Beer Birthday: Wil Turner

November 28, 2025 By Jay Brooks 1 Comment

Today is the 58th birthday of Wil Turner, brewer at Open Outcry Brewing, in Chicago. He’s also a former brewer at Revolution Brewing and Goose Island Brewery, but Wil’s originally from California — or at least that’s where I first met him — but moved to Chicago to brew at the Clybourn Goose Island brewpub, eventually moving to the production side. Since the sale of Goose Island, Wil moved back over to brewpub brewing at Revolution and more recently moved to brew at Open Outcry. Wil’s a great brewer, of course, and a terrific person for the industry, always a fun guy to drink with. Join me in wishing Wil a very happy birthday.

Tom Nickel & Will Turner @ Wynkoop — Tom Nickel with Wil at the Brewer’s Reception at Wynkoop during GABF in 2009.

vanwyck-2 — On the floor at GABF in 2007 with Andrew Mason (on left), Matt’s assistant when he was still at Flossmoor Station, and Wil.

Wil, also at the 2006 GABF, sadly empty.

Beer Birthday: Matt Brynildson

November 27, 2025 By Jay Brooks 3 Comments

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Today is the 54th birthday of Matt Brynildson, brewmaster at Firestone Walker Brewery. I’ve known Matt for a number of years, though I got to know him a lot better when I traveled with him to Burton-on-Trent in England to do a guest brew at Marston’s. And several years ago, we both were in Chile to judge at the Copa Cervezas de America. Also, a few years back now, I wrote a profile of Matt for Beer Connoisseur magazine, too. But suffice it to say that apart from being incredibly gifted as a brewer, Matt is also one of the nicest and coolest people in the industry. Join me in wishing Matt a very hoppy birthday.

marstons-12 — At Marston’s in Burton-on-Trent several years ago.

tbwf08-07 — Matt (center) outside the Toronado with one of his then-assistant brewers, Jim Cibak (who’s now head brewer at Revolution Brewing) along with Sean Paxton, the Homebrew Chef enjoying the rare San Francisco winter sun.

boonville07-21 — Matt bookended by Adrienne and Claudia, from 21st Amendment Brewery, at the Boonville Beer Festival in 2007.

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In Chile at Kross Cerveza Independiente with brewmaster Asbjorn Gerlach, Matt and Lars Larson from Trumer Brauerei.

P1050142 — Matt at the first Firestone Walker Invitational, held several years ago.

Beer In Ads #5124: Anchor Bock Beer

November 24, 2025 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads for awhile. Bock, of course, may have originated in Germany, in the town of Einbeck. Because many 19th century American breweries were founded by German immigrants, they offered a bock at certain times of the year, be it Spring, Easter, Lent, Christmas, or what have you. In a sense they were some of the first seasonal beers. “The style was later adopted in Bavaria by Munich brewers in the 17th century. Due to their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced ‘Einbeck’ as ‘ein Bock’ (a billy goat), and thus the beer became known as ‘Bock.’ A goat often appears on bottle labels.” And presumably because they were special releases, many breweries went all out promoting them with beautiful artwork on posters and other advertising.

Monday’s ad is for Anchor Bock Beer, and was published maybe sometime in the mid-to-late-2000s, since Anchor’s Bock debuted in 2005. It was made for the Anchor Brewing Co. of San Francisco, California, which was originally founded in 1896. Anchor rarely advertised, especially during the Maytag years, so this isn’t something you see very often.

Beer Birthday: Phil Cutti

November 23, 2025 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

Today is the birthday of Phil Cutti, co-founder, former president and brewmaster of Headlands Brewing in Marin County, but since 2018 was also the head brewer at Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, though he left that in 2023. Phil spent most of his adult life as an Exercise Physiologist and extreme athlete. Needing something to do to relax, he took up homebrewing, and then the homebrewing took him. In addition to doing the brewing at Speakeasy and Headlands, he’s also the president of the Bay Area Brewers Guild. More recently, he’s begun working on something called the Ripple Beer Project. Join me in wishing Phil a very happy birthday.

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After winning bronze at GABF in 2015.

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Phil, Patrick Horn and Inna Volynskaya of Headlands Brewing, in a press photo by the brewery.

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Phil ready for his close-up at the Toronado San Diego during San Diego Beer Week a couple of years ago.

The Headlands crew during their first trip to GABF in 2013. Photo stolen from Brian Stechschulte. Hopefully he’ll let it slide in the spirit of the holidays.

Beer Birthday: John Palmer

November 22, 2025 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

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Today is the 62nd birthday of John Palmer, a metallurgist by day, homebrewer the rest of the time. John is the author of several books, including the seminal “How to Brew,” “Brewing Classic Styles,” with Jamil Zainasheff and “Water: The Comprehensive Guide for Brewers,” with Colin Kaminski. He also recently started consulting, with Palmer Brewing Solutions. Join me in wishing John a very happy birthday.

palmer-and-jamil — Jamil Zainasheff and John signing books at NHC 2011.

Matt-and-John — Matt Brynildson and John.

palmer-holl — Three John’s. John Knox of HopSafari, John Palmer, and John Holl at GABF in 2013.

Beer Birthday: Craig Cauwels

November 20, 2025 By Jay Brooks 6 Comments

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Today is the 59th birthday of Craig Cauwels, who started brewing at Schooner’s in 2003, when his longtime friend Shawn Burns needed his help, and he continuing brewing there until after Burns sold the brewpub to a new owner. For a time, he was also brewing at E.J. Phair brewing, and even went back to brewing at Schooner’s part-time, splitting his time between the two East Bay breweries. More recently, Schooner’s has a new owner, who shut down the brewpub, but moved the equipment to a production space in Tracy, and they’ve rebranded the brewery as Morgan Territory, where Craig doing all of the brewing. They even brought home their first medal from GABF before officially opening, for a beer Craig made at Schooner’s but under the Morgan Territory name since the BA allowed them to enter under the new name even though they hadn’t opened yet, which is pretty cool. Of course, the brewery is now open and has a taproom you can visit, too, enjoy a beer and take home a growler. Originally a molecular biologist, Craig was running the core lab facility at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard University when he gave it all up to become a professional brewer. And that’s certainly been good news for people who love great beer, because he’s a very talented brewer. Join me in wishing Craig a very happy birthday.

