Craft Beer is Soul Work.
Introduction
Since 2008, Sayre Piotrkowski has been a defining voice in the Bay Area craft beer scene, moving fluidly between brewery, distributor, and retailer roles with the singular goal of elevating beer—both in quality and cultural standing. More than an industry professional, Sayre is a historian of the pint, a storyteller who connects beer to broader social and philosophical currents, treating it not just as a beverage but as a living artifact of human tradition. His award-winning writing, video, and audio work has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, SFGate, Final Draft, GuildSomm International, and Broke-Ass Stuart. His insights have been featured on The Good Beer Hunting Podcast and numerous radio broadcasts. Whether through media, advocacy, or direct industry work, Sayre remains dedicated to improving the quality of beer and beer-centered experiences for the end consumer and enriching the meaning of what we do by welcoming more people into the fold and never losing sight of what made our work matter in the first place.
Philosophy
"Real success in craft beer doesn’t come from chasing trends. It comes from committing to excellence and daring to do the unexpected."
At Beer & Soul, we believe that building meaningful connections with customers comes through a relentless commitment to beer quality, memorable experiences, and authenticity at every step. Whether through better training, higher standards, or innovative events, we aim to give you the tools to inspire joy and loyalty in every glass.
Acheivments
- One of the first 100 Certified Cicerones® globally
- Advanced Cicerone® since 2025
- Spearheaded cold-chain standards that redefined beer quality for California grocers
- Co-creator of industry-leading beer festivals and education initiatives
- Bay Area Brewer’s Guild DEI Committee Member
- Three-time Speaker at California Craft Brewer’s Conference
- Graduate of Micromatic's Draft Beer Quality Dispense Institute
- Winner “Short Pour” Craft Beer Film Festival - 2010
Vision
Craft beer grew because we dared to challenge conventions. Today, Beer & Soul exists to help breweries rediscover that adventurous spirit. Through collaboration and creativity, we’ll pave new paths for the next chapter of craft beer.
Collin McDonnell, Co-Founder and CEO, HenHouse Brewing Company
"I’ve seen Sayre execute at the highest level when representing our beer and our brand in front of audiences of hundreds, in his published writing, to our teams in private, and in every customer-facing capacity you can imagine. He will never disappoint."