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Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Beer Birthday: Ron Lindenbusch

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Today is the 65th birthday of Ron Lindenbusch, who had been with the Lagunitas Brewery since the very beginning. I first met Ron and founder Tony Magee when I visited the brewery in its original location in the mid-1990s. Ron had been a huge part of bringing the brewery along to where it is today, and is a terrific person and a good friend. More recently, he’s retired from Lagunitas, and was full-time at what had originally been a side project, reopening the old location of the original Mendocino Brewing Co. site as the Hopland Tap and Grill in Hopland, California, but even more recently he’s closed that down, as well, and is working with the Best Day Brewing line of N/A beers. Join me in wishing Ron a very happy birthday.

Closing weekend last year at the Hopland Tap & Grill, with my Wife Sarah, Ron, and Pat Mace.
A random run-in during CBC in Nashville.
Another random run-in, this time at my local gas station, of all places.
Tweetup organizer Ashley, a.k.a. The Beer Wench, with Ron Lindenbusch, from Lagunitas
The Beer Wench, Ashley Routson, with Ron at a Tweet-Up at Lagunitas several years ago.
At a beer dinner at Horizons in Marin County, with Dean Biersch and Lynn, the chef at Hopmonk Tavern, Dean’s then-new venture in Sebastopol.
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Ron with Lagunitas owner Tony Magee’s sister Karen, who rep’s Lagunitas in the Chicago area, at SAVOR several years ago in Washington, D.C.
Ron Lindenbusch, Shaun O'Sullivan, Zambo, Rich Rosen, me, Sarah, Lloyd Knight, Dave Suurballe and James Renfrew
Ron, with Shaun O’Sullivan, Zambo, Rich Rosen, me, Sarah, Lloyd Knight, Dave Suurballe and James Renfrew at Anchor’s annual Christmas Party a few years ago.

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: Charlie Bamforth

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Today is the 74th birthday of Charlie Bamforth, who was the Anheuser-Busch Endowed Professor of Brewing Science at U.C. Davis (and was my teacher when I took the brewing short course there). His three most recent books should be on your must read list: In Praise of Beer, Beer Is Proof That God Loves Us and Grape vs. Grain. He’s a terrific advocate for beer and a great person. He was also kind enough to speak to beer appreciation class that I taught at Sonoma State University and our Beer Writers Guild symposium a few years ago in Philadelphia. Join me in wishing Charlie a very happy birthday.

Coming back from some beer judging in London a few summers ago, I randomly ended up on the same flight back to San Francisco with Charlie, in fact I sat behind him on the plane.
Charlie with John Dannerbeck from Anchor Brewing, at a reception held there for the launch of Charlie’s new book.

Speakers at the Symposium: Bruce Paton, Christine Hastorf, Fritz Maytag and Charlie Bamforth
Charlie with fellow speakers at the Herbst Museum Symposium a few years ago, from left: Bruce Paton, Christine Hastorf, Fritz Maytag and Charlie.

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Charlie speaking at the first North American Guild of Beer Writers Symposium in Philadelphia in May of 2016.

Charlie being courted by both wine and beer on his publisher’s blog, Cambridge University Press.
Charlie and me after he gave a talk in 2018.

Beer Birthday: Todd Ashman

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Today is also the birthday of Todd Ashman, who turns 66. Todd is originally from Santa Rosa, but spent a number of years brewing at Flossmoor Station near Chicago, and then short stints at Titletown Brewing in Green Bay, Wisconsin and with Brewers Supply Group. Several years ago, Todd moved back to California to take a position brewing with a then-new brewery in Truckee, Fifty Fifty Brewing, which he’d made into an amazing brewing powerhouse. Some health issues sidelined Todd for a time, and he’s moved back to Santa Rosa, but I did see him at our local Target during Covid and he’s working on a few things. Join me in wishing Todd a very happy birthday.

Peter Hoey, at left, then with Sacramento Brewing, and Todd at the 2007 Northern California Homebrew Festival.
Todd Ashman, from Fifty Fifty Brewing
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Todd at Hair of the Dog during OBF in 2007.
Todd receiving a medal during GABF 2002.

Beer Birthday: Kevin West

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Today is the 65th birthday of Kevin West, who had worked at Anchor Brewing for just under thirty years, and was lead brewer. He started as a bottler, and worked as a tour guide for a time in the late 1990s, but joined the brewing team twenty years ago. I’m not sure when exactly I first met Kevin, but it was a good while ago, and I certainly remember a memorable night at The Falling Rock in Denver watching Giants playoff baseball. But he’s a great advocate for craft beer in the Bay Area and Anchor in specific, of course. Join me in wishing Kevin a very happy birthday. Hopefully, he’ll be able to return to Anchor under its new management at some point.

