HOPS Isle of Man: The Beginnings Opening and running a bar is easy, right? It’s one of those things we’ve all thought we could do at one point. You’ll likely not be surprised to hear, it’s not as easy as people think. Of course, they all have their opinions. I’ve had them in many places myself. That doesn’t mean you’re right! Our craft beer articles in our magazine are written from Isle of Man, with the writer having lived there for the last 12 years. It’s also where our story begins, on this subject. Running a business has long been something I’d thought of. Initially, I thought that only a very talented individual could do that. I learned that wasn’t necessarily the case, shall we say. However to run a business well, yes, that does take a talented individual or team. I’d held the notion that I’d like to have my own place doing craft beer for the longest time. There are still not enough places to drink it in the UK, despite numerous breweries having opened, there are still few actual bars dedicated to it. Even on a recent trip to Scotland, there were a few bars but they all either seemed to be serving the same thing or, despite having a high number of taps, not a lot of choice. In the early stages of planning this venture, craft beer was solely what was on my mind. As ever, when I started to do the sums, I quickly realized that alone probably wasn’t going to pay the bills. It was around that time I met my wonderful wife Hazel, who just so happened to specialize in whisky. I hear you ask, as a Scotsman, why weren’t you thinking about whisky already? The truth? Well, I had only really…

What is Craft Beer? I’m Steven, I’m 44, and I’m a craft beer addict. Well, that’s how I imagine this starting, but not quite. You see, I haven’t always been into craft beer. It wasn’t until around around 15 years ago I even started to drink beer regularly. Heavy bouts of drinking Budweiser and then Miller had put paid to that! It was then onto JD from there. Which is where I thought it would end. That was all to change one night, with a chance to venture out with a friend who wanted to take us to a very dangerous part of Glasgow, Scotland. So off we went, hoping to return alive! I wasn’t sure. We were offered free beer in a railway arch. I must admit to being concerned! I needn’t have been, as we tried some very nice beers. We’re here some years later, and I’ve had craft beer in just about every major city in the United Kingdom. Also, in Rome. Santorini, too, of all places. The first thing I seek out at a holiday destination (or pretty much anywhere I go) is the craft beer bar, brewery, or taproom. So much so that I’ve opened my own bar with my wife on a small island between Ireland and the UK called the Isle of Man. There is also plenty of whisky, quality rum, and even some cigars. We’re certainly not short of choice in the UK. I’ve also been to Other Half in New York. Ever trip has a story to tell, and they may well follow in the course of these articles. For now, though, what is craft beer? In the UK, there isn’t an easy answer to that. The reason is it doesn’t really have a definition. Beavertown, now 100% owned by Heineken…