Beer Birthday: Craig Cauwels

November 20, 2025 By Jay Brooks 6 Comments

morgan-territory
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 11 Comments

sierra-nevada
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.

Kim for a newspaper article I did about him and Brut IPA a few years back.

Kim on stage with Charlie Papazian, Brendan Moylan and Arne Johnson picking up a medal during GABF in 2011.

Kim serving at the opening gala for SF Beer Week, also in 2011.

Beer In Ads #5112: Big Halloween Party Tonight At The Owl Cabaret

October 31, 2025 By Jay Brooks

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.

Friday’s ad is for a Halloween Party taking place tonight rather than a specific Bock Beer, which was published on October 31, 1933. So presumably this would have been the first Halloween after prohibition was repealed, and they are advertising a Bock Beer Glass for 5-cents This one was for the Owl Cabaret at the A.B.W. Club in Mexicali, Mexico. This ad ran in The Imperial Valley Press, from El Centro, California.

Beer Birthday: Bill Millar

October 28, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 83rd birthday of Bill Millar, who founded the San Andreas Brewing Co. in Hollister, California, and he also has the distinction of giving Mitch Steele his first brewing gig. San Andreas was started in 1988, and I visited it not too long thereafter, as I was living not to far away, in San Jose, at the time. I was a big fan of their Cranberry Ale for the holidays, and Bill was kind enough to keg some for me each year, for a few years in the early 90s, for the holiday party that I used to throw. I’d drive down to Hollister to pick it up, and then return the empty keg a few days later. The brewery is closed now, sadly, though I’m not sure when exactly is stopped brewing. Join me in wishing Bill a very happy birthday.

P1000888 — Bill with Mitch Steele, at the Bistro IPA Festival in 2007.

Bill at the CSBA Beer Summit a few years ago.

Beer Birthday: Glynn Phillips

October 26, 2025 By Jay Brooks

rubicon
Today is also the birthday of Glynn Phillips, former owner of Rubicon Brewing in Sacramento, which also opened a production brewery not too far from the original brewpub, before closing a couple of years ago. Glynn was a great champion for craft beer and has done quite a lot for the cause. Glynn was also very active in both the California Small Brewers Association and the Northern California Brewers Guild. Join me in wishing Glynn a very happy birthday.

raley07-12
Brian Ford, from Auburn Alehouse, with Glynn at the Raley Field Brewfest in 2007.

breastfest08-09
Glynn Phillips (Rubicon), Brendan Moylan (Marin/Moylan’s), Alec Moss (Half Moon Bay), Brian Hunt (Moonlight), Rodger Davis (Triple Rock) and Josh Minor (Drake’s) at the Breastfest in 2008.

P1060677
Glynn in his brewery last year when I visited him in Sacramento.

breastfest08-10
Arne Johnson, Chris Goehe and Glynn.

Beer Birthday: Sean Paxton

October 20, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 53rd birthday of Sean Paxton, a.k.a. The Homebrew Chef. Sean is a mad alchemist in the kitchen and puts on some wonderful food and beer spectacles. Plus he’s a terrific homebrewer, an even better human being and a great friend. A few years ago, he spent a great deal of time redoing his website with great new recipes and an amazing interface that allows you to search, scale the recipes, convert measurements and much more. Check it out. He’s been sticking closer to home more recently. Join me in wishing Sean a very happy birthday.

At the Great American Beer Festival in 2008. Bruce Paton, the Beer Chef, Sean and Dave Keene, from the Toronado, in the convention center.

Sean with his daughter Olivia at the Pliny the Elder release several years ago.

Working with nitrogen at the 11-course Belgian Brunch, or Blunch, held at the Toronado.

My wife, Sarah, with Sean after the 10th annual beer dinner at the Northern California Homebrewers Festival held at Lake Francis Resort in Dobbins, California.

With Randy Mosher at the world’s biggest beer dinner at CBC in Chicago.

Matt Bonney, Stephen Beaumont, Sean, Pete Slosberg & Rick Sellers at the Bistro for the Double IPA Festival several years back.

Beer Birthday: John Tucci

October 19, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is also the 58th birthday of John Tucci, who I first met when he was the brewmaster for the San Francisco Gordon Biersch brewpub. John was one of Gordon Biersch’s best and most senior brewers, and especially with his one-offs that he brewed at that now-defunct location. He’s also a great champion for beer in San Francisco and was very active with the local brewers guild and SF Beer Week. When the San Francisco location closed, he brewed at their Palo Alto brewpub, but after 16 years, left and has opened his own brewery, 47 Hills Brewing, which is located at 137 South Linden Avenue in South San Francisco. Join me in wishing John a very happy birthday.