Portrait of a Brewer: Ryan Crisp, AleSmith Brewing
Meet a man of few words who has done just about every task there is to do over 20 years spent at the same brewery where he started out
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…
Ryan Crisp
of AleSmith Brewing
What is your current title?
Vice President of Operations
Where did you grow up?
Mountain View, California
What brought you to San Diego?
College – San Diego State University
What was the first beer and/or alcoholic beverage you ever had?
Corona
What was your a-ha moment that turned you on to craft beer?
The first time I had Fat Tire.
What led you to consider a career in brewing?
It was mostly coincidence, but definitely a love of beer.
What was your first brewing/brewery position?
Intern at AleSmith
What breweries have you worked for over your career and in what roles?
Just AleSmith.I’ve done pretty much everything in production at some point.
Who have been the individuals that have helped you the most to learn and advance in your career, and how?
Peter Zien has led the way.
What singular piece of advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a professional brewer?
Make sure you love it.
What ultimate career goal would you like to achieve?
I’m already doing it.
What is your favorite beer you’ve ever brewed, be it on a professional or amateur level?
AleSmith’s Anvil ESB
What are your favorite and least-favorite hop varietals at present?
I’ve been loving Krush. I don’t like Mandarina Bavaria.
What are some of your favorite brewing ingredients that aren’t hops?
Coffee
If you weren’t a brewer, what do you think you would do for a living?
I’d be a history teacher.
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?
Marketing. You can’t have a brewery if no one buys the beer.
What is your favorite beer style?
Pilsner
If you could wipe one style of beer off the face of the earth, what would it be?
Black IPA
What is your favorite San Diego County brewing company?
North Park Beer Co.
What is your favorite brewing company outside of San Diego?
Cantillon
What three breweries that you haven’t yet visited—local or elsewhere—are on your current must-see bucket list?
Chimay, New Glarus Brewing, Herzoglich Bayerisches Brauhaus Tegernsee
What are your favorite local beer events? |
Bring back the Pizza Port Real Ale Festival!
If you were to leave San Diego, where would be the next-best place you’d want to brew?
Somewhere in Europe
Which musical genre or artists are on your brew-day soundtrack/playlist?
Blues, baby.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishments?
Moving into the VP of Operations role at AleSmith.
When you’re not at work, what do you like to do for fun?
Golf, read and travel
Where do you like to drink off-the-clock?
My house
What is your favorite beer-and-food pairing of all time?
A Genesee Cream Ale with a smashed burger.
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].