What transforms a casual brewing hobby into a medal-winning passion? For Jon Martin of Marfly Brewing Co., the answer lies in dedication, proper equipment, and never forgetting why you started brewing in the first place.
We caught up with Jon to explore his remarkable home brewing setup and discover the secrets behind his competition success. His story weaves together family heritage, technical precision, and that uniquely European appreciation for brewing as both craft and art.
A Legacy Rekindled: Where Brewing Dreams Begin
Jon's brewing journey began with a family tale that many European brewers will recognise – the cautionary story of explosive bottles and midnight disasters. His grandfather's brief encounter with beer making ended rather dramatically in 1978, leaving behind only stories and a lesson about pressure management.
Twenty-five years later, an article about brewing sparked something in Jon. "I decided to try making beer for myself, thinking that maybe I could redeem my grandfather's efforts in beer making," he reflects. It's the kind of generational brewing story that connects us all to our brewing heritage.
The brewery name, Marfly Brewing Company, honours the Martin family tradition. "Everything I do in life is always related to my family," Jon explains – a sentiment that resonates deeply with the European brewing community's emphasis on tradition and family craft.
Precision Engineering: Two Years of Planning Excellence
Jon's approach to building his brewery reflects the methodical precision we admire in European engineering. His competitive nature demanded nothing less than a system capable of producing consistent results across every beer style.
"I wanted a system that would allow me to consistently make any style of beer, over and over with little to no differences in taste," Jon tells us. After two years of careful evaluation, his choice was clear: the G30.
This wasn't impulse buying – it was calculated decision-making based on performance, reliability, and the kind of engineering excellence that European brewers have come to expect from their equipment.
The Science of Brew Day: Jon's Systematic Approach
Jon's brew day methodology reads like a masterclass in preparation and execution. His systematic approach ensures every variable is controlled, every step optimised.
Pre-Brewing Preparation:
- Verify reverse osmosis water tank capacity (matching recipe requirements)
- Pre-measure and organise all brewing additives
- Prepare yeast starters 3-5 days prior to brewing
Brewing Day Protocol:
- Transfer yeast starter to refrigeration at 9:00 AM
- Establish iPad connectivity with Grainfather controller
- Conduct pre-brewing equipment diagnostics
- Execute recipe programming with precision timing
Fermentation Transition:
- Complete wort cooling using integrated chilling system
- Transfer to Conical Fermenter for controlled fermentation
- Temperature-match yeast preparation
- Implement oxygenation before yeast pitching
Jon's equipment philosophy is brilliantly practical: "It's better to find a pump that needs attention before you have hot water in the kettle." Prevention trumps cure every time.
Batch Management and Embracing Early Mistakes
Jon maintains consistent 19-litre batches, recognising the sweet spot between manageability and efficiency. His reasoning demonstrates the kind of practical thinking European brewers value: smaller batches create temperature control challenges, whilst larger volumes approach equipment limitations.
What sets Jon apart is his honesty about early failures. His first three batches were, in his words, "horrible." Yet these disasters became the foundation for his later success – a reminder that mastery emerges from perseverance through initial setbacks.
Style Mastery Over Commercial Replication
Rather than chasing commercial clones, Jon focuses on perfecting traditional beer styles. "I like to make a style of beer, not necessarily a clone of a commercial beer," he explains. This approach aligns beautifully with European brewing philosophy – respect the tradition, perfect the technique.
His signature style? Saison. "It's the one beer that is easy to make, and all of my friends seem to enjoy." There's something wonderfully European about choosing a style that brings people together, emphasising community over complexity.
The Power of Brewing Partnerships
Jon never brews alone, understanding that brewing excellence emerges from shared knowledge and collaborative learning. "It doesn't matter if the brewer has more or less experience than you. You will always learn something from the conversations you have," he observes.
His mentor relationship with Chris Humble exemplifies the European guild tradition of master-apprentice knowledge transfer. Jon credits Chris as instrumental in his brewing improvement, acknowledging the questions answered "multiple times" – patience being a virtue in brewing education.
The Red Rice Brew Krewe represents the community aspect that European brewers cherish. Jon encourages finding local brewing groups or creating them – the knowledge sharing that happens over shared pints is invaluable.
Designing Your Dream Brewery: Jon's Planning Framework
Planning a home brewery requires the same attention to detail that European architects bring to cathedral construction. Jon's systematic approach prevents costly mistakes:
Phase One: Accurate space measurement and documentation Phase Two: Complete equipment specification with precise dimensions Phase Three: Multiple design iterations on paper Phase Four: Peer review from experienced brewers Phase Five: Final refinement until perfect space utilisation
"You will need to make several drawings before you get a good working idea of what will work for the space you have," Jon advises. The planning phase demands patience, but rewards with efficiency and functionality.
Competition Glory and Continued Ambition
Jon's brewing pinnacle came with his Munich Dunkle – first in category and third best of show. This achievement validates years of dedicated improvement and systematic approach to brewing excellence.
His ultimate goal? "First Place Best of Show" – the kind of ambitious target that drives continuous improvement. With his complete Grainfather system, Jon believes brewing possibilities are truly endless.
Post-retirement dreams include operating a beer garden featuring his own creations alongside local brewers' offerings – a wonderfully European vision of community brewing culture.
Perfect Pairings and Brewing Philosophy
Jon's ideal combination pairs Porter House steak with cold Saison – a pairing that demonstrates his understanding of how great beer enhances dining experiences, much like wine pairing traditions in European culture.
Essential Advice for Every Brewer
Jon's final wisdom cuts to the heart of brewing improvement: "No matter what level of experience you have in brewing, place your beer in a competition. The lessons you will learn from a seasoned judge are endless."
Competition participation isn't about winning medals – it's about accelerated learning through expert evaluation. Whether you're bottling your first batch or refining decades of experience, competition feedback provides invaluable insights for continued improvement.
Jon's journey from explosive family stories to medal-winning excellence demonstrates what's possible with dedication, proper equipment, and systematic approach to brewing craft.
L'équipe du Grainfather
