brewer’s brain
From the Mind of Brian ‘Swifty’ Peters . . .
As I sit in front of the keyboard contemplating the subject for this edition of Brewer’s Brain, I laugh to myself because this brewer’s brain is older and wiser, but definitely not as responsive as it was in its prime. And then I realize that time is the one thing we all have in common (and our love for good beer). With each passing second, we have more history and less time on earth. This is not a Woody Allen inspired “fear of death” monologue but rather the realization that the craft beer renaissance in Texas is a generation old. It really sunk in recently when I looked at the old Waterloo Brewing Company equipment and determined it was made about 20 years ago. Weird but it just doesn’t seem that long ago when we were all enjoying the wonderful creations of Steve Anderson, the first brew pub brewer in the state of Texas. Back in 1992, the Dog & Duck was the epicenter of my beer drinking world. Chip McElroy (Live Oak) and I met there at a Zealots homebrew meeting. We quaffed many pints with Billy Forrester and Steve, discussing the start-up plans for both Waterloo Brewing and Live Oak. Since that time, we helped birth the Austin craft brew scene, nurture it through its “terrible twos” and console it with each dying brewery. During that time, Steve has been the cornerstone of the Austin brew scene. The list of Steve’s distinctions is as impressive as any brewer I know. As mentioned earlier, he is the state’s first brew pub brewer. His brewing skills were rewarded with multiple GABF medals during his Waterloo Brewing tenure. He commercially brewed the first of many styles in the state, including the great Guy Town IPA and the legendary One Ton Stout. He has the distinction of being the longest continuous craft brewer in the state. This
is not to be taken lightly. This industry is both volatile and physically grueling. Having the skills and stamina to survive that long is astonishing. But as he has always said, in his self-deprecating way, “It’s the only thing I know how to do. What else would I be doing?” I had mixed emotions when Steve told me about his new venture, Big Bend Brewery. (He will be the head brewer for this start-up production brewery in Alpine, Texas.) I don’t want him to leave but he has always dreamt of living out west and this is a golden opportunity. He was like a kid talking about Christmas as he described the new brewing equipment he will pilot. The sparkle in his eye was there. It was exciting, like 1992 all over again. With that, I would like everyone to raise their pint glass and toast the legend Steve Anderson. To Steve I say, “Thank you for being my friend for twenty years. I know this is what you want. Crush it out in Alpine. Visit often. You will be missed.” Swifty is brewmaster at Uncle Billy’s (Lake Travis) and sits on the Board of Directors for the Texas Craft Brewers Guild.