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Beer Birthday: Jeff Alworth

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Today is the 58th birthday of Jeff Alworth, blogger extraordinaire at Beervana. Despite annual trips to Portland, it was years until the first time Jeff and I met, although we’d been corresponding with one another for many years. We sat down for a pint or three at one of my favorite Portland watering holes, Hair of the Dog. Jeff is one of the most thoughtful, engaging beer writers, and his book, The Beer Bible has become the gold standard, and more recently released version 2.0. Join me in wishing Jeff a very happy birthday.

Em Sauter, Jeff and me in Portland a few years ago.
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Jeff and Alan Sprints at Hair of the Dog Brewery.
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Jeff and Stan Hieronymus at CBC in Portland a few years back.
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Me and Jeff a few Augusts ago when he was in Marin County on his the first leg of his book tour for the Beer Bible.
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Jeff and John Harris at Don Younger’s wake (photo by Lisa Morrison).
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With Emily Sauter at the World Beer Awards judging in D.C. a few years ago.

Beer Birthday: Kurt Widmer

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Today is Kurt Widmer’s 73rd birthday. Kurt is, of course, one of the bros in Widmer Brothers. He and his brother Rob helped found the Oregon Brewers Festival, created the style American Hefeweizen and are one of the few small brewers that have managed to retain their spirit and reputation as they’ve grown much larger. A few years ago, Kurt retired, which hopefully he’s enjoying to the fullest. Join me in wishing Kurt a very happy birthday.

Kurt (at left) and Rob Widmer with their wives at the Oregon Brewers Festival in 2003.
Kurt and Rob after their win for Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year at GABF in 2002.
Rob and Kurt Widmer accepting the gavel in July 2007 from Jack Joyce and John Maier from Rogue, for 2008 when that next year they hosted OBF.
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Gary Fish, Kurt and beer writer Fred Eckhardt at Don Younger’s memorial (photo by Tom Dalldorf).
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Ray, Kurt and Ron Widmer at the start of the brewery.

Beer Birthday: Rob Widmer

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Today is Rob Widmer’s 69th birthday. Rob is, of course, one of the bros in Widmer Brothers. He and his brother Kurt helped found the Oregon Brewers Festival, created the style American Hefeweizen and are one of the few small brewers that have managed to retain their spirit and reputation as they’ve grown much larger. Join me in wishing Rob a very happy birthday.

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Kurt and Rob Widmer with ther wives at the Oregon Brewers Festival several years ago.
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Kurt and Rob after their win for Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year at GABF in 2002.
Rob with the Ralph’s (Olson and Woodall) from HopUnion at the 15th Anniversary Party for the Celebrator Beer News.
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Rob with the late, great Don Younger at Wynkoop during GABF in 2009.

Beer Birthday: Alan Sprints

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Today is the 66th birthday of Alan Sprints. Alan was the founder of Hair of the Dog Brewery in Portland, Oregon. Alan made some of the most unique and wonderful beers, not just in Portland, but anywhere, all the more impressive because he brewed out of an old Campbell’s soup kettle. A few years ago he relocated the brewery, now with a tasting room, to a new location on S.E. Yamhill in Portland. And a couple of years back, he came over to our home and brewed a version of his wonderful Doggie Claws with my son Porter on his brew sculpture. Alan is simply one of the best brewers anywhere and one of my favorite people in the industry. Sadly, he just closed down his brewery although he will continue to do some limited releases and collaborations, at least for the foreseeable future. Join me in wishing Alan a very happy birthday.

Alan and me at OBF in 2011.
Alan, with Portland beer writer Fred Eckhardt, at his annual open house during OBF in 2008.
Alan with his two Washington Cask Festival ribbons at Brouwer’s in Seattle a couple of years ago for the Keene Tasting.
Sean Paxton, the homebrew chef, my son Porter, and Alan, when he brewed a version of Doggie Claws with Porter at my house three years ago.
Alan standing in front of some of his aging beers, in 2007.
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Toasting Fred Eckhardt a few years ago, Alan with the other founders of FredFest.
Fred Eckhardt and Alan at OBF in 2011.

Beer Birthday: Ben Edmunds

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Today is the 44th birthday of Ben Edmunds. Ben is the co-founder and head brewer at Breakside Brewery in Portland, Oregon. Originally from Michigan, he attended Siebel Institute after college and settled in Portland. In 2010, Scott Lawrence opened Breakside with Ben doing the brewing. I don’t remember exactly when I met Ben but I’m pretty sure it was shortly after they opened, and I’ve been seeing him around ever since at various beer events. Ben’s a great advocate for craft beer and fun to hang out with, too. Join me in wishing Ben a very happy birthday.

Ben and me at CBC in Nashville earlier this year.
At FredFest a few years back. [photo by Don Scheid.]
Luc and Ben in Nashville.

Beer Birthday: Fred Bowman

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Today is Fred Bowman’s 80th birthday. Fred co-founded the Portland Brewing Co., which was bought several years ago by Pyramid Breweries, which in turn was bought by Magic Hat and then again by North American Breweries. Fred continues to be very active in the craft beer community, and has been supportive of the movement since the beginning. A couple of years ago, he dropped by and stayed with us during his drive ’round the country in a van, visiting old friends and family. Join me in wishing Fred a happy birthday.

