Matthew Brynildson - Brewmaster
MID-SIZED BREWING COMPANY BREWMASTER OF THE YEAR
Like most college students, Matt Brynildson’s initial exposure to beer was, as he puts it, “limited to American industrial lagers.” But a fortuitous foreign exchange tour in Europe—during which he sampled some of the world’s finest brews—inspired a passion for fine beer that ultimately put him on the fast track to brewing success.
After graduating from Kalamazoo College with a degree in chemistry in 1993, Matt—by then a dedicated home brewer—joined Michigan’s KALSEC Inc. as a hop chemist, performing research and development on hops for the brewing industry. There, he worked under the tutelage of Rudy Held, former head brewmaster at Stroh’s, and refined his brewing education in the company’s vast brewing library.
In 1995, Matt continued to advance his brewing skills by attending a course at the famed Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology in Chicago. Shortly thereafter, he was tapped by Chicago’s new Goose Island Brewing Company, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become head brewer. Under Matt’s guidance, Goose Island’s brews enjoyed phenomenal success, ultimately serving eight Mideastern states with an output of 50,000 barrels.
Matt joined SLO Brewing Company on California’s Central Coast in January, 2000, revitalizing company’s brewing program while earning broad industry acclaim along the way. When Adam Firestone and David Walker purchased the former SLO Brewing facility in Paso Robles in 2001, they tapped Matt to head their brewing operations.
As Firestone Walker launches a new era at its brewery in Paso Robles while expanding distribution in the Central Valley and Southern California markets, Matt is excited about advancing the company’s celebrated commitment to quality and innovation. “Our brewery is a cutting-edge facility, right down to the bottling line,” he says. “This is enabling me to take Firestone Walker beers to the next level.”
Dustin Kral - Lead Brewer
Hometown/State: Huntington Beach, CA
Secondary Education: College of the Redwoods
(Major/area of study): Environmental Science
Experience: Homebrewer since 1998, Brewer at Moylan’s for 2 years, Firestone
Favorite Beer: Firestone Pale Ale, Dos Equis XX Verde w/a burrito from 4 Hermanos
Favorite Band: Beastie Boys, Bob Marley, Tool, Live shows at DTB
Hobbies: Fishing, surfing, boating, snowboarding, hanging with the team, anything that involves beer.
Goal in Life: Have fun, don’t do anything stupid, live as a king and sit on a throne! Keep it real!
Steve Courier - Brewer
Steve’s bio is coming soon.
George Numair - Brewer
Hometown: San Leandro, CA
Education: UCSC - B.A. Business Management/Economics 2007
Brewery Education: UC Davis - Master Brewers Program 2008
Experience: Spoetzl Brewery - Q.A./Q.C. - 2007
Firestone Walker Brewery - 2008
Favorite Beers: Nectar IPA, Sheaf Stout, Budweiser
Favorite Bands: Old Crow Medicine Show, Rush, Toby Keith
Hobbies: Frisbee golf, fishing, cooking, beard growing contests w/Brewmaster Matt
Goal in Life: Captain the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Chris Klein - Assistant Brewer
Hometown: Green Field, CA
Secondary Education: FF1 academy
Experience: Chris joins the brew team coming from a long stint in our tasting room. His love, passion and knowledge of great beer make him the perfect fit to head up our Firestone Union of oak barrels. He truly puts the oak in our beer.
Hobbies: Movies, games, enjoying beer, hanging out with the family
Favorite Beer: Firestone Pale 31
Favorite Bands: Killswitch Engage, Primus, Tool, APC
Goal in Life: Live past 90 and raise perfect children
