Richard Christy

March 18, 2017 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. When did you start to find your passion for craft beer?

I discovered craft beer well before the age that I was supposed to be drinking beer haha. I grew up in Southeast Kansas so I've moved Boulevard Beer since the early 90's. Boulevard is still my go to during Kansas City Chiefs, KU Jayhawks, and Kansas City Royals games at my favorite bar in Queens where I live, John Brown Smokehouse. You can't go wrong with Tank 7! I know this is going to sound like I'm doing an advertisement for them, but I'm so lucky that I live a few blocks from the gathering place for all New York City fans of everything Kansas City! This BBQ is incredible too, the burnt ends are delicious! John Brown Smokehouse is like my "Cheers" and they always have amazing craft beers on tap there. I also tried Sam Adams Triple Bock around 1993 and I instantly loved it and wanted to find more beers like it. I've also been a big fan of Belgian beers and Trappist beers since the early 90's. I discovered Samichlaus in the early 90's too and it's still one of my favorite beers - I drink it every year on St. Nicholas Day, December the 6th, the day it is brewed in Europe!

2. You've become an expert at pairing beer and horror movies, even writing an article for Decibel Magazine about it. How can our readers go about learning how to pair the right beer with their favorite horror movie?

Thank you for the kind words! There are so many great beers nowadays that are horror film themed so it's not too hard to find a great beer to pair with your favorite horror movie. Alesmith's Evil Dead Red goes great with any of the Evil Dead fiylms. I recently had it while watching the newest season of Ash vs. Evil Dead, which is one of my favorite TV shows ever! Unibrou's Maudite goes great with Satan themed films like John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness. Great Lakes' Nosferatu obviously goes great with vampire films. Pumpkin beers pretty much go with any horror film because they all remind you of Halloween and come out in the fall. I personally watch John Carpenter's Halloween every year on Halloween with a nice bottle of my favorite pumpkin beer, Southern Tier Pumpking! Elysian's Dark O' The Moon pumpkin stout goes wonderfully with the werewolf masterpiece An American Werewolf in London.

3. What's your funniest/craziest beer related story?

I won't get into graphic details but I've drank beer though an orifice that isn't my mouth where I work on Sirius-XM satellite radio! I also got to drink one of my favorite beers, Ballast Point sculpin, right out of the tank in San Diego, and it sprayed uncontrollably all over my face so we called it brewkakke! I'm also trying to convince my family that when I die I want my body to be put into a barrel full of beer and I want to ferment for a few years and then be released as the first corpse fermented craft beer so that all of my friends and family can drink me. I think it's safe to say that qualifies as a crazy beer story! Richard Christy Barrel Aged Corpse Barleywine, hopefully not coming very soon!

4. What's your favorite beer right now? Why?

Wow that's a tough question because I have MANY favorite beers! If I had to choose one, I've really been digging Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break on Sunday mornings lately. I LOVE coffee beers, and it is so relaxing to go for an 8 mile Sundaymorning run, come home, shower, pop open a can of Imperial Biscotti Break and sit down to watch a relaxing episode of CBS Sunday Morning! I love the brewery Funky Buddha too because they make tons of amazing breakfast beers like Maple Bacon Coffee Porter, which is like heaven in a glass! Their French Toast beer is unbelievably delicious on a weekend morning too! I also recently traveled to Chicago and brought back some Three Floyd's Zombie Dust Pale Ale, which is my favorite pale ale ever. Also, The Alchemist's Heady Topper is my favorite IPA, see I told you I couldn't pick just one favorite! Spring is here now too so I'll be drinking plenty of my favorite spring beer Pretty Things' Fluffy White Rabbits if I can find some!

5. Ever think about starting a beer review channel where you review beers alongside your dad?

Maybe one day, although my dad is more old fashioned than I am and he just likes a good Coors. I tried to get him to drink an IPA recently and he thought something was wrong with it, although it could be fun to have my dad try some of the crazy beers that I'm into! I'd love to have my dad try Wynkoop's Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout, which I think is delicious, but a lot of people can't get past the fact that bull testicles are involved in the ingredients. My dad would probably love that one though because we grew up on a farm and ate Rocky Mountain Oysters quite often! Trust me, you don't want to see what Rocky Mountain Oysters look like in their raw form, sitting in a pan before getting breaded and fried, I still can't get that image out of my head 30 years later!

