Esteemed Portland beer writer Fred Eckhardt turns 82 today. Portland’s Fred Eckhardt is a living legend, especially in his home city, having pioneered writing about and defining beer styles with his early book on the subject, The Essentials of Beer Style, published in 1989. Today is also the day the 3rd annual FredFest will be held, a beer festival honoring Fred. Join me in wishing Fred a happy birthday.

Fred Eckhardt and me at the Great American Beer Festival in 2005.

At the Celebrator’s 18th anniversary party in February. From left: Shaun O’Sullivan, from 21st Amendment, Fred Eckhardt, the woman who wanted this picture of all her beer writing “heroes” in the first place, me, Tom Dalldorf, Celebrator publisher, and a brewer from Brewmasters.

And at the same party, this time sandwiched in between Judy Ashworth and her daughter.

Today is the beer chef, Bruce Paton’s 53rd birthday. Bruce has been doing fantastic dinners pairing great beer and gourmet food for over ten years in the Bay Area, since 2001 at the Cathedral Hill Hotel, where he is the Executive Chef. I’ve been to many, many of Bruce’s food events and they’re all spectacularly top notch. He does around eight each year. Raise a toast and stuff your face in wishing Bruce a happy birthday.

My new favorite photo of Bruce, which I took for the Chef’s Association of the Pacific Coast newsletter. I don’t think this is the one they used, but, by far, as I think it captures Bruce’s spirit and his great love and passion for what he does with his cooking and beer.

Giving a cooking demonstration with Garret Oliver, brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery and author of The Brewmaster’s Table at the 2005 GABF.

Bruce with Russian River co-owner Natalle Cilurzo.

Today is iconoclastic brewer Brian Hunt’s 51st birthday. Brian owns and operates Moonlight Brewing in in Sonoma County, California, as a one-man show. If you’ve never had his “Death and Taxes,” “Twist of Fate Bitter,” “Bombay by Boat,” or his fresh hop ale, alternately called “Homegrown” or “Greenbud Ale,” then you’re really missing out on some of the most unique and wonderful beers around. Plus, Brian is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. Join me in wishing Brian a very happy birthday.

Hildegard van Ostaden, Urthel’s brewster, one of only two female brewers working in Belgium, and Brian.

Brian in his hopyard, with Russian River’s assistant brewer Travis, and Vinnie Cilurzo.

Shaun O’Sullivan and Vinnie Cilurzo with Brian at the Bistro in Hayward, California.

Today is the 58th birthday of Daniel Bradford. Daniel is the publisher of All About Beer magazine. He’s been involved in the beer world for many a year, from the early days of GABF to the Brewers Association of America, which recently merged with the Association of Brewers to become the Brewers Association. Join me in wishing Daniel a happy birthday.

Daniel Bradford at the far left, with Amy Dalton in between Jim Koch and Rick Lyke, at a Boston Beer Brunch during GABF a few years ago.

Daniel with Julie Johnson Bradford with Amy Dalton at last year’s Craft Brewers Conference in Austin, Texas.

Today is John Maier’s 53rd birthday. John has been the head brewer at Rogue Ales for as long as I can remember. He’s won countless awards, pioneered numerous new styles and been instrumental in the rise of the Pacific Northwest’s beer scene. Join me in wishing John a happy birthday.

At the Sasquatch Beer Festival. John Maier, sandwiched by Jamie Floyd and Nikos Ridge, both from Ninkasi Brewing.

Rogue owner Jack Joyce, Portland Mayor Potter and John pose for photos at the opening of the Oregon Brewers Festival last year.

John at the Brew Am gold tourney last year. This photo (hopefully) courtesy of Bob Brewer, from his Picasa gallery.

Today is my good friend and colleague Stephen Beaumont’s 44th birthday. In addition to his World of Beer, he also blogs online at On the House and That’s the Spirit. And when you’re in Toronto, be sure to stop in at his beer bistro. Join me in wishing Stephen a happy birthday.

Stephen with Tom Dalldorf at the Great Divide reception at last year’s GABF.

Stephen Beaumont and his fiance Maggie, and me, in the Bay Area for the Celebrator anniversary party a couple of years ago.

Stephen, Tom Dalldorf and me at 21st Amendment for a roast I threw for Tom’s 60th birthday several years ago.

