If you call the brewery, you’re likely to have a chat with brand new team member James Steel. Steelo has a wealth of experience across all aspects of our industry and will bring a huge amount of expertise to Renegade and our community. Our tagline is beer for the Renegade, Misfits and Adventurers and without a doubt, James is the latter, read on to find out why.
Full Name: James Steel
What do you like to be called? James or Steelo
Job Title: Customer Service Executive
How long have you been at Renegade and what were you up to before that?
I just started at Renegade this month, before that i was managing my family’s wine business, based in Wokingham.
How has your role/the business progressed since you’ve been here?
I only joined recently but have known the business for many years. It’s been great to see how the business has grown since the rebrand with a larger product range that kept some of the old favourites. I’m looking forward to seeing how the business progresses going forward.
What is your favourite Renegade Beer past or present?
Blackguard Nitro Stout.
What is your favourite style of beer or favourite non-Renegade beer?
I’ve always been a Guinness drinker, i love a good stout but i am partial to a hazy pale in the summer.
Most recent book you read?
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Last thing you listened to?
The Great Divide – Noah Kahan
Last film/series you watched?
I rewatched the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Hobbies or interests?
I have quite a large array of interests, from sports such as rugby and golf to travelling and attending music festivals/gigs. I love to cook and play video games, i love scuba diving and skiing and quite a few other things…
Best place you’ve travelled to and why does it stick in your memory?
This is a hard one because i’m lucky enough to have travelled quite a lot but the ones that really stand out are scuba diving in Thailand and Bali, camping at and walking along the Great Wall of China and visiting a dark sky reserve in New Zealand, i’ve seen the stars so clearly.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Favourite food to cook at home?
Slow cooked BBQ pulled pork, spicy rice and a rainbow slaw
Favourite food on the Taproom & Kitchen menu?
The pork belly bites or buffalo chicken wings.
Favourite local restaurant?
Sushi Maki in Newbury
Funniest/most interesting thing at work so far?
I loved spending some time with the brewing team and learning about the whole process.
Tell us something we probably don’t know about you.
I’m terrified of deep water which is ironic because i love to scuba dive, and i want to swim with whale sharks one day (they’re my favourite animal). Also i’ve done 3 bungee jumps.
What got you into the beer industry?
I have been working in the alcohol industry on and off since i was 18, mainly in wine but with loose ties to beer and i was always interested in moving from wine to beer, so here i am.
Dogs or cats?
I love both but i have a dog called Beau.
