Brewmaster Victor Novak brews approximately 1700 kegs, or 26,000 gallons of beer for TAPS on an annual basis. His repertoire includes 30 to 35 classic styles of European and American ales and lagers, of which up to eight at a time are featured at the restaurant. Victor also provides two beers for the Manzella family´s second restaurant venture, The Catch, in Anaheim.
The Finest Ingredients, Award-Winning Beer
Victor´s philosophy is to brew classic styles of European ales and lagers in a traditional manner, using the finest ingredients possible. All hops and malt for TAPS´s European-style beers are imported from England, Germany, and the Czech Republic. TAPS´s American styles incorporate unique domestic hops. Victor uses his own proprietary strains of yeast, reverse osmosis, and tailors water chemistry to each specific brewing region. The end product speaks for itself. Altogether, TAPS´s beers have won thirteen awards at various national, state, and local beer competitions.
Brewmaster
- Victor Novak has been Brewmaster at TAPS Fish House & Brewery in Brea since the restaurant opened in 1999. While attending the University of California at Berkeley, two revelations changed his career course: his first taste of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and a dining experience at Chez Panisse.
- Inspired to learn the craft of fine beer making, Victor, a native of Southern California, moved back East and began working at the award-winning Dock Street Brewery in Philadelphia. There he apprenticed under a well-respected English Brewmaster who had served as Head Brewmaster of the Grand Metropolitan Breweries in London. Victor spent four years at Dock Street learning the European methods of brewing. He also traveled to Europe five times, researching the unique beer styles and crafting techniques in Britain, Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic. He has been brewing since 1992.