Jehad Hatu is the owner of Grunting Growler craft beer shop in Glasgow's West End.

Writing for The Herald, he is dedicated to helping you find your next favourite beer by providing fresh and exciting new recommendations each week.

Before selecting his first trio of brews, he has taken the time to introduce himself and share his journey into all things beer.

I was born and raised just outside Chicago, but my childhood was anything but ordinary. With a Scottish mum and Palestinian dad, I experienced life on three continents before turning 10. From a year in Scotland (second grade) to a stint in Palestine (third grade), and then back to the Chicago suburbs, my upbringing was a tapestry of cultures and experiences that shaped the way I see the world.

Chicagoland was home until I turned 18, when I packed my bags for southern Illinois to start university. After a detour to Indiana University, life threw me another curveball. When the cost of education in the States became too steep, I made the leap to Scotland, searching for a more affordable path to finishing my degree.

That plan didn’t go as expected—residency rules and health complications had other ideas—but sometimes life’s detours lead to the best destinations. Scotland has been my home ever since, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Pictured: Jehad Hatu at Grunting Growler in Glasgow's West End (Image: Newsquest)

During my time at Indiana University, I landed a job at Outback Steakhouse. While the food wasn’t destined for a Michelin star, the place taught me the true meaning of hospitality. Their rigorous training program—shadowing senior staff, taking exams, and supervised shifts—gave me a deep appreciation for crafting memorable guest experiences. That foundation became the bedrock of my 15-year career in hospitality.

It was also during........

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