Beer Birthday: Mark Edelson

March 11, 2014 By Jay Brooks 3 Comments

Today is the 50th birthday of Mark Edelson, a co-founder and the managing partner of Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, a small brewpub chain that operates ten brewpubs in the tri-state area of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Mark’s been a vocal and active member of the brewing community, especially around his mid-Atlantic home but also through the BA, too. Join me in wishing Mark a very happy birthday.

Toasting the Class of ’96: Greg Koch, Mark, Bill Covaleski, Tom Kehoe, Gene Muller & Sam Calagione at the “Older Bud No Weiser” event during Philly Beer Week several years ago.

Carol and Ed Stoudt with Mark at the opening event for the first Philly Beer Week.

Mark on stage with Bob Barrar and Charlie Papazaian at the 2007 GABF.

A great night For Mark during GABF week in the basement of the Falling Rock near the end of a very good evening.

Beer Birthday: Tonya Cornett

March 4, 2014 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

Today is Tonya Cornett’s 45th birthday. Tonya was the brewmaster of Bend Brewing in Oregon, for a number of years, but not too long ago moved to another Bend brewery — 10 Barrel Brewing — to become their R&D brewer. She was featured prominently in the film, The Love of Beer. Tonya’s a great brewer and, of course, being born 1 day and ten years after me makes her a terrific human being, too. Join me in wishing Tonya a very happy birthday.

Tonya and me during a visit to Bend a couple of summers ago.

Tonya at GABF in 2008.

Tonya with Larry Horwitz from Iron Hill at the 2009 GABF.

With Tomme Arthur of Port Brewing/The Lost Abbey at Falling Rock in Denver.
(Special thanks to Sage from the Lost Abbey for photos 2 and 4.)

Elva Ellen Kowald, Tonya and Teri Fahrendorf at the Craft Brewers Conference in Chicago.

Beer Birthday: Danny Williams

March 1, 2014 By Jay Brooks 1 Comment

Today would have been Danny Williams’ 54th birthday today, having been born exactly two days before yours truly in 1959. Unfortunately, Danny lost a battle with cancer a little over two years ago, and passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 23, 2012. For over a decade, Danny worked for the Brewers Association as the beer competition manager for both the Great American Beer Festival and/or the World Beer Cup. Danny left behind two grown children and an 8-year old son, Fletcher. Join me in raising a birthday beer and giving a toast to the memory of Danny Williams tonight. Danny would have wanted it that way.

Danny Williams and a friend at the World Beer Cup dinner in Chicago two years ago.

Tom Nickel (owner of O’Brien’s in San Diego), Nancy Johnson, Director of GABF and Danny at Slow Food Nation 2008 in San Francisco.

Danny in the former goldmine beer cellar.

Danny’s Angels, after a BA event.

Beer Birthday: Knut Albert

February 28, 2014 By Jay Brooks 1 Comment

Today, it’ also the 54th birthday of Knut Albert Solem from Oslo, Norway, who has one of the premiere beer blogs in Scandinavia, Knut Albert’s Beer Blog. Though I’ve never met him in person, we have corresponded a time or two through blog comments and I certainly enjoy his perspective on beer. Join me in wishing Knut a very happy birthday.

Hoisting a pint (photo nicked from Knut’s Facebook page).

Knut near water (ditto).

Beer Birthday: Jeff Bell

February 28, 2014 By Jay Brooks 3 Comments

Today is the 35th birthday of Jeff Bell, whose alter ego was, until a few years ago, Stonch, one of England’s best bloggers. He retired from blogging to concentrate on his new job as landlord of a London pub, The Gunmakers, in Clerkenwell, a village in the heart of London. I stopped by to meet Jeff on my way back from a trip to Burton-on-Trent a few years ago. And four years back, I saw Jeff several times during GBBF week. Join me in wishing Jeff a very happy birthday.

Jeff Bell, a.k.a. Stonch, at The Gunmakers Pub in central London.

With a Gunmaker’s bartender at the British Beer Writers Guild event before the start of the Great British Beer Festival in 2009.

In front of Gunmaker’s in the summer of 2009.

