Many sports fans, particularly cricket fans, will know the name Gavin Hamilton. After starting his career in county cricket, his exploits for the Scotland team in the 1999 World Cup made the England selectors sit up and take notice.
He played one Test Match against South Africa before being dropped. However, after retiring from county cricket he now finds himself in the far more cut-throat world of brewing. He works full-time for Caledonian Brewery as a business development manager while continuing to play cricket.
He is currently playing for Scotland in the World Cup in the West Indies and The Publican caught up with him to talk about Deuchars, being a cask ambassador and those pesky Australians...
How did you get into the brewing industry?
Having known Stephen Crawley, Caledonian's managing director and Martin Kellaway, its sales director, through cricket, the opportunity came when still playing professionally for Durham. Needing to learn a trade in the off-season they appointed me in the post of looking after sales of Deuchars IPA in London while they interviewed for the permanent post.
What do you find the most challenging part of your job and how does it compare to the pressure of international cricket?
There are plenty of challenges to tackle, the hardest being, keeping everyone happy. And trying to get across to people how good Deuchars really is. The pressures are very similar in that you have to perform at all times, but my 'day job' doesn't attract public opinion on everything you do, unlike being a cricketer.
Which is your favourite of the beers you sell and why?
Deuchars IPA is by far my favourite purely because I never get bored of it. Although the new XPA is catching up.
Is cask ale a drink of choice for your team mates in international cricket? Or are they more lager boys?
Unfortunately they are mostly lager drinkers. But I have converted quite a few in recent times and they have stayed on track so far.
It's been a couple of days since you lost to Australia in your first World Cup match. Were you disappointed with your performance?
Having had a few chats to the lads, the feelings are of mixed emotions. There is always that sense that we could have and should have have done a lot better. But the feedback from the supporters out here is very positive and they had a great day out. We know we can perform a lot better and are really not doing ourselves justice. But we can't lose sight of the quality of opposition. I've played against some quality bowling attacks in the past but none as relentless as this one! Let's be honest, it's not all bad, we couldn't look in any direction without seeing Deuchars T-shirts or caps!
It's The Publican's round, what are you drinking?
Well, it would have to be a pint of good old Tetley's.
CV:
2007 - Plays for Scotland in the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies (versus Australia, South Africa and Holland)
2005 - Plays for Scotland (in the C&G Trophy) and Scottish Saltires. Captains East Bierley CC in the Bradford Cricket League
2005 - Retires from professional cricket. Joins Caledonian full time as business development manager (West Yorkshire & Cumbria)
2004 - Joins Durham County CC
2004 - Works for Caledonian Brewing Company during the off-season
1999-2000 - Represents England in Test Match v South Africa
1999 - Represents Scotland in the Cricket World Cup
1994 - Debuts for Yorkshire County Cricket Club