When examining the vocational structure and hierarchies presented within the brewing industry, I often liken it to professional sports. Brewing companies and sports franchises both seek to amass as many promising, talented individuals as possible in order to strengthen their teams, but there are only so many starting spots available. In many cases, a blue-chip prospect looking to advance in their career must go the free-agency route, heading to another organization, sometimes in a completely different locale, to ascend to a more prominent role.
No company enjoys the farm-team syndrome that comes with losing talented, young brewers, especially those they’ve invested significant time and resources into training and building to the point where they are attractive hires. It’s even worse ‒ for local employers and hometown beer fans alike ‒ when a skilled, on-the-rise fermentationist takes their talents to a new gig outside of the county. When this happens, one can only hope those up-and-comers will do well in their new roles, learn a lot and, hoping against statistical likelihood, return to San Diego someday. It doesn’t happen very often, but it’s about to, as local product Dan Anderson prepares to head back from Texas to assume the head brewer role at Karl Strauss Brewing.
Anderson started his career under the tutelage of respected brewing professionals at local brewpubs within CraftWorks Holdings‘ restaurant portfolio. After learning the ropes at Gordon Biersch’s Mission Valley location working with well-known brewmaster Doug Hasker, he went on to assist another of that veteran’s mentees, Carli Smith, at Rock Bottom Brewery & Restaurant in La Jolla. In 2017, when Smith departed to head a startup brewery on the East Coast, Anderson stepped into the role of head brewer.
Over the next three years, he was able to make a name for himself before CraftWorks Holdings abruptly shuttered the La Jolla brewpub in March of 2020. After a brief stint working with Hasker at Puesto Cerveceria (following local restaurant group Puesto taking over Gordon Biersch’s Mission Valley brewpub following its July 2019 closure), Anderson pulled up stakes and moved to Austin, Texas, to take a job as Lead Brewer at Zilker Brewing. He was later promoted to Head Brewer there, before moving on in the summer of 2023 to become Process Quality Manager for award-winning Austin operation, Pinthouse Brewing.
“Since departing San Diego, I have been working in the amazing Austin craft-beer industry. During this time, I was also able to complete my Diploma in Brewing from the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers, which represented a huge milestone for me,” says Anderson. When asked what motivated him to return to San Diego, he says he and his wife, Caitlyn (pictured above), wanted to be closer to their families, before adding, “The superb weather, beach, burritos, good vibes and great beer are up there, too.”
Anderson will officially assume his new role the first week of June. In it, he will be responsible for managing beer production, cellar operations and, as he puts it, any other thing that’s necessary to get the job done. He says while working in Austin he developed new perspectives where brewing innovation and process approach are concerned, adding that working with two different yet equally incredible production teams sharpened his abilities to direct personnel, something that will come into play on an everyday basis at Karl Strauss.
“Austin ‒ and the greater Texas craft beer industry ‒ is an absolute gem. Similar to San Diego, there is a lot of pride and community throughout the scene,” says Anderson. “It’s bittersweet leaving, but I am excited to get to be a part of a San Diego craft brewery with such a legacy. As a fan of the brewery for many years it is awesome to be able to play a part in its future.”
“I’m stoked to welcome Dan and have him on board. He’s a talented brewer and a really great person,” says Karl Strauss Brewmaster Paul Segura. “He’s always been family, but now he’s part of the Karl Strauss family and I couldn’t be happier about it.”