Stone Brewery Tragedy

[LouieMacGoo]

Matt Courtwright was one of the founding members the Sons of Liberty Home Brew Club that I joined this last fall. He along with several others (current members) formed the basis of the Sons of Liberty club and had a huge influence on home brewing in my area. Although I personally did not know him, what I have heard of him, he was a great brewer and wonderful human being. My brew club is in mourning and I wanted honor his memory and post this so that others could at least know who he was and know that brewing is a brotherhood of sorts and we are all connected in some small way.


[quote=Todd Parker]Sadly yesterday, we lost one of our own. A brewer, specifically Matthew Courtwright, was lost in what I have heard was a freak accident. While we already lost earlier this week, Jan Muuse, a brewer chemist, and great friend to MI beer, and an all around great guy. Matt is also very special in that he represented brewings future. He was still in his 20's. He still homebrewed despite his full time work at the Stone Brewing Cos brewery. For him, it was all about being the best brewer possible. He started out homebrewing here in MI, and then worked at Liberty St. Brewing in Plymouth. He jumped to Stone Brewing Co. from there. While he still loved MI, esp his Tigers and Redwings, he soon did get an appreciation of San Diego. He loved Stone Brewing Co. and was so proud to brew for the them. While he wanted to brew his own beers, he still loved making Stone Brewing Cos beers, and wanted to make great beers under their umbrella.
I have known Matt for several years. I first met Matt when he was visiting MI to see family, friends, and his first employer. I have stayed in touch since, mostly through Facebook and the occasional text. I was so happy to follow his progression as a brewer, and was eager to see it grow in the future. Now I am exquisitely saddened by the loss of his potential. That is the saddest part of this, that his potential was unbounded.
Rest in Peace Matt,
You will truly be missed![/quote]

This video will show you briefly who Matt was.

[Kealia]

A loss to one is a loss to all.

Sorry to hear about this. Will watch the video tonight when I get home.

[Beer-lord]

Jeez, 27 years young! What a shame.

[Brewbirds]

To the guys in MI and at Stone and for his family we mourn and are saddened by your loss. Weak words in such a horrible situation but offering what little we have to support you all.

[TimeTraveler]

So sorry about your loss. It actually is all our losses since he was working for a microbrewer. He will be missed.

[jimjohson]

sorry for all y'alls loss, esp the family's

[docpd]

It is always very sad when a promising life is cut short at such a young age.
RIP

[Yankeedag]

not good.

[Foothiller]

Sorry to hear this. I had a chance to tour Stone a few months ago, and liked everyone I met there.

[FedoraDave]

Tragic. So very sad.

[teutonic terror]

Sad to hear of y'alls loss. 27 is entirely too young.

Prayers for his friends and family.

[FrozenInTime]

Sad to hear.

[RickBeer]

Especially sad when the sparse details (overturned lift truck) seem to indicate either unsafe operation or unsafe operating area. I'm sure OSHA will be all over it, hope it turns out to be just an accident vs. a problem that was known to exist.

Thoughts with his family.