New Brewer Shakeups and the Return of Dave "Chowdah" Fleming

Dave Fleming - J. Foyston/The Oregonian

It tuns out rumors of Dave "Chowdah" Fleming's retirement from brewing has been greatly exaggerated.

When it was announced that Dave would be stepping down from his Head Brewer post at Lompoc Brewing to take up a new role as a salesman for Willamette Valley Hops, many were sad and surprised to see him go.

Around the same time, we were surprised to learn that Zach Beckwith, Ex-New Old Lompoc Brewer who took the reins at new startup brewery, Pints Brewing was leaving the company. Another startup Portland brewer, Kells Brewpub, also was in the midst of working out kinks installing its brewhouse without the experience of a professional brewer.

Enter back into the picture Dave Fleming, who with his years of experience as Head Brewer at Lucky Lab, Three Creeks Brewing, and Lompoc has a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Dave stepped in to fill the void at Pints Brewing in the interim between brewers. Pints new brewer has been found in Patrick Wadkins, who spent time brewing at Philadelphia's Steaks and Hoagies. Together, Patrick and Dave have tweaked Pints Green Line Organic Ale and lowered the alcohol and hopped it up a bit more until it has become more of an India Session Ale at 4.6%abv.

On July 21st Patrick Wadkins took over the reigns from Dave Fleming, and he has now moved on to the new Kells Brewpub startup on NW 21st. As reported on The New School, aspiring brewer Garrett Mcaleese, along with Ray Farrah, are brewing at Kells with the assistance of Dave Fleming. The brewery released its first beer last Friday, 'Kells Irish Red Ale' is brewed with Wyeast 1084 ale yeast, 2-row malts, Caramalt from Thomas Faucett, Crystal 15 from Patagonia and a touch of Black Malt with 22 IBU's from English Eask Kent Goldings and Fuggle hops through out the boil and it tips the scale as a lightweight at 4.5% Abv.

Garrett Mcaleese, Brewer at Kells Brewpub

Next up on the brew schedule at Kells, "we have an Irish lager coming out 4.5 percent with 2row and a little Vienna with Saaz and EKG we brewed one batch with the 2124 yeast and one with the 2007...we will se which one wins out," says Dave. Next is an IPA (Irish Pale Ale) that uses 8 pounds of hops in a 10 barrel batch to reach only 40 IBU's and 5.7% Abv, "so a very English style with the 1187 ringwood yeast and Nugget EKG and Fuggle."

Dave is not "officially" a brewer, but rather a Brewing Consultant now as he helps new breweries get setup making the equipment work and offering helpful advice for the full time brewing crew. On second thought, though, he admits "OK, so I am brewing"

Dave Fleming blending beers at Lompoc