Name: Rob Fullmer
Age: Approaching 18,000 days
Title: Executive Director of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild
Married/Single: Married to Brenda for 17 years.
Kids: Our beagle mix, Lucy.
City you live in: Tempe
A typical day in my life includes…
email, phone calls, check writing. But then I visit breweries, talk to brewers, other business owners and local leaders. There is also beer. I may start at 5AM for a brew session and end with an evening event that goes way way too late. Then I do quickbooks. In short, a typical day may not involve much sleep.
I was born…
in Milwaukee, beer capitol of the world. I saw that big beer did for that city. They built manufacturing and jobs. Now it is the small breweries leading the way in their neighborhoods and towns. We are creating jobs.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
is that it’s a beautiful and a perilous place at the same time. Part of my job is traveling the state to meet our brewers. I’m fortunate that there are many hidden treasures across the state that I also get to see and enjoy. It’s an always an adventure.
I’m listening to…
old school country and Americana, music for the road.
My family…
was used to seeing me more on TV or in the papers talking about our Beer legislation than in person.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
probably Anthony Bourdain as long as he’s buying. He gets defensive about his love for great food but really average beer. So that would be interesting. He also travels and I’m always looking to get tips on that.
One thing I cannot live without…
beer? No. It’s definitely my loved ones.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
an astronaut, a fireman or a cowboy. People think that I have the greatest job. It’s very gratifying and the beer life is pretty good. I wear western wear and cowboy boots because, maybe that’s what I secretky want to do. And, after all, the astronaut suit is hot and if you wear fireman’s gear, there is a lot of pressure to save people’s lives.
I’m inspired by…
the men and women that I represent in the brewing industry. They are real leaders in their community. They make an honest product and their places of business are where you meet your neighbors. I never want to let my colleagues down.
The one person who motivates me is…
me.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
nothing. And you made me think about this too much. Too many implications when you fix something on a whim. I’m changing the world right now through my work and I’m getting others involved. There are no easy fixes.
The perfect day would be…
Friday. And every day that I work in the beer industry is Friday.
My first job was…
working for my parents. I stocked a beer cooler. I still have scars on my hands from those wire shelves.
My favorite escape…
is driving. Flying is easy, but nothing beats a driving vacation. So far I have managed to leave the state right after a major festival. If I can drive, it’s better. It’s physically removing yourself in a very tangible way. The festival post mortem review can wait.
My life…
would not be the same without my wife, Brenda. I owe everything to her.
I’m currently working on…
Real Wild and Woody, a summer indoor beer festival July 18th at the Phoenix Convention Center. The festival features cask ales, beers made with wild yeast and barrel aged beers. It’s going to be the platform that brings a regional (and someday national) brewer’s conference to Arizona.
Always…
A-B-C. A-Always, B-Be, C-Closing. Always be closing. ALWAYS BE CLOSING.
Never…
get involved in a land war in Asia.
Favorite Quote…
“What care I how time advances? I am drinking ale today.” ― Edgar Allan Poe
Biggest Dream…
winning the lottery and NOT building a brewery.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
“Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy.” This is attributed to Ben Franklin, but he did not say this about beer. He said this about wine. Beer people need to let it go, but there is so much misinformation out there. Even breweries perpetuate this myth, Every time I see it on a t-shirt I cringe.