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By the Celebrator booth at OBF, from left, John Harris (former head brewer at Full Sail Brewing), Tom Dalldorf, and Fred.
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Dick Cantwell, co-owner of Elysian Brewing Co. in Seattle, with Fred at an after party at the Falling Rock during GABF.
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With Lisa Morrison a couple of years ago in Portland for FredFest.
Frank Commanday, Art Larrance, Fred, and Bert Grant after brewing Portland Brewing’s 1st batch in January 1986.
Fred at the brewery during a party in 1986.

Beer In Ads #5050: Gambrinus Bock Beer & Unions

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Last year I decided to concentrate on Bock ads. 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 Gambrinus Bock Beer, which was published on August 11, 1913. This one is for the Gambrinus Brewing Co. of Portland, Oregon, which was originally founded in 1875. This ad ran in The Oregon Labor Press, now known as the NW Labor Press, and is written for the members of over three dozen local unions in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Despite this being an ad for Gambrinus Bock Beer, there were some more ads right next to the Bock ad that were interesting, too. First, there’s an ad for the International Union of the United Brewery Workmen of America. Then, below that, there’s another ad for the Bartenders International League of America (now known as the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union), that also shows a pin for bartender union members to wear at work.

Beer Birthday: John Harris

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Today is John Harris’ 62nd birthday. Until a few years ago — and for a long time — John was the head brewer at Full Sail Brewing and was responsible for many of their excellent beers. He opened his own brewery in Portland, Ecliptic Brewing, but more recently made the hard decision to close the brewery. John also occasionally played washboard with the Rolling Boil Blues Band. Plus he’s a terrific person, so join me in wishing John a very happy birthday.

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By the Celebrator booth at OBF, from left, John, Tom Dalldorf, and Fred Bowman, co-founder of Portland Brewing Co.
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John rocks out on washboard with the Rolling Boil Blues Band at CBC in Seattle, with Marty Jones (left) and Celebrator editor Tom Dalldorf (in the center).
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During a collaboration brew at Gigantic at OBF two years ago, with John and Gigantic’s Van Havig and Ben Love.
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John and his daughter at his 40th birthday party.
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John and the same daughter 10 years later at his 50th birthday party. I’m bummed I didn’t make it to his 60th.

Beer Birthday: Lisa Morrison

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Today is the 62nd birthday of my good friend Lisa Morrison (a.k.a. the The Beer Goddess). Lisa did a radio show, Beer O’Clock with The Beer Goddess, was the Portland correspondent for the Celebrator, and is also the author of Craft Beers of the Pacific Northwest: A Beer Lover’s Guide to Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. More recently, she shifted her focus and became a co-owner of Portland’s best beer store, Belmont Station. Join me in wishing Lisa a very happy birthday!

Me, Alan Sprints and Lisa at Hair of the Dog Brewery in 2022.
Me (behind the camera) Lisa and Luc De Raedemaeker toasting.
Taking Lisa and Mark to Russian River’s new Windsor brewery.
Me, John Holl, Bob Townsend, Don Russell, Lisa, Tony Forder and Jason Alstrom in Boston judging the old Samuel Adams’ Longshot Homebrew Competition in 2015.
Having our daily tea for our annual Tea Advent Calendar, but in person a few years ago.
Lisa enjoying a Westy at the source a few years ago, or at least across the street from the Abbey.
Lisa and me in Iceland a couple of years back.
Having fun with the giant opener at the Brussels Beer Challenge.
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In front of BridgePort with promotional goddess Chris Crabb, who handles PR for the brewery and also the Oregon Brewers Festival.
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Lisa with fellow Portland beer writer Fred Eckhardt.
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With Dick Cantwell at an Elysian event during OBF.
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Me, Celebrator publisher Tom Dalldorf, Lisa’s husband Mark & Lisa in front of the three pink elephants. There’s an interesting story about this mural at Concordia Public House in Portland. It turns out that the building used to be a speakeasy called the Pink Elephant. The mural was discovered during renovations hidden behind several layers of wallpaper and paint along with an old matchbook that gave away the original name.
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Lisa and me in Luxembourg several years ago.

Historic Beer Birthday: Don Younger

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Today would have been publican extraordinaire Don Younger’s 84th birthday. He ran the famed Horse Brass pub in Portland, Oregon, along with a few others, for many years. Don was a wonderful person and his early and continuing support of craft beer helped make Portland the great beer town it is today. As you undoubtedly recall, Don passed away unexpectedly in January, ten years ago, in 2011. Join me in wishing Don a very Happy birthday and raising a toast to his memory.

Me and Don outside on the street somewhere.
A motley crew at Falling Rock.
Tom Dalldorf and DOn.
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Don and Mark Silva, co-owner of realbeer.com and realbranding.com.
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Don Younger and me outside the Falling Rock in Denver, Colorado.
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Don with braided hair with Shaun O’Sullivan from 21st Amendment Brewery.
10, 20, 30: The same year, Dave Keene (center) was celebrating his 20th anniversary, flanked by Don Younger (on the left), whose bar the Horse Brass in Portland celebrated its 30th anniversary, and Chris Black (on the right), whose Denver, Colorado bar, The Falling Rock, celebrated its 10th anniversary.
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Don bookended by Robin and Jonathan Surratt, who ran beermapping.com, displaying his excellent taste in attire at the Falling Rock during GABF week 2007.
A toast to the master.