Long before joining Reuben’s in 2015, brewer Dean Mochizuki’s beer wizardry was well-known around Seattle. Not only does Dean have a way with the brews, he knows his way around the kitchen and is an accomplished musician.
Get to know more about Dean!
Where are you originally from?
I was born and raised in Seattle, which is pretty rare anymore.
What’s your beer background?
Like many of us, I started as a homebrewer after receiving a kit for Christmas from my wife. Homebrewing at the time was in its infancy. That was more than 20 years ago. I then went on to work at the Pike Brewing Company for 13 1/2 years and was head brewer for 5 years before joining Reuben’s.
Favorite beer style?
No favorite beer style, yet.
What do you like to do in your off hours?
When I have time off, I like to work in the garden, cook and travel when time permits.
What do you like best about Reuben’s?
When the opportunity presented itself to work at Reuben’s, I had to take it because of the chance to brew many different beers.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was young I wanted to be a pilot, but my eyesight is/was not good enough.
What’s something customers don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know I studied music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. I was in the four-year program in woodwind (saxophone, flute and clarinet) performance.
If you could be any beer style, which would you be and why?
I would be an IPA because I like hops.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
It probably would be time travel.
Any other random fun facts or weird hidden talents that you’d like to share?
I’m also an avid collector of mortars and pestles, cookbooks and beer books.