Today is the 40th birthday of Jamie Floyd, co-owner/brewer of Ninkasi Brewing in Eugene, Oregon. Jamie has been a fixture in the Oregon brewing scene for many years, having brewed at Steelhead Brewing, also in Eugene, before opening Ninkasi with Nikos Ridge in 2006. Join me in wishing Jamie a very happy birthday.
Jamie at Magnolia for SF Beer Week in 2011.
At the Oregon Brewers Festival in 2006.
Jamie, with John Maier, from Rogue Brewing, and Nikos Ridge, also from Ninkasi, at the Sasquatch Brew Fest in 2007.
Jamie at last year’s GABF.
Justin Crossley, of the Brewing Network, with Jamie at the Opening Gala for the 2010 SF Beer Week.
Today is the 49th birthday of Jamie Emmerson, one of the founders, and the original brewmaster, of Full Sail Brewing. Now the Executive Brewmaster, Jamie steers the ship of Full Sail along with his wife and co-founder Irene. Jamie is a terrific person and active promoter of craft beer and the local beer community everywhere, but especially in Oregon. Join me in wishing Jamie a very happy birthday.
Jamie with Art Larrance at the OBF Parade in 2009.
Barney Brennan, me Jamie and Irene Fermat at SAVOR in Washington, DC last year.
With the ceremonial hammer at the opening of OBF in 2008.
Today is Kurt Widmer’s 60th birthday. Kurt is, of course, one of the bros in Widmer Brothers. He and his brother Rob helped found the Oregon Brewers Festival, created the style American Hefeweizen and are one of the few small brewers that have managed to retain their spirit and reputation as they’ve grown much larger. Join me in wishing Kurt a very happy birthday.
Kurt (at left) and Rob Widmer with their wives at the Oregon Brewers Festival several years ago.
Kurt and Rob after their win for Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year at GABF in 2002.
The original rogue, Jack Joyce, who founded Oregon Brewing — better known today as Rogue — celebrates his 69th birthday today. Join me in wishing Jack a very happy birthday.
Jack (on right) at the Oregon Brewers Festival with Fred Bowman, co-founder of Portland Brewing and Tom Dalldorf, Celebrator publisher.
At the OBF Parade in 2007, Jack Joyce with festival organizer Chris Crabb await the arrival of the mayor.
One of the best photos of Jack I’ve seen. This was taken by Leah Nash for a New York Times article entitled Food and Fuel Compete for Land.
Today is the 44th birthday of Darron Welch, brewmaster at Pelican Pub & Brewery in Pacific City, Oregon. Darron has something like a gazillion awards for his beers, including “Brewer of the Year” four times (at GABF in 2000 and 2005 for small brewpub and in 2006 for large brewpub; and at the World Beer Cup in 2008 for large brewpub). In addition to being a great brewer, Darron is also a terrific person, as well. Join me in wishing him a very happy birthday.
At a beer dinner at the Cathedral Hill Hotel in San Francisco this January, Pelican Pub brewmaster Darron Welch with the Beer Chef Bruce Paton.
Darron and the gang (including Ben Love at far left) from Pelican Pub & Brewery winning Gold for their Kiwanda Cream Ale at GABF in 2006.
Darron, again with the Peilcan Crew, this time at GABF in 2009.
Today is the 39th birthday of Brett Joyce, President of Rogue. Joyce grew up in the brewery, which his father Jack founded when Brett was sixteen. Having gone off to college and made a name for himself working with Adidas, building their international golf shoe business from the ground up, he returned to work for the brewery several years ago. I’ve gotten to know Brett much better since his return, beginning with when I interviewed him a couple of years ago for an article profiling him. He also invited me to see their floor malting enterprise during OBF earlier this year, and look for some fun photos from that experience soon. Join me in wishing Brett a very happy birthday.
Brett at the Full Sail Smoker during OBF, after a quick interview I did with him for Beer Advocate magazine.
Brett Joyce, accepting a medal on behalf of Rogue at the World Beer Cup in 2008.
At Dave & Jen’s wedding during GABF last year: Vinnie, Dave, Jennifer, Natalie, minister Brett Joyce and me.
Brett, me and Brian Dunn, from Great Divide, at last year’s SAVOR in Washington, DC.
Me, Brett and Rogue’s maltster at their floor malting facility in Portland (more about that soon).
