Portrait of a Brewer: Austin Maass, Helia 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…

Austin Maass

of Helia Brewing

What is your current title?

Brewer

Where did you grow up?

Mission Viejo

What brought you to San Diego?

To go to school and play football at SDSU

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

The first time I tried alcohol was at a neighborhood Super Bowl party. It was the bottom half of a Corona that an adult had “misplaced”.

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

A bottle of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale that tasted so much better than the Natural Light I had right before it.

What led you to consider a career in brewing?

I’ve always wanted to work with my hands, and I’ve always liked drinking beer. Seemed like a good fit for me.

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

Helms Brewing took me on as an intern, then hired me a few months later. I started out cleaning kegs and scrubbing the floors, then slowly worked my way up to brewer.

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

Helms Brewing as an intern then later Assistant Brewer/Cellarman, Two Roots Brewing as Brewer, Helia Brewing as Brewer.

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

Dan Lawrence (now at Kové Hard Yerba Mate) for showing me the ropes and what it takes to work in this industry, and Kevin Barnes for teaching me about consistency and that, no matter how good a beer is, there is always room for improvement. 

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

Mistakes happen, just ask a lot of questions. We’re all still figuring it out.

What ultimate career goal would you like to achieve?

To make beer that I’m proud of, have a little fun in the process and still be able to make it home in time for dinner.

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

A few years ago at Two Roots I made an ESB that I was proud of. 

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

I once brewed an imperial stout with mulling spices that ended up tasting like a burnt cinnamon roll.

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

My favorites are El Dorado, Cashmere and Saaz. My least favorite is Mosaic. It’s a fantastic hop but I think I’ve already enjoyed a lifetime’s worth of the stuff.

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

No clue. Maybe selling propane and propane accessories?

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?

Anybody that cleans kegs or works on a packaging line. They are the true unsung heroes. Also, a cooperative farmer that picks up spent grain deserves a shoutout!

What is your favorite beer style (we’ll except two if you just can’t choose)?

West Coast IPA and German Pilsner

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

Every style has at least a handful of people that enjoy it, so why take that away?

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

Sierra Nevada. The consistency, the quality and the commitment to people/environment is admirable.

What is your favorite San Diego County brewing company?

Pizza Port. I think their beers are truly representative of San Diego.

What is your favorite brewing company outside of San Diego?

Beachwood Brewing

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

Sapporo, Fullers and Trumer

What are your favorite local beer events?

Guild Fest and any event that has food pairings.

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

Please don’t make me leave, the weather’s too nice.

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

Waylon Jennings, Oingo Boingo, Scarface, Parliament, Natural Child, Hall and Oates

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

Why not try to make it better than the last batch?!

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

I’m usually running, cooking, petting my cat Boris or having a drink on the porch with my wife.

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

The San Diego Zoo

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

West Coast IPA and currywurst

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?

I’d invite all my friends and family plus all their friends and family, whoever wants to have a good time! We’d eat barbecue with all the fixings and drink Trumer Pils. 

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

Just a guy trying to be a good husband, brother, son and friend.

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].