Brian Roth

Brian graduated from the University of Georgia with a BFA in sculpture, specifically bronze casting in 1994. In 1992 Brian began an internship with Leon Farmer and Company, a local family owned beer distributor, as a sign painter. It was the perfect job for an art student and it was the beginning of a long career in the beer industry. Brian began brewing in 1993 at a co-worker’s house on Nantahala Street in Normaltown, Athens, GA. That first batch was the beginning of a serious hobby that would later turn into a career path.

Brian started brewing on his own system in 1998 and moving towards all grain brewing in 2002. All grain brewing required that a brewery be built outside to prevent a possible kitchen apocalypse. That outdoor plan slowly morphed into Gratis Brewing and became the pilot system for SBC. Gratis took on a life of its own and became an educational brewery used to teach fellow brewers and industry friends. The educational side of Gratis spawned many highly creative, experimental, collaborative batches of beer. A central focus for Brian and SBC will be continued collaboration with and education for craft beer enthusiasts. Over the years Brian has worked with chefs, biologists, chemists, engineers, artists, business owners, and more. Each of these groups brings unique perspectives on the brewing process and teaches Brian more than he teaches them.