In the Season 3 kickoff of the Capital of Craft podcast, we sit down with Jorge Torres—local beer writer, Brewers Guild Education Committee member, and associate producer of this very show. Jorge shares his story of growing up in Escondido, serving in the Navy, and returning home with a passion for craft beer and community connection.

From volunteering at Stone Brewing to helping organize educational events for the Guild, Jorge shows that you don’t need to be a brewer to make a real impact in the industry. We talk about the value of beer education, why creating welcoming taproom spaces matters, and how local passion keeps the San Diego beer scene thriving.

Whether you’re a fellow beer enthusiast or thinking about getting more involved, this episode is filled with inspiration and insight.

Topics discussed include:

• Jorge’s personal beer journey and first “aha” moment
• His work on the SDBG Education Committee
• How BattleMage Brewing and other local spots build community
• The importance of volunteers in the craft beer ecosystem
• What it means to give back and grow with the industry