Beer Birthday: Kim Sturdavant

November 5, 2026 By Jay Brooks Leave a Comment

Today is the 47th 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, though I’m not sure where’s he’s landed now they they closed down last month. 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.

Kim with a few fellow brewers at the Celebrator Beer News Anniversary Party in 2009.

Beer Birthday: John Tucci

October 19, 2026 By Jay Brooks

Today is also the 59th 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.

John and me at 47 Hills Brewing a few years ago.

At the Slow Beer Festival 2008, Ian Marks (from Hog Island Oyster Co.), Taylor Boetticher (from the Fatted Calf), Dave, John and Shaun O’Sullivan (from 21st Amendment).

John when I visited him several years at the Palo Alto Gordon Biersch.

john-tucci-1 — John behind the bar pouring some of his beer. (Note: this photo by Winnie Hsu and purloined from Facebook.)

john-tucci-2 — Taking delivery of new brewing equipment at 47 Hills.

Beer Birthday: Jesse Friedman

September 30, 2026 By Jay Brooks

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Today is the birthday of Jesse Friedman, co-founder of Almanac Beer Co. I first got to know Jesse when he was writing his beer and food blog, Beer & Nosh, but he’s since gone on to partner with Damian Fagan to create “Farm-to-Barrel” beers in 2010, and they later opened a taproom on the Island of Alameda. A few years ago, Jesse left Almanac, and moved to Los Angeles and is working on what to do next. Join me in wishing Jesse a very happy birthday.

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Jesse with Tim Clifford at the SF Beer Week Opening Gala earlier this year.

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Jesse, with Fraggle and Ron Silberstein, from Thirsty Bear, at the Anchor Holiday Party in 2012.

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Helping Sean Paxton with the Toronado Belgian Beer Lunch in 2009.

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Steve Altamari, Zak Davis, Jesse and Pete Slosberg at Jesse’s Pre-Wedding BBQ in 2010.
[Note: Pictures 1, 2, and 4 purloined from Facebook]

Beer Birthday: Dave McLean

September 22, 2026 By Jay Brooks

Today is Dave McLean’s 57th birthday. Dave was the founder of Magnolia Pub & Brewery, the gastropub on Haight Street in San Francisco, along with the production brewery known as the Smokestack in the Dogpatch neighborhood of the city. He is a tireless champion of craft beer in the Bay Area, having worked on Slow Food Nation, The Eat Real Festival and SF Beer Week, among much else. He more recently co-founded Admiral Maltings along with Ron Silberstein and Curtis Davenport. More recently he’s opened a new brewery, Hidden Splendor, in Richmond. Join me in wishing Dave a very happy birthday.

Craig Cauwels (from Schooner’s) and Sam Calagione (from Dogfish Head) stopping by to see Dave at the Double IPA Festival at the Bistro a couple of years ago.

A sextet from San Francisco at GABF 2008. From left: Adrienne McMullem, with 21st Amendment, Ben Spencer, from Magnolia, Sean Paxton, the homebrew chef, Ben’s wife, Shaun O’Sullivan, from 21st Amendment, and Dave.

Dave and me at the end of a very long, but satisfying, day at the first Slow Food Nation event several years ago in San Francisco.

Me, Dave, and Shaun O’Sullivan saying goodbye to Anchor Brewing at their tap room shortly before they closed.

Food and beer mixed happily and deliciously at the Slow Beer Festival 2008, as evidenced here by Ian Marks (from Hog Island Oyster Co.), Taylor Boetticher (from the Fatted Calf), Dave, John Tucci (from Gordon Biersch San Francisco) and Shaun O’Sullivan (from 21st Amendment).

Beer Birthday: Justin Crossley

September 19, 2026 By Jay Brooks

Today is the 49th birthday of Justin Crossley, the man behind the mic at The Brewing Network, one of the industry’s best voices. He’s an avid homebrewer and talker, a deadly combination, especially on radio. He also filmed Porter’s Porter Day a couple of years ago and it will fun to see the result of that project. Of course, he’s also opened the Hop Grenade, the next piece of the growing Brewing Network empire. He recently took a working camper van trip around the country, which lasted a year. Join me in wishing Justin a very happy birthday.

Justin and me showing off our injured fingers at the last Marin Breastfest held at Marin Brewing.

Justin all thumbs at Stone Brewing during the CBC Reception in 2008.

With Michael Ferguson, from BJ’s, at Oakland’s Linden Street Brewery during the AHA convention a couple of years ago.

Okay, what’s with the thumbs? About to do a broadcast from GABF in 2007.

