Meet the Brewer
I started brewing by helping my brother in 2013. The following year I brewed my first beer; a dry Irish stout. Since then, I've taken a lot of sensory training and a course at UC Davis on advanced homebrewing. Joining the Marin Society of Homebrewers in 2015 improved my brewing more than anything. In 2018, I started down the path of wild brewing using various bacteria cultures (lactobacillus and pediococcus) and wild yeast (brettanomyces and Norwegian kveik).
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In June 2019, I won a gold medal in the final round besting 230 other entries in the European Sour category at the National Homebrewers Competition. Currently discussing a collaboration with a commercial brewery here in Marin so that they can take advantage of my wild beer cultures affectionately referred to by members of my club as 'The Zoo'.
I'm also a beer judge at many competitions. As Competition Organizer for the 2018 & 2019 San Francisco International Beer Festival, I have the honor to guide about a dozen judges consisting of certified, in-training and beer fans.
In 2018, I helped Indian Valley Brewing of Novato by writing their business plan and private placement memorandum which we used to secure investment. I also wrote and managed their applications to secure special use permits from the City of Novato. Their new brewing facility and tap room are now open in downtown Novato toward the East end of Grant Avenue on Railroad.
Like most people who have ever brewed good beer at home, it's not surprising that I too have ideas about doing something more. Meanwhile, I'm happy to share my beer at private tastings, local festivals and in competition.
Kevin McMahon
and my assistant Stacey.
Stacey owns and operates CycleBar here in Novato at Hamilton Marketplace.
Me holding the club award for most popular brews at 2018 Corte Madera Oktoberfest