Today is the birthday of Chris LaPierre (August 3, 1971-July 28, 2024). LaPierre was born near Sacramento, California while his father serve din the military, but eventually settle in New Jersey. Chris was a longtime brewer at Iron Hill Brewery, and was a Senior Head Brewer and brand ambassador of the brewpub chain when he passed away in late July of 2024. After finishing his degree in journalism at Syracuse University, he became an avid homebrewer, then took a job with Dock Street Brewery, which changed his career trajectory. He moved to Boston to work as a at Harpoon Brewery, before moving back to Philly in 2002 and taking a head brewer job at the West Chester brewpub for the Iron Hill Brewpub chain. I think I first met Chris at Falling Rock during GABF years ago, and we also judged together a few times at GABF and the World Beer Cup, and he was a fun person to share a beer with. I’d invited him to judge the World Beer Awards with me back when I was involved, but we never were able to work out the details. I was happy I was able to join the celebratory toast to him during the Craft Brewers Conference held in Philadelphia earlier this year. Join me in drinking a toast to Chris’ memory tonight.

Here’s his obituary from the Philadelphia Inquirer: