Beer Birthday: Jen Garris

August 17, 2025 By Jay Brooks 3 Comments

Originally a sculptor, Jen Garris, has been involved in San Francisco’s beer scene as long as anyone I know. She’s worked for Magnolia and New Belgium, as well as many others in the Bay Area. A few years ago she opened the Pi Bar in San Francisco, along with boyfriend Rich Rosen, who also co-owns Chenery Park. I absolutely love Pi’s white bacon pizza. More recently, they opened Bel, a Belgian-themed bar/restaurant on Mission St. in Bernal Heights, but also closed Pi Bar thanks at least in part to the Covid lockdowns. Today is Jen’s 29th or so birthday. Join me in wishing her a very happy birthday.

Jen and Matt Salie, then from Big Sky Brewing, at the 18th Celebrator Anniversary Party.

Looking lovely at the Anchor Christmas Party in 2006.

Jen and Brian Hunt at the Urthel Beer Dinner.

Jen illustrates again how easy it is to be featured on the Bulletin.

Beer Birthday: Mark Carpenter

August 13, 2025 By Jay Brooks 6 Comments

Today is Mark Carpenter’s 82nd birthday. Mark had been the head brewer at Anchor since 1971 and was responsible for much of their success over the years. Not too long ago, he celebrated his 40th anniversary at Anchor, and he began stepping back from his day-to-day duties, a process which took several years, but now he is officially retired, although happily I still see Mark from time to time around the neighborhood. He’s a terrific person and one of the nicest people I know. Join me in wishing Mark a very happy birthday.

Me and Mark at the Anchor Christmas party a few years ago.

Dave Suurballe with Mark at Anchor several years ago.

Fritz Maytag, John Dannerbeck, and Mark behind the bat at the annual Anchor Xmas Party in 2009.

At the Anchor Taproom for a farewell party the day before it closed down, with me, Mark, Ron Silbertsein (from Admiral Malting), and Jeremy Marshall (from Lagunitas).

mark-carpenter-and-herlinda — Mark, Herlinda Heras and me (I’m holding the third glass) toasting our friend Glenn Payne, who passed away in late 2015.

P1030009 — Mark showing off a new release, *Brekle’s Brown*.

Beer Birthday: Dave Keene

August 13, 2025 By Jay Brooks 15 Comments

Today is the 70th birthday — the Big 7-O — of Dave Keene. Dave, of course, owns the best beer bar in San Francisco, the Toronado, which has been around for over 30 years. Dave is one of the great figures in the San Francisco beer scene and also one of my favorite Washoe partners, and we’ve had some monumental games and vanquished many fine players — you know who you are! Join me in wishing Dave a very happy birthday.

Peter Bouckaert & Dave Keene — Peter Bouchaert, brewmaster at New Belgium Brewing, with Dave at one of Beer Chef Bruce Paton’s beer dinners.

younger-keene-black — Outside the Toronado for their 20th anniversary, Dave bookended by fellow publicans Don Younger (from the Horse Brass in Portland) and Chris Black (from the Falling Rock in Denver).

fal-al-5 — At a beer release party for Brother Dave’s Triple. From left: Fal Allen, Mark Cabrera, Dave Gatlin (head brewer at AVBC) , Me and Dave.

Dave Keene & Tomme Arthur after a night of Washoes — Dave and Tomme Arthur, from the Lost Abbey, after a night of Washoes during SF Beer Week several years ago.

drakes-fest06-10 — Dave Keene and me at the Summit Hop Festival held at Drake’s Brewing several years ago.

P1060262 — Dave with Vinnie Cilurzo, from Russian River Brewing, a few years ago at the “Toronado 25th Anniversary Dinner and Blending Session.”

In the back room at the Toronado, Dave, Alec Moss and me, at Alec’s 70th birthday party a few years ago.

Beer Birthday: Dave Suurballe

August 6, 2025 By Jay Brooks 20 Comments

Today is the 76th birthday of Dave Suurballe. Dave was a fixture in the San Francisco homebrewing and brewing community, being the president of his homebrew club and the former GM of the Toronado. Recently he was working at the Pi Bar, and then he returned once more at the Toronado to help out Dave Keene there. Unfortunately, he’s now again retired, but I want to continue to raise a toast each year on his birthday for no better reason then I know it annoys him. That’s just the kind of friend I am. Dave is one of my favorite people — and a kindred curmudgeon. So make sure you join me in wishing Dave a very happy birthday.

