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The SCENE Magazine

Meet the Brewer: Sarah Milligan Lab Technician & Asst. Brewer @ Galveston Island Brewing

Favorite Texas brewed beer?  Live Oak's HefeWeizen, Lakewood's Sin Mint Temptress, and Martin House's Salty Lady

Favorite non-Texas brewed beer?  Three Philosophers from Brewery Ommegang
Your favorite beer to brew and/or your favorite beer that you brew?  Balinese Imperial Smoked Porter. Brew days smell like bacon!

What beer styles or classifications do you feel could possibly be overlooked by local beer enthusiasts? Rauchbier and ESBs

Describe a "bucket list" setting or event where you hope to enjoy a beer one day. Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

Describe your favorite setting or event which you have enjoyed a beer. Talking to brewers from around Texas at Middleton Brewing's rooftop bar while taking in a 360° view of the Hill Country sunset.

The last and/or most interesting job you held before becoming a professional brewer? Researching ways in which bacteria hijack the human immune system

Words of advice to anyone hoping to turn their passion of brewing and beer into a career? Not everyone wants to be a brewer, and it's not the only way to succeed. Think about what you love to do - anything from marketing and writing blogs to accounting and workplace safety - and create a place for yourself in the industry. Don't be afraid to go beyond the traditional roles of brewing or sales if it isn't something you're passionate about.

The state of the Texas craft beer scene is finally starting to get respect and recognition from the rest of the country. Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth are catching up with Austin in quantity and quality of craft breweries and it will be interesting to see how the market evolves over the next five years

Favorite perk of working in a brewery is? Seeing the manufacturing process all the way through from the brew day to a customer enjoying a pint in the taproom. It's extremely satisfying to know that your efforts have directly made someone happy.

Least favorite aspect of working in a brewery is? The unpredictable work schedule. It's almost impossible to know exactly what you'll be doing, and for how long, on any given day.

If you had to start working in one other brewery starting tomorrow, which brewery would it be, and why? Avery Brewing. Their quality and sensory departments are among the best in the industry, and living in Colorado wouldn't be too shabby!