This week Ken talks with Rob, head brewer at Storm Peak Brewing Company in beautiful Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and more importantly, a self proclaimed ski bum. While the ski bum in him brought him to Steamboat, it is the beer and the community that keeps him here. Maybe there are some friends on powder days.
Video Notes to Highlighted Topics
0:41 Brewing Beginnings
Rob has been in the brewing industry in one form or another for six years, starting with a food science program at UC Davis and then with an internship at Lagunitas. Ultimately arriving in Steamboat with plans to be a ski bum. Plans change.
4:25 Brewing Breeds Company
As the business grows, assistant brewers are added into the mix, giving more opportunities for Rob to create instead of just clean. Ah, the glamorous life of brewing.
6:18 Ski Bum Dream
Rob still gets to live his dream of being a ski bum. Since brewing isn’t a 9 to 5 job, it’s life first and work later happens well here.
8:11 Steamboat Springs Mountain Community
Loving work, the community and the outdoors, Rob and his wife have stayed in Steamboat because of this.
12:00 Stout Life
From the ranches to the mountains to the community, Steamboat Springs is like a permanent vacation.
14:21 Beautiful Endings
Rob talks about the tattoo on his arm from his wife’s wedding vows. Beautiful!
15:39 Beyond the Taproom – Raw Footage
Aleyna, the assistant brewer, takes us on a tour behind the scenes.
We’d love to hear from you.
Rob ends the conversation with a quote from the Lord of the Rings. We love quotes, and would love to hear your favorite ones. Let us know in the comments below.
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Last week, I interviewed another brilliant mind at Storm Peak, Aleyna, the assistant brewer. I met Aleyna when she was a high school freshman, passionate about the environment, education, and the outdoors, even at that young age. She inspired me then and continues to do so now. With her tales of outdoor adventures, world travels, and love of the unknown, not only will she also inspire you to follow your dreams, but she will make you feel like it’s the easiest thing in the world to do so.
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Cheers!