Jeff "Extra Spicy" Bagby

It's not often that you get to welcome back one of the best brewers you know. we knew two years ago when Jeff left us to become the Head Brewer at Oggis in Vista that someday, the opportunity to bring him back would arise. The time is most certainly at hand and today Pizza Port is proud to announce that Jeff Bagby has returned home and will take over the production at Pizza Port in Carlsbad.

Like other great San Diego Brewers, he is a native of this great city born and raised in North County San Diego. Jeff got his brewing start with the Stone Brewing Co. When he was hired, there were less than 10 employees in the entire company. Jeff worked his way from delivery driver to the brewery where he spent some time working with Steve and Lee and learned the lessons of production brewing. After a few years in the beer biz, Jeff headed out for greener pastures at the YMCA in Encinitas (the famous home of Tony Hawk and other great Skateboard legends).

Missing the beer world more than he imagined, Jeff soon found himself working for White Labs in San Diego . This company supplies liquid yeast to both professional and home brewers around the world. During his stay at White Labs, Jeff began working with Tomme in Solana Beach and soon was hired to work full time in the brewery with him. During his stay in Solana Beach , Jeff and Tomme developed many of the experimental and rotating seasonal ales that are on tap each and every day.

In 2003 a great brewing opportunity with Oggis arose and Jeff left for his first Head Brewing position. Two months later, he won his first solo GABF medal (Sweet Spot Hefeweizen). In the spring, Oggis and Left Coast received the 2004 World Beer Cup Small Brewery of the Year award and Jeff contributed two of the three beers that won medals at this competition.

Jeff has his sights set on winning a GABF Brewpub of the Year award and we most definitely believe it is in his future as well. Jeff Bagby can be reached at jeff@pizzaport.com