Meet Ilya Shishov | Homebrewer/LevovCraft

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ilya Shishov and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ilya, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am originally from a country where beer has always been a part of the culture. Many believe that Russia is famous for its vodka, but in reality, it’s a misconception that every Russian prefers this drink. Young people are increasingly leaning towards low-alcohol beverages like beer or wine. As is often the case, prices for quality beer are quite high, and many varieties are simply unavailable in Russia. So, often when I bought craft beer, something seemed off compared to what I expected. This sparked my desire to learn more and try different options.

I began to study the beer market, its peculiarities, geography, origin, and the brewing process. With each step, I learned more about the variety of styles, ingredients, and brewing methods. Soon, the idea came to me: “I want to brew my own beer!” And that’s how my journey began.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My introduction to brewing happened five years ago when I asked a friend for help. He had a large pot with a filter and a portable induction stove. I purchased all the necessary ingredients (malt, yeast, and hops) and got to work. Hours of waiting, filtering, straining, and finally, brewing. After 8 hours, the first beer was ready. I had no idea what to expect because it would take a few more weeks from brewing to bottling. After bottling, there was another week for carbonation. Finally, the moment of truth arrived, and we could taste my first brewed beer. To our surprise, it turned out to be just as good as expensive branded beer. It was dense, with a pleasant spicy aroma, and excellent foam. It was a regular wheat beer, but it was special to me.

The whole process turned out to be exciting and captivating. I began to experiment with different recipes, ingredients, and techniques, learning how to control temperature pauses and fermentation processes. Experimenting with recipes, learning from more experienced brewers, and attempts helped me create beer not only for myself but also for my friends.

This was a true turning point in my life. I felt the satisfaction of creating something unique and my own. Over time, this hobby transformed into a passion. I started participating in competitions and even earned top prizes. My beer was highly appreciated by experts in the field.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In addition to my various hobbies, I am a big fan of fishing. So, equipped with fishing rods, we would head to the pier first to catch some fish. (P.S. Don’t forget to buy a fishing license if you plan to fish somewhere other than the pier 🎣).

Furthermore, I really enjoy hiking. One of my favorite places for hiking is the “Eaton Canyon Trail.” The trail takes about two hours and leads through rocks and mountain streams. The key is not to be afraid to get your feet wet, but it’s totally worth it! When we reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent view of a waterfall! I highly recommend everyone to visit this place.

And since we’re talking about brewing, we would definitely visit a place called All Season Brewing. It’s a microbrewery not far from me with a great selection of beer and tasty snacks. October is a fantastic month for beer enthusiasts, even though we’re not in Germany where Oktoberfest is celebrated, during this time, you can try various beer styles from around the world. 🍻

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to express my gratitude to my family and friends, especially my mother, who had a challenging time dealing with me. I’ve always had a lot of interests, and she has consistently supported me, and I believe she would be proud of me. The support of loved ones has always been my cornerstone. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by people who pursued their hobbies and turned them into something wonderful. Drawing inspiration from their experiences and relying on my curiosity, I’m always ready to take on new challenges, which are often encountered on the path of any endeavor. It’s this quality that has allowed me to overcome obstacles and find success in the world of brewing.

Speaking of inspiration, once I visited Prague, where I had the opportunity to tour the famous Pilsner Urquell brewery. Their history and brewing process sparked my desire to create something significant. This is how my first commercial batch came to be. My beer was sold in the finest bars in Moscow and received high ratings on the popular Untappd app (a social network for beer enthusiasts, bars, and brewers, featuring almost every beer in the world).

Additionally, I was inspired to create new recipes by the Russian River brewery, whose beer was recognized as one of the best in the world. I hope that one day my beer will achieve similar recognition. I genuinely want to share it with people and pass on my knowledge because I see great potential in this endeavor.

Website: https://untappd.com/Carvalol

Instagram: instagram.com/cornivorius/