From home brews to angry clowns, head brewer reflects

Craft beer veteran Jason Weissberg's journey began with a home brewing kit in 1993.

"It was just a hobby," he said. "But the more I dove in, the more I became passionate about it."

Weissberg attended school at the American Brewers Guild in 1999, and landed a basic brewery job, working under a friend in Steamboat Springs Colorado.

"I didn't get any special treatment and there definitely wasn't anything glamorous about it," he said. "But the job was truly a wonderful learning experience."

He scrubbed the floors, washed the tanks, sanitized and filled numerous kegs while soaking in as much information as he could about the trade.

The hard work paid off.

Weissberg went on to work as head brewer in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, Maryland. After moving to Delaware, he got a taste of large scale production while working at Fordham and Dominion Brewing Co. In 2007, he accepted a general manager position with Dogfish Head, running things at the Rehoboth Beach location for the last seven years.

Although he was happy in Rehoboth, when the Assawoman gig present itself, Weissberg couldn't say no.

"I was ready to get back into brewing," he said. "I missed the beer."

Weissberg accepted the position of head brewer at Assawoman Bay Brewing Co. last summer. The brewery is nestled in the heart of Ocean City right on the Assawoman Bay.

For the first time, Weissberg got to see a brewery come together from start to finish. He worked side-by-side with contractors and helped with the installation of the 15 barrel brewery system. He described delivery day similar to how he felt Christmas mornings as a young boy.

Once all of the "toys" were unloaded and hooked up in the brewery, Weissberg began experimenting with old beer recipes. He was granted complete creative range and access to high-quality ingredients. Since he wasn't given necessary deadlines or production quotas, Weissberg was able to take his time last summer while creating batches.

"From the beginning, the ownership here has been extremely patient and supportive of my vision," he said. "It's great being in a place where I can let the beer tell me when it's ready. That's how it should be."

Assawoman Bay Brewing Co. now has 12 signature crafted brews. Weissberg describes his brewing style as more traditional but gets creative with their names.

Some are named after local land marks like the Isle of Wight Wheat. Some are named after special events like the Pony Swim IPA — honoring the famous annual pony roundup in Chincoteague, Virginia. The Red Head Rye Ale was named after his wife, Kathleen. And some just have a cool story, like the Angry Clown Brown Ale.

That's One Angry Clown

Ten years ago, Weissberg and his wife were vacationing in New Orleans.

The two were strolling down the street toward Cafe Du Monde, located in the French Quarter. Near the coffee shop, street performers dressed as clowns were blowing up giant balloon sculptures for a group of children.

As his wife purchased cafe au lait and beignets, Weissberg stood alone on the sidewalk, watching the clowns. Soon he heard rhythmic, angry thuds of large feet approaching him.

"You know what really (ticks) me off," the clown said, making his way toward Weissberg as he furiously packed a box of Marlboro cigarettes.

Weissberg kept his head down, unsure if he should answer.

"I mean, really, (ticks) me off," the clown said, this time louder and clearly directed at Weissberg.

Hoping he wouldn't regret it, Weissberg decided to indulge him, "What?"

As if a bomb went off, the clown immediately let out a relentless rant detailing the numerous reasons why his job oppressed him, using every cuss word known to man as adjectives.

"And another thing," he griped, sucking on a cigarette. "Dad hands the kid a freaking $5 bill and Mom intercepts it. So I end up with $2. I blow up balloons for snotty nosed kids all freaking day long for two freaking dollars."

The clown took one last drag of the cigarette, tossed it to the pavement and smothered it under a red, over-sized shoe. He turned on his heels and went back to the crowd of children, smiled and began blowing up a balloon.

Weissberg's wife saw the exchange and asked, "What was that about?"

"I don't know," he said. "That was one angry clown."

hcarroll2@dmg.gannett.com

410-845-6828

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If You Go

Assawoman Bay Brewing Co.

Where: 4435 Coastal Highway, Ocean City.

When: Brewery tours 12 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Call: 410-390-7634

Visit: assawomanbaybrewing.com