Golden Road Brewing today announced that it has parted ways with former Brewmaster Jon Carpenter, who tendered his resignation in early January.
The company is replacing Carpenter with former Drake’s Brewing Company head brewer Jesse Houck, whom Golden Road had once considered for the Brewmaster position back in 2011.
Golden Road co-founder Meg Gill said she hoped to have Carpenter on board for the long term but “in the startup world, you never know.”
“We were a little surprised at the announcement but we wish Jon the best of luck going forward,” she said.
Carpenter left as head brewer with Dogfish Head in June 2011 to take the Brewmaster position with Golden Road. He declined to comment on his reasons for departure, but told Brewbound.com that he has no immediate plans to open his own brewing operation and is currently exploring opportunities with other brewing companies.
The official press release is below.
LOS ANGELES, CA — Golden Road Brewing is pleased to announce the arrival of new Brewmaster Jesse Houck, following the departure of former Brewmaster Jon Carpenter in early 2013. Houck comes to Golden Road from Drake’s Brewing Company in San Leandro, where he served as Production Manager/ Head Brewer.
Houck and Golden Road President, Meg Gill, first met at 21st Amendment Brewery in 2008, where they bonded over their mutual love for canned beers and California IPAs.
Golden Road has experienced a rapid expansion since opening in October of 2011, doubling the size of their brew house and brewing capacity, releasing four canned beers and over fifteen specialty brews, opening over 500 draft accounts throughout the greater LA area. Says Golden Road President Meg Gill: “As we look forward to 2013, we have big plans for the direction we want our beers to go. We’re thrilled to bring Jesse’s leadership and dry, hoppy, clean-beer loving palate to LA.”
Adds Houck, “I am looking forward to sharing Meg and Tony’s vision of crafting quality beers for LA, and excited to be part of one of the fastest growing craft beer scenes on the West Coast.” A long time bay-area brewer, Houck brings a blend of chemistry and artistry to his brewing, having studied Chemical Engineering before becoming fascinated — and later obsessed — with home-brewing and beer.
Co-founder Tony Yanow has also been a fan of Houck’s for years, commenting, “Jesse has created some of my favorite beers, and we’re excited to bring his creativity and brewing expertise to our team.”
About:
Golden Road Brewing was founded in October 2011 by Tony Yanow and Meg Gill, who are committed to bringing fresh beer to market in the most sustainable way possible. Golden Road Brewing is the maker of Los Angeles’ first canned craft beer, packaged in 16 once cans to deliver an honest pint of the brewery’s flagship Point the Way IPA and Golden Road Hefeweizen. Golden Road currently produces over sixteen beers which include a Custom IPA and limited releases. Golden Road Brewing and The Pub at Golden Road Brewing are located at 5410 W. San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA90039. For more information, please visit www.goldenroad.la.