Portrait of a Brewer: Peter Perrecone, Belching Beaver Brewery
This is Belching Beaver's specialty brewer...even if he's not who he'll someday be
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…
Peter Perrecone
of Belching Beaver Brewery
What is your current title?
Specialty Brewer
Where did you grow up?
La Costa
What was the first beer and/or alcoholic beverage you ever had?
Rolling Rock
What was your a-ha moment that turned you on to craft beer?
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
What led you to consider a career in brewing?
I’m not sure. It was always something I always wanted to do.
Where did you first apply for a brewing job and where did you get your first brewing/brewery position?
AleSmith, but Toolbox Brewing was my first real gig.
What breweries have you worked for over your career and in what roles?
At Toolbox, I was the brewmaster, and at Belching Beaver I am Specialty Brewer and also manage the brewery at the Pub980 location.
Who have been the individuals that have helped you the most to learn and advance in your career, and how?
Early on, Doug Constantiner at Societe Brewing and Tomme Arthur at The Lost Abbey would always answer any questions I had, from brewing to how breweries work. Nowadays, my Belching Beaver colleagues Troy Smith and Thomas Peters are always there for me to answer any questions I have.
What singular piece of advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a professional brewer?
Never let yourself get comfortable. Always seek out new ways of doing things. You never know, there could be a better way to do something.
What ultimate career goal would you like to achieve?
To be honest I don’t think too much about that. I have my dream job right now so I’m just trying not to mess that up.
What is your favorite beer you’ve ever brewed, be it on a professional or amateur level?
A mixed-fermentation wine hybrid called Ultraviolet Dreams
What is your least-favorite beer you’ve ever brewed on any level?
Milkshake IPA
What are your favorite and least-favorite hop varietals at present?
Favorite: Mosaic and Citra, Least Favorite: Amarillo and Centennial
If you weren’t a brewer, what do you think you would do for a living?
I’d probably still be at Trader Joe’s.
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?
Maintenance
What is your favorite beer style?
Hazy IPA
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?
Burgeon Beer Co.
What is your favorite brewing company outside of San Diego?
Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
What three breweries that you haven’t yet visited—local or elsewhere—are on your current must-see bucket list?
Cantillon, Jester King and Pinthouse Pizza
What are your favorite local beer events?
The San Diego Brewers Guild’s Guild Fest event
If you were to leave San Diego, where would be the next-best place you’d want to brew?
That’s tough, but if I had to leave, I’d say Texas or Idaho.
Which musical genre or artists are on your brew-day soundtrack/playlist?
If I had my choice, it would be country, but the bartenders get to pick the music.
What motto rules the way you brew and approach brewing in a professional brewhouse?
Don’t be afraid to try new things.
When you’re not at work, what do you like to do for fun?
Golfing and camping in the desert
Where do you like to drink off-the-clock?
The golf course or around the campfire. I don’t get out much but the two breweries you will find me at are Societe or Burgeon.
What is your favorite beer-and-food pairing of all time?
Hazy IPA and Gummy Bears
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?
Cantillon and an all-steak pairing with my closest friends.
Who do you think you are (a purposely broad question)?
Who I want to be and who I am are different. Every day I try to get closer to being the person I want to be.
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].