Today is the 72nd birthday of Don Gortemiller, former brewmaster for Pacific Coast Brewing in Oakland, California. Don was making beer there since the very beginning, back in 1988, helping to put Oakland and the Bay Area on the beer map, but left under an odd set of circumstances, and has subsequently retired; lucky him. And more recently, the brewery he worked at for decades has closed. Join me in wishing Don a very happy birthday.

Pacific Coast founder Steve Wolfe with Don at their 2009 annual Holiday Beer Tasting.

Don toasting with his beer.

Bruce Joseph with Don at Anchor Brewing.

Don rockin’ out as a young man.

Note: the last three photos purloined from Facebook.