6. You can only have one beer for the rest of your life. What is it?

Southern Tier Pumking. I have so many great memories of drinking that beer because October is my favorite time of the year, I love Halloween and horror films, and Pumking reminds me of all of my favorite things every time I drink it. My birthday is April 1st and I always save a bottle of Pumking to drink along with my favorite movie of all time John Carpenter's Halloween. I save that beer and that movie for two special days a year, April 1st and October 31st. I even have some Pumking that I've been aging for several years that I'll be popping open this year, it ages very well, especially the Rum Barrel Aged Pumking that came out a while back. I LOVE the Rum Barrel Aged Pumking after aging it for a year. I didn't just jump on the pumpkin beer bandwagon either, I discovered it in the mid 90's and have loved it every since!

7. We know you like traveling for beer related events/festivals. What's the best trip you've taken so far and what made it so special?

Luckily there are many! My wife is awesome and she loves traveling to fun beer related events like me! We traveled to Belgium a few years back and visited Cantillon in Brussels which was incredible. We got to tour the brewery and drank tons of Cantillon there. We even bought several bottles to bring back in our luggage, we were like rock stars to all of our craft beer friends when we got back haha! Moeder Lambic is an incredible bar in Belgium that has Cantillon on tap, that was definitely a highlight of our Belgium trip too, I had one of the best IPA's ever while I was there, Amiral Benson from Brasserie du Monte Saleve in France. While in Belgium we also visited the most unique and cool bar we've ever been to in Ghent. It's a bar that one of my beer gurus, my friend Robert Hodson, told me about. Called Velootje, and also known as "The Bicycle Bar", it's unlike any other bar I've ever been too and I don't even know if it's still open. It's at a very friendly guy's house and you have to walk a path through his collection of oddities to get to a bench to sit down. He has two types of beer Delirium regular and Delirium dark and it's unlike anything my wife and I have ever witnessed. We stayed there for five hours and even went back the next day. If you google "Velootje Ghent" you'll see what I mean! My wife and I were fortunate enough to travel to Oktoberfest in Munich last year and it was beer HEAVEN! If there is a heaven, I want it to be a mix of two events, Oktoberfest and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando.

8. Burnt Hickory makes a beer for your band, Charred Walls of the Damned. What is it and how did that come about?

Scott Hedeen, the owner of Burnt Hickory is a big music fan and he contacted me one day about doing a beer for my band Charred Walls of the Damned and I of course said hell yes! It's a Belgian style barleywine and it is so freakin' delicious! I'm so proud to have our band's name on the beer because it is such a well made beer and people love it. I'm so excited for the Decibel Metal and Beer Fest April 22nd and 23rd at The Fillmore in Philadelphia because Scott will be pouring Charred Walls of the Damned there! I've never had it on tap so I'm so excited! One of my beer gurus, Dave Witte, who is the drummer for the band Municipal Waste, is a beer genius and he'll be hanging at the fest and I'm sure bringing some crazy rare beers! We recently were both part of a massive drum jam at Hardywood Brewery in Richmond Virginia which was incredible! I LOVE Hardywood's beers (especially the Farmhouse Pumpkin and Gingerbread Stout) so getting to visit their brewery and play drums there was a dream come true. Dave also took me to a bar he's been telling me about for years that is beer heaven on earth, Mekong in Richmond, VA.

9. Are you buying into the hazy IPA craze?

Yes I LOVE hazy IPA's! The hazier the better in my opinion! I love IPA's that you can almost chew, with things floating in them! There are so many breweries making incredible IPA's these days like Tree House, Grimm, Other Half, The Alchemist, Finback, Lawson's Liquids, Prohibition Pig, and Maine Beer Co. It's a wonderful time to be an IPA lover! My wife and I live right near an amazing brewery in Queens called Rockaway and they make an IPA called Hawaiian Pizza that we're obsessed with! I'm such a beer geek that I have a specific IPA Glass at home that's made to enhance the aroma of IPA's. I pretty much have a glass for every different style of beer which drives my wife crazy cause half our cabinet is beer glasses haha!

10. What beers motivate you and get you ready for that double bass pedal?

The motivation for me is knowing that once I'm done playing that double bass pedal I'll be rewarding myself with a craft beer! I don't drink beer before I play drums, unless I'm playing a goof off gig with my buddies in the bands Pisser or Bung Dizeez haha, because I look at metal drumming as a race that you're running. It's so physical that I couldn't imagine doing it after having a few beers. I'm a runner too, thanks to my wife motivating me to run because she's a marathon runner, and I use beer as my motivation for running, just like drumming. I know after a half marathon that I've earned a nice craft beer and I've burned off enough calories to deserve it! My wife and I run the Brooklyn Half Marathon every year, it's our favorite race of the year and it ends at Coney Island which we love! We go right to Coney Island Brewing Company and have some of their delicious beers like Beermosa, Freaktoberfest, and the Cotton Candy Kolsch. Then we ride the Cyclone and the Ghost Hole! I consider myself lucky because when I toured with the bands Death and Iced Earth I got to drink beer all over the world and discover so many great beers that I still drink today! All this beer talking is making me thirsty, I think I'll go have a beer right now, awesome talking beer with you, Cheers!

Great Notion Brewing

July 06, 2016 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

In the cool Alberta Arts District of Portland, Oregon - at the corner of NE 22nd and Alberta St.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

James: Stone Brewing "Arrogant Bastard" and Andy "Pliny the Elder".

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

NE-style hazy, juicy IPAs.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

Cantillon Fou Foune or maybe our very own Juice Jr.!

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Depends who you ask! James leans towards the Grateful Dead and Andy mid-90's indie rock.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Russian River for the reasons most would say. Locally, we loved watching Breakside grow from a little 3 bbl brewery to a regional powerhouse.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

We are loving Mosaic right now.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

We tend to like Hop and Vine, as we live nearby and they always have a great selection of beer and creative cocktails.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

There's a lot more to it than brewing! Make sure you have some partners that will balance out your own weaknesses.

10. Dogs or cats?

We have both in the GNB family, so how about we just say giraffes.

From left to right: Andy, Paul, and James

Julia Rosenthal - Co-Founder Pair O' Dice Brewing Co

May 09, 2016 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

We're located in Clearwater, FL, but further Southeast than you'd expect. We're very close to I-275 because we wanted to be centrally located to Pinellas and Hillsborough residents.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Dogfish Head's beers are what really started to change the way I thought about beer. My go to beer early on was their 90 Minute IPA, until the day came where my palate changed and I decided that it was too sweet and just not hoppy enough. That was the day Ken won me over with his dry, West Coast style IPAs.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

IPA because it's one of my favorite styles to drink. Every brewery makes an IPA because it's the largest selling segment in the craft beer industry, but that doesn't mean everyone should make an IPA. There's a lot more to IPAs than just dumping a bunch of hops in. We have a passion for it and we focus on balancing the hops with the malt and adjust our water chemistry to get the most out of every one of our IPAs. We love the flavors and aromas you get from the different varieties of hops and we balance to create an experience. As Ken would say, "it's poetry in a glass."

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

Our Clearwater Honey Cream. It is light enough to enjoy stranded on an island and the orange blossom honey and orange peel give it just enough flavor to keep it interesting.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Our music changes daily depending on who gets in to work first. Today it's country, tomorrow might be Michael Jackson, last week it was a lot of rock and Frank Sinatra. I'm a Rock & Roll girl at heart.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

We take a lot of inspiration from west coast breweries in California from the styles of beer to the design of our brewery and tasting room. Russian River is the brewery that has been the biggest inspiration to us. Their commitment to quality over quantity is something we really admire.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Mosaic has been a favorite of ours lately. We love Simcoe and Amarillo as well. We're looking forward to experimenting with some of the newer varieties this year though.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

Pair O' Dice, we've built this amazing community of friends and family at out little tasting room. It feels like our home away from home which is a good thing because it is.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Building this business is definitely the hardest and most rewarding thing Ken and I have ever done together. It's not for the faint of heart. If you're willing to risk everything for the chance to won and operate a successful brewery then go for it. If you just want to brew beer for a living then I recommend that oyu go work for another brewery.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs. Did I mention that our brewery dog is named Simcoe?

Eddy Torres - South Florida El Lector Cigar City Brewing

December 23, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Tampa, Fl, not in Ybor.

2. What is the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Technically it would be Sam Adams Winter Lager but I always give credit to Ommegang's 3 Philosophers and Victory Golden Monkey. Those two really changed me for good.

3. What is your favorite style and why?

It really depends on my mood. For the most part a really hoppy session IPA really hits the spot but I really enjoy sipping on a nice barrel aged stout. I really do enjoy every style of beer, except for Lichtenhainers. Not a fan of smoke in my beer.

