Today is the 81st birthday of Bill Millar, who founded the San Andreas Brewing Co. in Hollister, California, and he also has the distinction of giving Mitch Steele his first brewing gig. San Andreas was started in 1988, and I visited it not too long thereafter, as I was living not to far away, in San Jose, at the time. I was a big fan of their Cranberry Ale for the holidays, and Bill was kind enough to keg some for me each year, for a few years in the early 90s, for the holiday party that I used to throw. I’d drive down to Hollister to pick it up, and then return the empty keg a few days later. The brewery is closed now, sadly, though I’m not sure when exactly is stopped brewing. Join me in wishing Bill a very happy birthday.
Bill with Mitch Steele, at the Bistro IPA Festival in 2007.
Bill at the CSBA Beer Summit a few years ago.
I never was close enough after an earthquake to get the discount. SAN Andreas was a good reason to stop on the way to Monterey. Thanks for those beer all those many years ago..
Long time no see Bill!!!!!!! How are you doing???? Say hello to Carol and everyone else!!!! Hope you have a hoppy beerday!!!!
In PCBC’s early days, they held tastings 2-3 times yearly – for a small fee, you got 10-12 brews, plus access to their Fri happy-hour munchies (tasting was on a Sat afternoon; the participants were segregated from the rest of the customers). On this April day, one of the brews was San Andreas’ Woodruff Ale, a pale ale flavored with woodruff, an herb.
I was sharing a table w/Bret Nickell (Celebrator founder), & we were going nuts trying to identify the flavor we both recognized, but couldn’t namer. A couple brews later, it hit me – graham crackers! The brew was light & pleasant – never saw it again, as I never made it down to SA before it closed.
So wondering what you’ve been up to Bill!!!!! Long time no see!!! Say hello to Carol, and the kids! Are you still in Hollister? Would love to get together sometime!!!!!! Cheers to San Andreas! Wear that sweatshirt all the time, my fav!