Welcome back to The Friday Five, a special web series where we ask a local industry member five questions for your reading enjoyment. Today let’s hear some proclamations from the Minister of Evangelism and Indoctrination at Stone Brewing Co., Ken Wright. Below we ask him what that title really means, his “epiphany” craft beer, and more…
So, can you describe a little more what it means to be Minister of Evangelism and Indoctrination at Stone Brewing Co.?
It means, first and foremost, the sacred obligation of wearing a silly hat and mandating that I be addressed by subordinates as “Your Excellency.” Also, in addition to coordinating the brewery’s esteemed tour program and editing the employee newsletter, I have the pleasure of spreading the craft beer gospel to fans and soon-to-be fans alike. This includes emceeing at special craft beer events, such as the Beer U classes at Stone, media appearances, providing comic relief during FM 94/9’s weekly Rock and Roll Happy Hour show, and occasionally filling in on brewery tours. That last task is still the part of the job I look forward to most. Nothing better than being able to talk to people about something you love. Well, I suppose drinking something you love comes close…
Can you recall your most memorable experience “indoctrinating” a guest at Stone Brewing Co. on San Diego craft beer?
There are a lot of memorable golden moments for sure, but I think that the biggest reward I’ve gotten is when I hear—second hand from friends and co-workers or directly—that someone either started working at Stone or began home brewing as a result of having taken one of my tours. That’s pretty damn gratifying, and it still makes me misty eyed every time. No foolin’.
What is your “epiphany” craft beer? You know, like your first time…
That’s an easy one. I never really enjoyed beer all that much initially—it was just something you chugged down (usually cringing) as a means to an end. Then, when I transferred to UC Santa Cruz I soon discovered at a pizza joint just a few steps from my dorm, Anchor Steam Beer on draft. It was SO amazing! I’d no idea that beer could be so delicious and satisfying. To this day I still get a craving for Anchor—especially when paired with a slice or greasy garlic cheese bread. I will forever, along with beer geeks across the land, owe Fritz Maytag (the former owner, brewmaster and “resurrector” of Anchor) a profound debt of gratitude.
Every Friday listeners are able to tune into FM 94/9’s Rock & Roll Happy Hour and hear you on the air on behalf of Stone Brewing Co. Can you please tell our readers a little about this segment, for those that have not yet tuned in?
If you like great, often quirky and unexpected, Rock and Roll that you’ll never EVER hear anywhere else on the air while learning about fantastic craft beer, then this is a no brainer. If you can’t listen live on Fridays, be sure to download it from the station’s website, because it’s both fun and informative—and not too serious or too silly. Each week either a local guest brewer or publican joins us in the studio with a sampling of beers in hand. We try them and talk about them during the show (and you can drink along with us—if you’re not listening on your car stereo) by visiting the website, as we post the featured beers in advance. It’s really a perfect balance of beer talk and music. (Editor’s note – tonight’s Rock & Roll Happy Hour will be a live onsite broadcast from Ballast Point/Home Brew Mart. Larry Monosakanian will discuss the beer made at the home brew class taught during Beer Week, Doug Duffield will talk about Sculpin IPA, Alex Tweet will dive into Indra Kunindra [it was his original recipe that won Holiday Wine Cellar’s homebrew contest last year] and how he recently got hired on at BP, and Harold Gulbransen will expound on Smoke Screen Helles, originally brewed for the National Homebrewers Conference Pro-Am.)
What were your SDBW event highlights for this year?
Saturday’s Guild Fest at Liberty Station definitely stands out. I got to perform onstage in a thrown together band with Brewmaster Mitch Steele and other friends from Stone, which was great. (At least WE thought we were great!) The rest of the day was then spent sampling great beer and food and hanging out with thousands of craft beer fans while talking to brewers and listening to some great live rock and roll. This year’s Fest was sponsored by FM 94/9, and was also the station’s anniversary party. Two great occasions coming together at a beautiful place on a beautiful day. What more could you ask for? Other highlights include the Rare Beer Breakfast at the Stone World Bistro & Gardens (breakfast stout AND a made-to-order truffle omelet…OMG. Chef Alex and Dr Bill know how to throw a party!) and, of course, all the beyond-one’s wildest-dreams tap lineups around town.
Full disclose: In addition to interning for West Coaster, I also work for Stone Brewing Co.