In order for the public to get
to know the C.E.B. Company President, Brent Ryan,
a little better we asked him a few question about
himself and some other things. |
CEB: “Brent”
means “steep hill”. Do you find this relevant
to your life?
Brent:
It most definitely is. I grew up with a driveway that
was on a steep hill. My college was located on a steep
hill. Even my favorite movie, Star Wars, has a steep hill
in it. On a more subtle level, I ski raced for 8 years
and that can involve hills as well.
CEB: You
mention Star Wars as your favorite movie, can you tell
us why?
Brent:
I can really connect with the rebels. They operate old
vehicles and wear the same old clothes all the time, but
still manage outsmart the well-equipped and well-dressed
empire. Plus, Luke has a twin sister and so do I.
CEB: I’ve
noticed the old clothes. There are places that sell them
you know?
Brent: Yeah
I know. Some of it is time, and some of it is money. Everyone
thinks owning your own business instantly entitles you
to all this money and the most flexible work schedule
imaginable. Sadly, this is not the case. No time and no
money seems to be par for the course. Plus, I could be
meeting with my bank one minute and operating a forklift
the next. Any nice clothes I get are trashed when I wear
them to work anyway. I do have some clothes I break out
for some special evenings. They’re mostly black.
I like to call them my “euro-Brent” clothes.
CEB: On
a more work related note, it says President/CEO on your
business card. What’s the difference?
Brent: Each
corporation has its own structure and systems. At CEB
we don’t have that many people so we need to combine
duties. For instance, the President is in charge of the
tour, deciding what beer to put on tap in the brewery,
and greeting passers by - “leadership duties”.
The CEO is in charge of cleaning the bathrooms, answering
the phones, and filing papers - “executive duties”.
Since there are only 4 partners at the brewery, one person
has to handle all of this.
CEB: Thanks
for clearing that up. Speaking of tours, what is your
record for most Friday Night brewery tours given in a
row?
Brent:
I think it is close to
25. However, I do it because I like giving the tours.
The records just come.
CEB: Speaking
of records, we heard you were a big Poison fan...
Brent: Hold
it right there! I see where you’re going with this.
The fact of the matter is that Poison is my favorite band
and I’m proud of it. Too many “acclaimed”
musicians spend all their time singing about love, suicide,
or some other over-used and often somber subject matter.
Poison is all about the fun. Unskinny Bop? Who else is
going to sing about having sex with fat women? Nothin’
But a Good Time? It sounds good to me.
CEB: Okay,
Okay, Okay. We’ll stay away from there. What do
you think of today’s global turmoil?
Brent: It’s
a shame that everyone was too stupid to read the terms
of the agreement 5 years ago when Iraq started violating
it. I mean, when you agree to the terms of a mortgage
and then stop paying the bank, do they wait 5 years to
take your house. No, they don’t, and do you want
to know why? Because at that time it’s going to
seem unfair to them and everyone else since you let it
slide for 5 years!
CEB: So
tell us how you really feel (sarcasm)
Brent: Sorry,
I get a little excited at times
CEB: I
won’t beat around the bush with this one- no pun
intended - but you are going bald.
Brent: Yeah,
it appears that way. At some point I’ll need to
just shave it all off and do the totally bald thing, but
I’m not sure when that will be. Maybe when Bret
Michaels cuts his hair...
CEB: Where’s
Waldo?
Brent: Waldo?
You mean the cartoon from all those books? Did they ever
explain why you were supposed to be looking for him in
the first place?
CEB:
I’m not sure, but please stop dodging the question.
Brent:
Uhh. I have no idea where Waldo is.
CEB: Can
you at least tell us where the best place to get one of
your Newport Storm’s is?
Brent: That’s
tough, we have a bunch of great places that support us.
Because of what I like to do, I guess I have some favorites,
though.
CEB: Can
you tell us what they are?
Brent: Well,
there are a couple that stick out, but I like to mix it
up so I don’t make it to any one place very often.
There’s a place in Burriville, RI called the Western
Hotel that is always a great time. I make a point of going
to their February beach party. It’s off the beaten
track, but well worth the trek for the good company and
laid back atmosphere. There’s another place in Providence
called Club Hell. Here’s a place that has goth night,
fetish night, and God knows what else. However, they throw
a great 80s party and the guy who manages it is one of
the nicest you’ll meet.
CEB: What
about Newport?
Brent: There’s
too many to mention.
CEB: So
after being in the industry for a few years now, is there
anything that still bothers you?
Brent: Most
of the usual stuff surrounding small brewers and craft
beer I’m pretty used to. Although, I’m not
sure I’ll ever get why people will pay more for
a bland beer just because it comes from another country.
I mean, I guess I can understand the person who drinks
bland beer because its cheaper, but why go and pay more
for something if what you’re paying for is no better
than its less expensive counterpart in the states?
CEB: Anything
else?
Brent: 1
AM closing time in Newport?
CEB:
So I see that you're married now. Did you use that pamphlet
idea?
Brent:
No pamphlet, I was careful to list the things I won't bend on up
front, and it seemed to work out. So now I am happily married with
three cats at home.
CEB:
Well thanks
for taking time out of your busy schedule of testing beer,
giving tours, and answering the phones to speak with us.
Before you go, there’s one last question. Where
does “Ghostrider” come from?
Brent: (laughing)
That’s a nickname I got in college. Colby was big
into Beer Die and you get a nickname when you throw a
die into someones cup. I used to quote a line from Top
Gun a lot. And Voila! Ghostrider is born.
CEB: We’ll
assume that at 28 the drinking games are a thing of the
past
Brent: Pretty
much. Except for the beer die tournament we have every
year. Oh, and the annual bar olympics. And the Wednesday
night party. I guess pretty much NOT would be a better
answer. Hey, it’s all about extremes.
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