C’YA Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen with Jemez Mountain Brewhouse Co-owner Scott Johnson. The Brewery collected change for the C’YA launch of suicide prevention training. Johnson handed over donations while serving pizza on many Monday nights at Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op in Los Alamos. Courtesy/C’YA
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA)
Scott Johnson, aka Mr. Johnson, will always be the most astounding first grade teacher to many. His classroom was an active place of kindness and respect, as he built a love of learning in the lives of our future leaders. Now he is building a new community, as a co-owner of The Jemez Mountain Brewhouse.
Johnson said he misses being a teacher and the classroom but found a new world of fun.
“We opened May 27, 2022, and that also happened to be the last day of school,” Johnson said. “I have gone from one chapter to the next pretty seamlessly. I’m loving it!”
His new job allows him continued opportunity to engage in conversation while catching up with old friends, meeting new ones and seeing them all enjoy the Brewhouse.
If you have not been up to see him yet, the view and the pizza are worth the time.
“It’s a beautiful ride to Jemez Springs from Los Alamos or White Rock with a lot of opportunities to do something outside,” Johnson said. “People are coming to Jemez Springs for a hot spring soak and then enjoying the atmosphere, pizza and beer at Jemez Mountain Brewhouse. It’s closer than you think.”
Most Mondays you can find his smiling face collaborating with the friendly crew of The Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op at 163 Central Park Square in Los Alamos. He begins at about 5 p.m. selling pizza for $5 a slice. The variety of options includes a choice of traditional or spicy sauce and toppings of pepperoni to veggie and vegan. The team varies the offering from week to week but better get there early if you intend to find green chile. Johnson loves seeing his friends and former students enjoying their delicious pizza.
While Bathtub Row will cater to your brewing needs in town, Johnson invites you up to see and taste his mountain marvel.
“We have a seven-barrel system that includes one kettle, mash tun and hot liquor tank, two fermenters, and four serving vessels,” Johnson said. “We have brewed a Cream Ale, IPA, Stout, Lager, Hazy IPA, California Common and some Pale Ales since August. The patron reviews have all been very positive and we have been happy with the flavors and aromas produced.”
Brandon Venaglia (former Brewer at Bathtub Row) and his brother Devin have worked with Jef Bold, one of four owners and the Brewer at Jemez Mountain Brewhouse, to get their first batches of beer brewed, setting up Bold for success. Johnson said they have been fortunate to have Bathtub Row Brewer Adam Auden and his crew come brew a batch with Bold and offer their expertise.
“The whole New Mexico brewing community has been helpful getting our brewery operational; Thank you,” Johnson said.
Bold, who he calls “the instigator”, learned that the space was becoming available. Bold knew David Martinez from college classes and asked if he was interested in starting a brewery. Martinez has been leading the way as their General Manager ever since. It is a family affair with Bold’s son Eben living and working remotely from California (the other LA), on bookkeeping and financial matters. Johnson loves the staff they have employed.
“They have a lot of knowledge about the area and like to share it with visitors. The staff are always a happy, friendly face for the locals to see when they join us,” Johnson said. “We have been fortunate to have so many awesome, hardworking employees that make work fun.”
The former teacher of the year who worked for 25 years at both Barranca and Mountain elementary schools educating kindergartners through third graders educates now in a unique way. In 1989, he worked at The White Horse on Parson’s Green in London, England which planted the seed for loving great beer and serving it properly. Now, he helps people learn that great artisan pizza and craft beer are nearby, in Jemez Springs. They offer an open night mic on Mondays and karaoke occasionally, in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Jemez Mountain Brewhouse is open 4-8 p.m., Monday and Thursday and noon-8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The Brewhouse is at 17691 N.M. 4, next to Fitzgerald Park in the heart of Jemez Springs. Their spicy sauce comes from Martinez’s Grandmother’s red chile recipe and their traditional sauce is from a recipe handed down through the Grace family. Eben’s mom and Bold’s wife is Mary Grace, an Art teacher at Los Alamos High School (LAHS). Martinez and Eben graduated from LAHS.
100 Men Who Care sponsors the training program of which Scot Johnson belongs, ‘Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among young people and if an hour of training would teach me what to say or do, it seems obvious to get trained,’ Johnson said.
