Today is the 61st birthday of Chris Swersey, who used to be on the staff of the Brewers Association as the Competition Manager for both the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup. He coordinated all the judges, volunteers and the thousands of beers needed for each festival. It was a big job and Chris seemed to do it effortlessly. Plus, for several years, Chris and I both judged in Belgium at the Brussels Beer Challenge, which had been great fun. More recently, he got married and moved to Australia, and has gone back to brewing beer. Join me in wishing Chris a very happy birthday.
Eric and Lauren Salazar, both from New Belgium Brewing, sandwiched by Jim Crooks, from Firestone Walker, and Chris Swersey, Competition Manager for GABF judging.
Just before taking the stage during GABF 2007, from left, Glenn Payne (of Meantime Brewing), Charlie, Mark Dorber (formerly of the White Horse on Parson’s Green but now at the Anchor Pub), Garrett Oliver, and Steve Hindy (both from Brooklyn Brewing), Dave Alexander (from the Brickskeller), and Tom Dalldorf (from the Celebrator Beer News).
Some NBWA luminaries at the 2008 NBWA welcome reception. From left, Jamie Jurado (with Gambrinus), Lucy Saunders (the Beer Cook), Charlie Papazian (President of the Brewers Association), Kim Jordan (from New Belgium Brewing) and Tom Dalldorf (from the Celebrator Beer News).
Charlie with Pete Slosberg at the Craft Brewers Conference in San Francisco a few years ago.
On the floor at GABF in 2007, with Ray Daniels, Mark Dorber, publican extraordinaire, and John Mallet, from Bell’s Brewery.
With Nancy Johnson at CBC in New Orleans.
