Today is the 49th birthday of Mikkel Borg Bjergsø, founder of the Danish gypsy brewery Mikkeller. I first met Mikkel in Burton-on-Trent in 2008, during I trip when I accompanied Matt Brynildson to Marston’s where he was doing a collaboration beer. But the last time I ran into him at the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival several summers ago in Paso Robles. Join me in wishing Mikkel a very happy birthday.

Matt Brynildson and Mikkel comparing beards with Sir Thomas Gresham, and wondering if it’s a coincidence?

Me and Mikkel at the recent Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival a few years ago.

Goofing around with the Firestone Walker logo.

In the cellar at one of the J.D. Wetherspoons in London, with Matt, Toshi Ishi, from Japan, and Australian brewer Richard Adamson, from the now-defunct Barons Brewing.