Scott LaFollette drives and Chris Siegman rides shotgun in the 50 West brewers bus.
Pretty cool news, really. 50 West Brewing Co. just announced it will be bulking up its brewing staff in anticipation of a canning launch this year. Scott LaFollette will be coming on board as the new production manager. LaFollete comes with an extensive brewing background, gaining experience as the former owner and head brewer of Blank Slate Brewery, which recently closed. LaFollete started Blank Slate Brewery in 2012 and grew it to be one of the largest craft breweries in the Cincinnati area. Blank Slate’s growth was driven by a cult like following for Scott’s creative and unique recipe’s that were admired and adorned throughout the city. Lafollete will oversee all brewing and manufacturing operations for 50 West.
“Scott and I grew up in this industry together and I’ve always admired everything he was able to accomplish,” stated 50 West Owner Bobby Slattery. “For the past 5 years anytime we sat in a room full of brewers and someone asked who’s making the best beer in the Cincinnati, the room would always point to Scott. We at 50 West have a very strong belief in the direction we’re headed and to have Scott apart of the journey is like a dream come true.”
In addition, 50 West has hired Chris Siegman, the former head brewer of Mt. Carmel Brewing Co., to take on the lead role at 50 West. Siegman passion and experience in the local beer scene made him a natural fit for the position.
“My favorite part about Chris is when he was at Mt. Carmel, after working 50 plus hour weeks professionally brewing, he would go home and home brew,” said Slattery. “His basement was stock piled with recipes he was crafting on the side. He obviously has a passion for this industry and we’re excited to have him as part of our leadership.”
