The Story of the Guild

In 1920, a small hiccup called "prohibition" crippled San Francisco's thriving brewing culture, not just by making the stuff temporarily illegal, but by forcing brewers to shift their production into other areas. Unfortunately, most of these shifts were permanent. Even after the 21st amendment was passed, San Francisco, like the rest of America, was dominated by cheap beer with flavor that was (to put it kindly) uniform.

The San Francisco Brewer's Guild formed during a renaissance in American craft brewing that took place largely in San Francisco and the surrounding counties. In the interest of restoring and preserving San Francisco's artisan beer traditions, The Guild hopes to unite those who make local beer with those who love it, and revive the vibrant heritage of beer brewing in the city.

<div id="mtb-january" style="display:none;"> <div class="brewer-image"><img src="icons/social_100x100.png" /></div> <h1 style="width: 400px;">Next Meet the Brewers</h1> <h3>Wed, Jan 18 (6-9pm)<br/> Social Kitchen &amp; Brewery<br/> 1326 9th Avenue<br/> </h3> <h4><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=social+kitchen+san+francisco&fb=1&gl=us&hq=social+kitchen&hnear=San+Francisco,+CA&cid=0,0,&z=16&iwloc=A" target="_blank">See a Map</a><br/><a href="http://socialbrewsf.com" target="_blank">Social Kitchen &amp; Brewery Website</a></h4> <p>It's always nice to put faces to names, especially those that craft the beer you drink. Come down to SKB on Jan 18 for the latest installment of this casual monthly series from the Guild. Raise a pint or two with local artisan brewers and learn more about San Francisco craft beer.</p> </div> <div id="mtb-february" style="display:none;"> <div class="brewer-image"><img src="icons/speakeasy_100x100.png" /></div> <h1 style="width: 400px;">Next Meet the Brewers</h1> <h3>Fri, Feb 18 (6-9pm)<br/> Speakeasy Alex &amp; Lagers<br/> 1195 Evans Avenue, Ste A<br/> </h3> <h4><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Speakeasy+Ales+%26+Lagers,+San+Francisco,+CA&hl=en&gl=us&sll=,-&sspn=,&ie=UTF8&view=map&cid=&hq=Speakeasy+Ales+%26+Lagers,+San+Francisco,+CA&hnear=&ll=,-&spn=,&z=16&iwloc=A" target="_blank">See a Map</a><br/><a href="http://goodbeer.com" target="_blank">Speakeasy Website</a></h4> <p>It's always nice to put faces to names, especially those that craft the beer you drink. Come down to Speakeasy on Feb 18 for the latest installment of this casual monthly series from the Guild. Raise a pint or two with local artisan brewers and learn more about San Francisco craft beer.</p> </div>

From the Blog: San Francisco Brewers Guild Names Brian Stechschulte as Executive Director

by administrator on August 31, 2012

The San Francisco Brewers Guild is pleased to announce and welcome Brian Stechschulte as it’s first full time Executive Director. He will assume the duties of the position on September 10, 2012.

Stechschulte brings five years of nonprofit and beer industry experience to the new role. He will be responsible for public and government relations, event planning, marketing, and will execute a strategic plan that enhances the activities and visibility of the Guild on a local and national level.

“After a decade of having our work limited by the time our members could devote to the Guild, we are thrilled by the prospect of what we can accomplish with a full-time director. This puts us in a position not just to achieve more of our local goals, but also to work more closely with other craft beer organizations at the state and national level to strengthen the craft brewing industry,” said Dave McLean, brewmaster and owner of Magnolia Gastropub & Brewery, and member of the San Francisco Brewers Guild Executive Committee.

Stechschulte earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Master in Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts. Prior to joining the Guild, he spent five years as Gallery Director at the National Institute of Art & Disabilities in Richmond, CA, and volunteered with the Guild since January of 2011. Stechschulte is also a beer writer, photographer, the founder and editor of BayAreaCraftBeer.com, and served as Communications Director for SF Beer Week 2012.

“San Francisco has a rich brewing history and rapidly growing craft beer culture,” said Stechschulte. “I’m honored to assume this position and work with the city’s brewers to promote their products, special events, and help them achieve greater recognition for their hard work.”