Between Two Fermenters8 Juli 2025

Rob ‘Bobo’ Hern – Short Finger Brewing

In this 40th episode of Between Two Fermenters, host Troy Burtch sits down with longtime friend, former Great Lakes Brewery legend, and mixed-fermentation evangelist Rob ‘Bobo’ Hern, founder of Short Finger Brewing Co. in Kitchener-Waterloo. From sorting empties at the Beer Store to forging his own DIY path in Ontario's craft beer scene in homebrewing, Rob’s journey is packed with perseverance, weirdness, and a whole lot of passion and hard work.

Troy and Rob reminisce about their GLB days, including the time a ping pong table took over the office, rooftop beers, the early years and the wild west attitude, and off-roading in questionable company vehicles. Rob reflects on how a love for homebrewing, a rogue furniture relocation incident, and support from his brilliant wife helped shape the vision for Short Finger, a brewery now known for its bold barrel-aged and mixed-fermentation offerings. Some highlights:

The origins of the nickname "Bobo"
Starting Short Finger from a homebrew shop in his basement
Influences from Mike Lackey and the GLB crew
Kitchener-Waterloo as the perfect place for Short Finger
The legacy of homebrew competitions, pumpkin ale, and forgotten couches

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com. Supporting local never tasted soooo good!

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery where craft beer and conversation collide - straight from the tanks to your ears.

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(73)

Catherine Oppedisano

From the Between Two Fermenters Archives, one of our favourites....In this episode of Between Two Fermenters, host Troy Burtch is joined by the dynamic Catherine Oppedisano, VP of Marketing at Steam W...

25 Aug 1h 12min

Ron Keefe

From the Between Two Fermenters Archives, one of our favourites....On this episode of Between Two Fermenters, Troy Burtch is joined by someone who’s had a profound impact on his life – a mentor, pione...

18 Aug 1h 25min

Luc Lafontaine

From the Between Two Fermenters Archives, one of our favourites....“My beers are the portfolio of my life.” In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Luc ‘Bim’ Lafontaine, the mastermind behind Godsp...

11 Aug 1h 16min

Summer Beer Break

Between Two Fermenters is taking a little summer break. We're taking the month of August off... you could say we've gone drinking... hitting up our favourite pubs around the province.While we're takin...

7 Aug 3min

Carl Pratt – Riding the Waves, Beaches Brewing

Not every brewery closure is a eulogy. Sometimes it's just a brief intermission... but rarely. Troy sits down with Carl Pratt, Co-Founder and brewer behind Beaches Brewing Co, the brewery that spent o...

14 Juli 1h 17min

Erica McOustra, Perfecting Pilsner

In a province obsessed with what's new, Erica McOustra has spent her career perfecting what already exists - and that's a much harder job than it sounds.Troy sits down with Erica McOustra, Brewmaster ...

30 Juni 1h 31min

Andrew Oland, Mr. Moosehead

Most people in the beer business talk about legacy. Andrew Oland actually carries it. As the sixth-generation President and CEO of Moosehead Breweries - Canada's last major brewery still owned by Cana...

16 Juni 1h 39min

Matt Tompkins & Adam Shier, True History Brewing

Some places earn their reputation one pint at a time, and True History Brewing on St. Clair West (Toronto) is exactly that kind of place. Co-founders Matt Tompkins and Adam Shier have quietly built on...

9 Juni 1h 40min