Febrewary we’re showcasing Mark “Ya’Done” Lovallo, our legend in Boston. Enough Said.
Q: How long have you lived in the Boston area? What is it about the city that you love?
A: My whole life. I grew north of Boston and haven’t lived more than 45 minutes outside of the city center.
Q: What do you love about beer?
A: The way it brings people together – making it, talking about it, and best of all, drinking it.
Q: How long have you worked for City Brew Tours?
A: Almost 2 years.
Q: Do you remember your first day?
A: No, but negotiating Boston traffic while talking and fielding questions has gotten a lot easier since I started.
“I approach beer recipes the same way I approach food recipes – I’ll look up three or four, then mix and match.”
Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?
A: When someone that tells me they’re not a beer drinker at the beginning of a tour ends up drinking every sample I put in front of them. It happens a lot more than you might think. Introducing people to new things, beer or otherwise, is one of my favorite things.
Q: Do you have any beer-drinking tips?
A: Bottle, keg or can: either way you get it, beer goes in a glass. Aroma is big part of beer. Don’t block you nose – you’ll only get part of the story.
“Viking Chess – look it up – you’re welcome.”
Q: Are you a home brewer?
A:When I have the time – yes. My favorites have usually been in the nut brown family. I love maltier beers. They have a tenancy to condition into better things weeks after racking. I approach beer recipes the same way I approach food recipes – I’ll look up three or four, then mix and match.
When I don’t have time to brew – I ferment cider. I make a mean cranberry ginger cider.
Q: What is your current favorite beer? Beer-drinking activity?
A:Jack’s Abby House Lager – Straight forward, sessionable, everyday drinker. Never disappoints.
Activity: Grilling, cornhole, Kubb (AKA: Viking Chess – look it up – you’re welcome.)
Q: What could someone catch you doing in your spare time?
A: Playing 18 holes of disc golf. Sleeping.