(Editor’s Note: At Work With is a weekly feature focusing on different types of occupations.)
It started out as a hobby.
“About 13 or 14 years ago, I started homebrewing,” said Adam Fulmer, the head brewer at Savannah River Brewing Co. “I seemed to have a knack for it. They turned out pretty good, and I won a few awards.”
Fulmer had a mechanical background working with heating and cooling systems, spending 17 years in the industry. In May 2017, he took a leap of faith and joined the Savannah River Brewing Co., which was only a couple of months old at the time.
“It was a hard thing to do, but this is what I wanted,” he said.
As the head brewer, he’s worked to develop the company’s signature brews. Ann Wohlstadter is the assistant brewer by title, but Fulmer said he simply calls her “brewer” because they work together.
“We’re a small brewery,” he said.
Some of the signature brews include No Jacket Required, Swamp Thing, Dynamite Brown Ale and Garden City Kolsch.
While it was a tough decision to leave his former profession. Fulmer said the move to becoming a brewer was worth it. He receives satisfaction in the brews Savannah River Brewing Co. produces.
“Beer – that in and of itself is the reward. I get to be part of it,” he said. “You get to create and craft something.”
A new brew Fulmer has worked on for about a year will raise money for cancer research. Called “Happy to Help,” the strawberry blonde ale should be available by late July or early August.
Fulmer said that mechanical background has come in handy too when working with the brewing equipment. If there are problems, he can put his skill to use.
Not only does he enjoy making the beer, he likes the atmosphere at the Savannah River Brewing Co. and meeting the people who frequent it.
“I like to talk to people. I try to make myself available for homebrewers who want to talk about brewing,” he said.
The Savannah River Brewing Co. is located at 813 15th St. and is open from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
