Today is the 52nd birthday of Ken Kelley, brewer at North Coast Brewing in Fort Bragg. Ken is the guy you see at the majority of beer festivals that North Coast participates in, as well as even some of the ones that they don’t. He’s a terrific ambassador for the brewery, and for craft beer more generally, as well as a great person to hang out with. Join me in wishing Ken a very happy birthday.

Then-Triple Rock GM Rachaal with Ken at the Firkin Fest in 2008.

Ken and a colleague, both sporting pink hair, at the Breastfest in 2007.

Ken, who was responsible for the Old Rasputin X Imperial Stout, which was aged in old bourbon barrels for at least nine months, showing off a bottle along with Ruby and Tom Dalldorf at the Boonville Beer Festival 2007.

A few weeks ago visiting the brewery, Ken with North Coast founder Mark Ruedrich.