My Beer Journey: Sarah Perez

We recently caught up with Sarah Perez, Head Brewer and Director of Beverage at Fast Friends Beer Co. in South Austin, TX, to learn about the path that led her to where she is today. Her love for beer began while working as a nurse and quickly grew into a full-fledged passion. That passion has taken her from Las Vegas to Alaska and now Texas, with roles spanning front-of-house operations, brewing, teaching, mentoring, and advocating for beer education at every step.

Here’s some of the highlights from our interview with Sarah.

My gateway beer was really a two-part experience. I first fell in love with darker styles like porters and balanced stouts, but it was Newcastle Brown Ale that truly pulled me in. That sparked an obsession with malt-forward beers. The one that really opened the craft beer world for me, though, was Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. I was working at Aces & Ales in Las Vegas when Sierra Nevada came into my life. That place wasn’t just a job. It was where I discovered the Cicerone program and got my first real exposure to the wider world of craft beer. I knew right away that this was the direction I wanted to go.

Outside of work, I was part of a group of beer nerds called the Share Bears. Every Sunday, we’d meet at Tenaya Creek and bring beers to share. Sometimes we had themes. One week, we would only bring beers from Sierra Nevada. Another week, we would Randal IPAs with whatever weird ingredient we picked. We even did sour-only days based on regions. It was fun, but also educational. We were all learning, all the time.

It was during those tastings that I started noticing how people’s palates varied. Especially between men and women in the group. That curiosity pushed us toward formal education. We started studying BJCP guidelines, exploring the Cicerone path, and doing off-flavor tastings. At that time, I was still a full-time nurse. I had kids, worked days at the base, and bartended at Aces in the evenings. Every week, I went to Lee’s Liquor in Vegas, picked out new bottles, and tried to learn something from every one of them.

Eventually, my husband and I moved to Alaska. I knew where I wanted to be. Anchorage Brewing Company. I wanted to work for Gabe Fletcher and be part of his sour and Brett programs. I got the job. That’s where I brewed commercially for the first time and started learning real production on the brew deck and in the cellar. That experience confirmed what I already knew. This was my industry.

Over the next few years, I brewed in Alaska, Maui, Fort Worth, and collaborated at places like The Veil, Horus, and Resident Culture. It was a whirlwind, but every stop added something new. I’ve always believed in sharing what I learn. Whether it’s talking someone's ear off in the taproom or lending out study materials, I’ve never wanted to keep knowledge to myself.

Now I’m back in Texas, and I’m the Head Brewer and Director of Beverage and Beer Program at Fast Friends Beer Co. in South Austin. I’ve only been here a few months, but I already love the team and the direction we’re heading. I’ve introduced Draft Lab data and sensory work, and we’ve started pushing deeper into Cicerone training. My team in the cellar is full of passionate beer nerds who care about learning as much as I do.

Mentorship has been a huge part of my story. There are so many people in this industry who helped me get here. I’ve been lucky to learn from Advanced and Master Cicerones, and I still call on them when I need guidance. Years ago, I received a scholarship from Eugenia to begin the Road to Cicerone courses, and I don’t take that lightly. It’s part of why I give back now. If someone needs books, flashcards, or just a pep talk, I make sure they know I’m available.

When I teach others about beer, the biggest thing I want them to understand is that tasting is personal. Guidelines are helpful, but your palate is your own. Everyone interprets flavor differently. I tell my staff to trust their instincts. I want them to feel comfortable understanding that this is their perception. This is their taste. This is their mouth. This is their body, that they will feel and understand this beer their way.

If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I’d say this. Stop doubting yourself. I’ve taken the Advanced Cicerone exam twice. I failed both times. For years, I told myself that meant I was done. But that mindset doesn’t serve me. This journey has never been about proving something to others. It’s about learning for myself, so I can teach it well. I still plan to take the exam again. Not just for a title. For growth. For me.

You can view the full interview video on Youtube - https://youtu.be/XJfmk2Kf5Fk