One of San Diego County’s most popular—and, frankly, beloved—brewers is moving on. Cosimo Sorrentino has announced that he is walking away from his post heading brewing operations for sister establishments, Monkey Paw Pub and Brewery and South Park Brewing Company. Sorrentino tendered his resignation last Friday, stating he feels he is in a place in his career where it is time to move on to the next chapter. He has yet to identify what exactly the next phase will entail.
Sorrentino accepted a job offer from publican Scot Blair to come on as head brewer at Monkey Paw in 2013, the same weekend former head brewer Derek Freese resigned to accept an offer at Modern Times Beer Company. Up to that point, Sorrentino had been a long-time homebrewer, working largely in tandem with friend, Chris West (who later came on to assist at Monkey Paw before departing to head brewery operations at Bay City Brewing Company). In the years that followed, he played a major role in opening South Park Brewing and brewed a number of award-winning beers for both operations.
One thing he very much enjoyed about his role at Monkey Paw and South Park Brewing was the fact that it allowed him to travel, and both meet and collaborate with brewers from all over the world. Known throughout the county by beer-makers and beer-fans alike as a serial collaborator, he not only brewed beers with numerous brewers, but also worked very hard over the past year or so to keep the friendly, collegial nature of San Diego’s brewing industry intact after sales of craft breweries to Big Beer interests took place, dividing many members of the local suds scene. He even went so far as to put together a public forum in the East Village, wherein a discussion attempting to define craft and encourage inclusiveness among industry personnel at independent and acquired brewing companies. It was a bold step that had a definite impact.
Two of the beers Sorrentino most recently brewed for Monkey Paw will make their debuts in 22-ounce bottles later this month. It’s a rare glass-run for a company that serves its beers almost exclusively in kegs. Both will go on-sale November 19 at Monkey Paw as part of its five-year anniversary. A double IPA dubbed “Thank You!” will be available for $4 per bottle, and the iconic holiday strong stout Santa’s Pet Monkey will go for $6.50 a bottle, making for rather affordable mementos of a brewer who not only made good beer, but made a positive (and hopefully lasting) impression on an entire community.