Beer Birthday: Eric Warner

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Jay Brooks

Today is the 49th birthday of Eric Warner. Eric founded Tabernash Brewing in Colorado, and later ran Flying Dog Brewing, until they moved their operations to Maryland. He’s also the author of two brewing books, German Wheat Beer and Kolsch: History, Brewing Techniques, Recipes. More recently, he moved to Houston to be the brewmaster (although his official title is “Yeast Rancher”) at Karbach Brewing. I first met Eric at Tabernash, a million years ago, and several times since then, though for some odd reason I can’t locate any photos. Join me in wishing Eric a very happy birthday.

Eric sitting for a local Texas magazine, 022Houston, about Menspiration.

Beer Birthday: Gary Glass

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Jay Brooks

Today is the 40th birthday of Gary Glass, Director of the American Homebrewers Association. Gary’s been with the Brewers Association for many a moon and has become the face of homebrewing in America. Join me in wishing Gary a very happy birthday. And relax, drink a homebrew, if you have one.

Gary at Anchor Brewery with his wife Erin after an AHA rally there in 2008.

Gary talking with Fred Eckhardt at Hopworks Urban Brewery, flanked by Christian Ettinger and Brian Butenschoen, Oregon Brewers Guild Director. Photo by Oregon Brewers Guild.

Beer Birthday: Danny Williams

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Jay Brooks

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 a year 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: Chris Black

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Jay Brooks

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 50 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 Beer NW (Now Beer West), with Chris at the end of GABF Week in 2009.

Beer Birthday: Marty Jones

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Jay Brooks

Today is my friend and colleague Marty Jones’ birthday, though how old the eternally young Mr. Jones may be is anybody’s guess. In addition to beer journalist, Marty is administrator of the Beer Drinker of the Year Contest, a musician, and much else. Join me in wishing Marty a very happy birthday.

Marty Jones — along with his Brewbadors — entertaining the faithful with his original beer-soaked tunes at the Falling Rock during GABF week 2007.

Marty toasting me at the 2002 Great American Beer Festival.

Marty serenading the crowd during a seminar on marketing for brewpubs that he gave at the 2007 CBC

Beer Birthday: John Hickenlooper

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Jay Brooks

Today is the 61st birthday of Governor of Colorado — and former Denver mayor — John Hickenlooper. John was also the co-founder of Wynkoop Brewery in Denver’s LoDo District, and in fact is credited with helping to revitalize the whole area. After being a popular, and by all accounts very effective mayor, for several years, he was elected as the Governor of Colorado. John’s been great for Denver, Colorado and craft brewing. Join me in wishing John a very happy birthday.

George Wendt, Nancy Johnson & John at the Great American Beer Festival three years ago.

With Ken Allen, from Anderson Valley Brewing, and Dave Buehler, from Elysian Brewing at GABF several years ago.

Beer Birthday: Erin Fay Glass

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Jay Brooks

Today is also the 42nd birthday of Erin Fay Glass, Membership Coordinator and Brewery Detective at the Brewers Association. Erin is one of my favorite people in the BA, and the whole beer community for that matter. Join me in wishing her a very happy birthday.

Two November 18ths ago, Maya Ryleigh was born to Erin and Gary Glass.

Erin with husband Gary Glass, AHA director.

Gary Glass, Erin and Bradley Lantham, from the BA, at Anchor for an AHA Rally.

Gary, Maya and Erin. (Photo purloined from Facebook.)

Beer Birthday: Charlie Papazian

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Jay Brooks

Today is the 64th birthday of Charlie Papazian, one of the most influential persons in modern brewing. Charlie founded the AHA, the AOB and the IBS back in 1978 (which today is the Brewers Association) and organized the first Great American Beer Festival. His book, the Complete Joy of Homebrewing was one of the seminal works on the subject, and is now in its third edition. Join me in wishing Charlie a very happy birthday.

My favorite press photo of Charlie.

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).

On stage at the Beer Wars Live premiere with Ben Stein and Greg Koch.

Charlie with Pete Slosberg at last year’s Craft Brewers Conference in San francisco.

Of the literally hundreds of GABF and World beer Cup award-accepting photos I have with Charlie in them, this is one of my favorites.

Beer Birthday: Nancy Johnson

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Jay Brooks

Today is Nancy Johnson’s birthday. Nancy is the Events Director for the Brewers Association, which includes being the director of the Great American Beer Festival, among others. She’s been doing that thankless job for a lot of years now and always manages to keep a smile on her face. Join me in wishing Nancy a very happy birthday.

George Wendt, Nancy, and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper at the 2009 GABF Awards Ceremony.

Nancy with Chris Black, the owner of Falling Rock, at GABF in 2006.

With Tom McCormick, from the CSBA, at the Roadhouse in Boston, Mass.

Tom Nickel (owner of O’Brien’s in San Diego), Nancy and Danny Williams, also from the Brewers Association, at Slow Food Nation 2008 in San Francisco.

Fairy Tale Labels From the Brothers Grimm

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Jay Brooks

Like most kids, I read (or had read to me) a lot of fables and fairy tales growing up. But a class I took in college on them reinvigorated my love of the genre, and I’ve continued to be a fan of fables ever since. Today, I have about two long shelves dedicated to collections of fairy tales from around the world, including the complete Brothers Grimm and an annotated volume of their more well-known tales. So I was excited to see the labels for the Grimm Brothers Brewhouse of Loveland, Colorado. The brewery opened in mid-2010 but somehow escaped my notice until recently. I don’t know if any of the brewery owners are brothers, or even named Grimm, but I’m guessing not, because their names are not readily available at the website or their Facebook page. But they’re certainly using the mythology of the Grimm stories to great effect in their beer names and especially the artwork, created by Ten Fold Collective, a local graphic design firm.

I just love the graphics for their labels. All of their packaging just looks amazing. I know that good packaging won’t mask a subpar beer for long, but it will enhance a good beer’s reputation and will help any beer stand out on increasingly crowded retail shelves. If their beer is only half as good as the packaging, it should be terrific. But it’s best to find out. Loveland is only about an hour north of Denver, on the way to Fort Collins. I definitely have to make a point to get out there during GABF week next year.

Here’s what the bottles look like, followed by close-ups of the labels themselves: