One day - way back in high school - I received an invitation to a Friday night gathering. But this was no houseparty rager. A friends house had caught fire the year before, and though the inside was toast and no longer livable, the backyard patio and pool were still in tact. In other words, it was the perfect spot for a group of teenagers to get away from it all, drink some beers, and hang out together. Little did I know that this would be the site where some of my best memories would be made and where my strongest friendships would be forged. 

 

We’d swim all afternoon, fire up the grill, watch movies, and circle up around the fire pit late into the night. We knew little of beer at the time, but we dreamed we’d start a brewery of our own one day. That night, a little spark was lit inside me - and it never went out.

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Years rolled on. College came and went. Even as we spread out to different cities, the seven of us stayed tight. One winter, living with two buddies, I finally got tired of waiting for “someday.” I took a class, read a brewing book, bought the equipment, and went all in on my first batch of homebrew. 

 

But right out of the gate, I was faced with a challenge: The house was freezing at night, and my beer needed warmth to ferment or the yeast would just fall asleep ruin it all. Thinking on my feet, I dragged my big fermenting bucket out to this old concrete fire pit in our backyard. I lit some coals on one side, nestled my beer on the other, and let that slow glow keep it alive through the night. Luckily, it worked! The beer was saved and I was able to share my first batch proudly with all my friends. 

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That’s when I knew what to name it: Firepit Brewery. Not just because my first brew was literally born in a fire pit - but because those old backyard nights had taught me something important: A fire pit is about much more than just the flames. They light up your spirit, provide a sacred space to share stories, and leave you with a radiant glow in your soul long after the fire’s out. And that's really what I wanted my brewery to be like - something that brings people together and warms their hearts. ​

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Since then, I’ve shared batch after batch with friends, family, and anyone who loves a good story in a pint glass. I designed the brand and my buddy built a custom wooden top for my kegerator. When my sister got engaged, I made her a special wedding brew. And when a friend of mine tied the knot, I helped him craft his own campfire stout with real s’mores in it - easily the best thing we’ve ever tasted.

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So when my own wedding rolled around, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. My wife and I brewed our own recipe together, bottled it up, and served it at the reception. Instead of a guestbook, we had everyone sign a giant poster of our beer label. People still telling me months after that it was their favorite detail of the whole day. Then one day it hit me - this can be how I bootstrap Firepit Brewery into a real business. ​

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So that’s what Firepit Brewery is now: A custom wedding beer and homebrewing experience for anyone in Southern California who wants their big day to feel extra meaningful. With my experience package, your wedding becomes more than a celebration - it transforms into a reflection of your unique story, crafted with intention that resonates deeply, leaving guests connected to the heart of your journey. 

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Our dream is to open a full taproom someday and share our beers with even more people. Until then, we’re so grateful for everyone who helps keep this fire burning. So come gather around! Because the fire is just what draws us in, but what really matters is the people beside us.