At home in front of the brewery. (Photo by Shaun O’Sullivan)
Kevin with Bruce Paton.
Kevin with Shaun O’Sullivan, Dave McLean, Jamie Floyd, and Ben Spencer.
Pouring OBA at the brewery.
Behind the bar in the tap room. (Photo by Shaun O’Sullivan)

Beer Birthday: Tyler Smith

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Today is the 42nd birthday of Tyler Smith, who is the owner and brewmaster of Cooperage Brewing Co. in Santa Rosa, California. He’s originally from Southern California but moved to Sonoma County over ten years ago, where he continued homebrewing and working beer bars and retail before opening Cooperage in 2015. I’ve been to the brewery taproom several times, and always enjoyed Tyler’s beers. Join me in wishing Tyler a very happy birthday.

Me and Tyler right before he opened their second location in downtown Santa Rosa.
Earlier this year, Brian Hunt and I took two Belgian friends, Carl Kins and Bram Neudt, to visit Tyler at Cooperage.
Tyler in front of the Cooperage barrels, from their website.

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: Tony Magee

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Today is the 66th birthday of Tony Magee. Tony is the founder and owner of Lagunitas Brewing. We first met in the mid-1990s when I visited the old brewery, before they moved to their present location, and have been good friends ever since. Several years ago, now, I wrote a profile of Tony for Beer Connoisseur magazine. With his beautifully twisted, iconoclastic vision, Tony’s built an amazing empire. His unique beers, and especially their quirky label designs and text, are always a treat. I know some people are down on the brewery since their sale to Heineken, but as far as I’m concerned, Tony is still Tony, even in retirement. Join me in wishing Tony a very happy birthday.

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Tony as Ringmaster of the Lagunitas Beer Circus in 2009, with Vinnie Cilurzo from Russian River Brewing.
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Tony and me at the Bistro’s IPA Festival in 2006.
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Tony warming up for a set at the Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol in 2008.

Speaking at the California Beer Summit several years ago.

Beer Birthday: Big Mike Moore

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Today is the 67th birthday of “Big” Mike Moore. Originally a pharmacist, Mike gave it all up for beer … thank goodness. Mike has been leading beer tours in Europe and a few years ago took over running the judging for, first the California State Fair Commercial Competition, and more recently, the CCBC, the California Craft Brewers Cup, which was sponsored by the CCBA. I’ve gotten to know Big Mike much better over the last few years, judging together on Celebrator Beer News panels, at competitions at The Bistro and other beery events. He’s even stayed with us a few times in our guesthouse, where we’ve introduced him to the pleasures of gin. Join me in wishing Big Mike a very happy birthday.

Big Mike at Augustiner in Germany.
Andy Klein (2nd from the left) and the Monk’s Cellar crew with Big Mike and Tom McCormick at the Celebrator Anniversary Party in 2017.
Big Mike with the 2018 inductees into the California Brewer’s Hall of Fame, Pete Slosberg, Judy Ashworth, and Tom Dalldorf.
In the basement of The Bistro for Double IPA judging in 2020.

Beer Birthday: David Walker

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Today is the 62nd birthday of David Walker, co-founder of Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Originally from Great Britain, David married co-founder Adam Firestone’s sister, and moved to California. The two brothers-in-law began homebrewing on the family’s winery property and decided to start a brewery business together in 1996. I first met David over ten years ago and I carried his beer at BevMo from the beginning. But I’ve gotten to know him better in the last few years and he’s become one of my favorite people in the industry. Join me in wishing David a very happy birthday.

Rich Norgrove and Brian Hunt with David at my 60th birthday party a few years ago.
Vinnie Cilurzo, David,, Matt Brynildson, and his wife, David’s wife, and Natalie Cilurzo at the 2018 Firestone Walker Invitational.
Travis Smith and Mike Sardina, both from Societe Brewing of San Diego, with David at the Firestone Walker Invitational in 2016.
In 2014, I was in Belgium to judge the Brussels Beer Challenge and walking the streets of Brussels late at night randomly ran into David and his wife taking some Firestone Walker employees on a trip to Belgium.
In 2017 on a family vacation to Santa Barbara we made a quick detour to visit Firestone Walker’s Barrelworks and happily discovered that David was there and was able to show us around.
Matt Brynildson, Jamie Smith, and David at A Night Of Ales Beer Dinner at the Toronado in 2009.