Beer Birthday: Derek Smith

May 11, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 50th birthday — The Big 5-O — of Derek Smith, who is the brewery operations manager at Migration Brewing in Portland, Oregon. The last time I saw Derek, he was the brewmaster at Moylan’s Brewing in Novato, California, though when I first met Derek he was brewing at Black Diamond Brewing. Join me in wishing Derek a very happy birthday.

Untitled — Derek at the bar at Moylan’s.

Derek-and-Pete — Derek, with Pete Slosberg and Barri Cooper-Altimari in 2017. [photo by Mike Condie.]

Untitled — Winning a medal at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival.

malheur-choc-10 — Derek, at far right, after the Beef Chef’s Chocolate & Beer Dinner in 2009; with, from left: Arne Johnson (Marin Brewing), Fal Allen (Anderson Valley), Bruce Paton, Alec Moss (Half Moon Bay).