Sam McDonough, now the Head Brewer and Production Manager at Frenchies Brewery, has nearly a decade of experience in the brewing industry, having worked at renowned breweries such as Stone & Wood, White Bay Brewery, and Philter.
McDonough’s journey into brewing began in his youth, helping his grandfather with homebrewing. However, it wasn’t until he turned 21 that he considered brewing as a career.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for a career,” McDonough recalled. “But during a trip to the U.S. in 2010, while walking through Brooklyn, I saw the Brooklyn Brewery sign and it hit me: I can actually make beer for a living.”
Upon returning to Australia, McDonough began exploring opportunities in the craft beer industry. He landed a role as Craft Beer Buyer at Warners at the Bay Specialty Liquor near Newcastle, his hometown. His passion for brewing deepened after a conversation with a friend, a sales rep at Stone & Wood, which led to McDonough joining their team as a Brewer in 2015.
Working at Stone & Wood had a profound impact on McDonough’s brewing career.
“Caolan Vaughan at Stone & Wood was a major influence early in my career,” McDonough said. “He taught me about the importance of passion, attention to detail, and how serious the art of brewing is. Josh Waters, also from Stone & Wood, showed me the value of determination and hard work, essential qualities for success in this industry.”
During his time at Stone & Wood, McDonough advanced to the role of Innovation Brewer at their brewpub. His efforts were recognized with some of his recipes winning significant awards at the Australian International Beer Awards (AIBAs), marking a highlight of his career. He was also involved in the opening of Stone & Wood’s Brisbane brewery, a milestone achievement.
After leaving Stone & Wood, McDonough expanded his experience with diverse roles in the industry.
“My career has offered me incredible travel opportunities,” McDonough said. “From brewing with friends in Spain in 2020 to immersing myself in Tasmania’s brewing scene at Shambles Brewery, it’s been an amazing journey.”
At Shambles Brewery and now at Frenchies, McDonough has taken on more prominent roles, thanks to the trust of Shambles owner Cornel Lanculovic and Frenchies co-founder Vincent de Soyres.
“They believed in me and trusted my experience and skills, allowing me to manage their operations in a way that benefits their breweries, teams, customers, and contract clients,” McDonough said.
McDonough’s strengths lie in his ability to manage teams and scale brewing processes for both large and small operations.
“Intuition, organization, a passion for process, and attention to detail are some of my biggest strengths,” McDonough noted. “I’ve learned to scale processes from large breweries to smaller craft breweries, streamlining their operations effectively.”
Leadership is another key aspect of McDonough’s approach, as he believes in leading by example and fostering teamwork.
“Your brews are only as good as the crew you have around you,” McDonough emphasized. “Working as part of a team is crucial.”
Now at a stage where others look up to him, McDonough is committed to mentoring the next generation of brewers by treating them as equals and encouraging them to learn from their mistakes.
“It’s important to show passion for what you do, as it’s a vital quality for a brewer,” McDonough said. “Working alongside new brewers instead of just delegating builds trust and camaraderie, which are central to this industry. It’s okay to make mistakes when you’re starting out; that’s part of the learning process.”
When advising newcomers to the industry, McDonough stresses the importance of balancing hard work with passion.
“Listen to your lead brewers, but don’t be afraid to ask questions,” he advised. “We’re here to support you and help you grow. Understand that you won’t perfect brewing overnight, and making mistakes is all part of the learning process. Success as a brewer is about balance—you need to work hard and stay passionate, but don’t let it consume your entire life.”
For McDonough, the creativity involved in brewing is what fuels his passion for the industry.
“My favorite part of the industry is the creativity,” he said. “There are always new and interesting brews pushing the boundaries of traditional styles. Seeing a brew you’ve been perfecting reach the canning line and then appear in taprooms, venues, and bottle shops is something that never gets old.”
While McDonough is currently enjoying his role at Frenchies, working on both the brewery’s own beers and various contract brewing projects, he remains open to new opportunities as his career evolves.
“We’re doing some really exciting work at Frenchies right now,” McDonough said. “I’m enjoying building the brand, enhancing our beers, and managing significant new contract brews. Looking further ahead, I see more overseas travel in my future, and perhaps even moving into a production role in another field where my skills are transferable.”
