Chris LaPierre, a longtime head brewer at the West Chester location of Iron Hill Brewery and dedicated part of the region’s brewing scene, died on July 28 aged 52, writes Michael Klein for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

LaPierre, also affectionately known as Lappy, was regarded by the community as an innovator and mentor to numerous home brewers.

His Belgian ale named Cannibal won several awards over the years, including gold at the 2005 Great American Beer Festival and silver at the World Beer Cup the following year. He was also recognized with a GABF silver in 2015. 

In addition to being a beer enthusiast, LaPierre was an avid cyclist who once made a solo cross-country trip. He named his beer in tribute to the winner of five Tour de France races, Belgium’s Eddy “The Cannibal” Merckx. 

“Chris was very passionate about a number of things: beer, Philadelphia, and bicycling,” said his sister Katherine Cummings. 

LaPierre started his brewing career as a home brewer. He joined Iron Hill in 2002 as head brewer at its West Chester location. Most recently, he stepped aside from brewing and became a sales representative and brand ambassador for Iron Hill. 

Read more about Chris LaPierre’s work in the brewing industry in The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

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