Portrait of a Brewer: Bill Batten, Fall Brewing
Fall Brewing's seasoned vet says cheese (and beer) and shares his inner thoughts
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…
Bill Batten
of Fall Brewing
What is your current title?
Brewer
Where did you grow up?
A handful of places, but primarily Reno, Nevada, and San Bernardino, California. I moved to SD in ‘93.
What brought you to San Diego?
Life
What was the first beer and/or alcoholic beverage you ever had?
Coors Banquet
What was your a-ha moment that turned you on to craft beer?
Chimay White
What led you to consider a career in brewing?
I started homebrewing, caught the bug and never looked back.
Where did you first apply for a brewing job and where did you get your first brewing/brewery position?
AleSmith Brewing. I began volunteering in April 2002 and was hired in September of that year, shortly after Peter Zien bought the brewery from previous owner, Skip Virgilio.
What breweries have you worked for over your career and in what roles?
AleSmith Brewing Company: Assistant Brewer, Sales, Senior Brewer; Mikkeller Brewing SD: Head Brewer; Black Plague Brewing: Consulting/Brewing; Coachella Valley Brewing Company: Consulting; Resident Brewing: Brewer; Fall Brewing: Cellarman; TapRoom Beer Co: Head Brewer
Who have been the individuals that have helped you the most to learn and advance in your career?
Peter Zien, through both working for AleSmith and the BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) course.
What singular piece of advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a professional brewer?
Do it for the passion and not the money.
What ultimate career goal would you like to achieve?
To be remembered for making great beer in the classical styles without any of the gimmicks.
What is your favorite beer you’ve ever brewed, be it on a professional or amateur level?
I always enjoyed brewing Speedway Stout back in the AleSmith days.
What is your least-favorite beer you’ve ever brewed on any level?
I am fortunate enough to say that I’ve enjoyed all the beers I have been part of.
What are your favorite and least-favorite hop varietals at present?
Favorite: Columbus Cryo and Citra, Least Favorite: Sorachi Ace and Summit
If you weren’t a brewer, what do you think you would do for a living?
Possibly a chef
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?
Bartender, as they are the first point of contact and create context for the consumer and define the experience one may have while drinking the beer that a brewer painstakingly makes.
What is your favorite beer style?
West Coast IPA or pilsner
If you could wipe one style of beer off the face of the Earth, what would it be?
Pastry stout
What single brewing company’s beers and/or ethos/style has been most influential on your style?
Early days of AleSmith–staying true to style and not giving into the hype brews.
What is your favorite San Diego County brewing company?
Fall Brewing
What is your favorite brewing company outside of San Diego?
El Segundo Brewing
What three breweries that you haven’t yet visited—local or elsewhere—are on your current must-see bucket list?
Orval, Cantillon and Sierra Nevada Brewing in North Carolina
What are your favorite local beer events?
San Diego Beer Week’s Fishing With The Brewers at Fathom and Chef’s Celebration at The Lodge at Torrey Pines
If you were to leave San Diego, where would be the next-best place you’d want to brew?
Denver
Which musical genre or artists are on your brew-day soundtrack/playlist?
Post punk/new wave or punk/metal
What motto rules the way you brew and approach brewing in a professional brewhouse?
Making balanced beers that appeal to both new-to-beer and seasoned beer-drinkers.
When you’re not at work, what do you like to do for fun?
Skateboarding with friends or relaxing while listening to records.
Where do you like to drink off-the-clock?
Fall Brewing and Cantina Mayahuel for all the repo tequila
What is your favorite beer-and-food pairing of all time?
Hoppy red ale with Shropshire blue cheese
If you could somehow plan your last beer dinner before dying, what would you drink and eat?
An elaborate cheese-and-meat plate with a combination of Belgian ales (quads and lambics).
Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question)?
An individual that represents themselves honestly and gives people a fair shake no matter their background or ethnicity.
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].