The Real NOLA Gem

There is a hidden gem in New Orleans.  No, it’s not the historic building that housed a movie theatre.  Its not even the brewery that has assumed occupancy of that vintage movie theatre.  Its your lovely beertender at Wayward Owl Brewery, Angela Gritman.

Angela Gritman

Angela loves everything about beer; the beer, the people, brewing (with her husband).  She is learning something new every day about beer; she even turns around and shares that knowledge.  Cheers to Angela!

For my second visit to NOLA, I decided to reach out to a local beer blogger, Nora, for advice on where to find the beer hot spots in NOLA.  She recommended Wayward Owl Brewing. Nora was spot on.  She led me to Angela Grittman; a person bursting as the seams to converse with other craft beer lovers. Even though Angela is from Buffalo, MN, she found a home in New Orleans.  Her new home is not only New Orleans's gift, but a gem for all that meet her.  

It wasn't long before I got to know more about Angela.  She engages every beer patron as much as possible.  It was getting busy there, so some of what I learned happened via email after I got back from my vacation.  ​

​Angela already knows a lot about beer, but continues to enhance her knowledge through courses at the Siebel Institute and UC Davis.  In the near future, she plans on joining the ranks with other certified Cicerone and Beer Judge panelists.  Hey Angela, please tutor me.  I would love to do that same. 

Angela is sure that people call her a beer snob, but when you are passionate about beer, like her, you love sharing even the littlest of details to everyone.  Its not snobbish.

Angela is also the proud founding lady of the NOLA Chapter of the Pink Boots Society. There is no stopping this lady.  I can't wait to see what the future has to hold for her and this Pink Boots chapter.

A post shared by Wayward Owl Brewing® (@waywardowlbeer) on Mar 8, 2017 at 9:21am PST

Angela showing off her pink boots

A post shared by Wayward Owl Brewing® (@waywardowlbeer) on Mar 8, 2017 at 1:28pm PST

NOLA Pink Boots Society working hard

When prompted, and with little hesitation,
​Angela told me all about the Pink Boots Society

What should readers know about the Pink Boots Society?
The Pink Boots Society is great! It is an international organization of women supporting women in the beer industry. We are here to assist, inspire, and encourage women beer professionals through education!

Tell me about the Pink Boots Society in NOLA?
At the start of the year (2017) NOLA finally joined ranks with an official chapter. This binds all of our breweries together, making us all a stronger force to help shape, grow and educate the city. We now have a foundation to get more involved with the community, hold fundraisers, and provide education to the community AND industry employees. We also get to turn the city on to great beer to match the amazing food down here.

What are some successes of the NOLA chapter of the Pink Boots Society?
As we just assembled ourselves, we are very pleased with the success of the Big Boots Brew-a brew (Big Boots Brew website) that all of the chapters participate internationally, on international women's Day as our main fundraiser for the year. Ladies from Wayward Owl Brewing, NOLA, and Royal got together, made a great beer, and the market is loving it. A fat check will be cut once we drain all the kegs!
We are very excited to start doing more brews together as well!

How does a NOLA woman get involved with the Pink Boots Society?  
Ah! Well, if you work in the industry you are welcome to join!  There is a $30 yearly membership fee and once you are a member you can join your local chapter!

Find a chapter near you, click → HERE

You seem very active within the beer culture, what needs to happen to enhance the craft beer culture in NOLA?
​EDUCATION, HONESTY, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. We in Louisiana are just now starting to grow the scene. People are so happy for it that they drink through a rose colored glass. Everything local is great, and so on.  In NOLA, we’ve had great beer from all around the US, but we need to hold the bar higher.  We need to get in the game. Some breweries are certainly doing great, but there is always room to get better. This city provides world class food, cocktails, music, experiences; the beer should be no different!

Again, Angela loves to talk to beer people.
Here is what I learned about NOLA's Gem, Angela. 

What do love about NOLA?
I love all of the crazy, all of the love, all of the perseverance and struggle and the beauty and strength that come out of it. But mostly the food.

Favorite type of beer? What is it about that type of beer you like?
I am a wild fermentation/sour/brett lover. They are just as varied as say, IPAs, a full rainbow of flavors, funk, acidity, and so on. They are also very tricky beers to brew well-you have to know your science well. I love the deep traditions to lambics and gueuze. 

Daft, can or bottle? Why?
I appreciate the wonderful powers of cans but I’m a sucker for a pretty bottle even though I like to drink out of a glass…

What is your current favorite beer that you serve at Wayward Owl?
Scops Scotch Ale! Such a lovely scotch ale, all of the lovely dark fruit flavors, kiss of smoke, the deeper malts…all balanced without being cloying, boozy, or sweet. I find it exceptionally balanced and delicious for any time of the day. ​

What food should your customers get to pair with Wayward Owl beers?
The sky is the limit. Our beers may be brewed with complexity but they come off with very simple and clean flavors. Nothing is really battling for a spotlight of flavor opening it up to melt seamlessly with a good bite! Got some fish, try the Family Tree, chicken, maybe the tawny for something friendly or go big with the clean slate! Burgers and Hopsurdity-or keep it rich and grab a scotch ale! ​

What do like most about working at Wayward Owl?
I love our drive to do what we can for our community. We care very much about the city and the people in it. We also love bringing people together-with great beer! 

Do you have any other roles you embodied while beertending?
Beer snob, historian, taste tester, draught master, announcer, peacekeeper, bad joke teller, therapist, janitor, child entertainer-yes moms, I can see you need a beer break!

Share a juicy patron date story.
I am the juice.

Tell me a funny story about working at Wayward Owl?
Our employee party was funny. But we are under a gag order of the night's events. Let’s just say our tables have been tested to hold up to multiple adults dancing on them…

Tell me your best memory that you can associate that memory with beer?
Belgium. I was a part of the Avenue Pub summer trip to Belgium. Every minute was amazing,.  Every minute I was either holding beer or food in my hand.  I will never forget the visit to  Cantillon Brewery. They filter their beer as it was filtered generations ago. With a very laborious and loving press.  Look it up and be amazed!  ​

What is your favorite beer paraphernalia you own?
​My beautiful ceramic Cantillon pitcher that I got from the brewery!

A post shared by Wayward Owl Brewing® (@waywardowlbeer) on Oct 29, 2016 at 5:40pm PDT

A post shared by Wayward Owl Brewing® (@waywardowlbeer) on Apr 4, 2017 at 7:32am PDT

Not the exact pitcher, but similar

If you could pair your favorite beer with a music album, what would that be?
Give me any Tom Waits with a big ol barleywine, Billie Holiday with a lovely lambic or gueuze!

Best way to bond over beer?
Drink all of the beer, good or bad, and really talk about what makes it good or bad to you!  Nobody has a wrong palate but breaking down what you feel and taste with someone else is fascinating!

Well, I hope you get to meet NOLA's hidden gem, Angela Gritman

Cheers,
James