Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Beer Birthday: Tim Clifford

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Today is the 54th 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.

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

Beer Birthday: Andy French

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Today would have been the 58th 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 back doing shifts at Zeitgeist before learning of his untimely passing. Join me in raising a toast to Andy.

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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

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Today is the 59th 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.

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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.
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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

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Today is Celebrator publisher Tom Dalldorf’s 84th 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.

Tom at the Mardi Gras-themed Celebrator anniversary party in 2007.
Tom with Fred Eckhardt at the same party.
At Trumer for the Celebrator anniversary party in 2018.
Raising a toast with then-Full Sail brewer John Harris.
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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.
At Boonville in 2006 with then-Anderson Valley Brewery owner Ken Allen.

Beer Birthday: James Costa

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Today is the 54th 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 and Vinnie Cilurzo.
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

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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 until 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. If you know of any good beer gigs in the Oakland area, let her (or me) know. Join me in wishing Melissa a very happy birthday.

At the Bistro in 2021.
At the Good Hop a few years back.
CBC in Seattle in 2006, with Dave Suurballe, Karen Buhler, Melissa, and Rodger Davis.
At 21st Amendment in 2022.
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 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

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Today is the 66th 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.

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Me and John last year at Sour Sunday several years ago.
Me, John, and Lars Larson at Trumer last year.
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Christian Kazakoff, former brewer at Triple Rock (now at Canyon Club) with John during the 2008 Firkin Fest.
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John, with his brother Reid, and Triple Rock brewmaster Rodger Davs at the brewpub’s 25th anniversary.
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John, me and Peter Hoey at the opening gala for SF Beer Week a few years ago.
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John in the brewhouse with his brother many years ago, on opening day.

Beer Birthday: Derek Smith

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Today is the 51st birthday of Derek Smith, who is the brewery operations manager at Migration Brewing in Portland, Oregon. The last time I saw Derek, he was the brewmaster at Moylan’s Brewing in Novato, California, though when I first met Derek he was brewing at Black Diamond Brewing. Join me in wishing Derek a very happy birthday.

Me with Kim Sturdavant and Derek recently at CBC in Philadelphia.
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Derek at the bar at Moylan’s.
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Derek, with Pete Slosberg and Barri Cooper-Altimari in 2017. [photo by Mike Condie.]
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Winning a medal at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival.
Derek, at far right, after the Beef Chef’s Chocolate & Beer Dinner in 2009; with, from left: Arne Johnson (Marin Brewing), Fal Allen (Anderson Valley), Bruce Paton, Alec Moss (Half Moon Bay).

Beer Birthday: Brian Hunt

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Today is iconoclastic brewer Brian Hunt’s 69th birthday. Brian owns and operates Moonlight Brewing in Sonoma County, California, which was almost a one-man show for most of its existence. If you’ve never had his “Death and Taxes,” “Twist of Fate Bitter,” “Bombay by Boat,” or his fresh hop ale, alternately called “Homegrown” or “Greenbud Ale,” then you’re really missing out on some of the most unique and wonderful beers around. Plus, Brian is one of the nicest curmudgeons you’ll ever meet, and one of my favorite people anywhere. Join me in wishing Brian a very happy birthday.

At the Rate Beer Fest in Santa Rosa a few years ago.
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Hildegard van Ostaden, Urthel’s brewster, one of only a very few female brewers working in Belgium, and Brian.
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Brian in his hopyard, with Russian River’s old assistant brewer Travis (who opened his own place, Societe Brewing), and Vinnie Cilurzo.
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Shaun O’Sullivan and Vinnie Cilurzo with Brian at the Bistro in Hayward, California.
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Brian at the Opening Gala for SF Beer Week a number of years back.
At another Rate Beer event.

Historic Beer Birthday: Bill Brand

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Today would have been Bill Brand’s 88th birthday, if not for the tragic events of February 8, 2009. Bill, of course, was hit by a Muni Train that evening and passed away twelve days later, on February 20. He was a bastion of support for the local beer community for decades, and one of its most visible media faces. He did a staggering amount of good to help brewers throughout the Bay Area, and wrote about the beer he loved so much with an unmatched passion and zeal. His Bottoms Up blog was read by millions, the newest form of his What’s On Tap newsletter that stretched back into the early 1990s. It was my great honor to take over his column and try to continue his legacy of support for craft brewers in the Bay Area and beyond. Drink a toast to the memory and legacy of William “Bill” Brand today. Happy birthday Bill, you are most certainly missed.

At the Falling Rock during GABF week in 2004. Clockwise from left, Bill, Lisa Morrison, me, Tom Dalldorf, Stephen Beaumont and my cousin Mike, who lived in Denver at the time.
Bill at the Bistro Double IPA Festival in 2008 with Kenny Gross and Judy Ashworth.
Bill toasting with a pitcher of Oakland’s new Linden Street Brewery, with Fraggle at the far right, whose birthday would also have been today. Photo by RRifkin.
Dueling laptops; Bill and me at Magnolia on February 6 for the tapping of Napa Smith Original Albion Ale by Don Barkley. Photo courtesy of Shaun O’Sullivan.
Bill taking notes at the Monk’s Blood Dinner at 21st Amendment, February 8, 2009. Photo by Jesse Friedman of Beer & Nosh.
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Drink a toast to Bill today, it’s how he would have wanted to be remembered.