Bay Area Archives - Brookston Beer Bulletin

Beer Birthday: J.J. Phair

February 23, 2021 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

Today is the birthday of J.J. Phair, co-founder of E.J. Phair Brewing. J.J. started homebrewing in 1990, and ten years later opened his brewery, which is named for his grandfather Ewart John Phair, who was an amateur winemaker and beer lover, as a way to honor E.J. The brewery’s grown since then, and today there’s a Concord Alehouse, a production brewery and taproom in Pittsburg. Join me in wishing J.J. a very happy birthday.

J.J. and Craig Cauwels at the E.J. Phair brewery taproom in 2012.

J.J. at the Bay Area Beer Festival in 2006.

Beer Birthday: Grant Johnston

February 19, 2021 By Jay Brooks 7 Comments

Today is the 67th birthday of Grant Johnston. Grant was the original brewer at Marin Brewing when it opened in 1989, and spent a number of years at Black Diamond Brewing in Concord, California. Grant was very influential in the early days of Bay Area brewing, and he’s an incredibly talented brewer. A few years ago he moved to the midwest, and these days can be found working a few days a week at the Argus Brewery in Chicago. A couple of years back, I was in Belgium at the Cantillon Brewery when in walked Grant, quite by chance, so you never know when you’re going to run into him. Join me in wishing Grant a very happy birthday.

Grant and me at GABF in 2006.

Grant (on the right) judging the 2006 Double IPA Festival in the cellar of The Bistro, with Tom Dalldorf, Vicky, our hard-working beer steward in the middle, and the Toronado’s Dave Keene in profile on the left.

Brendan Moylan and Grant shortly before Marin Brewing opened in 1989.

Grant and Arne Johnston brewing his Wild Rice Ale for Marin’s 25th Anniversary.

Grant, bottom left, among the GABF judges for the 10th anniversary of the festival in 1992.

Beer Birthday: Brendan Moylan

February 16, 2021 By Jay Brooks 3 Comments

Today is Brendan Moylan’s 60th birthday — The Big 6-O. Brendan owns both his eponymous Moylan’s Brewing as well as Marin Brewing. He’s a very active part of both the local and beer community, and each year puts on the Breastfest to benefit breast cancer awareness. Join me in wishing Brendan a very happy birthday.

Arne Johnson sporting his four gold medals won at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival with Brendan at a recent beer dinner.

Shane Aldrich and Arne Johnson, from Marin Brewing, Brendan Moylan, who owns both, and Denise Jones and Jim Grbac, from Molyan’s Brewing after the award ceremonies at GABF three years ago.

Brendan and in me in front of Monk’s Cafe in Philadelphia during Philly Beer Week in 2010.

Brendan and his wife at the Breastfest that Marin Brewing sponsors in 2010.

Bistro Double IPA Winners 2021

February 13, 2021 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

Earlier today, the 21st annual Double IPA Festival was held at the Bistro in Hayward, California. I got there early for judging again this year, and instead of being sequestered in the dark, dank basement out of the view of the beautiful Bay Area sun — which is where we usually are — we were outside in what was a beautiful, sunny, albeit a little windy, day. We judged Double IPAs in two categories — West Coast and Hazy — for most of the morning and chose our favorite six in each category, which Vic will will hand pack into a “Double IPAs Finals Case” which can be ordered online for just under one-hundred dollars. But sales will end at midnight tonight, so if you want one, now’s the time.

Outside The Bistro this morning, distance-judging Double IPAs.

West Coast Double IPAs

1st Place: Moksa Sticky Sips
2nd Place: Docent Rabbit Habit Double IPA
3rd Place: Moonraker Honorable Villain

Paul Marshall (head judge) and Bistro co-owner Vic Kralj outside the Bistro today.

Hazy Double IPAs

1st Place: Revision Distance Haze
2nd Place: North Park Beer Co. Clockwork Intelligence DDH Hazy DIPA
3rd Place: Humble Sea Wizard of Fog DDH Hop Fused DIPA

Congratulations to all of the winners.

Beer Birthday: Bruce Joseph

February 13, 2021 By Jay Brooks 15 Comments

Bruce Joseph, who’s been at Anchor Brewery for many, many years turns 65 today. There’s a big picture of him when he was very young in the stairwell at the brewery that I see every time I’m there. He’s been doing the distilling for Anchor’s whiskey and gin for a long while now and plays bass with the Hysters (Anchor’s big band) along with the Rolling Boil Blues Band (the Celebrator beer band that’s all industry musicians). If there’s a nicer person in the beer industry, I’ve yet to meet him. Join me in wishing Bruce a very happy birthday.

On stage at the Northern California Rhythm & Blues Festival several years ago.

A self-portrait of Bruce and me at the Anchor Christmas Party in 2006.

With Melissa Myers at the Falling Rock during GABF 2007.

With Garrett Oliver at an industry event during GABF years ago.

