Today is the 69th birthday of Grant Johnston. Grant was the original brewer at Marin Brewing when it opened in 1989, and spent a number of years at Black Diamond Brewing in Concord, California. Grant was very influential in the early days of Bay Area brewing, and he’s an incredibly talented brewer. A few years ago he moved to the midwest, and for a time he could be found working a few days a week at the Argus Brewery in Chicago. But more recently, he’s retired and happily making bread at home. A couple of years back, I was in Belgium at the Cantillon Brewery when in walked Grant, quite by chance, so you never know when you’re going to run into him. Join me in wishing Grant a very happy birthday.
Grant and me at GABF in 2006.
Grant (on the right) judging the 2006 Double IPA Festival in the cellar of The Bistro, with Tom Dalldorf, Vicky, our hard-working beer steward in the middle, and the Toronado’s Dave Keene in profile on the left.
Brendan Moylan and Grant shortly before Marin Brewing opened in 1989.
Grant and Arne Johnston brewing his Wild Rice Ale for Marin’s 25th Anniversary.
Grant, bottom left, among the GABF judges for the 10th anniversary of the festival in 1992.
Happy LXIst, Grant – glad to see you’ve finally made this page! Malts’ Oyster BBQ is 4/26 if you plan coming out here – we’d love to see you!
Hi Jay – thanks for the birthday wish – but I won’t be 61 until February 19th. I’ll be in London again this year as usual for the 11th year running. Many real ales will be consumed…
Best,
Grant
Happy B Day Grant Good to see your still in kicking
Hi Grant,
Miss seeing you at the Malts Oyster BBQ, might get to Chicago one of these days so maybe we can hook up. Happy Beerday!
Belated Happy LXII – Oyster BBQ this year is April 24, & most, if not all, of the usual suspects will be there; the only diff is that the price has gone up a tad because oysters have become so damned expensive – but we’ll comp you if you show up!
Happy Birthday Grant! I’m glad to hear that you’re still brewing. I still remember that day in Alameda when the Malts met at my apartment and we met, so many years ago.
Cheers,
Ed
Hi Grant,
Might get to Chicago this year and will try and look you up if we do. Haven’t heard of Argus Brewery so happy to check it out. Hope you have a great beerday!
Kim and Harry