No brewery is an island. Now that we’ve been open for two years we’ve needed some help, and a few stalwart friends have stepped up to the challenge.

These are their stories.

This week: Justin Frost, Dictator-For-Life/Beertender

Hi.

As-salamu alaykum.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I have been around the greater Western New York area my whole life. I find myself to be an urban oriented person: I feel most at home where I reside, in the Allentown/Westside area of Buffalo. I also really, really, love my cat, whom I adopted last year. She is a sassy 11 year old feline. I studied East Asian Studies concentrating on Korean culture and history, as well as Theology and Philosophy. Bearded is how I keep my face (like every other male at CBW. It really makes replying to those Craigslist missed connections titled “handsome bearded man @ cbw” a total crapshoot).

How did you get involved in the CBW gang?

I met Dan Conley through a mutual friend. We both loved beer and board games, so naturally we hit it off. I was pleased when Dan asked me to be in the first Beer and Boardgames series (Risk Legacy). I have been even more pleased that I have been involved with all the successive games as well, even after totally destroying all competition in the Risk series. I really enjoy pouring beers and filling growlers which is great, because I do that for CBW as well.

What started you down the rabbit hole that is good beer?

Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour.

No, really. About 8 years ago I read about monastic beers and it was like looking up one thing on Wikipedia. Then another. Then another. Then another.

Even though I had drank Arrogant Bastard, Sierra Nevada IPA, and Southern Tier stuff, it was beers made by the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappist) that saved me from fizzy yellow lagerish beers.

The lack of constant supply availability of Trappist beer also turned me into a homebrewer.

Duff’s or Anchor Bar?

Gabriel’s Gate.

Anything else we should know about you? Any parting words of wisdom?

I am the third last surviving member of The Flying Hellfish.

The frogurt is also cursed.