Portrait of a Brewer: Chad Keeley
He may not know who Lenny is, but this fermentationist knows what he's all about and is gung-ho on his brewery's quality-driven ethos
There are hundreds of talented brewing professionals giving their all to help maintain the San Diego beer industry’s storied reputation. While these industrious practitioners share numerous similarities, each is their own unique person with individual likes, dislikes, methodologies, techniques, inspirations, interests and philosophies. The goal of San Diego Beer News’ Portrait of a Brewer series is to not only introduce readers to local brewers, but dig in to help them gain a deeper appreciation for the people making their beer and how they have contributed to the county’s standout craft-brewing culture.
Today’s featured brewer is…
Chad Keeley
of North Park Beer Co.
What is your current title?
Assistant Brewer
Where did you grow up?
Clairemont
What was the first beer and/or alcoholic beverage you ever had?
Presidente beer
What was your a-ha moment that turned you on to craft beer?
Trying Pizza Port’s California Honey Ale for the first time.
What led you to consider a career in brewing?
I wasn’t happy working at Nordstrom and wanted to do something that sounded fun, so I looked into brewing.
What was your first brewing/brewery position?
Warehouse Associate for Modern Times Beer
What breweries have you worked for over your career and in what roles?
Modern Times – Warehouse Associate, Packaging Associate, Cellar Tech; Stone Brewing: Brewer; Ataraxia Aleworks: Assistant Brewer; Karl Strauss Brewing: Beertender; Little Miss Brewing: Beertender
Who have been the individuals that have helped you the most to learn and advance in your career, and how?
My packaging and cellar managers at Modern Times taught me most of what I know now, so probably them.
What singular piece of advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a professional brewer?
It’s hard work, but it’s really rewarding to be proud of and stand by a product you made.
What ultimate career goal would you like to achieve?
I would like to one day be able to open my own brewery.
What is your favorite beer you’ve ever brewed, be it on a professional or amateur level?
Sage Ad-Weisse at Stone. It was a small-batch beer that my coworker and I worked on together from developing the recipe to finish.
What is your least-favorite beer you’ve ever brewed on any level?
I’d have to say probably either FML from Stone or Stone Delicious Citrus IPA.
What are your favorite and least-favorite hop varietals at present?
I’m a huge fan of Citra, Galaxy and Peacharine. I don’t really think I have a least favorite hop varietal.
What are some of your favorite brewing ingredients that aren’t hops?
I’m gonna go with yeast on this one. It’s crazy how many different strains there are and how each one acts differently.
If you weren’t a brewer, what do you think you would do for a living?
Prior to getting into brewing, I was actually in school for computer programming. So probably that.
In your opinion, what non-brewing position is of great importance at a craft-beer company but often gets overlooked or less credit than those making the beer?
Packaging, without a doubt. It’s the beer’s last stop before finding its way to its consumer, and it’s the last stop to ensure quality.
What is your favorite beer style?
I’m a big fan of crispy boys. Big fan.
If you could wipe one style of beer off the face of the earth, what would it be?
Rauchbier. No hesitation. Sorry to those who enjoy it. (Not really, though.)
What single brewing company’s beers and/or ethos/style has been most influential on your style?
Honestly, probably North Park Beer Co.
What is your favorite San Diego County brewing company?
NPBC was my favorite long before I worked here, which is why I wanted to work here in the first place.
What is your favorite brewing company outside of San Diego?
Fossil Cove in Fayetteville, Arkansas
What three breweries that you haven’t yet visited—local or elsewhere—are on your current must-see bucket list?
8bit Brewing, Campsite Brewing and 8-Bit Aleworks
What are your favorite local beer events?
A couple years back, I went to Star Brews, which was a Star Wars-themed beer festival at the Air & Space Museum, which was super cool.
If you were to leave San Diego, where would be the next-best place you’d want to brew?
Probably Denver
Which musical genre or artists are on your brew-day soundtrack/playlist?
Ska. All day. Everyday. I’ll never turn my back on Ska. #pickitup
What motto rules the way you brew and approach brewing in a professional brewhouse?
Quality always
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishments?
Starting in the warehouse and working my way into brewing.
What are you proud of having achieved in your personal life?
Getting married was pretty cool. I mean finding someone and having them be like, “Yep, he’s the one for me.” Wild.
When you’re not at work, what do you like to do for fun?
Playing bass guitar
What is your favorite beer-and-food pairing of all time?
Pizza and crispy boys have my heart.
If you could somehow plan your last beer dinner before dying, what would you drink and eat, and who would you invite to join you?
Pizza, crispy boys, my family and friends
Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question)?
I don’t know, but I’m definitely not Lenny. I’m still trying to figure out who Lenny is. Who is Lenny? No one knows.
If you’re a brewer at a San Diego brewing company and would like to be featured in our Portrait of a Brewer series, drop us a line at [email protected].