Brewer for a Day at Downtown Joe's American Grill and Brewery. 

You will work for a day with Master Brewer Colin Kaminski in the best artisan brewery in Napa. This is real intern experience, so come dressed accordingly.  You'll have the side benefit of being able to drink all the beer you can drink all day.  You'll be snacking on the run as you work with Downtown Joe's Brew Master.  Since the Grill is nearby you'll be able to drop in for a Burger when your brewing experience is done.  You'll come away with real brewing knowlege!

The Brew Master Profile

Colin Kaminski

Colin Kaminski started as Brewmaster in July of 2003. He quickly changed the malts to British malts from Canadian malts and started fining our beers with British methods. While the hop characteristics are distinctly west coast the brewing process and methods are very British.

Colin learned to brew on the job and has an extensive collection of brewing textbooks. For those beginning to brew he recommends "Brewing for Dummies". For those who want to learn more technically what is going on he recommends George Fix's books "An Analysis of Brewing Techniques" and "Principals of Brewing Science". For those wanting to learn in a commercial environment there is no better text than DeClerk's classic "A Textbook of Brewing, Vol. 1". While it is now 60+ years old and some of the terminology is outdated it really captures the essence of what brewing commercially is about.

If you would like to talk beer or brewing stop by and Colin is always up for a pint and a chat about beer. He would love to show the brewhouse and explain our brewing process.

Downtown Joe's Beer List Lazy Summer Hefe This light, easy drinking ale is about 1/2 wheat. It's style is an American Wheat Beer. It is very refreshing and is our best selling beer in the summer. It uses Marris Otter malted barley from england as well as English grown Red Wheat. It is hopped with Horizon and US Spalt hops giving it a floral aroma. Tail Waggin' Amber Ale Our most popular Ale was named for Ladies that love to drink this beer and dance to the live music here. It is slightly sweet with a floral hop aroma. After 10 years this beer is still a favorite among the ladies and their admirers. Ace High Pale Ale This Pale Ale has a nice floral bouquet and medium hop bitterness. As welcome as an Ace in your hand, it is often found in our Brewers hand. Tantric India Pale Ale This hoppy IPA is high in alcohol and except for the American hop aroma, is very British in style. This style was originally developed to survive the voyage from England around the Cape of Good Hope and back North to India to keep the British troops happy. Golden Thistle Very Bitter Ale This very hoppy beer was brewed accidentally, but of the accidents we have made, this one is our favorite! It is named to reflect the intense hoppyness that is like chewing on a thistle. This beer is the Happy Hour favorite to this day. Stout Special All of our stouts are nitrogen pushed to give a creamy head. The offerings change in order to give our customers variety and we only have one on tap at a time. For holidays we often change the name(if not the recipe) for fun. Old Magnolia Oatmeal Stout This high gravity slightly sweet stout was named after the Grateful Dead song by the same name. The "chocolate milk of beers", it makes a nice "Stout Float". Catherine, The Great Imperial Stout Imperial Stouts were brewed to ship to the Russian Royalty. Like the style, our's is high in alcohol and very hoppy with a nice roasty flavor. Other Stouts Specter of Worthy Imperial Stout, Slip Knot Imperial Stout and Worthy's Leprechaun Stout are some of the other stouts you will find from time to time. Light Special This tap handle is reserved for a softer, slightly sweet special brewed at Colin's whim. Often a Dancin' Feet Red Wheat but, could be an Oberon Altbier, a Smother Operator Ale, Maggie May bock or something brand new. Heavy Special This tap handle rotates dark and hoppy specials for the beer enthusiast. It is usually a Victory Dark Ale but could be a Dix ESB, Temptation Black Beer, Double Indemnity IPA or something by popular demand. All of our beers are brewed with the highest quality British malts utilizing traditional British methods by our Brewmaster Colin Kaminski. MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE TO BID   The winner will need to contact the Brew Master at least three weeks in advance.  Item must by use before October 31st, 2009.