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Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Beer Birthday: Michael Lewis

December 29, 2024 By Jay Brooks

uc-davis
Today is 87th birthday of Dr. Michael Lewis, who ran the brewing sciences department at U.C. Davis beginning in 1962, and became the Professor Emeritus in 1995, when Charlie Bamforth succeeded him, although Dr. Lewis remains active in teaching and in brewing. He was my instructor, along with Charlie, when I took the brewing short course at Davis over a decade. He’s taught countless working brewers over the years and has greatly influenced the industry as a whole. Join me in wishing Dr. Lewis a very happy birthday.

Michael receiving an award for a lifetime of achievement at the 2008 CBC in San Diego.

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Michael with Ruhstaller founder J.D. Paino at Sudwerk (photo from the Davis Enterprise).

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Michael (at far left) with the gang at Sudwerk Privatbrauerei in Davis (photo from the Davis Enterprise).

Michael J. Lewis, front row, right, and his brewing lab class in Sonoma, in the mid-1970s, with Jack McAuliffe, left, at his New Albion Brewing Co., the first microbrewery in the United States. Photo taken by UC Davis student Doug Muhleman, who would earn a bachelor’s degree in 1977 and a master’s in 1979 and go on to become vice president of brewing operations and technology for Anheuser-Busch.

Filed Under: Birthdays Tagged With: California, Education, Northern California, Science of Brewing

Beer Birthday: Jeremy Warren

December 26, 2024 By Jay Brooks

revision
Today is the 48th birthday of brewer Jeremy Warren. Jeremy first made a name for himself with Knee Deep Brewing, but a couple of years ago left to open his own place, Revision Brewing. Jeremy created some great beers with Knee Deep and he’s doing more of the same with his new brewery. It was initially going to be in West Sacramento, but instead Revision ended up being located in Sparks, Nevada. Join me wishing Jeremy a very happy birthday.

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Jeremy and me at the Bistro IPA Festival in 2017.

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Jeremy from an article in Sacramento Magazine.

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Jeremy with Dean Hanson at Final Gravity in Auburn. [Note: photo purloined from Facebook.]

Revision-Brewing

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: California, Nevada, Northern California

Beer Birthday: Barkley The Beer

December 26, 2024 By Jay Brooks

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Today is the 37th birthday of Barkley D. Beer, the mascot of the Anderson Valley Brewing Co. in Boonville, California. Be sure to toast Barkley with a bottle or can or draft of your favorite Anderson Valley beer today. And join me in wishing Barkley a very happy birthday.

Alice and Porter posing with Barkley at the Boonville Beer Festival a number of years ago.

And here’s why, according to Anderson Valley’s website, Barkley is a “beer” and not a “bear:”

It’s not a bear. Bears don’t have antlers. Of course not. Whoever heard of such a thing?

It is, however, a BEER. The Legendary Boonville Beer to be exact. Barkley, by name, who could be considered a cross between a bear and a deer (thus a beer). Barkley and his brethren are often seen about Anderson Valley by lovers of truly fine beers (especially if they’ve had a few).

So now you know. Never again will you be tormented by friends and relations who know the secret of the Beer and won’t give. Now you can go out and torture your friends and relations.

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Though he used to have a collar, as seen in this 2008 photo of Barkley.

And not everyone treats him with reverence.

A trio at the 2010 Boonville Beer Festival.

boonville08-01Barkley in front of the gift shop/tasting room.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: California, Northern California

Beer Birthday: Vic Kralj

December 14, 2024 By Jay Brooks

bistro
Today is the 65th birthday of Vic Kralj, who is the co-owner of The Bistro in Hayward, California. Celebrator publisher Tom Dalldorf used to own the Bistro, which was originally a wine bar that Tom re-invented for beer, and then Vic and Cynthia bought it from Tom (with one deadbeat in between) and set it on its present course. Vic added the IPA Festival, then championed Double IPA with a second festival, helping it get style recognition. The Double IPA Festival also became one of the anchors for SF Beer Week. He also does a Wood-Aged Beer Festival and something with fresh hops. Vic’s a great person who I’ve gotten to know pretty well, especially since he’s been on the Celebrator Tasting Panel since the early 2000s. Join me in wishing Vic a very happy birthday.

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Vic and me around 2006.

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Vic and Dave Keene from the Toronado.

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Judy Ashworh, Dave Millar, Mitch Steele and Vic at the Bistro IPA Festival in 2007.

Rich Norgrove, from Bear Republic, and Vic Krajl, co-owner of the Bistro
Rich Norgrove, from Bear Republic, and Vic.

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Matt Sallie and Vic.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: Bay Area, California, Northern California, Pubs

Beer Birthday: Peter Licht

December 8, 2024 By Jay Brooks


Today is the 58th birthday of Peter Licht, former brewmaster at Hermitage Brewing. Peter grew up in Rochester, New York but came to California to attend the master brewers program at U.C. Davis in 1994, and ended up staying in the Bay Area. When I first met him, he was brewing at Coast Range Brewing in the South Bay. When that brewery folded, he joined the San Jose Tied House, and moved with the equipment to when they closed to the brewpub to create the Hermitage Brewery at a new location and was there untuk they closed the brewery during Covid. Peter made some great contract beer for me at Coast Range (when I was at BevMo) and I was happy to see him land at Hermitage, where he had continued to brew a wide range of great beers. More recently, he’s working with the Independent Brewers Alliance, which a co-op for breweries to share buying power on supplies, resources and materials. Join me in wishing Peter a very happy birthday.

