Brewing has become an addiction that I love and want to continue the rest of my life.
My experience with beer started back in 1982 when I joined the US Marine Corp. Beer was the social environment. We drank what we could afford and taste did not matter. If we could afford it, we drank it.
As I matured, the kind of beers I drank changed. The cost did not matter as much as long as the beer was good. Drinking good beer became more of the “norm” and I sought out beers that did more than quench my thirst.
Years later I would visit my brother-in-law, Doug, who was stationed in San Diego. He would talk about all the great breweries and beers they had there. One time before an ASU football bowl game, he took me to Ballast Point to try some tasters. I think from that moment I was hooked on craft beers. What flavor, aroma and taste! Could it be that beer really could be that good? The answer was yes! Doug told me his friends and he were home brewing beer and that intrigued me even more.
Doug then moved to AZ and I told him I wanted to home brew also. My wife, Maria, bought me a brewing kit for Christmas and Doug came over to help me do my first batch. We did it on the kitchen stove. It was a Continental Pilsner and the aroma when the wort started to boil was fantastic! My wife didn’t think so though and told me if I wanted to keep doing this it would have to be outside. So started the man cave where great home brewed beer could be created! Thank You, Honey!!
I made all different styles to begin with to experiment with different grains, hops and spices. My thought was to start work on specific styles that I liked to drink like Pale Ales, IPA’s and Ambers. Going all grain was more work but the beer was so much better. Being able to experiment with different hops and spices was fantastic.
I joined the home brew club, Brewmeisters Anonymous, and all the people were great. They shared their experiences and tips with me. The home brew store, What Ales Ya, was another big help. These people really knew their stuff about brewing beer. I was like a sponge soaking up as much as possible. I tried to attend as many brew outs as possible. They are all like family to me now and I owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
At this point brewing has become an addiction that I love and want to continue the rest of my life. When my family came to me and asked if I wanted to be part of a brewery they wanted to start up, I was in shock. To be able to brew great artisan craft beer for a living and be part of a growing industry was something I thought I could only dream about. Now it’s about to come true.
I guarantee that we will put out only the best product with only the best ingredients.
I believe you must have a passion for beer and share that passion with everyone you come in contact with.
Drink Up!!!! Cheers!!