Portrait of a Brewer: Anthony Tallman, Burgeon Beer Co.

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…

Anthony Tallman

of Burgeon Beer Co.

What is your current title? 

Co-Founder / Head Brewer

Where did you grow up? 

Carlsbad / Encinitas

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

The FIRST beer I had was probably Corona, which is funny because I hate that beer. LOL

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

I started drinking “better beer”–maybe not legally–as I got older. I was eventually invited by my friend’s dad to come brew a batch of beer for my friend’s 22nd birthday barbecue. I was immediately hooked after that first batch.

What led you to consider a career in brewing? 

I dove really deep into homebrewing and could just feel that it was a true passion of mine. It was the perfect marriage of creativity, science, mechanics and engineering for me.

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

I applied with Stone Brewing three times before I was finally hired on to run the keg-washer. I worked my way up from a keg washer to assistant brewer, filter operator and, ultimately, a brewer.

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

Stone Brewing: Brewer, Rough Draft Brewing: Lead Brewer, Backstreet Brewery: Head Brewer

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

Laura Ulrich, Jeremy Moynier, Mike Richmond, Shawn McIlhenney, Bob Mackay, Pizza Port brewers…honestly, at this point I have made so many great friends who have become such an inspiration and resource for me.

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

Homebrew to get a general understanding of how to brew wort and manage a clean fermentation. Make mistakes, learn from them and ask questions. Read books. Brew with other people. There are lots of ways to produce clean, beautiful beers. 

What ultimate career goal would you like to achieve? 

Oh man, I mean I’d have to say owning a brewery with two great friends has been an amazing accomplishment. More on a personal level, a level for the production team would be to be awarded Brewery of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival and/or World Beer Cup competitions.

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

One of the hardest questions ever asked of a brewer. For me this constantly evolves, even if it’s back to a beer I once gave this title to. Currently I’d have to say Carlsbad Crush.

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

Any fruited hazy IPA. LOL.

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

Favorite: Simcoe, Least Favorite: Sabro

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

No f-ing clue, ha!

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? 

Cellarpeople and packaging. The beer is in its final stages and no mistakes can be made otherwise the quality is jeopardized. You can correct mistakes on the hot side, but once you’ve fermented and dropped temperature down you’re open to a world of potential factors that affect quality. 

What is your favorite beer style? 

West Coast pale ale

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

Fruited hazy IPA

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

Pizza Port Brewing

What is your favorite San Diego County brewing company?

Pizza Port Brewing 

What are your favorite brewing companies outside of San Diego? 

Faction Brewing, Alvarado Street Brewery, Russian River Brewing

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

Ghost Town Brewing, Wondrous Brewing and Sierra Nevada Brewing in Mills River

What are your favorite local beer events? 

Brewbies, Modern Times Festival of Dankness and anything at Pizza Port Carlsbad’s (former) bottle shop.

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

Mammoth Lakes

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

Tool

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

Keep it clean. Not just cleaning the brewery; proper sanitation but most importantly clean fermentations.

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

Surf, camp and snowboard

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

Pizza Port Carlsbad…but I’m never off the clock.

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

Tacos and Mexican lagers

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? 

Taco bar with all the fixin’s; a draft system with Mexican lagers, West Coast pale ales and West Coast IPAs; and all my closest friends and family members!

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

A janitor managing a team of dedicated professionals

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].