Mark Cotterrell — Brewery Manager
With six years experience of questionable home brews using my scientific background, I joined Cloudwater a few months after we started production to help out wherever help was needed. In the years since, I’ve learned just how much there is still to learn and how much higher there is to aim — from the knowledge, wisdom and amazing beers of ever-gracious colleagues and friends in the implausibly excellent beer community.
Beer for me is something that is at once a visceral sensory experience, and an endless deconstruction of everything from great to awful in each beer. This may not be healthy.
Desert island beer: What’s the cold storage like on the island?
Ashleigh Dey - Lab Assistant
I worked as a Special Needs Teaching Assistant and began studies to become a formally trained Special Needs Teacher. I decided to do some part time bar work and ended up working in the Cloudwater tap room. I developed a deeper understanding of hop varieties and beer styles, and also I become fixated with cleaning, I looked forward to Sunday shifts, because it meant I could scrub the floor with almost complete concentration! As a result of my handy work, the director of the company offered me a role in production working in the lab. I’m completely in my element in a pristine white lab. Being a female working in a highly sought after job role, outsiders often feel compelled to question your knowledge as a means of assessing whether you are fit for your job role. Being surrounded by other women who have had similar experiences and men who feel strongly about gender equality, I feel privileged, inspired, and capable of achieving anything.
What is your desert island beer?
I’ve been known to enjoy a Christmas cake stout whilst sunbathing, but were I stranded, I’d opt for a nice cold light lager or small pale.
Jay Krause — Brewer
Before joining Cloudwater in 2016, I spent five years running my own brewery, Quantum Brewing Co in Stockport, performing the roles of brewer, salesperson, delivery driver, warehouse manager and accountant. During that time I enjoyed a number of successes and was lucky enough to pour at each of the first five years of Indy Man Beer Con. But before running a brewery, I trained as a mechanic, which can come in very handy when things break around the brew house!
I love seeking out new beers and great sensory experiences when travelling. But the beer experiences that inspire me could be anything from drinking Tegernsee Spezial in the brewery restaurant to cask pints in Stockport’s Ye Olde Vic with the fire on, laughing with friends.
Desert island beer: On the hot days on the island I'd be reaching for a classic IPA like Jai Alai by Cigar City. When the cold evenings roll in, it's hard to beat a perfectly conditioned pint of Oakham Citra.
Robyn Bell — Cellar Manager
I decided I wanted to be a brewer five years ago while working in Australia, and stumbled into this wonderful industry of craft beer after working bar shifts at Mountain Goat Brewery in Melbourne. From there, I went home to Canada to work at Sawdust City Brewery for six months, before moving to the UK in 2015 to join Cloudwater in its early days. It has been a wonderful journey, and I am now in charge of quality assurance, fermentation, yeast management and cellaring.
My decision to work in beer was one of the best I have made, and I’m constantly inspired by the people this industry attracts. I find them switched on, as well as political, thoughtful, creative, honest, and downright lovely. Craft beer seems disproportionately filled with wonderful people, and I look forward to new friends with every tap takeover, festival, and collaboration we do.
Desert island beer: I have tried a lot of beer, but one that sticks out is a fresh hop harvest Chinook pale from Sawdust City Brewery in Canada. It sounds so boring, but this beer took my breath away. It was so delicately fresh, so pure, and I haven't quite had an experience like it since. I was actually working on Sawdust City's canning line at the time, and I definitely I drank well over my 'appropriate quality control designated quantity' on that particular afternoon...
James Jones — Cold Side
My interest in beer beyond just something for drinking on weekends came started when I discovered German and Belgian classics at Sandbar in Manchester. It snowballed from there and I ended up working at BrewDog’s Manchester site for three-and-a-half years before joining Cloudwater in 2015.
I've done a number of different tasks around the brewery since, picking up my IBD qualifications along the way, and am now in charge of our HopGun. What this means is that I'm responsible for ensuring any ‘cold side’ hops added to our beer provide the kind of flavour and aroma we want. So it makes sense that I've got a love for big IPAs, both West Coast and New England styles.
