The first picture shown above is the old blacksmith shop in historic downtown Loomis where Pine Star's brewing facility is currently located.
George C. Boller was the blacksmith in Loomis for three decades. Born in 1855, George Boller lived in Loomis for over 50 years until he died in 1948 at the age of 93. He came to the little town of Pino back in 1882 (now called Loomis) and set up shop. He had a town well and a stone trough for all to use. This was very important to the town, as it provided all the drinking water for the people and their horses. Mr. Boller always left a water dipper on the side of his blacksmith shop for everyone to use.
The town of Loomis used to be called Pine Grove back in the 1850s when it was a mining town. The early settlers arrived looking for gold along the rivers of the Sierra Nevada foothills. The Central Pacific Railroad arrived shortly after to provide transportation for local fruit grown in the area.
Meet The Team
Brian and Brian have been lifelong friends since they were 4 years old. Their fathers both worked at Lockheed Martin for almost 40 years until they retired.
They started their careers in the hospitality business, gaining experience in various roles in the restaurant industry. Their dream of opening their own restaurant and brewery became a reality when they acquired the old Star Liquor property in the heart of historic downtown Loomis.
With their years of culinary and brewing experience, they aim to provide the kind of hospitality that Loomis is known for. Additionally, they have a strong commitment to giving back to their community by supporting local organizations.
Brian Sumner
Executive Chef
Chef Brian Sumner grew up in Menlo Park, CA and started his culinary career 37 years ago in the Bay Area. He worked at various restaurants on the Peninsula before moving to the Lake Tahoe area in 1996.
Brian has cooked for The Lone Eagle Grille, Spindleshanks and was the banquet chef at The Chateau in Incline Village, Nevada.
He was most recently the Executive Chef at Zephyr Lodge at Northstar California Resort.
He enjoys mountain biking and model rairoading on his days off
Brian Nelson
Brian comes from a family of German brewers and is a descendant of one of California's earliest Mexican families that was granted Rancho San Vicente dating back to the early 1700s in Santa Cruz.
His Great-Grandparents, the Von Böegershausens, owned a small brewery in Germany for many decades and his Uncle, Martin Kelly, was the President & CEO of Pyramid Brewing Company & Vice President of Miller Brewing Company.
Brian's Great Uncle Robert C. Gadsby was Vice President of Anheuser-Busch, Inc. until his death in the late 1960s. He reported directly to August Anheuser "Gussie" Busch Jr. for over 29 years and started his career as an assistant brewer at Anheuser-Busch after receiving his brewing degree from Siebel Institute of Technology.
Moving forward, Brian hopes to make Pine Star a success and serve his local community in Loomis and the greater Sacramento areas.
