Beer Birthday: Vinnie Cilurzo

July 25, 2025 By Jay Brooks 11 Comments

russian-river
Today is the 55th birthday of Vinnie Cilurzo, founder and brewmaster at Russian River Brewing. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know Vinnie is one of the best brewers in America and is credited with having made the first Imperial IPA. Along with his partner Natalie, his Russian River Brewery in Santa Rosa, California won unprecedented back-to-back best brewpub (and brewmaster) awards at the World Beer Cups in 2006 and 2008, and their flagship Pliny the Elder has been picked as the best beer in America by AHA members seven years in a row, but was finally bested last year by Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale, after which Vinnie sent Larry Bell and crew a case of Pliny. Vinnie is one of the nicest people in the industry you’ll ever meet. Last fall, they opened their new production brewery in Windsor, which is an amazing space. Join me in wishing Vinnie a happy birthday.

keene-vin — Dave Keene, owner of the Toronado, Natalie Cilurzo, Dave’s wife Jennifer and Vinnie at CBC in Seattle.

oliver-vinnie — Garrett Oliver, brewer at Brooklyn Brewing Co., and Vinnie at the Brewer’s Dinner the night before GABF begins.

drakes-fest06-07 — Vinnie and Rich Norgrove from Bear Republic at the Summit Hop Festival a few years ago at Drake’s.

Vinnie & Natalie Cilurzo — Vinnie with his wife and Russian River co-owner Natalie at GABF in 2009.

P1000599 — Vinnie and me his 40th birthday party at the brewpub several years ago.

fwibf-3 — And again several years ago at the Firestone Walker Invitational, sharing some frites.

Historic Beer Birthday: Alec Moss

July 21, 2025 By Jay Brooks 32 Comments

Today would have been Alec Moss’ 81st birthday, but unfortunately he passed away in early September several years ago. I first got to know Alec when I worked with him on some private label contract beers I did for BevMo when he was head brewer at the now-defunct Golden Pacific Brewery in Berkeley. Alec then spent some time at Redbird Brewing before moving to the coast to be head brewer at the picturesque Half Moon Bay Brewing, but he retired several years ago, although he was coaxed back for a time to work part-time for Anchor Brewing, building them a pilot system. Every time I saw him he seemed to be enjoying his retirement enormously, but then he unexpectedly fell ill. Join me in drinking a toast to Alec’s memory tonight.

Alec and me yesterday at his 70th birthday party at the Tornado.

alec-pours — Alec in the brewhouse at Half Moon Bay Brewing Co.

he-tor-1 — At the Toronado for He’Brew’s release party. From left: Alec, Pete Slosberg, formerly of Pete’s Wicked Ales, Jeremy Cowan of Shmaltz Brewing and Rodger Davis, now with Triple Rock Brewing.

Alec with Tom Dalldorf at the 2011 Anchor Christmas party.

P1000524 — Several years ago at the Breastfest in San Francisco, from left: Alec, Jeff Botz, Arne Johnson, Betsey Hensley, Vinnie & Natalie Cilurzo and Abalone Rob Mika.

Beer Birthday: Arne Johnson

July 20, 2025 By Jay Brooks 15 Comments

Today is my friend Arne Johnson’s 60th birthday — The Big 6-O. Arne was the head brewer at Marin Brewing in Larkspur, California, until it closed last year, and then was brewing at their sister brewery in Novato, Moylan’s Brewing, until Brendan closed that, as well, not too long ago. Arne makes some great beers and is a terrific person to boot. And he and some friends opened The Cooler in San Leandro, though that’s also been closed recently. More recently, Arne announced he’s accepted a position as brewmaster for Rockaway Beach Brewery in Pacifica. Join me in wishing Arne a very happy birthday.

arne-j-2014 — Arne and me earlier today at a birthday party for a mutual friend at the Toronado.

tbwf06-03 — Arne relaxing with a few barleywines at the Toronado Barleywine Festival.

bistro-dipa06-04 — Rodger Davis of Triple Rock and Arne enjoy a beer out front in the warm sunshine at the Bistro’s Double IPA Festival.

boontfest06-08 — Arne Johnson and Melissa Myers, formerly with Drake’s Brewing, at the Boonville Beer Festival.

Beer Birthday: Tim Clifford

July 13, 2025 By Jay Brooks

sante-adairius
Today is the 53rd birthday of Tim Clifford, brewmaster and co-owner of Sante Adairius Rustic Ales, in Capitola, California, which is near Santa Cruz. Tim’s a longtime homebrewer and worked for Williams Brewing and also 7 Bridges for many years, and continued to be on the board of the Santa Cruz co-op. Although originally a history major, Tim’s passion went off in a different direction, happily, and he opened Sante Adairius in 2011, making some incredible and unique beers. Join me in wishing Tim a very happy birthday.

Me and Tim enjoying some hop tea, while picking hops at Moonlight Brewing’s hopyard in 2007.

Friedman-1 — Jessie Friedman and Tim at the SF Beer Week opening gala in 2014.

Beer Birthday: Andy French

June 25, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today would have been the 57th birthday of Andy French, former brewmaster at Southern Pacific Brewing in San Francisco, one of the new wave of breweries that opened in the city a few years ago, but unfortunately he past away in late summer 2023. . I first met Andy when he brewed at Speakeasy, and after that would see him from time to time at Zeitgeist, though he first started brewing back East in the DC area. When his roommate Chris Lawrence, who also worked for Speakeasy once upon a time, decided to open his own brewery, he tapped Andy to work the mash paddles, and things had been going great since they opened a few years ago, though I’d heard Andy was now back doing shifts at Zeitgeist before learning of his untimely passing. Join me in raising a toast to Andy.

P1050466 — Andy at his brewhouse in 2012.

