Heather LaRowe
Multimedia by Allyson Garstecki
Story by Dom Trimboli
Craft beer brewing no doubt tends to be a male dominated profession/hobby. Heather LaRowe is breaking the mold as a member of the brew team at The Hideout, off the beaten path in Grand Rapids.
She brews a batch a week, which is roughly 15 half barrels of beer, on their 155 gallon in house system. However, Heather wasn’t always a pro. She began and learned on a smaller brew system, a 30 gallon stainless steel one. On it she concocted her very first beer, an Oatmeal Stout. The Hideout currently uses that system for smaller experimental batches such as pickle flavored beers that are the perfect base for a bloody mary.
Crafting quality concoctions isn't the end of LaRowes’ task list. She has taken on The Hideout's social media presence, as well as steadily maintained an open mic night on Wednesdays and a separate night of planned music on Saturdays. What can you expect your Saturday night playlist to consist of? “...everything from rock to bluegrass and even classical saxophone!” Mike Hermann, head of distribution, said.
LaRowe loves the relationships she builds at her own brewery as well as through inter-brewery relations. “There’s a lot more camaraderie in Michigan than other states,” Heather said.
Whether she’s creating an all new craft brew to reveal on Friday or hosting/performing in the open mic nights on Wednesdays, Heather can’t help but have a blast at work. Yes, she’s breaking down gender barriers, but to her it’s just another day at The Hideout.
Story by Dom Trimboli
Craft beer brewing no doubt tends to be a male dominated profession/hobby. Heather LaRowe is breaking the mold as a member of the brew team at The Hideout, off the beaten path in Grand Rapids.
She brews a batch a week, which is roughly 15 half barrels of beer, on their 155 gallon in house system. However, Heather wasn’t always a pro. She began and learned on a smaller brew system, a 30 gallon stainless steel one. On it she concocted her very first beer, an Oatmeal Stout. The Hideout currently uses that system for smaller experimental batches such as pickle flavored beers that are the perfect base for a bloody mary.
Crafting quality concoctions isn't the end of LaRowes’ task list. She has taken on The Hideout's social media presence, as well as steadily maintained an open mic night on Wednesdays and a separate night of planned music on Saturdays. What can you expect your Saturday night playlist to consist of? “...everything from rock to bluegrass and even classical saxophone!” Mike Hermann, head of distribution, said.
LaRowe loves the relationships she builds at her own brewery as well as through inter-brewery relations. “There’s a lot more camaraderie in Michigan than other states,” Heather said.
Whether she’s creating an all new craft brew to reveal on Friday or hosting/performing in the open mic nights on Wednesdays, Heather can’t help but have a blast at work. Yes, she’s breaking down gender barriers, but to her it’s just another day at The Hideout.