Head Brewer

We are extremely excited to announce that Clayton Brackley will be joining Kane Brewing Company next week as our Head Brewer. Clay is a native of Reno, NV, but comes to us most recently from Downingtown, PA, where he was a brewer at Victory Brewing Company.   

We couldn’t be happier that he decided to take a chance and leave one of the largest, most well-respected craft breweries in the country to join our little project.  Although he’s not starting officially until next week, he sent ahead an introduction and brief biography:

Born and raised in the Sierra Nevada mountains, I began my brewing career as an apprentice at BJ's Brewing Company in Reno, Nevada in 2005.  I learned all the basics of proper brewing etiquette as well as the challenges of running a production brewery.  Working under a brewmaster from Southern California and another from Portland Oregon I learned all about brewing west coast style beers and in my free time I would try my own take on the styles on my pilot system.  

In 2007, I was offered a position as Head Brewer of Sleeping Lady Brewing Co, in Anchorage Alaska and I jumped at the chance to exercise creative control.  There I honed my standard recipes as well as explored the most extreme beer styles I could imagine.  From Berliner Weiss to Imperial Stout and beyond, I made a name for myself by creating delicious and interesting beers while constantly trying to push my customers to try new things.  I won consecutive medals in 2008 & 2009 for Best Barleywine in Alaska at the Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival (GABBF) and won a Silver medal at the 2010 World Beer Cup for Belgian Strong Golden Ale aged on sour cherries.  

I loved the success I achieved at Sleeping Lady yet I felt that I could still learn more about my craft so I accepted a job offer from Victory Brewing Co. in Downingtown PA.  While at Victory I learned a lot about brewing lager styles in the German tradition, as well as, using some of the most cutting edge brewing equipment.  I was also given the opportunity to initiate Victory’s first barrel aging program and created their first coffee beer.  

The creative control I had at Sleeping Lady was something I missed far more than I expected and I felt that I was now in the perfect position to not only utilize my newly honed skills but to bring the recipes I developed to New Jersey.  I am honored to accept the position as Head Brewer at Kane Brewing Company and look forward to the challenge. 

Cheers!

Clay

After our first conversation with Clay it was obvious that he is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about craft beer and all things brewing.  He will be a tremendous addition to the brewery and the New Jersey craft beer scene.