Meet Lauren Hughes

We were lucky to catch up with Lauren Hughes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Moving up in the brewing world as a queer identifying woman can be a little bit tough – you have essentially two bias against you. One that I might not be able to the job or as well, as some of my male counterparts, and two, that I am different because I identify as queer. I’ve felt both of these in my career many times, but I think I was still successful because I didn’t let their ideas of what I could and couldn’t do hold me back or bring me down. In spaces that were built for women in the brewing industry I still felt out of place sometimes due to my being queer. To overcome this, I worked harder, tried to learn as fast as I could, and was lucky to have some great folks to rely on with questions and shoulders to lean on. I tried to distance myself from that negativity and find spaces that would accept me for who I am and let me grow. One of my ways of getting through those barriers was to show folks that they weren’t there. That I was also, just someone who really enjoyed beer and making beer and wanted a place at the table. Sometimes this meant having to work harder than my coworkers or spend more of my own time figuring out problems. Once I was a little more established, I tried to make it a priority to be vocal about diversity in the work place, and tried to create safe, welcoming, and rewarding spaces for folks who were interested in the brewing industry but were timid to get in because of the same concerns. Being outspoken about it allowed me to share with others that it can be done, and that there are people on your side.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am currently the head brewer of Two Frays Brewery in Pittsburgh. Prior, I was the head brewer at Necromancer Brewing, the assistant head brewer of Penn Brewery and assistant brewer at Rock Bottom Brewery. I came into the brewing world like a lot of folks do, by getting into craft beer and then homebrewing. I was hooked from the beginning when I got interested in both in grad school. After grad school while finishing up my coursework I got my first brewery job at Sun King Brewery in Indianapolis. I only left to pursue a career in the music world (which is what my degrees were in) because why get all these degrees if you aren’t going to use them? I did several jobs in that world, teaching at the college level, administration, orchestra administration. While working at a symphony, I was burnt out and knew my heart wasn’t in it. It was then that my wife asked “why don’t you try to get a brewing job? You always wanted to at Sun King and you were really happy there’. At that point I quit the music world to work several jobs trying to make my way up to become a brewer. Turns out it worked, and I am still hooked.

I have won several brewing awards since becoming a brewer including medals from World Beer Cup, Indiana Brewers Cup, US Open Beer Championship and others. It has been a crazy ride and I’m grateful that I have been able to participate in these.

At Two Frays, I try to continue to make award winning beer as well as a new venture – non-alcoholic beer. I had not brewed anything NA prior, and this was a new challenge. We are the first brewery in PA to brew non-alcoholic and keep at least 3 brands on at all times. It has been a fun new challenge and it is great to be able to brew something for folks who don’t want alcohol.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I would say perseverance, hard work ethic, and problem solving skills were the most impactful in my journey. That and taking things in stride when you can. It’s a hard job, and some days are pretty tough, but being able to bounce back and try again the next day. Trying to differentiate myself from others through education and participating in different groups, courses, and events. I think folks who are early in their journy can best improve on these by trying to get involved as much as they can with local Master Brewers Association chapters, other group chapters. Find educational events and social events to get to know folks. Do some homework and don’t be afraid to ask questions from colleagues or mentors.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I am always looking for folks to collaborate with. Whether its artists or other brewers, I really enjoy making something collaborative and special. It is also a great way for us to give back to different communities and help others.

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