Craig and me at Morgan Territory Brewery during a visit in late 2021

Craig Cauwels, from Schooner's, with Vic Krajl — Craig with Vic Krajl at the 2009 Bistro Barrel Aged Fest.

bistro-dipa09-10 — Craig with Sam Calagione (from Dogfish Head) and Dave McLean (from Magnolia’s) at the Double IPA Festival at the Bistro a couple of years ago.

cbn-ann19-14 — Craig with Steve Altimari, from High Water Brewing at the Celebrator’s 18th anniversary party in 2007.

schooners-beerdin-7 — Craig with Brian Yaeger, the Beer Chef Bruce Paton and me at a Schooner’s beer dinner at Cathedral Hotel in 2008.

Craig and the Morgan Territory team at the SF Beer Week Gala several years ago.

Beer Birthday: Peter Hoey

November 18, 2025 By Jay Brooks 2 Comments

Today is the 46th birthday of Peter Hoey, who used to be the brewmaster at Sacramento Brewing, then left to launch a new brewery, Odonata Beer Co., with Rick Sellers, which sadly ran into some hurdles that had nothing to do with how good the beer was that Peter was making. He’s also brewed at Sierra Nevada and Bison Brewing, too. Then Peter was working at Brewers Supply Group, having taken over Mark Worona’s old job (since he’d been promoted). More recently, he left BSG to start his own brewery in downtown Sacramento, Urban Roots Brewing, where he’s making some absolutely stellar beers. Peter partnered in the venture with Rob Archie, who also owns the Pangaea Bier Cafe. Peter’s a great brewer and has become a good friend over the years. Join me in wishing Peter a very happy birthday.

hoey-and-me — Peter and me at Urban Roots during the California Beer Summit.

John Martin, me, and Peter at one of the SF Beer Week opening galas.

Rick Sellers & Peter Hoey of California's Newest Brewery, Odonata Brewing — Former Odonata partner Rick Sellers with Peter at GABF in 2010.

gabf07-02 — Peter at the GABF Brewers Reception in 2007, along with Rich Norgrove from Bear Republic and Arne Johnson of Marin Brewing.

raley07-08 — Peter, looking about twelve, and Steve Altimari, from High Water Brewing, at the first Raley Field Beer Festival in 2007.

pangea-2017 — With a group of people a couple of years ago at Pangaea Bier Cafe during judging for the California State Fair.

Beer Birthday: Ken Grossman

November 11, 2025 By Jay Brooks

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Today is the 71st birthday of Ken Grossman, who founded Sierra Nevada Brewing in 1980. It would be hard to say too much about just how much Ken has done and continues to do for the craft beer industry, while at the same time being wildly successful. Join me in wishing Ken a very happy birthday.

At the Craft Brewers Conference in 2007, John Harris, from Full Sail, Ken’s daughter Sierra, Ken, and Garret Oliver, from Brooklyn Brewery.

grossmans — Ken with two of his children, Brian and Sierra, both of whom work for the company. I took this in 2007 for an article I did for American Brewer on passing breweries from one generation to the next.

gabf06-fri-13 — “Inside the Brewers Studio” at the 2006 GABF with Jim Koch of Boston Beer Co., Ken, Charlie Papazian, founder of what is now the Brewers Association, and moderator Tom Dalldorf of the Celebrator.

Ken and Sam Calagione at the Life & Limb beer dinner in 2009.

P1000418 — Ken and Jeremy Cowan, from Shmaltz Brewing, at GABF several years ago.

DSCN3596 — Ken and Pete Slosberg, signing books at GABF a few years ago.

Beer Birthday: Steve Altimari

November 7, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 65th birthday of Steve Altimari, until recently the founder and brewmaster of High Water Brewing. I first met Steve when he was still brewing for Valley in Stockton, before that went spectacularly south, and we’ve been good friends ever since. When Steve was working on the new brewing company, I even suggested the name and he graciously gave me a few shares in the company as a thank you. Of course, he’s also smart enough to never ask my business advice so I’m hardly involved and can remain in impartial. Though to be fair, the fact that he makes uniformly great beers helps. Join me in wishing Steve a very happy birthday.

Stephen-steven-me — Stephen Beaumont, Steve and me at Barclay’s during SF Beer Week 2010.

Peace Or 2 Medals: Steve Altimari, from Valley Brewing — A very happy Steve at the Falling Rock Taphouse in Denver, after winning two medals at the 2009 Great American Beer Festival.

Steve-Donohue-2 — The Three Steves: Steve Altimari, Steve Donohue and Steve Shapiro, from Beer by Bart, at the Breastfest. (Photo by Arie Litman.)

Beer Birthday: Kim Sturdavant

November 5, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 46th birthday of Kim Sturdavant. He was born in Eugene, Oregon and got his professional brewing start at Marin Brewing Co. before taking over at Social Kitchen & Brewery in San Francisco in 2011. While there he invented the Brut IPA sub-style, which was a popular type of IPA for a time. He left in 2019 and for a time was brewing at Pacifica Brewery, but more recently he’s joined Admiral Maltings as a Technical Sales Representative. Kim’s a great brewer and a terrific person. Join me in wishing Kim a very happy birthday.