Beer Birthday: Art Larrance

February 26, 2014 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

Today is the 70th birthday of Art Larrance, co-founder of the Oregon Brewers Festival, and also a co-founder of Portland Brewing, too. Art later started the Raccoon Lodge, in 1998, and more recently launched the Cascade Barrel Brewing House to concentrate on sour beers. In 2012, Art was named Restaurateur of the Year by the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association. But I know him best for his continuing work on OBF, which he’s been doing since the beginning of time, or at least 1988. Join me in wishing Art a very happy birthday.

Jamie Emmerson, from Full Sail, with Art at the OBF Parade in 2009.

Rick Lyke, me, Art and Charles Willet at OBF in 2011.

Pedicab leading the OBF Parade with Grand Marshall Fred Eckhardt and Art in 2011.

Beer Birthday: Fred Bueltmann

February 22, 2014 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

Today is Fred Bueltmann’s 45th birthday. Fred is a partner in New Holland Brewing, and works their sales and distribution side. He’s also a self-styled Beervangelist and will soon be publishing the “Beervangelist’s Guide to the Galaxy,” which was successfully funded on Kickstarter. I’ve met Fred several times over the years but got to know him a lot better at GABF a couple of years ago, when it seemed like we judged together on every other session, and had a marvelous time in between rounds. Join me in wishing Fred a very happy birthday.

Fred’s promo shot for his Beervangelist book.

With Carolyn Smagalski at Wynkoop during GABF last year. (“borrowed” from her Facebook page, thanks Carolyn).

Beer Birthday: Meg Gill

February 21, 2014 By Jay Brooks 2 Comments

Today is the birthday of Meg Gill, founder and owner, along with Tony Yanow, of Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles. Things at the brewery appear to be going swimmingly and by all accounts the brewery’s cans are selling like hotcakes. Meg is also the former national sales manager for Speakeasy Ales & Lagers in San Francisco. When I first met Meg she was working for Oskar Blues, and later she organized the Opening Gala for SF Beer Week in years two and three, a Herculean undertaking. Meg is one of the best beer ambassadors for the industry I’ve ever met, so her continued success is understandable and well-deserved. Join me in wishing Meg a very happy birthday.

Justin Crossley, from the Brewing Network, with Meg at the 22nd Celebrator Anniversary Party in 2010.

Speakeasy owner Forest Gray, Brian Lenzo, from Blue Palms in L.A., and Meg at a Speakeasy Anniversary event several years ago.

Faction’s (then Triple Rock’s) Rodger Davis, struggling to keep the sun out of his eyes, with Meg at the Sour Fest.

Meg and me at SF Beer Week’s Opening Gala a few years ago. (Photo by Mike Condie.)

Beer Birthday: Chris Black

February 19, 2014 By Jay Brooks 6 Comments

Chris Black, who along with his brother, owns the Falling Rock, the best beer bar in Denver and HQ for beer people during GABF, turns 51 today. Chris is a great guy and one of a handful of Publicans across the country doing things right when it comes to beer. Join me in wishing Chris a very happy birthday.

Chris and me toward the end of the night at GABF a few years ago.

Vinnie Cilurzo from Russian River Brewing with Chris at the Celebrator’s 18th Anniversary Party.

Shaun O’Sullivan (21st Amendment), Judy Ashworth (Publican Emeritus) and Chris at Falling Rock during GABF in 2006.

Megan Flynn, of the now-defunct Beer NW (later Beer West), with Chris at the end of GABF Week in 2009.

Beer Birthday: Larry Sidor

February 18, 2014 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

Today is Larry Sidor’s 64th birthday. Larry brewed for a long time at the Olympia Brewery in Washington before moving on to Deschutes Brewing Co. in Bend, Oregon. He left Deschutes at the end of 2011 to strike out on his own, and opened the Crux Fermentation Project, which is also in Bend. Larry’s a great brewer, of course, and an even nicer person. Join me in wishing Larry a very happy birthday.

Steven Pauwels (Boulevard Brewing), me, Mark Campbell, Larry and Lisa Morrison at Apex in Portland during OBF two summers ago.

Larry with Alan Sprints (from Hair of the Dog) and Gary Fish (owner of Deschutes) at their downtown Bend brewpub when we visited there a couple of years ago on a family vacation.

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