Today is the 43rd birthday of Patrick Rue, founder of The Bruery in Orange County, California. I first became aware of Patrick when he started writing his blog about the travails of opening a brewery. We began corresponding, becoming friends and eventually meeting in person. I’ve since written several articles about Patrick and the Bruery as he’s become very successful in a very short period of time, and later sold the brewery. He and his family moved to Napa, where he’s opened a winery, Erosion, to which they’ve added a beer hall and started brewing, as well. More recently, he’s become an owner of Moonlight Brewing. Join me in wishing Patrick a very happy birthday.

Me and Patrick at Moonlight last summer. 

Patrick with then assistant brewer Travis Smith (who recently opened his own place, Societe Brewing) at GABF in 2009.

Tyler King, Rachel and Patrick Rue, shortly after they opened The Bruery at the Boonville Beer Festival in 2008.

Rick Sellers, Peter Hoey, Patrick and Shaun O’Sullivan.

Patrick at the first Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival a few years ago.