Desert island beer: Port Brewing Mongo IPA
Madison Edgington - People & HR Coordinator
My introduction to the beer world was with Half Acre Beer Co. in Chicago (where I’m from). I started working there in 2016 as a bartender/server to support myself as a struggling actor. As someone who at the time knew nothing about beer, I quickly fell in love with the brewery as a whole and the culture that surrounded it. When my husband and I welcomed our daughter into the world I decided to turn my acting career into something a bit more stable - I morphed into a talent agent, focusing mainly on theatre. Even with my career shifting - Half Acre continued to be a consistent part of my life over the years. Little did I know that they would be very influential in my current role here. When my family and I decided to move to the UK, the folks at Half Acre ended up putting me in touch with Paul since I didn’t know anyone in Manchester and they had recently done a collaboration with Cloudwater. Paul was incredibly welcoming and even though I didn’t see a future in beer at the time, it felt a little bit more like home having some sort of connection in the brewery community here. Fast forward a year - I decided the high stress level talent agent life wasn’t for me anymore and when I had a look back at all of my jobs I missed working in beer. I missed the people and the fun I had working at both Half Acre and Solmem Oath Brewery. Long story short - I saw this job opening and thought it was the perfect opportunity to combine my passion for beer with the talent for managing people’s careers.
Desert island beer: Half Acre - Vallejo
Linzi Hughes — Online Retail Manager
I've been running the Cloudwater brewery tap room since April 2017, both in its previous incarnation as the Barrel Store and our current space at Unit 9. Prior to this, I spent 15 months managing the Piccadilly Tap in Manchester city centre and organised events for the renowned Royal Exchange Theatre.
But my experience in events and festivals stretches back to a 13-month internship with Sheffield co-operative Regather, where I was responsible for curating a series of supper clubs, outdoor theatre performances, and fringe events for both the Tour de Yorkshire and Tramlines. I have also spent five years as Box Office Manager for Cloudspotting, a music and arts festival held in Gisburn Forest, Clitheroe with a capacity of 1,000 attendees.
The beer industry drew me in because it is fast-paced, forward-thinking and inclusive. It’s an extremely progressive and exciting industry, which suits me perfectly. I fell in love with beer whilst working for Thornbridge to support myself financially during my internship and quickly saw my future in the industry!
Desert island beer: I've been drinking a lot of Marble Pint again recently, so I choose this beer because I can't imagine my life without it at the moment.
Zsofia Karolina Denk — Online Retail
Beer is all over my life. I’ve been working within the craft beer industry for many years now. It all started in a beer festival called Főzdefesz, It was the very first Hungarian Craft Beer Festival, where I met the festival organiser Daniel Bart. I soon started to work for his company, and managed the first craft beer bar in Budapest called Élesztő (Yeast). It was an amazing time like a bit of a craft beer revolution. It was great to witness the rising of so many creative breweries.
A few years later, my partner and I moved to Manchester and continued to work within the industry, first in the Marble bars, and later at Café Beermoth.
Inspiring moments, well, there is a lot of things I could list here, but historical beer styles, and the whole beer history is the best inspiration for me. I’m madly in love with rare, almost forgotten, and historical recipes.
Desert island beer: I love to drink various beer styles, but I’m also that person, who would rather drink a bottle of lambic after shift. My ultimate special favourite beer at the moment is: It’s Life, Jim, by Little Earth Project.
Natalie Gretton — Sales & Export
After working in the hospitality industry in and around Manchester for the last ten years I wanted a change which was still a customer service based role. When the role at Cloudwater came up, I took a punt and it paid off! I love working for a company where our morals align - although the beer industry as a whole may not be as diverse and inclusive as we would hope, Cloudwater certainly is. It’s great working for such a forward thinking brand who are constantly trying to push the boundaries. It also helps that I am incredibly passionate about food and drink because working for Cloudwater means that I still get to enjoy that side of hospitality as we are always seeking out indie retailers to collaborate with.The best part of my job has to be the opportunities to attend festivals across the country and abroad. Meeting people who are drinking and enjoying our beer is a huge compliment and makes it all worthwhile.
Desert island beer - Bit of a cop out but I would have to say a delicious glass of natty wine, something funky and orange always goes down a treat!
Mel Mason — Brewer
I fell into this wonderful industry while travelling in New Zealand. I covered a brew tap shift. Looking onto the brew floor was like. 'I wanna do that'. And here we are.
I spent a few years in Oamaru at Scotts Brewery, just on the beautiful harbour side. We built a small off sales tap room into an awesome bar, events and gig space. I just had to be on the tools though.
I had spent a huge amount of time with my epic friend Jess Wolfgang of Rhyme & Reason Brewery Wanaka. Constantly growing and creating she took me on a beery journey into style, flavour and collaboration.
Fully inspired I returned to the UK and joined Redwillow Brewery Macclesfield. Their focus on quality cask and ever evolving seasonal range coupled with the opportunity to work and develop my skills in all area's of the brewery proved invaluable to my growth.
