Today is the 53rd birthday of Steve Donohue, former brewmaster at Firehouse Grill & Brewery in Sunnyvale, California. Steve is an unsung brewer who deserves more accolades and fame. After Firehouse, He spent some time brewing at Hermitage Brewing while working on opening his own place. Steve’s brewery, Santa Clara Valley Brewing was open and, not surprisingly, seemed to be going gangbusters, but unfortunately he closed during the pandemic. Join me in wishing Steve a very happy birthday.
Steve at last year’s 22nd Celebrator anniversary party at the end of SF Beer Week.
Steve with Peter Cogan from the Tied House, during the 2009 Celebrator party.
Hermitage assistant brewer, Steve, Peter Licht and me during a visit to the Hermitage Brewery in San Jose a few years ago.
Pete Slosberg with Steve.
Steve Altimari, brewer at High Water Brewing, Steve and Steve Shapiro, from Beer by Bart.
Note: Last two photos purloined from Facebook, taken by Arie Litman.
Happy Birthday Steve.. Enjoy your day!
P.S. Yes, the last two photos are taken by me.
Steve rocks!
“Steve is an unsung brewer who deserves more accolades and fame,”
You got that right!
Recent seasonals from Firehouse like the OTIS Imperial Stout, their Imperial Red, and Pete’s Support Belgian IPA have been excellent and overlooked. I suppose that happens when you are located in the less than glamorous Bay Area locations of Sunnyvale and East Palo Alto.
Steves and Petes. Where would the beer world be without them.
We hope you have a wonderful bday Steve!!!! Thanks for the great tour when our Brit friends were here last month. That was one of the highlights of their trip! And Bren’s bday! Hope you have some great brews today!!!
A very happy birthday goes out to Steve! Keep making awesome beers Steve.
Cheers! One picture, three Steves… Nice!
happy bornday steve!!
see you in two weeks!
Thanks Jay. I really appreciate the well wishes! Thank you to everyone else as well!
Hope you have another great bday! Saw you in El Toro when the Internationals were there but you were with your family so didn’t disturb you. We’ll toast a few for you!
Good day, just wanted to give you a heads up that we here at California Cafe are Featuring Steve Donohue this Thursday, April 26th for our monthly Beer Dinner series. The menu is below, but there might be a course not on the menu at California Cafe and a Beer not on the menu at Firehouse!?!
Firehouse Brewery
Brewmasters Dinner
April 26Th, 2012
First Course
SEARED DAY BOAT SCALLOP
Vanilla-Grapefruit Butter, Pepper Cress
St. Eve’s Belgesque Goldish Strong Revolutionary Ale
Second Course
Hefe Soaked Roast Chicken
Banana Mole, Pickled Papaya, Crisp Plantain Chip
Hefeweizen
Third Course
COFFEE CRUSTED ANGUS RIBEYE
Wild Mushroom Risotto, Blackberry-Liquorice Demi
Brendan’s Irish Stout
Dessert Course
Hardly Glazed Plums
Pine Nut-Prune Chutney, Honey-Cinnamon Sabayon
Hardly Thomas Barley Wine
$45 per person exclusive of taxes & gratuities
Hope you have a great bday! Can’t wait for SCVB to open!!!
Happy bday Steve! Looking forward to your own place opening!!! Hope it’s soon!
Happy bday Steve! Hope your new place opens soon so we can check it out!! Long time no see!
Happy beerday Steve! Love going to your brewery, always great beers on tap!! Keep them up and we’ll keep coming!