Today is John Harris’ 49th birthday. Until recently, John was the head brewer at Full Sail Brewing and was responsible for many of their excellent beers. He’s currently working on opening his own brewery in Portland. John also plays washboard with the Rolling Boil Blues Band. Plus he’s a terrific person, so join me in wishing John a very happy birthday.

By the Celebrator booth at OBF, from left, John, Tom Dalldorf, and Fred Bowman, co-founder of Portland Brewing Co.

John speaking very passionately about something or other at Elysian Brewing in Seattle, as Shaun O’Sullivan from 21st Amendment is about to accost him.

John rocks out on washboard with the Rolling Boil Blues Band at CBC in Seattle, with Marty Jones (left) and Celebrator editor Tom Dalldorf (in the center).

John and his daughter at his 40th birthday party.

There is more than one reason to celebrate Portland today, because it’s also the birthday of Lisa Morrison (a.k.a. The Beer Goddess). Lisa does a radio show, Beer O’Clock with The Beer Goddess, is the Portland correspondent for the Celebrator, and also writes online for Rate Beer’s Hop Press, among much else. And her new book, Craft Beers of the Pacific Northwest: A Beer Lover’s Guide to Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, was published at the end of March. Join me in wishing Lisa a very happy birthday!

In front of BridgePort with promotional goddess Chris Crabb, who handles PR for the brewery and also the Oregon Brewers Festival.

Lisa with fellow Portland beer writer Fred Eckhardt.

With Dick Cantwell at an Elysian event during OBF.

Me, Celebrator publisher Tom Dalldorf, Lisa’s husband Mark & Lisa in front of the three pink elephants. There’s an interesting story about this mural at Concordia Public House in Portland. It turns out that the building used to be a speakeasy called the Pink Elephant. The mural was discovered during renovations hidden behind several layers of wallpaper and paint along with an old matchbook that gave away the original name.

Today would have been publican extraordinaire Don Younger’s 71st birthday. He ran the famous Horse Brass pub in Portland, Oregon, along with a few others, for many years. Don was a wonderful person and his early and continuing support of craft beer helped make Portland the great beer town it is today. As you undoubtedly recall, Don passed away last year, in January, unexpectedly. Join me in wishing Don a very Happy birthday and raising a toast to his memory.

Don and Mark Silva, co-owner of realbeer.com and realbranding.com.

Don Younger and me outside the Falling Rock in Denver, Colorado.

Don with braided hair with Shaun O’Sullivan from 21st Amendment Brewery.

10, 20, 30: The same year, Dave Keene (center) was celebrating his 20th anniversary, flanked by Don Younger (on the left), whose bar the Horse Brass in Portland celebrated its 30th anniversary, and Chris Black (on the right), whose Denver, Colorado bar, The Falling Rock, celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Don bookended by Robin and Jonathan Surratt, who runs beermapping.com, displaying his excellent taste in attire at the Falling Rock during GABF week 2007.

Today is the 34th — can that be right? — birthday of Ben Love. Ben was the head brewer at Hopworks Urban Brewery in Portland, Oregon, and before that brewed at Pelican Pub & Brewery and Adler Brau in Wisconsin. He recently opened his own place, Gigantic Brewing. I haven’t had a chance yet to visit it and try his beers, but hopefully this July during OBF. Ben’s a great brewer, a good friend, an active board member of the Oregon Brewers Guild and a great cheerleader for the Portland beer scene. Join me in wishing Ben a very happy birthday.

Ben, on top step, with Christian Ettinger, brewmaster and owner of Hopworks, shortly before they opened.

At the HUB brunch after OBF in 2008: Assistant brewery Jeremy, brewmaster Christian and Ben.

Ben with then-girlfriend, now wife, Andrea at the Full Sail Smoker during OBF in 2007.

Ben, with his lovely wife Andrea, at Brouwer’s during the Hard Liver Barleywine Festival weekend last year.

Today is also the birthday of Chris Crabb, who does public relations for the Oregon Brewers Festival and other clients in the beer industry through her agency, Crabbsoup. If you’ve had any dealing with OBF, you’ve undoubtedly encountered Chris, because she does an amazing amount of work to get OBF up and running smoothly every year. Plus, she does all that hard work while keeping a smile on her face the entire time. Join me in wishing Chris a very happy birthday.

The Always Delightful Chris Crabb at the OBF Parade in 2009.

Chris with Lisa Morrison at OBF several years ago.

Day 3 of OBF in 2007.

Day 4.

Chris with Celebrator publisher Tom Dalldorf in 2006.