Today is the 52nd birthday of Yuseff Cherney, co-founder, former COO and head brewer of Ballast Point Brewing in San Diego. Although not too long after selling Ballast Point in later 2015 to Constellation Brands, Yuseff left the brewery, in July of 2016. I believe he’s focusing his energy on their rebranded spirits division, now called Cutwater Spirits, although more recently that was sold, as well. I used to run into Yusseff in the Bay Area or at GABF, but I’m not sure we’ll see him as much in the beer world. He’s a great person and a terrific brewer. Join me in wishing Yusseff a very happy birthday.
Claudia Pamparana, co-founder of Faction Brewing, Yuseff, Jeff Bagby, and his then-assistant brewer, Noah Regney, now with Hollister Brewing at the Boonville Beer Festival in 2007.
Sierra Nevada’s Steve Dressler with Yuseff and his wife at the Chico leg of Beer Camps Across America a few years ago.
Yussef with Fal Allen (from Anderson Valley) at Prost Brewing during CBC this year in Denver.
Matt Matthew Brynildson, Earl Kight, and Yuseff at the European Beer Star Awards in Germany a few years ago.
Yuseff with 2013’s Hop Queen. (Note: last two photos purloined from Facebook.)
What amazing photos thanks for the memories!!
I went to Cutwater when I was in SD in August – it’s not far from Ballast Point; St Archer & a newer one are within a couple blocks of it. Great place, as it’s a distillery pub – good food, full bar, & 8 guest beers on tap (half were St Archer when I was there). Whiskey & other spirits flights available @ the bar/in the dining room. If you don’t go on a tour, you have to take a video tour on your smartphone before you can buy up to 3 bottles to go.
I did gin & whiskey flights (2 & 3 tastes, respectively; 3-rum flight also available. Brought home a pricey bottle of single malt whiskey ($99; good luck guessing the single grain – its taste suggested caramel/crystal malt; definitely not rye or corn), their barrel-aged gin, plus took a flyer on their vodka, which I didn’t taste there, but found very palatable drunk chilled. It’s as good as & cheaper than 7 Stills’ (<$25/750 ml vice $40/L).
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED on a Miramar Road party day or 2 (now there enough to make it a 2-day affair & not get wasted beyond repair.