trip down memory lane! Which past Good Chemistry beer would you like to make a comeback?? Email us on Cheers@goodchemistrybrewing.com to let us know and you might just see it in the schedule this year!
