Beer is a Conversation: Dan Dainton

This week in Beer is a Conversation James Atkinson chats with Dainton Family Brewing Founder and Head Brewer, Dan Dainton, who recently took out the Champion Craft Beer Award at this year’s Craft Beer Awards.

Dan started his brewing career at the James Squire Brewhouse at the Portland Hotel in 2011. Already experimenting with bold and quirky flavours, Dan’s brewing skills churned out a Black Rye IPA (which was pretty out-there at the time) along with other over the top IPAs - much to the dismay of Chuck Hahn.

Realising he wanted to flex his talent and palate beyond that realm of James Squire, Dan transitioned to Holgate Brewhouse to further develop his brewing and in the fresh air of Woodend. After this stint up in the mountains, Dan convinced his father, Kev, to embark on his beer journey with him.

Together they co-founded Dainton Family Brewing with Dan gypsy brewing around Victoria from 2013 until mid 2016 until they established their own permanent facilities in Carrum Downs.

Medals are no stranger to Dan and his kin at Dainton Family Brewing, with several of their brews earning awards at various judging events over the past few years. Dainton’s Cherrywood Smoked Baltic Porter was brewed especially for this year’s Craft Beer Awards and was ultimately named this year’s Champion Craft Beer.