Meet the Brewer: One Love Brewery's Michael Snyder
The seasoned brewer at the Lincoln spot talks shop
With more than 60 craft breweries spread across the state (and new ones opening seemingly every week), it’s no secret that New Hampshire is home to some great beer. To help you get to know some of the Granite State’s favorite sudsy spots, we’re implementing a new series of “Meet the Brewer” profiles to introduce you to our top-notch New Hampshire breweries and the men and women behind them.
For our latest profile, meet Michael Snyder. Michael is in charge of the brewery operations at Lincoln’s One Love Brewery, a popular family-owned spot that's a German lager house and gastropub. Read on to learn all about the 500-650-barrel-per-year capacity facility and their brewing operations honcho.
About the Brewer
NH Magazine: What is your title at the brewery?
Michael Snyder: I like to keep it low-key and never liked the title “Master Brewer” or something boring like one of the owners. I just go by Brewery Operations.
NHM: How did you get into the brewing business?
MS: I got into this career path over 22 years ago in Atlanta, Georgia. I interviewed for a brewer's position at a place called Marthasville Brewing Co, and a week later I was Lead Brewer. I later went on to go to school for brewing at the Siebel Institute in Chicago.
NHM: Why did you choose to work in New Hampshire? What do you appreciate about the craft beer scene here?
MS: I went to high school here and it has always had a special place in my heart. After 27 years, I reconnected with my high school sweetheart and married her. New Hampshire is an amazing place to call home and own a business. I really love being in a small state and being a part of the commodore between the breweries.
NHM: What style(s) of beer are you personally most fond of?
MS: North German pils and American pale ale
NHM: What’s your personal favorite of the beers you make?
Oktoberfest/Märzen and Müncheren Dunkel
About the Brewery
NHM: What’s your annual production size, in barrels?
MS: 500-650BBl a year for lager production.
NHM: When did you open to the public?
We first opened our doors in Dover, New Hampshire, in 2013, and we moved to the White Mountains in 2014 (opened in May 2014). Our brewery opened for production in July 2017.
NHM: What sets you apart from other New Hampshire breweries? What’s unique about your style or mission?
MS: A very high percentage of breweries in America and New Hampshire make ale. We make primarily German-style lagers. Ales take about three weeks to make, and our lagers take six to eight weeks. It’s a time investment, but worth it for the flavor profiles. Our German lagers are true to style, using true German grain and hops. Our mission as a company is One Love, One Life. We feel it’s important to love what you do, where you are and appreciate that every day.
NHM: How many beers and what styles do you offer at any given time?
MS: We have the capacity to offer five to six beers at any given time. Our flagships include Münchner dunkel, Northern Lights – Münchner helles, Al’s Still Here – Oktoberfest/märzen (named after Alan Riley, our founder's father who recently passed) and Czech your Head – Czech/bohemian pilsner. We also offer seasonal and specialized beers under the Private Reserve label. We currently have Inka Binka – American oatmeal stout and India pale lager (IPL).
NHM: What’s your most popular beer?
MS: Right now it’s our Oktoberfest. Its super delicious!
NHM: What’s next for your brewery?
MS: At this point, we are really happy working with what we have and where we are at as a company.
NHM: Where can your beer be purchased?
MS: It can be purchased in our pub in Lincoln. We offer glass and metal growlers to go. We also have a full restaurant and a full liquor license.