Up against the wall with Judy Ashworth at GABF two years ago.

Today is also Jeremy Cowan’s 39th birthday. Jeremy owns Shmaltz Brewing, makers of He’Brew. Jeremy is a good friend and we’ve known one another since he first pitched He’Brew to me at BevMo almost twelve years ago. Though Jeremy splits his time between San Francisco and New York, I still manage to see him at beer events pretty frequently and in fact saw him in San Diego last week at CBC. Join me in wishing Jeremy a very happy birthday.

Jeremy, with City Beer Store owner Craig Wathen.

Last June at the Toronado for a He’Brew release party. From left: Alec Moss, Half Moon Bay Brewing, Pete, Jeremy, and Rodger Davis of Drake’s Brewing.

Today is Suzanne Woods’ 30th birthday. I met her during my trip to Philadelphia for Philly Beer Week earlier this year. She writes online as the Beer Lass and by day is a salesperson for Sly Fox Brewing outside of Philadelphia. According to her blog, she’ll be celebrating her birthday tonight at Jose Pistolas, and is inviting people to stop by from 6-8 for a birthday toast. Check out a great photo of her in pigtails when she was five. Join me in wishing Suzanne a very happy birthday.

With Suzanne during a visit to Sly Fox Brewing at the beginning of Philly Beer Week.

Outside the Philly Bar, Sidecar, with some colorful local characters at the bar.

Today is Christian Kazakoff’s 37th birthday. Christian is the head brewer at Triple Rock Brewery in Berkeley, California. I’ve gotten to know Christian much better since we shared a room for a week in London two years ago to attend the Old Ale Festival at the White Horse on Parson’s Green. Besides being a terrific person, he is also a stellar brewer and puts on the Bay Area Gravity Firkin Festival each April. Join me in wishing Christian a very happy birthday.

Christian after a sleepless night setting up before last year’s Bay Area Firkin Fest at Triple Rock.

Caroline and James Costa, who’s working on opening his own brewery, with Christian Kazakoff and his girlfriend, Jodi, at the Toronado 20th Anniversary Party last August.

Christian at Fuller’s in London, along with Shaun O’Sullivan from 21st Amendment Brewery and our tour guide Derek Prentice.

Today is the 29+11th birthday of Amy Dalton. Amy is the Advertising Manager for All About Beer magazine. As evidenced by the fact that none of the photos below feature Amy alone, she’s a consummate people person. A veteran of the newspaper industry, she’s been selling ads to the beer world now for several years and, hopefully, has grown to appreciate the quirks and oddities of most of us in the beer community. Join me in wishing Amy a very happy birthday.

At the reception before the World Cup Gala Awards Dinner, with Tomme Arthur, a few nights ago at this year’s Craft Brewers Conference.

Amy in between Jim Koch and Rick Lyke, along with Daniel Bradford at the far left, at a Boston Beer Brunch during GABF a few years ago.

All About Beer publishers Daniel Bradford and Julie Johnson Bradford with Amy at last year’s Craft Brewers Conference in Austin, Texas.

Today is beer blogger extoradinaire Alan McLeod’s 45th birthday. Alan runs a good beer blog, called — curiously enough — A Good Beer Blog. I’m not sure what came first, the goodness or the blog. Anyway, though I’ve yet to meet Alan in person I feel as if he’s already a great, not just good, friend through our many conversations via e-mail and commenting on one another’s blogs. If you haven’t read his essay in the book Beer & Philosophy yet, rush right out and buy yourself a copy. Join me in wishing Alan the very merriest of birthdays. Cheers, mate.

Alan pondering the mysteries of Stonehenge at age 7.

A night with bald pate, circa 2002.

Contemplating a jump near Prince Edward Island a dozen years ago. Happily, he decided against getting wet.

Today is Steve Wagner’s 50th birthday. Steve is a co-owner of Stone Brewing and the new president of the California Small Brewers Association. In the late 1980s, Steve was a member of the band “The Balancing Act,” who put out several albums on I.R.S. Records. Now he just presides over one of the most successful microbreweries. Join me in wishing Steve a very happy Five-O birthday.

Mitch Steele, Stone Brewing’s brewmaster, with Steve, at CBC in Austin last spring.