Hobsons Brewery, in Shropshire, has welcomed Tino Draghi, originally from Argentina, as its new head brewer.
Tino Draghi, new head brewer at Hobsons
He has more than 10 years of experience in the industry, having worked for notable brands such as BrewDog and Twickenham Ales.
In his new role, Tino will oversee production, including recipe development, brewing, and quality control. He will work closely with a talented team of brewers to ensure that each beer produced meets the same high standards upon which Hobsons has built its reputation for the past three decades.
Having spent time mastering his craft in countries such as Brazil, Panama, and Bolivia, his passion for traditional brewing now sees him rooted in the Shropshire countryside.
Tino has already designed his first recipe at Hobsons, a special beer to mark the Coronation. Called Sovereign, the 4.6% ABV extra special bitter was a well-balanced amber ale that proved a success in pubs across Shropshire and the surrounding counties.
Tino said: “When I first came to the UK, I took a job in the busy city of London. However, having been at Hobsons for a month, it has confirmed that living in the countryside is the lifestyle for me. Where I grew up in Argentina, we were surrounded by farmland, so being here already feels like home.
“One of the things that first drew me to Hobsons was its stance on sustainability. Brewing in the most carbon-conscious way possible has always been a top priority for me, so finding a brand that aligns so closely with your own values makes this new adventure that much more exciting.”
He added: “I am really looking forward to learning from my colleagues and their masterful grasp of traditional ales, whilst also bringing some international influence I have picked up over the years. I think this combination could produce some really exciting beers in the next few months, so keep your eyes peeled!”
Brewery founder, Nick Davis, said: “Tino has been with us for about a month and has already hit the ground running. He has a sense of creativity which is already rubbing off on the rest of the team.
“We recently turned 30 years old at Hobsons and, as proud of the past as we are, it’s important we look to the future and ensure our beers are current and on trend. I think Tino will be a crucial ingredient in this process.”