Today I'm here at Cloudwater Brewery working in a state of the art environment alongside a bunch of full time hero's.
Desert Island Beer: Hahaa.. Track - Sonoma of course.
Nicola Arnold — Packaging Lead
After 7 years in coffee I decided to switch industries and have been working for Cloudwater since early 2019, helping our beer get into package in the best possible shape.
I’m used to working hard on my feet, and paying close attention to detail, so keeping my eye on our canning line suits me well.
Going to Belgium and Germany as a young adult influenced my passion for beer, and I still love a La Trappe Quad or Ayinger Helles whenever I can find them fresh.
What is your desert island beer?
Probably Augustiner Helles, but if the desert island has a sound system that can blast a bit of house, I’ll switch to DIPAs instead.
Justin Tait — Warehousing
While having no beer industry experience before joining the Cloudwater team in March 2019, I have enjoyed beer on a regular basis for many years! I have worked previously for a tile adhesive company in Stoke on Trent for almost 20 years, finishing my time there as a warehouse team leader.
I have been inspired quite a lot by the various flavours that I have discovered while working here. Who knew beer could taste this good?
What is your desert island beer?
Yogi... sorry i thought you said bear!
Amir Rowaichi - Online Shop & Warehouse
I've had a varied 'career' over the last 20+ years, working in all sorts of industries, but once I got behind the bar at Café Beermoth in Manchester back in 2017 I immediately fell in love with the environment, being able to talk about beer constantly, learn about styles and be right at the forefront of helping people find their next favourite beer. it was only a matter of time before I made it more than a part-time job. As a teenager taking my first furtive steps into pubs, the beers I enjoyed were classic cask bitters and Guinness, finding macro lager to be gassy and tasteless, it wasn't until I was in my thirties that I discovered a whole new world of beer via the likes of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Thornbridge Jaipur. A few years later my eyes were opened even wider by tasting lots of mixed fermentation and wild beers at Mikkeller's annual craft beer festival in Copenhagen, subsequently falling down the rabbit hole of Belgium's rich beer history. I love that there's always another style and beer culture to get excited by.
Desert Island Beer:
The answer to this changes with my mood, but Brasserie de la Senne's Taras Boulba has a place in my heart, thanks to post-shift beers at Café Beermoth, though I'd be absolutely delighted to find copious casks of Squawk's Tyto coffee stout on the island too, it's a real thing of beauty.
Caitlyn McErlean - Brewer
I began to view beer as something more than just my drink of choice while working behind the bar at the Head of Steam during my time at uni. I was constantly inspired by my friends and fascinated by the beers we were serving and knew by my second year of spending more time at work than at uni that I wanted to make a career out of beer.
When I started my brewing apprenticeship I felt so joyful to have made that dream reality and now I could never imagine doing anything else. My love for beer has only grown the more I've learned about it, but what I love most about the beer world is the wonderful people I'm continually meeting.
What is your desert island beer?
Stone Delicious IPA - my personal favourite example of a style that started the beer obsession for me.
Jack Jennings - Warehouse Lead
Having decided that I wished to work in an industry that I had a keen interest in, I started as ShinDigger's warehouse manager and delivery driver in January 2017. As the business grew, I also occupied the roles of both operations and production manager, learning vast amounts along the way. At Cloudwater, I look after all things warehouse related, including stock control and goods in and out etc.
I'm particularly inspired by the passion and sense of community within the industry, but the social side of beer is of the most important to me. Sharing a good beer and some good conversation with friends is the best!
What is your desert island beer?
It's too difficult to choose one, so I'll say a well made West Coast IPA!
Jess Low - Marketing Coordinator
I've always enjoyed craft beer but I didn't start working in the industry until 2016, after I had my son Hugo and was looking for a change. I had been working in the non-profit sector for several years in Learning & Development but wanted to do something more creative and wanted to be in an industry that matched my personal interests. A small microbrewery in North Nottinghamshire took a chance on me and I was lucky enough to spend 3 years learning from them, understanding the industry and eventually working my way to become their Head of Marketing. After moving to Thornbridge Brewery in 2019 and then onto freelance work with small independents around the UK, I was lucky enough to land my role at Cloudwater in their marketing team in August 2022.
What is your desert island beer?
Cantillon - Rosé de Gambrinus. It was the first Lambic I ever tried an it started a growing obsession!
