From The Mind Of A Brewer: Ali Razi

It’s no secret that brewers are the secret sauce here at Firestone Walker.

We mean, where else do you think passion and knowledge combine to build beers that stand the test of time? Exactly.

We figured you might want to get introduced to some of the cast here at Firestone Walker, though. That way you get to know who’s helping handcraft the beers you enjoy over and over again. With that, let’s meet someone at Firestone Walker who has a knack for turning crazy ideas into a physical reality: Ali Razi.

An OG Firestone Big Dog, Ali’s our Production Director and has been keeping an eye on our craft for almost two decades now. If you know him, then you know him as the biggest, funniest, man you’ll ever have the pleasure of seeing in the brewery. And if you don’t know Ali, well, read on to hear his story with Firestone Walker, his thoughts on macro versus craft breweries, and more. Who knows, maybe we got lucky and were able to have him tell us a joke too.

How long have you been at FW?

21 Years.

What’s the first beer you ever brewed?

My older brother home-brewed when I was 16 and I was able to help him out. We brewed it on our stove top, cooled it into carboys and fermented it in our basement cellar. The beer was a sulfur bomb and from what I heard it was pretty much undrinkable. We had no idea how hard it was to brew a proper lager without temperature controls. We should have started with a stout, which is far more forgiving. 

What’s your favorite beer to brew?

I mean I love the efficiency of an 805 brew. From grain to bottle it takes only two weeks to complete. The yeast that it produces is a brewer’s dream, and it is super viable and flocks out of solution so we can harvest it easily. It’s not a complicated beer to make and it’s extremely drinkable. 805 is a beer that can be enjoyed by both craft consumers and non-craft consumers alike. It’s brilliant.

What got you into brewing in the first place?

Brewing and winemaking are in my family. I grew up on a small winery in Napa in the 90s and my sister-in-law’s father worked for AB. He would tell me stories of what it was like to work in St. Louis in the 70s and 80s. After high school, I knew that I would be getting into the industry one way or another.

Is there a beer that got you into beer?

The whole Anheuser-Bush catalog got me into beer. Craft brewers are quick to hate on macro breweries like AB, and for good reason. That said, when you look at technical brewing textbooks the majority of them were written by brewmasters from those macro breweries. 

What’s your funniest beer story?

Every day there is another funny story here. I love working here so much because of how funny the people around me can be. Life is too short to take yourself too seriously.

We hear you’re funny, tell us a joke. 

Look up the one about the bear and the rabbit pooping in the woods. I think that sums up life in general.

What beer trend do you wish would come back?

I predict that session beers will make a comeback. 4-5% ABV highly drinkable beers ranging in style will make a comeback, it’s only a matter of time.

“I predict that session beers will make a comeback. 4-5% ABV highly drinkable beers ranging in style will make a comeback, it’s only a matter of time.”

What do you hate about marketing?

Some people watch the Super Bowl just for the commercials, so I have a high appreciation for the power of marketing. However, now that I’m in my 40s I’m out of the demographic where most marketing is being targeted. Sometimes I feel that I’m turning into the old man yelling at clouds. 

Favorite FW beer to drink right now. 

That’s easy, 805 Cerveza out of a clear bottle.