Me and Peter in Nashville last year.

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Hermitage assistant brewer, Steve Donohue (now at Santa Clara Valley Brewing), Peter and me during a visit to the Hermitage Brewery in San Jose a few years ago.

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Peter in front of Hermitage’s foeder.

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An arty shot on Hermitage’s old brewhouse, which used to be at the San Jose Tied House. My favorite wedding photo is Sarah and me on this same brewhouse during our reception there over twenty-five years ago.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: California, Northern California

Beer Birthday: Dave Gull

December 6, 2024 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 50th birthday — the Big 5-O — of Dave Gull, founder of New Helvetia Brewing in Sacramento, California. Dave was born and raised in Sacramento, and founded New Helvetia Brewing in 2011, which is also when we first met. Dave is a University of Oregon alum and worked in real estate before turning his attention to brewing, first as a homebrewer then as a brewery owner. Dave’s also been active in both his local brewer’s guild as well as the CCBA, the state guild. Join me in wishing Dave a very happy birthday.

Charlie Bamforth and Dave at New Helvetia Brewing in 2013.
Dave with another person born December 6th, Natalie Cilurzo (center).
At GABF in 2018, picking up a silver medal for their coffee beer.
Dave with Jamie Floyd at GABF.

NOTE: Photos 1 & 4 purloined from Facebook.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Breweries, Just For Fun Tagged With: California, Northern California, Sacramento

Beer Birthday: Natalie Cilurzo

December 6, 2024 By Jay Brooks

russian-river
Today is the 56th birthday of Natalie Cilurzo, co-founder of Russian River Brewing, and the woman who makes everything run smoothly at both the brewpub and the new production brewery. You’d be hard-pressed to find a nicer person in the beer world, and though she spent many years working with wine, the brewing industry is all the richer now that she’s left that all behind her. Join me in wishing Natalie a very happy birthday.

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Natalie after giving a toast for Zwanze Day.

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Natalie and Vinnie at the new production brewery.

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Natalie with Vinnie at his 40th birthday party a few years ago.

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Jen Garris, from Pi Bar, Dave Keene’s wife Jen Smith, and Natalie at the Toronado 25th Anniversary Blending Dinner.

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Four out of Five, the Cilurzos and a Stan. From Left: Natalie, Stan Hieronymus, Vinnie’s mother and father, and Vinnie Cilurzo at the World Beer Cup gala dinner in 2008.

Best man Vinnie Cilurzo, Dave Keene, Jennifer Smith and maid of honor Natalie Cilurzo
Best man Vinnie Cilurzo, Dave Keene, Jennifer Smith and maid of honor Natalie at Dan & Jen’s wedding during GABF 2010.

Me, Natalie Cilurzo and Sean Paxton (and his daughter Olivia)
Me, Natalie and Sean Paxton (and his daughter Olivia) at the Pliny the Younger release in 2011. (photo by Mario Rubio.)

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Natalie several years ago for the 8th annual All Hopped Up for the Cure.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: California, Northern California

Beer Birthday: Andy Klein

December 3, 2024 By Jay Brooks

monks-cellar

Today is the 55th birthday of Andy Klein, founder and brewmaster at Monk’s Cellar Brewery & Public House, located in Roseville, Cal. Andy first brewed at Sacramento Brewing in the mid-90s, then was at Beermann’s Beerworks before working as a brewery consultant for over a decade, before opening his own place six years ago, in 2013. I met Andy a few years ago and quickly realized we’re kindred spirits and I’ve enjoyed both getting to know him better whenever we run into one another and drinking his beer. Sean Paxton and I first went to his brewpub at least a year before we met, and it’s a favorite place of my son because it’s very near to the train yards in the area. Join me in wishing Andy a very happy birthday.

Andy and me at the brewery earlier this summer.
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Dressed appropriate as a monk one Halloween.
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Sacramento Brewing alums Andy, Peter York, and Peter Hoey.
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The Monk’s Cellar crew with Big Mike Moore and Tom McCormick at the Celebrator Anniversary Party in 2017.

Note: All photos purloined from Facebook.

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: California, Northern California, Sacramento

Beer Birthday: Peter Hoey

November 18, 2024 By Jay Brooks

urban-roots
Today is the 45th 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.

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

No photo description available.

Me and Peter at 21st Amendment.

No photo description available.

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.

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

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

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

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: California, Northern California, Sacramento

Beer Birthday: Ken Grossman

November 11, 2024 By Jay Brooks

sierra-nevada
Today is the 70th birthday — The Big 7-O — 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.

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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.

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“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.

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

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Ken and Jeremy Cowan, from Shmaltz Brewing, at GABF a couple of years ago.

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

Filed Under: Birthdays, Just For Fun Tagged With: California, Northern California

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