{"id":20802,"date":"2018-08-06T08:00:56","date_gmt":"2018-08-06T15:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/archives.csusm.edu\/westcoastersd\/?p=20802"},"modified":"2018-08-02T07:24:31","modified_gmt":"2018-08-02T14:24:31","slug":"beerleaders-the-chance-to-brew-with-a-legend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archives.csusm.edu\/westcoastersd\/2018\/08\/06\/beerleaders-the-chance-to-brew-with-a-legend\/","title":{"rendered":"Beerleaders: The chance to brew with a legend"},"content":{"rendered":"

Crafting an ale or lager with a professional brewer is a big deal for any beer nerd. A remarkably small percentage of enthusiasts get a taste of such a brew day, but the opportunity to share one with one of the most famous and award-winning brewmasters exists right in San Diego County, and that\u2019s not hyperbole. Participants in Bagby Beer Co.<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s \u201cBeerleader\u201d program team together with owner Jeff Bagby<\/strong> and his brewing team to produce unique beers.<\/p>\n

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A Beerleaders attendee on the brew deck with Bagby Beer brewer Brandon Barclay (photo by Deb Hellman)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As anyone aware of Bagby\u2019s pedigree would guess, these sessions have garnered so much interest that there is a long waiting list. At this point, it\u2019s more than 100 names deep. For those wondering whether Beerleaders is \u201cspecial enough\u201d to merit jockeying for position in such a robust queue, the answer is \u201cyes.\u201d While similar promotions\u2014and even many professional collaboration brew days\u2014keep foreign participants at arm\u2019s length, relegating them to spectator status, Bagby and the team at his Oceanside brewpub have worked to make Beerleaders an educational experience that allows attendees to have real input on the creative process.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter people sign up, they are sent an email describing the day and what they can expect. We also give them three different styles of beer to vote on brewing. This ain\u2019t always easy as it is, of course, determined by what we have going ingredients-wise in the brewery,\u201d says Bagby. \u201cThe participants rank each beer from what they want to brew most to least, we tally the scores and brew the winner. The Beerleaders also have the chance to make decisions the day of the brew on things like last-minute malt and other possible ingredients, as well as hop selection.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Bagby explaining the brewing process to Beerleaders participants (photo by Deb Hellman)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Additionally, Bagby shares information on brewing history, beer styles, tasting techniques, beer-and-food pairing, and the business of craft beer. The latter includes the process of naming a beer with marketability in mind, something Beerleaders get to practice first-hand as they develop a moniker for their beery creations. Beyond that it\u2019s the business of making beer, literally: milling, mashing in, adding hops, pitching yeast, and more.<\/p>\n

Bagby says participants have run the gamut from homebrewers to brewing-industry personnel to beer lovers and even complete newbies. That eclectic blend has led to some wide-ranging creations thus far. The following are the offerings Beerleaders has yielded so far, along with commentary from Bagby.<\/p>\n