4. What has been your favorite memory working for Cigar City, thus far?

Honestly, it's the comradery with my co-workers and other breweries. Being able to travel to other cities like Boston and Denver to share our beers with other craft beer enthusiasts.

5. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, what would it be?

This is going to sounds so masturbatory; but honestly, fresh Guayabera.

6. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

My real preference is someone's house to share some bottles with friends.

7. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Volunteer. Try and get involved with any local beer festivals or brewery events. Let your presence be known. Do your research. When someone sees you know what you're talking about, putting work in, and donating your time, they will take notice.

8. Any sales trends that you've noticed lately? What do you predict as far as popular styles and/or specific Cigar City beers emerging in 2016?

I definitely see a shift towards more sessionable beers. CCB Lager is poised to be a big mover for 2016. Also goses, berliners, and wild ales will continue to grow, especially here in Florida where it's so hot. People want to down something refreshing.

9. What music do you listen to while working?

If doing computer work, usually something low key and electronic heavy like Puscifer or Aphex Twin. Most of my work however requires me to be on the road driving in which case I blast metal all day. Pantera, Mutoid Man, Dillinger Escape Plan, Deftones, amongst many others.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs for their loyalty. I am allergic to cats anyways.

Jim Crooks - Masterblender Firestone Walker Barrelworks

November 23, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Buellton, California

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

1991 San Luis Obispo County; Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. The idea of beer completely flipped in my head. I could finally understand what I was tasting. So much depth.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

I've worked hard at keeping an open mind with regards to classifying beer into categories. Regardless of style, if the beer in my hand at that moment is a well-crafted, balanced beer with layers of depth, free of off-flavors, then I'm enjoying it.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

Is that island in the tropics, temperate or frigid environment? For consistency, drinkability, and technical merit, I have always loved Duvel for all those aspects. It's been one of those beers I've geeked out on over the years, and just chance that we now work hand-in-hand with this company. I'm in heaven.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Soul-funk with a bit of alt-country pop. Think Curtis Mayfield meets Blitzen Trapper.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

From a technical standpoint, the people at New Belgium and Sierra Nevada have offered so much of their time and expertise to me. I owe them.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Saphir. For the versatility of using it in Lambics as well as Pilsners.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

Firestone Walker Barrelworks, Buellton. It's hard to find a fresher and more diverse selection of beer in the SY Valley.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Constantly reach out to the older industry statesmen for advice. There's no shame in asking questions to people who know more and have already made the mistakes.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs.

Jess Reiser - Owner Burial Beer Co.

July 27, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Asheville, North Carolina

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Cantillon Rose de Gambrinus was one of the first beers that caused me to reflect on the process and begin to truly appreciate beer as a craft.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Burial Beer Co., finds infinite inspiration from brewing Saisons.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

I would say a saison - from there I would crack coconuts, find mangos, pick hibiscus flowers, and other edible to do infusions to keep it interesting. I believe saisons to be one of the best styles for adjunct infusions.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Well, I am just one of many people who plays the music at Burial - it ranges from death metal to David Bowie.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Truly, most Belgian breweries - De Dolle, Cantillon, Rochefort, Rodenbach - although we also brew American styles, our inspiration and passion lies in Belgian ales and Saisons. The process and the history behind beer in Belgium is fascinating and a constant discovery for us.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

We love Huell Melon, El dorado, and Mosaic hops.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

Burial. For me, its a combination of a place for my kids to feel welcome, a way for me to try the new beers we have on, plus I am just the most comfortable there. It's my home away from home - truly.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Owning a brewery or any small business, I imagine, is like having a child. It is a full time, around the clock commitment for a life time - you make a ton of sacrifices, it is stressful and challenging, but at the end of the day, for those willing to rise to the occasion, it makes you a better person and is worth every bit and then some.

10. Dogs or cats?

Kids and beer.

Trevor Rogers - Founder De Garde Brewing

July 09, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Our brewery is located on the Oregon coast, just outside of Tillamook.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

That's a difficult question! It's certainly been awhile... I suspect it was Rodenbach. Can't recall which though! Really, I came from a wine background and a good friend introduced me to a broad range of great beers, both domestic and imported, in a short period of time. The excitement and desire to be involved happened very quickly.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Probably our Lambic inspired beers. The process of making the wort is such a small part of the creative process. The beauty is in the long transformative maturation and fermentation. Seeing the slow progression over time as different strains of our local yeast and bacteria exert their influence is inspiring. The final composition is also one of the most challenging and artistic things that we do: selecting barrels, sampling, and ultimately hoping that the composition expresses itself as desired and imagined. We quite simply don't have control as most breweries do because of the complex nature of honestly wild fermentation, and the extreme breadth of organisms creating a unique 'ecosystem.' We have to embrace the beauty of being ultimately submissive to the beer.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

