Sign In

John Pemberton

Founder & CEO of the Heart of Darkness Brewery

John Pemberton is the Founder and CEO of Heart of Darkness Brewery, a craft beer company based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He founded the brewery in 2016 and has been leading it since then.13

Prior to starting Heart of Darkness, Pemberton had a diverse career:

  1. He worked for IKEA Group as a Business Development Manager for Synthetic Textiles and Deputy Trading Area Manager in Vietnam from 2013 to 2016.1

  2. He held positions such as General Manager at Source Direct International and Operations Manager at Yulan (Carillion).1

  3. Pemberton has experience in the construction industry, having co-founded Clear Solutions Group, a construction management systems consulting and implementation company in New York from 2001 to 2005.1

Pemberton's background includes:

  • Education: He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies with First Class Honours from the University of Westminster.1
  • International experience: Born in Australia and raised in the UK, Pemberton has lived in Asia for a considerable time.2

Under Pemberton's leadership, Heart of Darkness has grown significantly:

  • The brewery has won 25 international medals.4
  • It distributes beer throughout Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Cambodia, New Zealand, Australia, and Finland.4
  • The company has collaborated with other renowned breweries like Magic Rock Brewing, Little Creatures Brewery, Gweilo Beer, and Behemoth Brewing Company.4

Pemberton is known for his passion for craft beer and his commitment to experimentation and quality in brewing. He emphasizes the importance of using a variety of hops and creating approachable yet flavorful beers.3

Highlights

Apr 3 · en.wikipedia.org
Heart of Darkness (brewery) - Wikipedia
Oct 16 · Michael Kiser
Waiting for a “Year of Change” — How Thai Brewers are Fighting Against a Government-Backed Beer Duopoly — Good Beer Hunting - Michael Kiser
May 18 · Bangkok Post
Small brewers pour into Vietnam - Bangkok Post
Nov 9 · vietcetera.com
Heart of Darkness Craft Brewery: Building An Asian Craft Beer Empire
Episode 67: Craft Beer in Vietnam with John Pemberton
Episode 67: Craft Beer in Vietnam with John Pemberton

Related Questions

What inspired John Pemberton to start Heart of Darkness Brewery?
How did John Pemberton's background in IKEA influence his brewery?
What are the most popular beers at Heart of Darkness Brewery?
How has the craft beer scene in Ho Chi Minh City evolved since Heart of Darkness opened?
What challenges did John Pemberton face when starting the brewery?
John Pemberton
John Pemberton, photo 1
John Pemberton, photo 2
Add to my network

Location

Vietnam