Beer Birthday: Nico Freccia

September 10, 2026 By Jay Brooks

Today is Nico Freccia’s 62nd birthday. Nico was the co-founder of 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant. Nico also used to write for the Celebrator, too. His most recent title with 21st Amendment was “Chief Watermelon Officer,” but unfortunately the brewery closed last year and he’s moved on to pursue other opportunities. Join me in wishing Nico a very happy birthday.

Shaun and Nico at their 21st Anniversary party a couple of years ago.

21a-6th-06 — Nico (center) with his 21st Amendment partner Shaun and a disgruntled knife-wielding maniac employee at their 6th anniversary picnic and party.

21a-canparty-4 — Shaun O’Sullivan and Dave Keene with Nico at 21A’s can release party held at the Toronado.

Greg Koch with Nico Freccia, from 21st Amendment — With Greg Koch, from Stone Brewing, at Falling Rock during GABF in 2009.

ak-bw08-2 — Adrienne McMullen with Nico and, presumably, a volunteer, all sporting their watermelon wheat chapeaus at the Alaska Barleywine Festival several Januarys ago.

Beer Birthday: Jim Woods

August 29, 2026 By Jay Brooks

Today is maybe the 45th birthday of Jim Woods, founder of MateVeza, an organic brewer headquartered in San Francisco. I first met Jim when we were classmates at U.C. Davis for the brewing short course before he launched his unique business. All Jim’s beers are made with Yerba Mate, a South American herb that’s similar to tea. Technically, it’s part of the holly family, but contains caffeine and the leaves are used like tea. It works surprisingly well as a spice in beer. Several years ago now, Jim opened the Cervecería de MateVeza, a small brewpub in San Francisco, right next to a corner of Dolores Park. Rebranded as Woods Beer, there are now five locations in San Francisco and Oakland. Jim also puts on the Beerunch one morning (usually a Sunday) during SF Beer Week, the last few years at the Public House at the Giants’ stadium. Join me in wishing Jim a very happy birthday.

Me and Jim at one of the opening galas for SF Beer Week.

P1050496 — Jim at the Cervecería de MateVeza in San Francisco.

Jim Woods, host of the Beerunch — Jim at his Beerunch during SF Beer Week in 2010.

gabf08-14 — Jim and Matt Coelho at GABF 2008.

Beer Birthday: Pete Slosberg

August 26, 2026 By Jay Brooks

Today is my good friend Pete Slosberg’s 76th birthday . Pete is, of course, best known for Pete’s Wicked Ales. After that he toyed with the idea of making barbecue but decided instead to make some incredible chocolates and had a small company, Cocoa Pete’s. A few years ago, I traveled to South America with Pete (where we took to calling him “El Pete“), where we both spoke and judged beer at a beer conference/competition in Argentina, the South Beer Cup, and then flew to Brazil to attend a pair of beer dinners Stephen Beaumont was hosting and for a while he was working on Mavericks, a newish line of canned session beers, along with Half Moon Bay Brewing, but is now doing some occasional consulting and doing a lot of traveling with his wife Amy looking for the next adventure … or sour beer. Join me wishing Pete a very happy birthday!

Pete and me at Drie Fonteinen for his 72nd birthday celebration.

Pete, Johan Van Dyck (from Seef Beer), and me at City Beer.

petes-1 — This was taken the first time I met Pete, over twenty-five years ago at the KQED Beer and Food Festival in San Francisco, when I was more or less still a civilian. It was after I’d written my first book on beer, but before I started working as the beer buyer for BevMo.

Pete & Amy Slosberg with Shaun O'Sullivan — Pete with his wife Amy and Shaun O’Sullivan, from 21st Amendment, at one of Sean Paxton’s beer dinners during SF Beer Week several years ago.

Pete Slosberg, helping out for the day, shows off a finished bottle — Working the bottling line at Russian River Brewing, with a bottle of *Consecration*.

Matt Bonney, Stephen Beaumont, Sean Paxton, Pete Slosberg & Rick Sellers — Matt Bonney, from Brouwer’s, Stephen Beaumont, Sean Paxton, Pete and Rick Sellers, then from Odonata at the Bistro Double IPA Festival.

Pete with his wife Amy and Celebrator publisher Tom Dalldorf at one of Bruce Paton’s beer dinners at the Cathedral Hill Hotel in February 2006.

beer-din0602-03 — Pete with his wife Amy and Celebrator publisher Tom Dalldorf at one of Bruce Paton’s beer dinners at the Cathedral Hill Hotel in February 2006.

P1040395 — Martin Boan, who organized and ran the South Beer Cup, with Pete in Buenos Aires.

P1040762 — Pete, with Edu Passarelli (owner of Melograno), Stephen Beaumont and me after a beer dinner at Edu’s place in Sao Paulo.

Beer Birthday: Jen Garris

August 17, 2026 By Jay Brooks

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, 2026 By Jay Brooks

Today is Mark Carpenter’s 83rd 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.