Father, Walter D. Brewer worked in a number of high-level corporate positions for Matson Navigation Company, culminating in the position of director of corporate development from 1990-1998, when he died. His work caused the family to move from Vallejo, California (where Craig attended elementary school and junior high) to Orange County, returning to Vallejo in the early 1990s. Walter frequently rented out local theaters to present young Craig's plays and often financed Craig's productions.

Craig's mother, Gail, was a school board member for Vallejo's district both times the family lived there and taught English and Drama in nearby Mt. Diablo School District. She allowed her son, fresh out of high school, to teach her drama courses at College Park High School in Pleasant Hill, California and produce/direct the school's plays, with the school occasionally serving as a showcase for his original works. Craig's father also helped finance school productions, and helped to rent out local theaters for additional shows. Craig's high school friends, including future wife, Jodi Brewer and Chris Barela, took an active role in CPHS's drama department productions. Craig's younger sister, Amanda Brewer, attended CPHS from 1992-1995.