Drie Fonteinen Oude Geuze.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

No music. I like hearing what happens around me, and I find a beauty in the presence of the barrels and my thoughts without the interruption of extra sound.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Another difficult question... The traditions and history (and expertise!) of Cantillon, and the unparalleled blending skills of they and Drie Fonteinen are humbling. Likewise, Tilquin came out of nowhere and blew my mind.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Well, we love our three year old Oregon grown Cascade and Willamette hops. Put them in almost every beer! Probably more to the question though (hops that actually provide character to the beer), we've been very much loving dry-hopping with Azacca recently. It seems to provide a wonderful ripe stonefruit and tropical character to complement the citrusy notes in many of our ferments. Ask me again next week, and I'll possibly have a different answer. We like to try new things.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

Either home, or our taproom. Home, to relax and think about the beer. Our taproom to socialize and share beer with like minded beer drinkers.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Be ready to work incredibly hard. Be prepared to sacrifice a lot. Be aware that you will almost certainly make a modest income. We consider ourselves the most fortunate brewery around because of the modest recognition and success we achieved, and the market was decidedly less competitive when we started than it will be in the next couple years. But passion, love and great product go hand-in-hand, and are always apparent to the consumer I believe. If you've got those, the first pieces of advice aren't a burden.

10. Dogs or cats?

Cats. Well behaved dogs may apply as well.

3 Daughters Brewing

June 15, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

3 Daughters is located in St. Petersburg, FL, about five blocks away from Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. Our tasting room is at 222 22nd Street South, but our beers are sold on draught and in cans throughout the state of Florida.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Our owners actually come from the retail side of hospitality with Mike having a long history at Outback Steakhouse and then owning his own Italian restaurant on Beach Drive. With a focus on farm to table recipes, our introduction to craft beer came in the form of a beer battered fish. At that time, our Head Chef, Ty Weaver, was an avid home brewer. When he made the blonde ale that went in our fish recipe, we decided to put the rest on tap under the name "To Be", as in whatever Ty wanted the beer to be. That beer and subsequent others began to outsell our domestic beers on tap. That is when we decided to sell our interest in the restaurant and move full time into the craft industry.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Just like a parent is not supposed to have favorite children, so we shouldn't (in theory) have a favorite beer. When asked, our head brewer will talk about a lot of beers but his favorite came down to the Stern Line Stout because of the rich aroma during the boil.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

We asked around the brewery to see what everyone would say...

Ty (Head Brewer) - Stern Line Stout; Mike (Owner) - Stern Line Stout; Leigh (Owner) - Belgian Dark Strong; John (COO) - Bimini Twist IPA; Chris (Sales) - Rod Bender Red

There really is something for everyone!

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Depending on what music you hear when entering the brewery, you can guess who got there first to open. If you hear bluegrass, Susan or Tim may have turned the music on. If you hear Rock, Captain Steve (one of our brewers) is in charge of the tunes. That is definitely playing during the day while they are brewing. However, if you hear any country music, it is a good bet that Mike, Ty or Leigh had control of the playlist that day.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Everyone has a different answer to this story. At 3 Daughters Brewing lots of breweries have given us inspiration and assistance. We appreciate all the help given by Cigar City who came by before opening and gave very helpful suggestions. They have led the craft beer revolution in Tampa and it is awesome that they are also great people. As we were designing our tasting room in 2013, we went to Asheville, North Carolina, and toured many breweries including Highlands Brewery, Green Man, Wicked Weed, and a few others. They are all great but we were inspired by Wicked Weed who we consider true innovators and leaders in the market.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Using Cascade in several of our beers like the Beach Blonde Ale and it works really well.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

We love to go to other craft breweries when we have spare time. It is great to support the craft beer industry and taste what others are doing.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Ask others for help and advice! Find the breweries that are leading the industry and ask them for assistance. The craft beer community is closely connected and everyone is willing to other breweries. We have given others our business plan and are glad to let others come in and learn from our experience. Biggest advice: ask others who've done it before you.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs!