The back bar at Rio Nido Roadhouse was recently named Frenchy’s in his honor with a new sign and plenty of friends in attendance to christen it. [Thanks to Mario Rubio for the photo.]

Beer Birthday: Forest Gray

June 20, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 58th birthday of Forest Gray, co-founder and former president of Speakeasy Ales and Lagers in San Francisco. I first met Forest when Speakeasy first bottled their beer when I was the beer buyer at BevMo. For the last many years, his brewery has made some terrific beers, especially their Big Daddy I.P.A., although since 2017, the brewery has a new owner and I’m not sure how Forest is spending his time these days. Join me in wishing Forest a very happy birthday.

Forest Gray, Brian Lenzo and Meg Gill — Forest with Brian Lenzo, from Blue Palms in L.A., and Meg Gill, now “on the winning team” with Golden Road, at a Speakeasy Anniversary event several years ago.

speakeasy-crew — The Speakeasy crew at the start of SF Beer Week in 2013. That’s Forest with the glowing hat. [Photo purloined from Facebook.]

Beer Birthday: Tom Dalldorf

June 16, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is Celebrator publisher Tom Dalldorf’s 83rd birthday. Since he was famous for having his picture in the Celebrator and being at every beer event, I figured the Bulletin should be no different, despite his slowing down a bit these days. Join me in wishing Tom a very happy birthday.

cbn18-01 — Tom at the Mardi Gras-themed Celebrator anniversary party in 2007.

At Trumer for the Celebrator anniversary party in 2018.

tdalldorf-02 — Raising a toast with Full Sail brewer John Harris.

tdalldorf-03 — Huddling up with the owner’s of Monk’s Cafe in Philadelphia, Fergie and Tom.

tdalldorf-04 — Mine’s bigger. Russian River’s Vinne Cilurzo with Tom in D.C.

tdalldorf-07 — Looking like a deer caught in the headlights at the roast I threw for Tom when he turned sixty. That’s Stephen Beaumont on the left and me on the right.

At Boonville, taking the Rubicon kegerator bike for a spin.

At Boonville in 2006 with then-Anderson Valley Brewery owner Ken Allen.

Beer Birthday: James Costa

June 14, 2025 By Jay Brooks

half-moon-bay
Today is the 53rd birthday of James Costa. James is a brewer and co-founder of Oakland Brewing, and is also currently brewing at Half Moon Bay Brewing. But James has certainly made the rounds, and has also brewed for Moylan’s, Santa Cruz Aleworks, E.J. Phair and others. James is justly famous for his big, hoppy beers like the wonderful Sticky Zipper. Join me in wishing James a very happy birthday.

bistro-dipa09-03 — James with Vic at the Bistro Double IPA Festival in 2009.

bravo-fest-06 — James with Shaun O’Sullivan (left) and Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River) at the 2nd annual Single Hop Festival & Washoe Tournament in 2007.

toronado20th-19 — James with his wife Caroline (left), with Iron Springs brewer Christian Kazakoff and his then-girlfriend, Jodi, at the Toronado 20th Anniversary Party in 2007.

tion-din-14 — At the Beer Chef’s “Tion” beer dinner at the Cathedral Hill Hotel in September of 2006, James with Arne Johnson and Vinnie Cilurzo.

allagash-bdin-04 — At another Beer Chef dinner, this one with Allagash, James offers some “Shrimp flavored Chips” to his now ex-wife Caroline, who wisely declined.

Beer Birthday: Melissa Myers

June 2, 2025 By Jay Brooks

good-hop
Today is my good friend Melissa Myers’ birthday. Though now several years ago, her most recent brewing gig was at Drake’s Brewing in San Leandro, California. She’s also brewed at Pyramid, Ross Brewing and Magnolia, among others, and most recently she owned and operated her own beer bar in Oakland, The Good Hop, but she’s since sold it and is looking for the next adventure, while working a a bartender part-time. Join me in wishing Melissa a very happy birthday.

mel-and-me — At the Good Hop a few years back.

anchorx05-3 — Former roommates Jen Garris and Melissa at the Anchor Christmas Party a few years back.

fr-thurs-1 — Melissa and former Drake’s brewer Rodger Davis at GABF several years ago.

mm-jb — Melissa and me at GABF once upon a time.

myers-keene — Melissa with her adopted Daddy, “Big Daddy” Dave Keene.

melmye-1 — Melissa in high school, believe it or not. At a Super Bowl party she threw, Melissa made the mistake of showing me this photo while I had my camera in my hand. I snapped a quick picture of it in the photo album, which is why is looks out of proportion and a little fuzzy. I had to seriously crop it and straighten it out and generally fix it up. But I think the effort was worth it, don’t you?

Beer Birthday: John Martin

May 14, 2025 By Jay Brooks

triple-rock-check drakes-new
Today is the 65th birthday of John Martin, one of the founders of Triple Rock Brewery & Alehouse in Berkeley. John, with his brother Reid, started one of the first five brewpubs in the U.S., and the only one that’s still owned by the same family that founded it. John also owns Drake’s Brewing and the Jupiter Taproom, too. He’s active in the local beer community and also with the CCBA, plus he’s a great guy with a very distinctive laugh. Join me in wishing John a very happy birthday.

me-and-john-martin — Me and John last year at Sour Sunday several years ago.

firkinfest08-05 — Christian Kazakoff, former brewer at Triple Rock (now at Canyon Club) with John during the 2008 Firkin Fest.

P1030343 — John, with his brother Reid, and Triple Rock brewmaster Rodger Davs at the brewpub’s 25th anniversary.

P1010474 — John, me and Peter Hoey at the opening gala for SF Beer Week a few years ago.

Triple-Rock-Opening-Day-4 — John in the brewhouse with his brother many years ago, on opening day.