Me and Dave at an outdoor event at the Toronado during Covid in 2021.

Dave with Dave Keene, owner of the Toronado, at GABF in 2002.

Dave with Mark Carpenter, head brewer at Anchor Brewing at a party Anchor through to celebrate the Toronado’s 20th anniversary.

Dave with his wife Honoria and Jen Garris and Rich Rosen, co-owners of the Pi Bar, at the Toronado’s Belgian Beer Lunch in 2008.

Nice photo by Mike Condie taken several years ago at the Boonville Beer Festival, with Terence Sullivan, W. Dan Houck, Dave and me. Good times.

Beer Birthday: Ben Spencer

June 27, 2025 By Jay Brooks

dogtown
Today is Ben Spencer’s 51st birthday. Ben was the head brewer at Magnolia Gastropub & Brewery, but due to their Chapter 11 bankruptcy was making ends meet as an independent contractor. For a short time, Ben was then the Director of Operations and Brewmaster at Strike Brewing in San Jose, but more recently moved to Richmond, Virginia where he was Director of Operations and Brewmaster for Dogtown Brewing for a time, before returning to consulting work. Ben grew up in Virginia, and spent some time brewing in Colorado — and even worked for Greenpeace — before coming to the Bay Area in 2004. That’s when he left Boulder for San Francisco to make beer at Magnolia. Ben’s a terrific brewer and a great person, too, and I’m sorry the Bay Area lost him. Join me in wishing Ben a very happy birthday.

jobrien08-08 — Ben with Jesse Houck, when he was still brewing with 21st Amendment during Brews By the Bay 2008.

gabf08-53 — A sextet from San Francisco at GABF in 2008. From left: Adrienne McMullen, with 21st Amendment, Ben, Sean Paxton, the homebrew chef, Ben’s wife Kelly, Shaun O’Sullivan, from 21st Amendment, and Dave.

olthunder-2 — A satisfied Ben with Dave McClean after a vertical tasting of Old Thunderpussy in 2009.

Ben Spencer, Dave Hopwood & Dave McLean — Ben with Dave Hopwood (Stone) and Dave McClean (Magnolia) at the 22nd Celebrator Anniversary Party in 2010.

cheesebeerdin-09 — After Bruce Paton’s cheese and beer dinner in 2008. From left, Arne Johnson (Marin Brewing), Aron Derosey (Beach Chalet), Bruce Paton, Sheana Davis, Ben, Ron from 21A, Brenden Dobbel (Thirsty Bear) and Rich Higgins (Gordon Biersch).

SAM_0691 — Ben in the basement brewery at the end of brewing a mild a few years ago.

Beer Birthday: Andy French

June 25, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today would have been the 57th birthday of Andy French, former brewmaster at Southern Pacific Brewing in San Francisco, one of the new wave of breweries that opened in the city a few years ago, but unfortunately he past away in late summer 2023. . I first met Andy when he brewed at Speakeasy, and after that would see him from time to time at Zeitgeist, though he first started brewing back East in the DC area. When his roommate Chris Lawrence, who also worked for Speakeasy once upon a time, decided to open his own brewery, he tapped Andy to work the mash paddles, and things had been going great since they opened a few years ago, though I’d heard Andy was now back doing shifts at Zeitgeist before learning of his untimely passing. Join me in raising a toast to Andy.

P1050466 — Andy at his brewhouse in 2012.

The back bar at Rio Nido Roadhouse was recently named Frenchy’s in his honor with a new sign and plenty of friends in attendance to christen it. [Thanks to Mario Rubio for the photo.]

Beer Birthday: Brian Yaeger

June 23, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 51st birthday of fellow beer writer Brian Yaeger, author of Red, White & Brew and Oregon Breweries. Brian also writes online at his Red, White & Brew Beer Odyssey blog. A couple of years ago Brian and his lovely bride Kimberly lived in Portland, Oregon (having moved from San Francisco), but then moved to Amsterdam, then moved back to Portland, but more recently relocated once more, this time to Santa Barbara, California, and even more recently has moved back to Oregon, this time to Bend. Join me in wishing Brian a very happy birthday.

