Brewing, Bottles & a Double Chocolate Love Story: Meet Jesse Czelusta
When Jesse Czelusta started homebrewing in 2002, it wasn’t some grand plan—it was grad school, and a friend of his had figured out how to make party beer from scratch. Jesse was hooked. “I thought it was amazing he could make something so delicious,” he said. “So I joined in, started brewing with him, and quickly got addicted to experimenting with different styles.”
After school, Jesse took a break from brewing—until his now-wife asked for a homebrewing kit for her birthday. “I thought she was going to make beer for us,” Jesse laughed. “But she forgot to mention I would be the one brewing.” No complaints though—his apartment’s been well-stocked ever since.
With So Much Great Beer in San Francisco, Why Keep Brewing?
“Because anyone can do it,” Jesse said. “All you need is a stove, a bucket, and a pot. It’s like cooking—part science, part chaos, and all creative. Sometimes it doesn’t go exactly to plan, but the learning makes the wins feel even better. And let’s be honest: even the ‘bad’ batches are still beer.”
He knows it’s not always cheaper than picking up a six-pack from the store, but that’s not the point. “It’s a great way to spend an afternoon with friends. I’m happiest when there’s 15 gallons fermenting in the kitchen.”
What’s It Like Sharing Your Homebrew?
“Beer is meant to be shared,” Jesse said. “I especially love giving it to people who’ll really taste it and tell me what they think.” But real feedback can be tough to come by. His trick? Pouring homebrew without telling anyone it’s homemade—just to see the honest reactions.
Is Homebrewing Difficult?
“It’s only as hard as you make it,” he said. “You can obsess over every variable, but you don’t have to. For new brewers, forget perfection. Expect surprises. The mistakes are part of the fun—and you’ll still end up with drinkable beer.”
Once the basics are down, Jesse encourages people to experiment. “Ingredients matter, and they affect everything. But it should stay enjoyable. Like Charlie Papazian said, ‘Relax. Don’t worry. Have a homebrew.’”
Thinking About Brewing Your First Batch?
“Start with a 12-pack and head to the homebrew shop. Tell them to hook you up with a simple setup—they’ll take care of the rest,” Jesse advised. And if you’re wondering which 12-pack to grab? “Racer 5. It’s tasty, and the labels come off easy. You’ll need bottles soon.”
Best Beer He’s Ever Made?
No contest: the double chocolate milk stout he brewed for his wedding. “It was rich, smooth, and perfect. Lactose added creaminess, and I doubled down on the chocolate—once during the boil, once in secondary. It’s probably the best I’ve ever done.”
Favorite Beer of All Time?
Tough call. Jesse leans toward Belgian Triples as a favorite style, but the most memorable beer he ever had? A Blueberry Sour made by the same friend who introduced him to homebrewing. “It had Brettanomyces, was probably a happy accident, and I don’t think he’s made it since. That’s what I love about homebrewing—it keeps you curious.”
Any Brewing Disasters?
“Oh, exploding bottles are always fun,” Jesse joked. “Twice now. Lots of moving furniture and cleaning beer off the ceiling.” He’s also had a few batches that didn’t pan out—like the time he dumped all his leftover hops into an IPA thinking, you can’t have too many hops. Turns out, you can. “Still, most of the time, the beer turns out decent.”
About Noble Brewer
Noble Brewer is an Oakland-based beer club that celebrates the stories behind the suds. Members receive quarterly shipments of exclusive brews inspired by award-winning homebrewers like Jesse. Every beer comes with its backstory and the inspiration behind the recipe.
To join the club or learn more, visit www.NobleBrewerBeer.com and follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Spots are limited—so hop on while you can.
The Bearded Butchers
