Northern California

Beer Birthday: Rodger Davis

January 5, 2012

Today is Rodger Davis’ 42nd birthday, and “42″ being the meaning of life, this year should be a big one for Rodger. He’s about to leave his job as the head brewer at Triple Rock in Berkeley, California, and strike out on his own. Rodger is a terrific brewer and has been very active in [...]

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Damaged Lagunitas Equipment In Petaluma

January 2, 2012

When last we looked, the damaged Lagunitas brewing equipment was at the dock, at the Port of Stockton. Earlier today I stopped by the Lagunitas Brewery to pick up some samples for a tasting tomorrow for the Celebrator Beer News and, not surprisingly, the broken lauter tun was around the back of the brewery. Having [...]

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Beer Birthday: Fal Allen

January 2, 2012

Today is the birthday of Fal Allen, who returned to Anderson Valley Brewing last year, after living for four years in Singapore, where he built and ran a craft brewery for Archipelago Brewery, a division of Asia Pacific Breweries. He blogged about his exploits there on his Brewing in Singapore blog, but since returning stateside, [...]

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Beer Birthday: Rick Sellers

December 27, 2011

Today is the birthday of Rick Sellers, former beer director of DRAFT magazine and former parter with brewer Peter Hoey in the Odonata Beer Co., which sadly didn’t quite get off the ground. These days he’s back writing online at Pacific Brew News. Join me in wishing Rick a very happy birthday. Rick with Odonata [...]

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Beer Birthday: Barkley The Beer

December 26, 2011

Today is the 24th birthday of Barkley the Beer, the mascot of the Anderson Valley Brewing Co. in Boonville, California. Be sure to toast Barkley with a bottle (or can or draft) of your favorite Anderson Valley beer today. And join me in wishing Barkley a very happy birthday. Alice and Porter posing with Barkley [...]

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Beer Birthday: Merideth Canham-Nelson

December 9, 2011

Today is also the birthday of Merideth Canham-Nelson, the better half of The Beer Geek duo that also includes Chris Nelson. I’d tell you what birthday she’s celebrating this year, but I don’t actually know. Join me in wishing Merideth a very happy birthday. The first “official meeting” of the Bay Area Beer Bloggers. From [...]

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North Carolina Rebuffs Sierra Nevada

December 3, 2011

Sierra Nevada Brewing sells its beer in all fifty states, and has sold increasingly more over the last few years. Not surprisingly, there have been rumors circulating for some time about them building a brewery farther east, in such places as Tennessee and Virginia. It seems they had also identified a site in Black Mountain, [...]

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Beer Birthday: Crazy Dave Heist

November 27, 2011

Today is also the 55th birthday of “Crazy” Dave Heist, former owner of Hoptown Brewing in Pleasanton, California. Dave was brewing at Santa Cruz Aleworks for a time, but is now happily retired, at least for the time being. Join me in wishing Dave a very happy birthday. Out in front of The Bistro in [...]

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Damaged Lagunitas Brewing Equipment At The Dock

November 27, 2011

You may recall that earlier this month, the Lagunitas Brewhouse [Was] Destroyed At Sea. Lagunitas owner Tony Magee, through his Twitter Feed, just posted a number of new photos of the equipment as it arrived at the Port of Stockton this weekend. I’d say my usual “enjoy,” but it’s a little on the painful-to-see side. [...]

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Mastering The Lagunitas Butterfly Bottle Opener

November 21, 2011

Curious how to properly use a butterfly beer opener? Not to worry, Lagunitas has your back. Watch and learn, grasshopper.

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Beer Birthday: Peter Hoey

November 18, 2011

Today is the 32nd birthday of Peter Hoey, who used to be the brewmaster at Sacramento Brewing, but then left to launch a new brewery, Odonata Beer Co., with Rick Sellers. Unfortunately it’s been a rough year for Peter but he’s landed on his feet and is now working happily at Brewers Supply Group, taking [...]

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Beer Birthday: Ken Grossman

November 11, 2011

Today is the 57th birthday of Ken Grossman, who founded Sierra Nevada Brewing in 1980. I can’t say too much about how much Ken has done and continues to do for the craft beer industry, while at the same time being wildly successful. Join me in wishing Ken a very happy birthday. Ken with two [...]

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Lagunitas Brewhouse Destroyed At Sea

November 4, 2011

Ouch. As many of you probably know, Lagunitas Brewing is in the process of installing a new 250-barrel brewhouse, but there may be a bit of a delay. Apparently the brewhouse was on its way to California, tied down on the top of the deck in the Caribbean, when a storm hit the cargo ship. [...]

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Beer Birthday: Glynn Phillips

October 26, 2011

Today is also the birthday of Glynn Phillips, owner of Rubicon Brewing in Sacramento. Glynn’s a great champion for craft beer and has done quite a lot for the cause. Glynn is also very active in both the California Small Brewers Association and the Northern California Brewers Guild. Join me in wishing Glynn a very [...]

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Beer Birthday: Sean Paxton

October 20, 2011

Today is the 39th birthday of Sean Paxton, a.k.a. The Homebrew Chef. Sean is an alchemist in the kitchen and puts on some wonderful food and beer spectacles. Plus he’s a terrific homebrewer, an even better human being and a great friend. Join me in wishing Sean a very happy birthday. At this year’s Great [...]

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Beer Birthday: Barbara Groom

October 10, 2011

Today is the birthday of Barbara Groom, co-founder of Lost Coast Brewing in Eureka, California. I first met Barbara when I was the beer buyer at BevMo in the mid-1990s and our paths have crossed on occasion ever since. She makes terrific beers and her brewery recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Join me in wishing [...]

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