Portrait of a Brewer: Tyler Tucker, Athletic 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…

Tyler Tucker

of Athletic Brewing

What is your current title? 

Lead Brewer 

Where did you grow up?

South Lake Tahoe, but I have lived in San Diego all of my adult (AKA legal-drinking age) life. 

What brought you to San Diego?

I chased my then-girlfriend and now-wife here. 

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

The first one I can’t talk about, but the first I’ll disclose was a Natty Light around 13. It was gross but Sierra Nevada Pale Ale saved the day when I was 18 or 19.

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

The TV show called “How It’s Made”. It was an episode about how craft beer was made. 

What led you to consider a career in brewing?

The day I met Societe Brewing co-founder Travis Smith sealed the drive to make craft beer my passion. 

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

After two years of dropping off résumés and knocking on doors, Travis Smith let me help him at La Jolla Brew House. Then when he left to start Societe, John Egan, formerly of Mission Brewery and now at Coronado Brewing, got me some time in the brewery. Then, Gary Pittman out at Manzanita Brewing in the OG building before they moved. Finally, after two years or so, I got a paid job back with Travis at Societe as the Assistant Brewer.

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

Of my paid jobs, Societe was my start and I rose to the role of Brewer. I left there to be Head of R&D for Coronado Brewing then went to Bitter Brothers Brewing, where I was Head Brewer. Now I’m Lead Brewer at Athletic. 

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

Travis Smith is the biggest individual that stands out, but every person I have worked with and for has helped me advance my career. Some good and some bad, but Travis drove home that the process is everything. If you don’t have a good process, you won’t have good beer. 

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

Don’t be scared to admit you messed up, never be scared to reach out for advice and never think you’re too good to scrub floors.

What ultimate career goal would you like to achieve? 

To look back on the beer industry in 15-20 years and see what impact I had. Don’t worry, I’m not done yet. 

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

Wow, that’s a hard question. I have brewed so many cool beers. From the first gold medal GABF, The Coachman session IPA to batch 666 of The Butcher imperial stout at Societe to 100 of my own creations. Now the non-alcoholic world is a new challenge, but I’m going to say I haven’t brewed my favorite yet. 

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

Hefeweizens and dark beers. The Butcher, All Out Stout. I don’t like dark beers; too much to hide behind. 

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

My fave is Amarillo and my least favorite is Sorachi Ace. That hop can just go away. 

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

Nurse, EMT or maybe even an adventure guide 

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?

Keg washer. That person is the last line of defense. If they don’t care about how clean a keg is, your beer is going to suck on-tap. Also Sam Orlansky over at Brewer’s Fresh. If you’re not using him, start…cleanest draft lines in town. 

What is your favorite beer style?

Rice lagers. You can’t hide anything. 

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

Staysons…sorry, meant saison. 

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

I have to say Athletic. With how they treat the employees and how much they give back with Two for the Trails, donation beers and events–they just care about everything. 

What is your favorite San Diego County brewing company? 

Right now it’s Pizza Port. Their beers are just clean and easy to drink. Who knows what it’ll be next week.  

What is your favorite brewing company outside of San Diego? 

There Does Not Exist and Cooperage Brewing. I’m sure I’m missing a bunch more. 

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

Cantillon, Rouleur Brewing, There Does Not Exist. I buy the beer but haven’t been. 

What are your favorite local beer events? 

That’s been a hard one the last few years, but I always love the Mission Valley Craft Beer & Food Festival. 

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

Texas or Utah

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

As my boy Troy from societe says: anything country.

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

If you have time to lean, you have time to clean. 

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

Camping and watching my boys grow up outside. 

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

At my house

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

It was a rabbit dish at Monk’s Kettle during San Francisco Beer Week like six or seven years ago. 

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? 

First you have to have Big Nate. I’d also invite Tyson Blake, Travis Smith, Abraham Lincoln and my grandpa. The food would be cooked by Tyson and Nate, dealer’s choice.

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

Great dad and husband, funny, passionate, loyal, driven and a good brewer

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].