Historic Beer Birthday: Don Younger

Today would have been publican extraordinaire Don Younger’s 84th birthday. He ran the famed Horse Brass pub in Portland, Oregon, along with a few others, for many years. Don was a wonderful person and his early and continuing support of craft beer helped make Portland the great beer town it is today. As you undoubtedly recall, Don passed away unexpectedly in January, ten years ago, in 2011. Join me in wishing Don a very Happy birthday and raising a toast to his memory.

Me and Don outside on the street somewhere.

younger-silva — Don and Mark Silva, co-owner of realbeer.com and realbranding.com.

jewbel2 — Don Younger and me outside the Falling Rock in Denver, Colorado.

dyoung-1 — Don with braided hair with Shaun O’Sullivan from 21st Amendment Brewery.

10, 20, 30: The same year, Dave Keene (center) was celebrating his 20th anniversary, flanked by Don Younger (on the left), whose bar the Horse Brass in Portland celebrated its 30th anniversary, and Chris Black (on the right), whose Denver, Colorado bar, The Falling Rock, celebrated its 10th anniversary.

gabf07-48 — Don bookended by Robin and Jonathan Surratt, who ran beermapping.com, displaying his excellent taste in attire at the Falling Rock during GABF week 2007.

Comments

Jim F. says
July 11, 2007 at 4:55 pm
66? He doesn’t look a day over 100. Seriously, happy b-day to a true pioneer.
Mike Pierce says
July 11, 2010 at 12:10 pm
As Don often says “It’s not about the beer — it’s about the beer!
Happy Birthday Don – you’re a legend and a fun guy to share a beer with.
David Brattstrom says
July 11, 2011 at 12:10 pm
In Don’s Honor I will go have a pint at the Horsebrass today. Hopefully Youngers bitter is on cask.
Tom Gilles says
July 12, 2012 at 8:54 pm
Don,
You helped so many of us get to appreciate REAL BEER ! ! !
Tom Gilles
Greg Koch says
July 11, 2018 at 8:46 am
Don was an influence to say the least! He was ‘different’ in all the right ways. He found his own path, and then did his best to widen it so that others could join him on it. A true pioneer and publican extraordinaire!
Best to you Don…wherever you are. -Greg.

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