Can you share some of Sweetface’s history, …how did the business begin?

Sweetface started as an adventure and escape for me from the corporate world. I’d been in financial services in sales for 10+ years and over time just realized it didn’t reward me in a fulfilling, soul-satisfying way. Baking and cooking was a way for me to relax and connect with people on a totally different level than anything else and when the company I worked for was acquired, I decided rather than transition into the new company I’d finally take the leap to run my own business doing something I was really passionate about – creating desserts and seeing people enjoy them. So in mid-2008, I traded in my suits and Blackberry for an apron and whisk, and I haven’t looked back since.

What are the perks of operating a “bakery on wheels”?

The beauty of SweetRoll, our bakery on wheels, is that wherever the party is, we can be there – either delivering our goodies or handing them out from the truck. We’re not tied to one location. But probably the best perk is that we’re able to interact with people face to face, and see firsthand their enjoyment when they eat our product. It sounds corny but if we can make our customers smile with one of our cupcakes or cookies or brownies or whatever, then we have fulfilled our mission and the bakery’s raison d’etre.

Where else can people find your sweet, besides Chop Bar?

For retail locations, our cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies are available at Belgano Chocolatier Noe Valley at 3901 W. 24th St. as well as Cowgirl Creamery at Point Reyes Station. Otherwise, we bake to order all manner of cakes, cupcakes, and more and deliver all over the Bay Area. Just call or email us.

Cranberry Muffins

Any new treats we might be seeing at Chop Bar in the future?

We’ve got bagels ready to go and donuts are in the final testing stages so hopefully they’ll be added to the Chop Bar menu shortly. We are super excited about the donuts!

How does Sweetface use Twitter? Do people interact with Sweetface online?

Twitter is a great tool to get immediate feedback from our fans as well as post what’s new or happening in real time particularly when we take SweetRoll out on the streets. Our followers are super supportive and we love tweeting with them. Since we don’t have a retail shop (for now), it’s the next best thing when it comes to making people feel like they’re part of the family and this goes both ways – we love knowing that people out there enjoy our desserts enough to be followers and fans on Facebook. It makes us feel like we’re doing something right and it’s powerful motivation when we’re rolling into the kitchen at 4AM to bake!

Follow Sweetface on Twitter: @SweetfaceBakery

Visit Sweetface’s website: http://www.sweetfacesweets.com/

See more pictures: Sweetface Bakery’s Delicious Flickr Set

Can you tell us a little bit of Drake’s history…how did you become a brewery?

Drake’s was founded in 1989 as a one-man operated draft-only production brewery, one of the earliest “microbreweries” in California (and the US).   Over the years we have grown a bit (but not too much) and sell both draft beer, and a variety of styles in six-packs. Our world is still mostly the East Bay, where 80% of our beer is sold and consumed. We self-distribute with the brewery truck almost all our draft product –  which we feel keeps us closer to our customers (bars & restaurants) and their customers (the Drake’s beer drinking public) … vs. using a beer distributor.  Drake’s is owned by East Bay locals Roy Kirkorian, and me (John Martin).

You used to operate 20 Tank Brew Pub in the city…Any plans for something similar in the future?

Nothing planning for San Francisco. I miss 20 Tank, but I don’t miss the commute to the City, and the high cost of doing business there. Right now we are in the midst of working on a new tasting room for Drake’s.

What is the story of your Jolly Roger beer (served at Chop Bar)?

Jolly Roger Holiday Ale is named for Roger Lind, the founder of Drake’s.  Drake’s Brewing itself was named for Sir Francis Drake, who many in that era saw as a pirate, and of course the Jolly Roger (skull and crossbones) was the flag of pirates.  “Jolly” works well for the Christmas season too!  We only made two batches of Jolly Roger this year, and are now sold out.  (Though…we saved a little for ourselves!)  We’ll have to make more next year. (Actually we plan to bottle some in 2010.)  Jolly Roger is an Imperial Brown this year (the recipe changes each year).

See their blog post for more info about the beer.

Can the public visit your brewery in San Leandro?

The tasting room is open for tasting and “dock sales” on Friday afternoons.  Tours can be arranged thru our website contact form.  Starting in February we will be restarting the “Drake’s Fridays” where we hold a tailgater type event outside the brewery.  These are planned for the first Friday of each month.

Are you preparing to brew any new beers in 2010?

We have been brewing and aging a number of beers in the last few months in oak barrels, that once held bourbon, port, brandy and red & white wine.  Look for a lot of interesting beers to be available later in 2010.  Also, on the more conventional side, look for our barley wine in late January, our Expedition Ale in the Spring, Zatec Pilsner in the early Summer, and a variety of “one-off” beers throughout the year (such as our “Hopocalypse” and “Aroma Coma” ales.)  In 2010 we are launching some of our specialty beers in 22 oz bottles.

How does Drake’s use social media to interact online?

We are finding Twitter to be a great way to get out news about the brewery and to interact with our followers and the brewing community.  We tend to get a lot of retweets and direct messages when we post a tweet.  Our blog is a great way to fill out the story of what is happening at the brewery that we can’t boil down to 140 characters!

Chop Bar is all about community…How does Drake’s give back locally?

Roy & I feel that sense of community when we visit Chop Bar.  It’s great to see Jesse & Lev and the crew interacting so closely with the Chop Bar patrons. I know every bit of Chop Bar has been labored over by Jesse & Lev.  The food & beverages, of course, plus the great design and atmosphere that they brought to the space.  (Love that Jesse’s dad was so involved!)  We are very happy that Drake’s ales are served at Chop Bar, and is a part of all that.

Drake’s donates lots of beer to charitable groups for fund-raising events, and attends and pours our beer at many more.  We also make the brewery available to local charity groups to put on events that we call “Drake’s Fridays”.  These are held (generally in warm weather months) on the first Friday of the month from 4-7pm, in the brewery and out in our parking lot.  Anyone can attend, and all the money raised from the “gate charge” ($5) and the profit from the beer & food sales goes directly to the charity.  Our plan for 2010 is to raise as much money as we can for San Leandro & other local area schools, through the Drake’s Fridays.

You drank all of the Jolly Roger! But still come in and try the Drake’s 1500 Pale Ale, just $3 every weeknight during happy hour (4:30-6:30 pm).