Out of college I frequented breweries and enjoyed what they offered. But I always thought they could be nicer and more refined. On a trip to Berlin in 1990 with some Arizona State buddies, I had a life-changing moment that synced my future to the world of beer. There, I had my first true Bavarian Hefeweizen. The notes of banana, clove and even bubble gum hit my palate; it was a revelation on what beer could be, and I was forever hooked.
Once back home in SoCal, I began researching local, craft breweries. Simultaneously, I knew a career change was eminent, moving away from the big business world to follow my dream of pursuing hospitality. When my family agreed to back me in a full service restaurant, the concept started as a brew-pub. That morphed into a fish house and oyster bar, but always anchored by beer. The first TAPS Fish House & Brewery opened in Brea in 1999.