Portrait of a Brewer: Brian Kelly, Fall Brewing

There are hundreds of hard-working brewing professionals giving their all to help maintain the storied reputation San Diego’s brewing scene has earned over the past several decades. Some have risen to great fame among industry pros and craft-beer enthusiasts. Some ply their trade in obscurity (and are more than happy to do so). Some are Instagram famous, trendsetters with cult followings that would rival social-media influencers. And while they share plenty of similarities, each is their own unique person with their own likes, dislikes, methods, techniques, inspirations, interests and philosophies. The goal of San Diego Beer News‘ Portrait of a Brewer series is to not only introduce you to local brewers, but to have some fun delving into the aforementioned areas so you can get to know them a little better and appreciate them and their contributions to the county’s standout brewing culture. All that plus stellar portraits from brewery lifestyle photographer extraordinaire Matt Furman.

Today’s featured brewer is…

Brian Kelly

of Fall Brewing

What is your current title? 

Brewer 

Where did you grow up? 

Along the San Diego/Tijuana border on both sides.

What was the first beer and/or alcoholic beverage you ever had? 

My first alcoholic beverage that I remember having was a Midori Sour on the rocks, and the first beer I ever had was a Guinness. I still love both to this day. 

What was your a-ha moment that turned you on to craft beer? 

Being 18 on the border allowed me to buy alcohol/beer in Tijuana. There is an “Irish pub” called Pub de la Chapu, and they had a decent selection of English beers that I absolutely fell in love with.

What led you to consider a career in brewing? 

The hobby of home-brewing was so fun, so I figured why wouldn’t it be just as fun scaled up? I never looked back.

Where did you first apply for a brewing job and where did you get your first brewing/brewery position?

The first brewery I ever applied at was Coronado Brewing after meeting some of their brewers at a show at Brick By Brick. I was virtually hired the following day. I worked up all available positions to ultimately become the head brewer at their pub after several years of putting in the hours, sweat, blood and asking all the questions.

What breweries have you worked for over your career and in what roles? 

Coronado Brewing (Pub Head Brewer), Burning Beard Brewing (Brewer), Cerveceria Transpeninsular (Head Brewer), Creative Creature Brewing (Head Brewer), and now working with the hands-down raddest crew at Fall Brewing.

Who have been the individuals that have helped you the most to learn and advance in your career, and how? 

Ryan Brooks, Daniel Drayne, Petey Falleta, who were all at Coronado Brewing at the time, helped me more than they will ever know. Their patience with me and the way they taught me, I will forever be grateful. And my identical twin brother, Andrew Kelly, who cofounded Embolden Beer Co. and New Motion Beverages, we have always had a low-key competitiveness that has

made each of us better in every way. 

What singular piece of advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a professional brewer?

It gets way better if you put in the time, effort and desire to grow in this industry. 

What ultimate career goal would you like to achieve? 

To own a small brewery that will support my family and provide something I can leave them as a legacy, if that’s something they want to follow, as well.

What is your favorite beer you’ve ever brewed, be it on a professional or amateur level? 

A California Common at Coronado years ago, called Coronado Common. I was extremely proud of that beer, and I still am. 

What is your least-favorite beer you’ve ever brewed on any level? 

The handful I’ve had to dump throughout my career due to various reasons. 

What are your favorite and least-favorite hop varietals at present? 

There’s a place and style for every hop, but my favorite has always been (and I think will always be) Centennial. 

If you weren’t a brewer, what do you think you would do for a living? 

I was a nursing student before falling in love with brewing. I truly believe I’d have followed that path through. 

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? 

There are so many roles that make that wheel roll smoothly, but I got to give it up for the front-of-house staff…the beer tenders. They are the face of the company to the public and consumers, and really have the lasting impression along with a proper pint. 

What is your favorite beer style? 

Schwarzbier. That perfect balance of light toast, subtle roast and crispy goodness with that

herbal-hop undertone is really something else. 

If you could wipe one style of beer off the face of the Earth, what would it be? 

I would never. Someone somewhere created that style and loved it. I couldn’t take that away from anyone.

What single brewing company’s beers and/or ethos/style has been most influential on your style? 

Fall, 100%. Since they opened their doors, they’ve brewed nothing short of phenomenal ales and lagers every time, plus there’s great people serving the beers, great artwork pasted on the walls and great music blasting throughout the taproom. It’s such a pleasure to be there now. 

What is your favorite San Diego County brewing company? 

Embolden Beer Co. They’re really making some of my favorite beers, from Mexican crispy boys to pastry anything. All have been amazing every time, and it seems they get better every batch! 

What is your favorite brewing company outside of San Diego? 

Capau Brewing out of Ensenada, Mexico. They are making consistently solid beer and I have loved to see them grow as they have.

What brewery that you haven’t yet visited—local or elsewhere—are on your current must-see bucket list? 

Fuller’s

What are your favorite local beer events? 

San Diego Beer Week, in general, and Guild Fest!

If you were to leave San Diego, where would be the next-best place you’d want to brew? 

Not city specific, but I have absolutely fallen in love with the craft-beer scenes in England and Germany, as a whole.

Which musical genre or artists are on your brew-day soundtrack/playlist? 

Oh man, this is literally all over the place. From hardcore punk to Motown, darkwave to Brit pop, 80’s to blues, indie to hip-hop, etc., etc., etc. There is no specific artist or genre and it’s amazing. We’re all consistently showing each other new music daily.

What motto rules the way you brew and approach brewing in a professional brewhouse? 

No shortcuts.

When you’re not at work, what do you like to do for fun? 

Hang out with my family and take my daughter skateboarding or to the beach. I love to get home and throw some records on the turntable and introduce my daughter to the vast amount of music this world has to offer. Also, watching live music. 

Where do you like to drink off-the-clock? 

KM31 barbershop and tasting room. It’s two blocks from my house and has a very cool selection of Baja craft beers and amazing pizzas. 

What is your favorite beer-and-food pairing of all time? 

Schweinshaxe and Helles 

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? 

Schweinshaxe and Helles. After that, I’d down three liters or Helles just like grandpa Johann von Wolfhausen did in Beerfest and pull that plug after the chug.

Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question)? 

Someone trying to leave a lasting impression on the world who my family and friends are proud of.

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].