Beer Birthday: Scott Ungermann

January 20, 2021 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

Today is the 55th birthday of Scott Ungermann, who until recently was the Production Director at Anchor Brewing. When I first met Scott, he was the Brewmaster at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Fairfield, a position he held for almost six years, plus brewing stints at other AB facilities for over thirteen years. When I was working on my latest book, he gave me and my son Porter a great tour of the facility and I discovered we had several mutual friends since he was a 1995 graduate of U.C. Davis. Scott’s a very passionate brewer, and I was thrilled to run into him at the annual Anchor Christmas party a few years ago, discovering that he’d joined the team at Anchor. More recently he’s struck out on his own to do a bit of freelance brewing. Join me in wishing Scott a very happy birthday.

Scott showing my son Porter the brewhouse in Fairfield.

A promotional photo from Scott’s ABI days.

Scott being interviewed in 2010 for a segment on KCRA Channel 3 NBC television in Sacramento.

Beer Birthday: Daniel Del Grande

December 28, 2020 By Jay Brooks 1 Comment

Today is the 52nd birthday of Daniel Del Grande, former brewer and co-owner of Bison Brewing, which as far as I can tell is now closed. I’ve known Dan a lot of years, since shortly after he bought Berkeley’s Bison Brewery in 1997. He’d been leading the charge for organic beer and made some of the best organic beers anywhere. He also teaches at the American Brewers Guild, and spoke at my SSU class, as well. Join me in wishing Dan a very happy birthday.

Dan at the 99 Bottles of Beer Symposium at the Hearst Museum in 2009.

Sean Paxton, the Homebrew Chef, with Dan at Rodger Davis’ 40th birthday party.

George Allen, Dan and Mark Cabrera at GABF 2009.

Ralph Olson from HopUnion with Dan and Peter Hoey, when he was still with Bison Brewing, in 2006, the year Bison won a Gold medal for their Organic Farmhouse Ale.

Beer Birthday: Aron Deorsey

December 24, 2020 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

Today is the birthday of Aron Deorsey, who for a lot of years was the brewmaster at the Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant in San Francisco, along with the Park Chalet and the Lake Chalet in Oakland. I got to know Aron much better a few years back when we roomed together attending Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp for SF Beer Week. He had been making great beer at the beachside brewpub for a number of years, and is great fun to hang out with, but earlier last year he’s opened his own place, a brewpub in San Francisco called the Hop Oast Pub & Brewery. Join me in wishing Aron a very happy birthday.

Brendan Dobbel, from Thirsty Bear, Rich Higgins, from Social Kitchen, Aron and Zambo, from 21st Amendment at Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp a few years ago.

Aron and his friend Maggie at the Anchor Christmas Party in 2009.

At a Sierra Nevada beer dinner at the Chico brewery in 2010. Clockwise from Left: Rich Higgins, John Tucci, Brenden Dobbel & Aron with the 4 bottles of dessert.

Aron (in the center) at the Thirsty Bear Oktoberfest in 2002.

Beer Birthday: Denise Jones

December 22, 2020 By Jay Brooks 1 Comment

Today is the birthday of Denise Jones, longtime brewer in the Bay Area. A few years back, Denise had started with a new brewery, Napa Point Brewing before it closed, but brewed for long stints at Moylan’s and Third Street Aleworks, among others, before moving to Bamberg, Germany and working with Weyermann, but more recently she’s moved back stateside more recently and last I heard was living in Southern California. She’s a very talented brewer, and makes especially great stouts. Join me in wishing Denise a very happy birthday.

With Ralph Woodall of HopUnion at GABF in 2006.

Shane Aldrich and Arne Johnson, from Marin Brewing, Brendan Moylan, who owns both, and Denise, along with Jim Grbac, from Molyan’s Brewing after the award ceremonies at GABF in 2007.

Denise with Brendan Moylan and Mark Worona, from Brewers Supply Group, at Tcho Chocolate in 2012 after a chocolate beer competition during CBC (which Denise won).

With Alec Moss at the Triple Rock Firkin Fest in 2009.

Beer Birthday: Nicole Erny

December 16, 2020 By Jay Brooks 14 Comments

Today is the 37th birthday of Nicole Erny, a certified Master Cicerone and passionate beer lover, who used to work at The Trappist and as a “Beer Ambassador” at the CommonWealth Cafe & Public House, both in beautiful downtown Oakland. She also used to work with Ray Daniels’ Cicerone program, but recently left that position for her next adventure. Nicole and I almost worked together on a great-sounding beer project, but alas it fell apart, and she’s got plans afoot, and is working as a consultant, as well. She’s a great advocate for better beer and has more energy than any three people I know. Join me in wishing Nicole a very happy birthday.

Rodger Davis, Nicole and Claudia Davis at Triple Rock’s Sourfest during SF Beer Week in 2010.

Dan Shelton and Nicole during GABF in 2009.

Toasting the End of GABF Week with Matt Brynildson at the Falling Rock in 2009.

A great shot for Nathan Smith and Nicole’s Beer School at The Trappist several years ago. (photo “borrowed” from Jon Weber’s Beer Obsessed, in the hopes he won’t mind.)