Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) based East West Brewing company have appointed ex-Sierra Nevada Innovation Brewer Patrick Barnes as their new head brewer.

He will take over the daily operations of the brewery once current Head Brewer, Sean Thommen, relocates back to the USA at the end of June.

Patrick started his craft career in America’s craft beer mecca Portland, Oregon, USA. Learning his trade at the family run Kells Brewery where he was for 6 years, eventually taking on the role of Head Brewer.

Patrick (L) joins the East West brewing team from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (USA) Photo: East West Brewing Co.

After a few years at another Oregon brewery, Double Mountain, he headed across country to take up the role of Innovation Brewer at the renowned Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, one of the US’s Top 5 craft breweries.

At East West Brewing, Patrick will be managing the big batch brewing of their core distribution brands as well as the day to day operations at their city centre taproom. His brews will also be available soon at the new Ha Long Bay taproom, slated to open in the late summer.

Sean, who has been with East West since it’s launch in 2017, will be stepping back from the day to day production and innovation but the brewery are keen to stress he will still remain a big part of their family. Though he is moving back to the US he will still be visiting Vietnam in his new role helping development expansion & international production partnerships in new markets

With Patrick’s background in innovation expect to see more fantastic beers on show at the District 1 taproom before their release onto the wider market.

The team that makes it happen at East West Brewing, Saigon (From L to R) Patrick Barnes, Trung Dau & Sean Thommen. Photo: East West Brewing Co.