Beer "Celebrities"

[Jinja]

You know how at the Oscars, fans line up at dawn to sit in the bleachers along the red carpet so they can see all the celebrities walk by? I'd never do that, but I have occasionally found myself a little starstruck when I am at an event and see someone famous in the world of good beer. They may not be household names, but they are people that impress me. What well-known figures have made you wish you had one of those old-fashioned autograph books?

[Eli the Mad Beer Man]

Good one! I have an actual list on my site called "Rock Stars of the Beer World" (in no particular order, after #1 that is):

* Michael "The Beer Hunter" Jackson
* Fritz Maytag
* Charlie Papazian
* Garrett Oliver
* Jim Koch
* Sam Calagione
* Jason & Todd Alstrom
* Steve Beaumont

I'm open to adding more!

[StarOnStage]

Have you met everyone on this list? Because that is very impressive!

[Eli the Mad Beer Man]

Have you met everyone on this list? Because that is very impressive!

Alas, I haven't met any of them. I just came up with that list some time ago based on their contributions to the advancement of better beer. I'd LOVE to meet them. Or have met them, as is the case with Mr. Jackson - may he rest in peace.

I'd probably add Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River Brewing) to the list now as well.

[StarOnStage]

Well I've met two who I would count among the beer elite, 1) Sam from Dogfish Head 2) Jeremy from Lagunitas. I've seeeeen Garret of Brooklyn fame, but I didn't get to touch him or anything. That sounds gross. I meant handshake or friendly pat on the back.

[Matt Venzke]

I'm a beer groupie and call the objects of my admiration "beerlebrities". I've got pics with Charlie Papzian, the Alstrom Bros., Sam Calagione, Pete Slosberg, Garrett Oliver, Tom Dahldorf, Dave Anderson, Chris Black, and a whole bunch of BDOYs. :-)

[Eli the Mad Beer Man]

WARNING: I am stealing your word "beerlebrities" for future use. You have been warned. This beer (a bad one obviously) will self-destruct in 5..4..3..2..1.. BEERBLAM! ;)

[The Local Brew]

After getting to know him quite well from our work on the pilot episode of our show, I have to recommend Greg Koch from Stone be considered a Rock Star of the Beer World. He is truly one of those people who once you've met them, is not easily forgotten.

[Eli the Mad Beer Man]

I would definitely agree with that. Adding Greg Koch and Vinni Cilurzo to the list straight away.

[Rob DeNunzio]

While you're at it, add Tomme Arthur...

[Deuane]

Damn...you stole my Tomme thought! Got to meet him in January at Lost Abbey..he was there just "hanging" out.....when he found ut we were from PA and were fans of Monk's Cafe...well he HAD to talk to us. Showed us around the place...even the mysterious barrel aging room!

I am not one to get autographs or even many pics of me with people but of the folks on Eli's list....

* Michael "The Beer Hunter" Jackson.....met at a beer dinner at Monk's years back.
* Fritz Maytag...gave us a tour of Anchor back in 1993
* Charlie Papazian....never met....although I own some of his books!
* Garrett Oliver....have met at Brooklyn numerous times in the late 90's
* Jim Koch...never met
* Sam Calagione....geesh...Sam is almost like a buddy!
* Jason & Todd Alstrom....plenty of interaction with them on BA but never met in person
* Steve Beaumont...met once at a Monk's Cafe thing

In addition I would like to add Nick Floyd, John C. Maier (Rogue Brewmaster), Ken Grossman (co-founder of Sierra Nevada) Bert Grant (RIP) and John W Hickenlooper (Denver mayor and founder of Wynkoop Brewing).

[Rob DeNunzio]

And to that, add Pierre Celis. We haven't mentioned him yet, right?

[Mark Tichenor]

I've met a couple of these guys: The Alstroms, Tomme Arthur and Ommegang's Randy Thiel at the Beer Advocate Belgian Beer Fest. I also hung out and talked sahti and all things Finnish with Garrett Oliver at Rochester's Old Toad. Not a bad attitude in the bunch.

I'd like to nominate a couple of Beer Celebrities from the beer writer world: Lew Bryson, Stan Hironymous and Pete Brown. Brown's books, "Man Walks into a Pub" and "Three Sheets to the Wind" are a fantastic read, even if you're not into beer. They're laced with that jabby English humor that I love.