Every Friday morning, at 10am, there’s a quality control tasting at St Austell Brewery. This week, it went ahead with a notable absentee.
On his Facebook page, brewing and bottling manager, Rob Orton, wrote: “We’ve done Friday tasting, at 10am, as ever, as you would have wanted. Proper Job, such a great and consistent bottled beer as you have made it, and some specials. Rochefort 10, your favourite beer, and the three existing versions of Black Square, your baby. These three bottle have only been tasted all together twice, once with you in December, and once today. I am so honoured to have been at both.”
He added: “I cherish the stories we shared immensely and I inherit the passion you’ve passed to me proudly. I will never forget everything you’ve done for me. You’ve helped create me into the person I am today and I will be eternally grateful.”
Stuart Howe was head brewer at Sharp’s and posted on social media: “Roger was a great man. Accomplished, intelligent, standing head and shoulders above his peers. Always an inspiration. It was an honour to brew and row with him, and against him. Beer, brewing, and the world have lost a unique and irreplaceable talent.”
Steve Livens, of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: “Roger was a committed, inspirational, and artful brewer. His passion, enthusiasm, and knowledge was clear, and he was dedicated to St Austell and an industry who held him in such high regard.
“Roger was keen to pass on his incredible knowledge and experience wherever possible, and to foster, support, and encourage young people to take up a career in brewing. There will be many who will make their way through the industry with his insight and skill at the heart of their journey, and there can be no greater legacy than this.”
‘Roger was one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. A real gentleman who will be sorely missed’
Tom Stainer, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: “CAMRA’s volunteers and staff are extremely sad to hear of the death of Roger Ryman, brewing director for St Austell brewery. As well as being a hugely positive and creative influence in British brewing, Roger has always been a CAMRA supporter, both in the South West and nationally. The beers he created won many CAMRA awards, and Roger himself was a regular at our festivals. He will be missed by all.”
There were many comments on social media following yesterday’s Beer Today post, showing just how well thought of Roger was, how he was so generous with his time, and how he’ll leave such a gap in British brewing.
Jesse Wilson, co-founder of Jubel, said: “Incredibly sad news. Roger was one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. A real gentleman who will be sorely missed.”
Brian Yorston, of Brewlab, said: “So sad for Roger to pass away so young. Condolences to Toni. The industry has lost a great brewer and a lovely man.”
On Facebook, Richard Mark noted: “Not only was his influence on producing a great beer but they cracked the whip and made sure that the whole of their pub estate significantly upped their game in looking after the beer. It would of course been such a waste of a great product for it to be spoilt at the point of sale.”