Me with Eric Rose, founder and former owner of Hollister Brewing, and Brian when I met him there for a lunch during a family vacation to Santa Barbara in 2017.

Brian with Brian Lenzo, owner of Blue Palms Brewhouse, me and Meg Gill at the Speakeasy Brewery during SF Beer Week in 2010.

Craig Cauwels with Brian, the Beer Chef Bruce Paton and me at a Schooner’s beer dinner at Cathedral Hotel in 2008.

yaeger-and-alworth — Brian and a sour Jeff Alworth [purloined from Facebook].

Jay, Chris the Beer Scholar, Shap, Jay, me, Bryan, Damian before founding Almanac.

Brian Yaeger (right) after receiving an award from Jay Brooks of the North American Guild of Beer Writers. (Photo by Gail Ann Williams)

Beer Birthday: Forest Gray

June 20, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 58th birthday of Forest Gray, co-founder and former president of Speakeasy Ales and Lagers in San Francisco. I first met Forest when Speakeasy first bottled their beer when I was the beer buyer at BevMo. For the last many years, his brewery has made some terrific beers, especially their Big Daddy I.P.A., although since 2017, the brewery has a new owner and I’m not sure how Forest is spending his time these days. Join me in wishing Forest a very happy birthday.

Forest Gray, Brian Lenzo and Meg Gill — Forest with Brian Lenzo, from Blue Palms in L.A., and Meg Gill, now “on the winning team” with Golden Road, at a Speakeasy Anniversary event several years ago.

speakeasy-crew — The Speakeasy crew at the start of SF Beer Week in 2013. That’s Forest with the glowing hat. [Photo purloined from Facebook.]

Beer Birthday: Shaun O’Sullivan

May 15, 2025 By Jay Brooks

21A-circle
Today is 21st Amendment brewer and co-owner Shaun O’Sullivan’s 62nd birthday. Shaun is a good friend and one my favorite people in the industry. He’s a tireless champion for craft beer and very supportive of other brewers, such as with his fun collaboration projects. He’s one of the founders and organizers of SF Beer Week and through his brewpub puts on many special and educational events all year, not to mention his extensive travel schedule. His new production brewery in San Leandro recently opened, and it appears to be going great. Plus, he’s one of the few people brave enough to read the rough draft of my book, Under the Table, and even claim to like it. Now that’s a friend. I just can’t say enough good things about Sully, so I’ll stop here. Join me in wishing Shaun a very Happy Birthday.

21A — Shaun O’Sullivan and business partner Nico Freccia in the front of their brewpub.

bistro-judge — Shaun and me outside the Bistro after judging the Double IPA Festival.

albion-don-08 — Shaun O’Sullivan with Don Barkley of Napa Smith Brewing on the first day of SF Beer Week.

21a-canparty-4 — Nico with Dave Keene and Shaun at a can party at the Toronado.

21a-busschool-23 — Nico and Shaun in lederhosen during 21st Amendment’s Beer Bus School.

shaun-me-garrett — At the Brew Free! or Dine beer dinner at 21st Amendment Brewpub during SF Beer Week a few years ago with Garrett Oliver, Shaun and Gordon Schuck from Funkwerks.

Sully-paralegal — But this by far my favorite, it’s hard to understand how he could have given up all that to start a brewery.

Beer Birthday: Brian Stechschulte

May 14, 2025 By Jay Brooks

Today is also the birthday of Brian Stechschulte, former executive director of the San Francisco Brewers Guild, who then worked for Speakeasy Ales & Lagers as their Public Relations & Media Director for a time, and since late 2017 had been the Director of Marketing for Drake’s Brewing, although most recently decided to step back from working, and is living in Indianapolis, Indiana. I’m just guessing at Brian’s age, but by my reckoning he’s got to be about 45 this year. In addition to his regular work, he also wrote online at All Over Beer and Bygone Beer. Brian wa a terrific ambassador for beer and a great addition to the industry, though I think we may have lost him, at least temporarily. I think of him as a kindred spirit. Please join me in wishing Brian a very happy birthday.