As if Steamworks new fleet of bottled beers wasn't exciting enough, we are happy to share with you that the brewery pub has also brought on a new master of craft brewing, Caolan Vaughan. With international experience in the craft beer market, the brewmaster brings his own modern twist to craft brewing - having honed his skills first at Australia's Little Creatures brewery, and most recently at the UK's award-winning Thornbridge Brewery.  There, Caolan played an integral part in the brewery's international reputation for producing world-class beers such as Jaipur IPAs, Raven BIPAs, Saint Petersburg Russian Imperial Stouts, in addition to hop forward and barrel aged beers.

"I started brewing straight out of highschool," he tells us, "From there I began working at small craft breweries, and then I spent time at one of the largest breweries in the Southern Hemisphere."

Having only set foot on the Pacific-Northwest soil this January, Caolan rolled up his sleeves right away, and has started working with Steamworks on seasonal specialty beers, the first of which is set to come out this Spring.

"Our search for a new Brewmaster took us around the world," adds Steamworks Brewing Company President, Walter Cosman.  "We wanted fresh ideas and someone not afraid to push beyond current conventions".    

Do Australian brewing processes inform your work at Steamworks?

The processes and procedures I picked up in Australia are something I am going to bring to Steamworks. 

Do you have a signatures style?

I must admit I like hoppy beers. I like to play around with bold flavours that people might not be used to.

Will you be working on some new bottled beers with Steamworks?

We actually brewed a new beer yesterday, soon to be released. It will be a Saison. It is sort of a Belgian-French farmhouse style of beer -- spicy, clove characteristics. The yeast characteristics are very prominent. 

What do you think of the Steamworks brewery?

We have a unique set-up -- we tap into the Gastown steam supply. This is one of the best ways to do the boiling process. It's also energy effecient.

How do you like Gastown so far?

I love it here -- it's absolutely fantastic. Being Australian, I'm a very outdoorsy individual. I love the mountains and the ocean, the people are amazing and the food is good, and there is some great beer as well.

What is your favorite beer at Steamworks right now?

They're all fantastic, but some of the ones that have been released in bottles are really great. The Pale Ale won awards. The Oatmeal Stout is also really nice. But I am just really looking forward to the Saison, which we are going to be launching in March.