The Drake’s brewing plant is somewhat antiquated, by 21st Century craft-brewing standards. It was born in the original era of the American micro-brewing movement. Unlike modern production breweries, there aren’t any computers controlling the mash, the boil, or the general brewing process. Every part of the process is “hands on” for the Drake’s brewers. (The words “hand-crafted” were never more appropriate.) It is a true bootstrap brewery. Growing tank by tank over the years, the brewery is worked hard, everyday. As production has increased it has become cramped for space, as well as (we’ll be the first to admit) a little gritty and a worn around the edges. But Drake’s is big where it counts — in heart and in brewing talent. And, Drake’s is as modern and cutting edge as any, when it comes to producing unique styles of great beer … with the advantage of the brewers being totally involved, while operating the venerable old brewhouse.

THE DRAKE’S BREWERS
Sure, Drake’s is a pile of malt & hops, tanks, kegs, bottles and that sort of stuff… but mostly in the end, it’s the people that create the beer that make Drake’s what it is. All of Drake’s staff are long-time professional craft brewers. At Drake’s, the staff is in the brewery everyday doing the best they can to produce and distribute the best beer possible.

HEAD BREWER: Brian Thorson
A native of Seattle, Washington, Brian and his family moved to the East Bay when he was 10 years old. After graduating from high school in San Ramon, Brian attended Cal Poly, in San Luis Obispo. It was there where his love of trying, and homebrewing, different styles of beer started. Holding a “Dante style” job (see the movie Clerks) at a liquor store, Brian was able to help pay for school and drink good beer. After getting a degree in Computer Science, Brian moved back to the Bay Area and worked in the computer industry for 8 years as a systems developer (satellite, network, and operating systems). During his off-hours he became a very active homebrewer. Brian liked the technical aspects of his field, but eventually decided he had to make the big move… from the computer world into professional brewing. So, in 2003, Brian attended the Master Brewers program at UC Davis Extension. Following the completion of his studies, he took on a brewing position at Harpoon Brewery in Boston, Massachusetts. Looking to get home to the Bay Area, in 2005 Brian was hired as a brewer at the start-up Trumer Brauerei in Berkeley. Then, lucky for us, a few years later Brian joined Drake’s small and hard-working staff. Brian’s devotion, creativity, and work ethic have been invaluable at the brewery. Brian, along with Josh, has been responsible for producing many wonderful and award-winning Drake’s beers.

BREWER: Mike Manty
Manty Mike was raised in the Pleasant Hill/Lafayette area of the East Bay. His first beer was a sip from his Mom’s ‘Lil Oly (8 oz. Olympia can) at age 8 or 9. Mike moved to Oakland while attending California State University Hayward. At the same time he discovered “real beer” at Triple Rock, (then Roaring Rock), Berkeley and Buffalo Bill’s, Hayward. Mike graduated CSUH with a degree in Business Administration and then worked in accounting. He discovered homebrewing after buying a homebrew “extract” kit from Homer Smith at the Oak Barrel. Took Homer’s sage advice (“If you’re not mashing, you’re not brewing!”) to heart and started mashing thereafter. Eventually left accounting (due to “brew fever”) for his first professional brewing position at Devil Mounting Brewing, in Benicia, CA. After a time, San Francisco Brewing Company hired him as Head Brewer. Eventually Mike resigned to get married and to travel Asia & Europe. Returned home to be hired at Lind Brewing Company (now Drake’s) in late October 1993 (first brew was #212 Drakes Gold 10/30/93). After being promoted to Head Brewer by Owner/Brewmaster Roger Lind, Mike was given the opportunity to design his own beer; inspired by the Pilsners of the Czech Republic and named after the Saaz hop growing region west northwest of Prague. Zatec Pilsner was born. Left Lind Brewing in 1995 to work in other industries, til the call of Drake’s and professional brewing brought Mike back.

BREWER: Jeff Kimpe
Jeff grew up in East Detroit, MI, and always had an interest in craft/import beers even before he was of legal drinking age. Jeff’s first “real” beer was given to him by his Uncle. It was a Duvel, appropriate given Jeff’s proud Belgian heritage. After tasting every beer he could get his hands on, Jeff started homebrewing. Jeff moved to Los Angeles in 1996, and with the smallest social circle one could imagine, he immersed himself into homebrewing and reading everything about beer. Jeff started volunteering at the few brewpubs Los Angeles. In 2002, He moved to Oakland with the intention of getting a professional brewing position. Oddly enough, Drake’s Brewing was the first brewery he cold called…. but had no luck. Jeff ended up applying at Pyramid Brewery and after a few interviews, got the job! After seven years of paying dues and learning a lot about brewing and the beer industry, it was time to be rewarded with the more creative side of the Bay Area brewing community. Enter Drake’s! Jeff couldn’t be happier being part of the Drake’s brewing team and helping achieve the one main goal, make great beer!