James Lorimer - Sales
My craft beer journey started back in 2016 when I started working for Meantime Brewery while training to be an actor in London. At the time I still wasn’t sure what the difference between lager and an ale was, its just beer right? I quickly learned this wasn’t the case and found myself fascinated by the industry I had stumbled into. Over the next couple of years I found myself delving deeper down the rabbit hole and learning more and more about the industry. Culminating in leading “educational” tours around an actual working brewery and leading tutored tastings! Fast forward to joining Cloudwater and I was blown away by the depth to this industry and the general warmth and kindness by all people involved.
After spending some time working in the taprooms in London and Manchester, I now get to enjoy going round and chatting to lovely people about our beer and sometimes they buy some too!The most inspirational point was seeing the best brewers from around the world joining together with all the volunteers and Cloudwater employees to get our first Friends Family & Beer festival going again. Everyone happy to muck in, no complaints, just a shared passion for beer.
What is your desert island beer? Tropicalia by Creature Comforts. Its craft beer personified for me.
Catriona Cox - Online Retail & Unit 9
I’ve had various hospitality jobs before working at Cloudwater. When the role of taproom staff came up, I had just started a Master’s in Art Gallery and Museum Studies and needed a new job. The role was a perfect fit for me, and I’ve enjoyed learning more about beer and tasting different styles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was given the opportunity to work in the online shop – even featuring a couple of seconds on Sky News packing cans – and have thoroughly enjoyed getting stuck into this new role.
I became interested in craft beer about a year before starting at Cloudwater. Initially, I was really drawn to the proper juicy New England style beers and then I tried sour beer for the first time and was just blown away that beer existed in this form. I’m constantly learning new things about beer here and I’ve got much left to discover, I’m sure.
What is your desert island beer?
Cascade’s Lavender Kegroni or Cloudwater’s Persistence is Utile (although I would end up constantly drunk on this island).
Nathan Mushtaq - Unit 9 Assistant Manager
I’ve worked in hospitality for over a decade now in many different places and I’ve met many beautiful people along the way. I really owe it so much (and it owes me a new set of knees).Working in the taproom is a wonderful time because I get to interact with so many passionate individuals.
Whether people have travelled from up the road or across the world to be here, it’s a pleasure to greet them when they arrive.It’s a very special thing being right next to the brewery, where I can see the process right from the very start knowing that in several weeks I’ll be pouring the finished product - as fresh as it can be - straight from the taproom.
In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve gone from having a basic knowledge of craft beer to leading tastings and brewery tours and I’m learning new things each and every day.Working at Cloudwater really feels like you’re part of one big family and I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity. If you see me around, feel free to strike up a conversation about music, or beer, of course.
What is your desert island beer?
I am well aware that there’s a world of wonderful beer out there but the simple fact is that I’ve grown too fond of my sweet darling Stella to be able to let her go. Please don’t judge our bond.
Alice Hayward - Strategy Manager at Enid Street
I’ve worked in beer for several years in various people facing roles! I’ve been in bars and bottle shops as well as using my previous experience to be an Events Manager and run brewery tours and tasting sessions, having become a Certified Cicerone in 2017. I project managed 73 Enid St from inception in April 2018 and have been at Cloudwater since!
I think it’s important to have breweries pushing boundaries of what defines a beer, but nowadays I get so much more excited by those nailing classic styles and just making really beautiful beers. I’m more inspired by the folks who are challenging the stereotypes of what a beer drinker or brewer looks like, and those who advocate for a better and more inclusive industry.
What is your desert island beer?
There are many I could deliberate over, but know that it will likely always come back down to the best beer in the world: Augustiner Helles.
Kat Wood - Community and Events Coordinator
I first became interested in craft beer when I worked for an independent music venue in Glasgow, choosing which beers to order in each week was a complete highlight, & I was particularly drawn in by how visually-led each can was.
After moving back to Manchester, I worked as the Creative Director of Where The Light Gets In - a Green Michelin Star restaurant and community garden based in Stockport. Having grown up on a hill-farm and then gaining a degree in Fine Art Photography, this role was a perfect combination of my interests and skills, and it allowed me space and creative freedom to dig deeper into origins and the journey of a sustainable and localised food system.
Alongside this role, I worked as a Creative Workshop Leader at Artworks South Yorkshire, a non for profit creative arts organisation, inspiring and helping adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential. This was an incredibly rewarding role, with a focus on enhancing the artists self-belief, collaborative practice and teamwork whilst supporting the artists to play an active role within their community.
What is your desert island beer?
A pint of FUZZY!