F E AT U R E
Martha Lowry
Martha Lowry has been at Mill Street
Brewery and Distillery for fours years, starting
as a brewer before taking over the head
distiller position in 2016 (her predecessor
Kaitlin Vandenbosch is now Mill Street’s
master brewer).
Like Quinn, Lowry has a background
in science. She has two degrees, one in
Marine Biology from Dalhousie University
another in Horticulture from the University
of Guelph. While she has no formal training
in brewing and distilling, Lowry says she
was able to teach herself by pouring over
textbooks she purchased from the Heriot-
Watt program.
“Ever since I started going to school,
I loved science and math for sure, but I’m
also just a creative person,” she said. “I like
making things, so being able to do a job
where you get to do both is pretty ideal.”
“I love making spirits,” Lowry adds.
“It’s a beautiful combination of science,
drinks and flavours. I really love creating
new flavours.”
As head distiller at Mill Street, Lowry
has produced a unique slate of gins, bierschnaps
and whisky. “I’m also working on
some bitters for this year so we can do some
cocktail bitters, and then the rest of the
stuff is secret,” she said.
Lowry couldn’t be happier she chose
the craft distilling route.
“If I was at a big distillery, I’d probably
just be making the same product over and
over again, because you’re trying to make
a product with the same flavour that customers
are expecting,” she said. “With the
craft distilling, you get to play around a lot
because usually people are looking for something
a little different, unique or seasonal.”
Lowry says as spirits-making becomes
a bigger craft industry, there are more jobs
available and more creative opportunities
for people from all walks of life – including
more women.
“You’re starting to see more women
pop up for sure,” she said. “When I go to
conferences, I see more and more women
getting involved.”
Photo courtesy of Mill Street Brewery
SUMMER 2019 § POURED CANADA § 11
/www.glbc.com
