Bay Area Archives - Brookston Beer Bulletin

Beer Birthday: Vinnie Cilurzo

July 25, 2021 By Jay Brooks 11 Comments

Today is the 51st 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.

Vinnie and his wife Natalie from presented to Tom Dalldorf (middle), owner of the Celebrator, a Balthazar of their yummy Damnation Ale in honor of the magazine’s 17th anniversary. A Balthazar is 12 liters or contains about 16 normal bottles of beer.

Dave Keene, owner of the Toronado, Natalie Cilurzo, Dave’s girlfriend Jennifer and Vinnie at CBC in Seattle.

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

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

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

Vinnie and me his 40th birthday party at the brewpub a few years ago.

And again three years ago at the Firestone Walker Invitational, sharing some frites.

Beer Birthday: Alec Moss

July 21, 2021 By Jay Brooks 32 Comments

Today would have been Alec Moss’ 77th birthday, but unfortunately he passed away in early September a couple of 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 in the brewhouse at Half Moon Bay Brewing Co.

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.

A few 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, 2021 By Jay Brooks 15 Comments

Today is my friend Arne Johnson’s 56th birthday. Arne is the head brewer at Marin Brewing in Larkspur, California. Arne makes some great beers and is a terrific person to boot. And more recently, he and some friends opened The Cooler in San Leandro. Join me in wishing Arne a very happy birthday.

Arne and me earlier today at a birthday party for a mutual friend at the Toronado.

Arne and me at the Brewer’s Dinner at GABF in 2006.

Arne relaxing with a few barleywines at the Toronado Barleywine Festival.

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

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

Beer Birthday: Tim Clifford

July 13, 2021 By Jay Brooks 3 Comments

Today is the 49th 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 continue 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.

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

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

Beer Birthday: Andy French

June 25, 2021 By Jay Brooks 2 Comments

Today is the 53rd 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. 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’ve heard Andy is now back doing shifts at Zeitgeist. Join me in wishing Andy a very happy birthday.

Andy at his brewhouse in 2012.

Beer Birthday: Forest Gray

June 20, 2021 By Jay Brooks 1 Comment

Today is the 54th 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 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 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.

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, 2021 By Jay Brooks 15 Comments

Today is Celebrator publisher Tom Dalldorf’s 79th birthday. Since he’s 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, and recently going online only. Join me in wishing Tom a very happy birthday.

Tom at the Celebrator anniversary party in 2007.

Raising a toast with Full Sail brewer John Harris.

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

Mine’s bigger. Russian River’s Vinne Cilurzo with Tom in D.C.

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.

Beer Birthday: James Costa

June 14, 2021 By Jay Brooks 2 Comments

Today is the 49th 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.

James with Vic at the Bistro Double IPA Festival in 2009.

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

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.

At the Beer Chef’s “Tion” beer dinner at the Cathedral Hill Hotel in September of 2006, James with Arne Johnson (Marin Brewing) and Vinnie Cilurzo.

At another Beer Chef dinner, this one with Allagash, James offers some “Shrimp flavored Chips” to his wife Caroline, who wisely declined.

Beer Birthday: Melissa Myers

June 2, 2021 By Jay Brooks 17 Comments

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, but now she owns and operates her own beer bar in Oakland, The Good Hop. There’s a stool there with my name on it, and after several years I finally took it out for a spin. Join me in wishing Melissa a very happy birthday.

Arne Johnson, of Marin Brewing, and Melissa at the Boonville Beer Festival several years ago.

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

Melissa and former Drake’s brewer Rodger Davis at GABF several years ago.

Melissa and me at GABF once upon a time.

Melissa with her adopted Daddy, “Big Daddy” Dave Keene.

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, 2021 By Jay Brooks 6 Comments

Today is the 61st 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.