Aaron Brussat Oral History Interview, May 16, 2018

Partial Transcript: Go ahead and introduce yourself..

Segment Synopsis: Aaron was born in Alexandria, Virginia, but spent the majority of his childhood Silver Spring, Maryland. As a kid, Aaron explains that he was't very interested in academics. He always did well in school, but his primary focus was on outdoor activities like biking and football. He also started playing piano around the age of 5 or 6, but eventually transitioned into the guitar, sharing that his Uncle was a Jazz guitarist which helped foster his desire to play. Aaron was a strong reader and writer, and he talks about his temporary ambition of becoming a writer one day.
After graduating High School in 2001 Aaron wasn't sure what he wanted to do, so he elected to defer for a year where he worked for a book and record store that his grandfather owned. He visited St. Mary's College in Maryland on the west side of the Chesapeake Bay, and instantly fell in love the moment he stepped on campus. After taking a full year off, Aaron enrolled at St. Mary's College, where he explains that he took the approach of trying everything he possibly could to fully enjoy everything the college experience had to offer. On the back end of his college career, Aaron was working at the media center on campus while producing some of his own experimental films. At this time he spent much of his time reading about film theory and other related materials, all of which he looked at as preparation for a career path he wished to pursue.

Partial Transcript: If you like beer so much why don't you make it

Segment Synopsis: Aaron shares details about his first home brew, an IPA with cascade and fuggle hops with oak chips, a brew that turned out to be very popular with his friends. He graduated from College in 2007, and he wanted to find a job in media. His girlfriend still had one year left of school, and he was able to maintain his job in the media center for his first year out of school to provide him with some more experience before attempting to take a dip into the professional scene. After Liz graduated, the couple had plans to move somewhere in the NorthWest, so they loaded up his truck and spent 3 months on the road through the North Eastern United States and up into Canada.

Partial Transcript: So within a couple of years you start working at BeerStein..

Segment Synopsis: Aaron talks about an acquaintance he made in the home brewing industry who invited him to the Cascade Brewers Society meeting, and his beer quickly improved. His first money making job within the beer industry was at Beerstein, noting that his admiration for Frank Zappa likely contributed to his hiring. He talks about his impression of having his first job in the beer industry, specifically how he learned enough to effectively serve customers, and how he was able to adjust to a new industry. His first position was a stocker, so he was responsible for putting away all the new orders that came and restocked the shelves.
He then moves forward to elaborate on the benefit of earning his JCP certification, explaining that it is helpful when judging home brews.

Partial Transcript: What about the internet?

Segment Synopsis: Aaron talks about how he has watched the internet effect consumers knowledge about different types of brews, specifically how the creation of sites such as TappedIn will result in customers asking him questions about beers, then pulling up these reference sites to see how his responses compare.
He then shares about some events that had some very positive impacts. He specifically mentions a dinner they hosted where they introduced to an Amber paired with a Vernon Maple glazed Rib that paired together terrifically, and they received comments from people who had never enjoy an amber until that night.
Aaron also has spent considerable time writing about beer, he first began editing the newsletter for the Cascade Brewers Society in 2011 for about a year, and then started a newsletter for both Falling Sky Fermentation Supply Shop and BeerStein. He explains that he started writing about beer because he really enjoyed it and had a fun time doing so.

Partial Transcript: Is there a tight knit brewers community?

Segment Synopsis: Aaron moves forward in the interview to talk about the nature of the brewers community in the Eugene area. He explains that there are some collaborations among some breweries, but the more prevalent sense of community exists within the home brewers. When a brewer is a short some specific hops for a brew, it is common for them to be able to reach out to other brewers to borrow the necessary supplies.
Aaron concludes this segment by talking about the regional influence on brewing. The location of the brewing tends to be impacted by local hops grown and other geographical factors that impact the style of beers.

Partial Transcript: So how did you make the decision to leave The Beer Stein?

Segment Synopsis: He explains that his transition away from The Beer Stein was directly due to his desire to write full time. He loved the time that he spent at The Beer Stein, and he wasn't eager to leave, but he felt as if he needed to follow his heart and continue down his path as a writer. Since leaving, he has had the opportunity to take 3 trips around the world to taste and write about beer, experiences he cherishes.
He then shares where he finds his writers inspiration, and his method is simple enough, what do I want to learn about? He writes about things he is curious about and what he believes others will be interested in as well. Sustainability is a large topic of interest for him that has evolved throughout his years of writing.