Tim Gossack Oral History Interview, June 28, 2018

Partial Transcript: Okay, let's get started. Your name?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack introduces himself and provides some background information about his family and his early life. He was born in Helena, Montana, but spent the majority of his childhood in Salem, Oregon, where his father worked as an electrical engineer.

Partial Transcript: So what were you interested in doing for fun?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack recalls some of his childhood interests and hobbies, including sledding and snowboarding in the winter and hiking and running in the summer. He discusses his recollections of Oregon politics as they were in the 1970s, when he was a child, and notes that his mom briefly worked in the governor’s office.

Partial Transcript: So what about high school, what were you interested in academically as you started to think about what might appeal to you career wise?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about his memories of high school. He enjoyed science and math, an recalls that he was especially interested in chemistry. He also was in the band and played a variety of wind instruments.

Partial Transcript: And so how did you decide to go to Lewis and Clark?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about applying to college and his decision to attend Lewis and Clark for his undergraduate studies. He explains that it was close to his family and offered in-state tuition while also providing a quality education, all of which appealed to him.

Partial Transcript: What was what was Portland like in the mid eighties?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about Portland in the mid-1980s, noting that it was a largely industrial city at that point in time. He talks about some of the counterculture movements that were prevalent, as well as problems in the city, such as drug-abuse and homelessness. He also discusses what the brewing scene in Portland was like at the time.

Partial Transcript: Rewind a little bit. What did you think, did you think that you wanted to work in academia as a researcher? Was that kind of your end goal earlier?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack discusses his early plans to remain in academia and become either a researcher or a professor.

Partial Transcript: What was it like to move to Bend? And also, what did you think it would be like to move to Bend?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about moving to Bend. He shares anecdotes about his roommates, and describes the city, noting that it was quite small. He notes that rent was relatively cheap when he was in his twenties, allowing him to move more freely.

Partial Transcript: So you came in 1990. Describe what Deschutes was like then. Who was here? What was the set up like?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about what Deschutes Brewing was like when he was first hired there. He describes his role at the company, the different types of beers being produced, and the other employees at the company.

Partial Transcript: And what was the, what was the communication like between the people who were working at the the breweries?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack describes how different breweries in Oregon interacted with each other, noting that the environment was largely collaborative, and that brewers would communicate with each other often.

Partial Transcript: What was that transition like when John left...what was what was that? What are some of the memories that you have of that time? Was it tough when he left feeling a sort of natural progression?

Segment Synopsis: Gossacks talks about certain leadership changes that Deschutes Brewery underwent in the 1990s when the founder retired. He talks about how it changed the structure of the company, how other employees had to fill new leadership roles, and how it contributed to his development as a brewer.

Partial Transcript: What about hops at that time? What was the kind of relationship with growers or awareness of names and people that were over there?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack notes that there was not frequent communication between hop growers and brewers, and that most purchases were conducted through brokers.

Partial Transcript: So, did you think in '96 about trying to open a brewery here in Bend?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about founding his own brewery. He describes his inspiration and thought process, noting that he felt his experience at Deschutes Brewery prepared him to found his own company. He explains that he felt the Oregon market was oversaturated, which led to him founding his company in Arizona instead.

Partial Transcript: So that, that's a pretty big shift from from writing recipes and wanting to make beer. But did, did you hire on other brewers? Did you have to expand too quickly or did you just do everything?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about the process of expanding the brewery he founded, including hiring new people, creating the facility, and purchasing equipment.

Partial Transcript: What about, like local regional ingredients? Did you feel an influence of being in the Southwest?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack describes brewing in the American Southwest, where he founded his brewing company. He notes that he used certain local ingredients, but that his brewing process and style was still largely rooted in his experiences in the Pacific Northwest.

Partial Transcript: When did you decide, or what was the, the, what were the circumstances that led to shutting the company down?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about selling the brewery he founded. He explains that he had disagreements with his father, the co-founder, about how to run the company, and that it ultimately seemed more practical to sell it.

Partial Transcript: What about your own continuing education at that time?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about returning to school to specifically study brewing in order to expand his knowledge base and develop his career opportunities. He describes the classes he took, and offers anecdotes about his experiences.

Partial Transcript: So I'm curious...So there's the, the larger company aspect. So going to just a much, much larger production. And then there's the international element. So what was it that you were learning about brewing and consumers and the whole process, I guess, in other places?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about international perspectives in brewing. He explains that many of the other students at the brewing courses he took were from outside of the United States, and he explains some of the different practices and views on brewing they introduced him to. He also briefly describes the beer market in other countries, specifically Germany.

Partial Transcript: So what, what made you, four years ago, almost four years ago...Why did you leave MillerCoors?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about working at MillerCoors as a brewing manager. He notes that it was a much larger company than the previous breweries he worked for, which changed his perspective on how to manage his team and fulfill his responsibilities.

Partial Transcript: What surprised you going back to craft? Like, what was what was the thing that like...What surprised you?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about returning to craft brewing after working at MillerCoors for about a decade. He talks about the difference in production levels and quality control, and notes that production levels from craft breweries are much smaller and that batches often vary more in terms of flavor.

Partial Transcript: What's still exciting to you about being in this business?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack notes that the thing that most excites him about brewing is the people. He states that he has become friends with many of his colleagues over the years, and that the people who work in brewing are generally friendly, passionate, and hardworking.

Partial Transcript: What does 30 years mean to you and what does it mean to you to be part of this week's celebration?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack reflects on Deschutes Brewing’s thirty year anniversary. He talks about his favorite beer from Deschutes Brewery, the different flavor profiles they’ve experimented with, and the different batches they’ve produced.

Partial Transcript: Do you get to play a role in recipe development?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack describes his role in recipe development. He notes that while he’s not in charge of development, he’s able to offer input on different flavors and ingredients.

Partial Transcript: What are you going to brew first on your system when you set it up?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack talks about his hopes for the future of Deschutes Brewing. He notes that he wants to try to create some new experimental beers, and that he wants to get more involved in recipe production.

Partial Transcript: What are some other fun ideas that you want to try?

Segment Synopsis: Gossack closes out the interview by touching briefly on a few different topics, including cider production and his feelings about Oregon. He thanks the interviewer, and the interview ends.