Feature
TOMMY’S BREWING COMPANY
CHANGE IS BREWING
by Donna P. Ramsammy
For decades, consumers in Trinidad and Tobago had only a handful of options to choose from to satisfy their cravings for a beastly cold brew. Slowly but surely, imported beers started to find their way on to supermarket shelves and into bars’ fridges. For the most part, these were well-known commercial lagers – big on brand recognition, small on taste. As such, these arrivals did little to change the nation’s palate. But now, nestled in MovieTowne Invaders’ Bay’s Fiesta Plaza, change is brewing, and it tastes delicious!
Opened in July 2018, Tommy’s Brewing Company (Tommy’s), is the first microbrewery and restaurant in Trinidad and Tobago. It is the brainchild of founder John Paul Tannous, previously responsible for introducing Molson Coors to our shores. Tommy’s mission is to stand apart, raise the bar, spark a craft beer revolution and change the local perception of what beer can be.
With names like Stowaway IPA (beer shorthand for India Pale Ale), Naughty Xmas Ale (brewed with local sorrel!), Romeo and Juliet Wheat (with a subtle mango flavour) and Steelpan Stout, it is clear Tommy’s has deliberately chosen to incorporate local flavours and themes into the brewing process, setting it apart from anything else locally available.
But the story of Tommy’s does not start with Tannous. The name is dedicated to Gabriel Tommy, Tannous’ grandfather, who set sail for Trinidad in 1924 to create a new life for
his family. Needless to say, the journey was fraught with challenges, which required all of Gabriel’s strength and dedication to overcome. Over 90 years later, this story was a source of inspiration for an entirely new and perilous journey – the founding of Tommy’s Brewery. Having taken two years to become a reality, it has been a labour of love and a testament to Tannous’ tenacity, business acumen and passion for his craft.
The establishment of Trinidad and Tobago’s first microbrewery is not just good news for beer lovers. Tannous hopes Tommy’s will encourage other entrepreneurs and beer enthusiasts to follow his lead and learn from his experiences. As he puts it, ‘we want to encourage collaboration, not competition’. He hopes his experience of overcoming legislative barriers will contribute to a more level playing field and pave the way for new entrants into the local beer market. This was part of the inspiration for the open brewery design, which gives patrons a behind the scenes view of the entire brewing process through large windows. Tannous hopes this will make customers feel more connected to the process and incubate the same passion for the craft that he and his team have. Just don’t ask to go back there – that’s strictly off limits!
‘Some people say they don’t feel like they are in Trinidad. I tell them, this is Trinidad,
much of what you see is from Trinidad, made by local talent!’
Offering a product that is still new to the country means all staff need to be trained extensively and from scratch, in the basics of brewing, styles of beer and tips for pairing beer with food. This training will undoubtedly be of value to anyone wishing to pursue a career in hospitality, and would have been difficult to obtain previously in the local market. As such, Tommy’s is helping to build capacity in the local hospitality industry and creating a talent pool accessible to future craft beer establishments.
Outside of its operations, Tommy’s supports local farmers by purchasing fresh fruit for its seasonal brews and provides them with spent grain from the brewing process, which makes excellent animal feed. They are also actively pursuing collaborations with other local artisans, searching for pairings which bring out the best in each other’s products.
Inside, much of the stylish wood and metal decor is the work of local craftsmen using local materials, including the bar itself, adding to an authentic local experience.
Tommy’s is a refreshing addition to Trinidad and Tobago’s hospitality industry, thanks to the quality and uniqueness of its beer, as well as its collaborative approach. It hopes to be the start of a new market, but this is still only the beginning. True craft takes generations.
