No matter what your New Year’s plans are, it’s fun to look back at the year that was and see what was big, important, or just plain loud. We gathered a handful of Brooklyn Brewery employees and asked them about their year in review. Whether or not they explained themselves– or even answered the questions– is another matter. Without further ado, we present our official Best of 2015 Guide.
Jimmy Valm
Production Manager
Favorite Album: Sound & Color, Alabama Shakes.
Favorite Movie: Mad Max: Fury Road
Favorite TV Show: Rick & Morty
Favorite Book: Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan
Favorite Non-Brooklyn Beer: Whisky.
Claire Moyle
Export Manager
Favorite Album: Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper. “One of the best new albums I have heard in a while and definitely my favorite Panda Bear album.”
Favorite Movie: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens. “I think this speaks for itself, and if you don’t agree, no one cares.”
Favorite TV Show: “This is actually very difficult. Netflix and HBO are killing it these days. I think I have to say Jessica Jones for this one. Rarely do I think about a show after it ends and this was hauntingly excellent.”
Favorite Pop Culture Phenomenon: The Goats of Anarchy Instagram.
Favorite Non-Brooklyn beer: Lost Nation Gose from Morrisville, Vermont. “I don’t think this is a new beer but I tried it for the first time this year and I’m a huge fan. In general, I was on a huge sour kick for all of 2015.”
Dom Cassone
Staff Accountant/Model
Favorite Album: If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, by Drake. “It’s a mixtape that is up for multiple Grammys. Take that for what it is.”
Favorite Movie: Inside Out.
Favorite TV Show: Game of Thrones.
Favorite Pop Culture Phenomenon: Dabbing.
Favorite Non-Brooklyn Beer: Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale.
David Sherwin
Video Producer
“My favorite thing about 2015 is that it’s over.”
Gabe Barry
Brewery Education & Community Ambassador
Favorite Albums: Tied to a Star by J Mascis; Meow the Jewels; Lion Babe; If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, by Drake.
Favorite Movies: Fresh Dressed; The Wolfpack.
Favorite TV Shows: Bojack Horseman; Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt; Narcos; Peaky Blinders.
Favorite Pop Culture Phenomena: “Thanks Obama”; Drake.
Favorite Non-Brooklyn Beers: Westbrook Gose; Cuvee de Jacobins Rouge; Cuzett Grisette; Nya Carnegie Bryggeriet Kellerbier.
Sam Bernstein (above, left.)
Marketing Manager
Favorite Album: Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Favorite Movie: Inside Out
Favorite TV Show: Master of None
Favorite Non-Brooklyn Beer: Peekskill Brewery LemPbeek Batch 1
JR Jordan
Head Cellarman
JR’s Weekly Lunches, 2015:
Monday: Dos Toros carne asada burrito.
Tuesday: 5 orders of varying difficulty from Vanessa’s Dumplings.
Wednesday: Street meat platter from the cart across the street.
Thursday/Friday: “A rematch of one of those three, depending how my stomach felt after Wednesday.”
Statistical Note: Street meat tends to win the rematches.
Jon Reyes
Administrative Assistant/Ask Jon, He Probably Knows
Favorite Album: Yours, Dreamily by The Arcs
Favorite Movie: The Night Before
Favorite TV Show: Luther
Favorite Pop Culture Phenomenon: “Hover boards.”
Favorite Non-Brooklyn Beer: “…”
Tim Rozmus (above, being bitten for the 2015 family Christmas card.)
Copywriter/Person Writing This, So I Get To List Honorable Mentions
Favorite Album: New Bermuda by Deafheaven: I don’t remember putting this album on, yet here I am on the third track. This happens almost daily. Honorable Mentions: To Pimp A Butterfly, by Kendrick Lamar; Pull The Thorns From Your Heart, by Senses Fail.
Favorite Movie: Mad Max: Fury Road. Honorable Mention: Inside Out.
Favorite TV Show: Tied between Bojack Horseman, Rick & Morty, and Jessica Jones.
Favorite Pop Culture Phenomenon: The Lore podcast. The only enjoyable way to get totally creeped out during a subway commute. Honorable Mentions: Being polite in mosh pits, the “mankind stands no chance #run” Vine.
Favorite Non-Brooklyn Beers: Solemn Oath Punk Rock For Rich Kids (Q3.) Also the best beer name of the year. Almanac Farmer’s Reserve Strawberry. Gun Hill Brewing Company Boogie Down Brown Ale.