Ep. 44: Brad Clark of Private Press Brewing - Every barrel tells a story

BeerWise Podcast

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Brad Clark, the brewing mind behind Private Press Brewing Company, pulls back the curtain on his remarkable journey from homebrewing enthusiast to barrel-aging virtuoso in this deeply personal conversation about craft beer evolution, artistic brewing philosophy, and entrepreneurial courage.
From his teenage experimentation with imported beers to his formative years at Jackie O's Pub and Brewery in Athens, Ohio, Brad reveals how a scrappy brewpub in Appalachian coal country became nationally renowned for boundary-pushing barrel-aged creations. The pivotal moment came in 2007 when Chicago brewers at Goose Island and Rock Bottom shared their barrel-aging techniques with him—knowledge that would forever change his brewing trajectory and eventually transform American craft beer.
What truly distinguishes Brad's approach is his poetic understanding of barrel aging as an intimate dialogue between brewer and barrel. "Barrels are like windows—they open and then they close," he explains, describing the critical importance of recognizing when a barrel reaches its peak expression before oxidation takes hold. This philosophy guides Private Press Brewing's distinctive blending process, where Brad meticulously combines different recipes, barrel types, and ages to create harmonious compositions that showcase his nearly two decades of barrel-aging expertise.
The conversation delves into Brad's bold decision to launch Private Press as a members-only brewery exclusively producing barrel-aged beers—no IPAs, no flagships, no compromise. "I knew that my strengths lied within barrel aging and with multi-beer, and that's what I love making," he reflects on establishing his niche in California's crowded beer landscape. Now operating with just 80-100 barrels at a time and producing less than 100 barrels annually, his intimate brewing approach stands in stark contrast to industrial craft beer trends, offering a refreshing reminder that sometimes smaller truly is better. Discover why beer enthusiasts from around the world join waiting lists for a chance to experience Brad's remarkable liquid artistry.

Chapters

1. Introduction to BeerWise with Brad Clark (00:00:00)

2. Brad's Craft Beer Origins (00:05:39)

3. Jackie O's and Barrel-Aging Beginnings (00:10:46)

4. Starting Private Press Brewing (00:23:07)

5. The Club Model and Financial Challenges (00:31:56)

6. Blending Process and Barrel Management (00:36:23)

7. Philosophy on Barrel Selection (00:45:16)

8. Santa Cruz Tasting Room Experience (00:55:39)

9. Six-Pack Lightning Round Questions (01:00:34)