Maria Cabre-Delfino - Head of Treatments J Wakefield Brewing

May 03, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

In Wynwood, on 24th Street between NW 2nd Ave and North Miami Avenue.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

As crazy as this may sound, it wasn't a particular beer, but more about what was happening with beer and food and the way that craft beer has evolved. It's become almost as big as wine.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

My favorite style to brew so far has been our Russian Imperial Stout, La Nada. A lot of work gets put into it.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

This really isn't a fair question... But it would have to be Stone's Xocoveza Charred.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

I have no favorite. We listen to everything from 90's alternative to old school hip hop to oldies. I'll jam to anything really.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

I really love the way Cigar City has set the bar for treatments. Everything I've had of theirs tastes like what it says it will; and that's the way it should be. Don't call it something and have it taste nothing like it.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Citra. I love Citra.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

KUSH. Always a fantastic variety of beers and they show local breweries love.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

The same advice I'd give to someone wanting to get into the food industry; you have NO idea what you're getting in to. It's a test of physical and mental strength on a daily basis. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I love what I do.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs. But my Bengal cat is pretty awesome.

Jay Goodwin - Co-Founder and Director of Blending & Brewing The Rare Barrel

April 06, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Berkeley, California.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Natty Ice. Once I had that I realized something had to change.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

IPA. No, but seriously folks. Sour beer of course! Brewing this style means working without a net. By that I mean not a lot of research and best practices are published in this area. That's tough, but it also means we're on the forefront of learning a lot more about what may be the most complex alcoholic beverage fermentation out there.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

I guess in this scenario it pretty much has to be a Pilsner. A great island beer! How about an outstanding local option: Faction Pils from Alameda's Faction Brewing? Come to think of it... they're already on an island, so if I get my choice of island, I'd pick that one!

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Whoever's doing the most monotonous job gets to pick the music, but if it's me, I'll choose The Black Keys... Or 90's boy bands on Fridays.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Hard not to pick The Bruery here since I worked there for 4 years. I don't think we'd be making sour beer today without that experience. They continue to make world class beers! I also love my fellow California brewers: Cellarmaker, Societe, Russian River, and Firestone Walker, along with the Belgian Geuze blenders.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

We do a dry-hopped sour beer called Egregious that has 5 lbs. of Amarillo per 59 gallon oak barrel. The idea of hops in a sour sounds egregious, but dry-hopping doesn't impact much bitterness so the fruit can shine through on top of the acidic beer.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

The promotion of one CA ABC permanent license (favorite place to drink beer) by another permanent licensee (Jay of The Rare Barrel), on social media or otherwise, is the giving of "something of value" (i.e., advertising). That is a violation of tied-house restrictions and a technical licensing violation ... according to the law in California. That being said, Berkeley is home to many great food/beer spots people should check out after they visit The Rare Barrel.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Getting into the craft beer industry is a great idea if you love beer and hate money. Do it for the love of the game, but just be sure you're really in love. Being an accountant an a homebrewer sounds nice most days, too.

10. Dogs or cats?

I'm reading this question and I don't get it. "Dogs or"? What does that mean? Usually there are two viable options in an either/or question and I'm not seeing that here. Sorry.

Aaren Simoncini - Founder Beer'd Brewing Co.

March 31, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

The Beer'd Brewing Company is located in Stonington, CT. Just about as far Southeast in the state that you can go. We're housed within an old velvet mill that operated until the mid 90's. It's a very unique building that now houses artist studios, a glass blower, a cheese maker, and us!

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

This is a tough one because it happened back in college, and my memory these days is shot! I'd have to say, at the time I started to venture into the world of "better beer" I was drinking a lot of Long Trail and Saranac. I'd have to call it a tie between both companies' IPA's at the time.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Based on our offerings, I'd say that the Double IPA is my favorite style to brew. I love the variety of hops available and how they can be so nuanced and different. There's nothing like dumping pounds of pungent hops in to a boiling kettle and just living in the aroma they provide the brewery for the rest of the day.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

I'd have to say the Bissel Brothers Baby Genius would fit the bill. I'd assume it's an island based in a warm climate, so I could slug these all day and still handle my business making fire, catching fish, and working on a killer base tan.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

It changes almost daily! If you asked my staff, they would without a doubt say Modest Mouse is in the highest of rotations. We also like some Rise Against and Thrice once in a while.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

I hate to be cliche, but Hill Farmstead has definitely had a heavy influence on how we operate here at Beer'd. We have an extremely limited distribution footprint, brew a bunch of highly sought after hoppy beers and don't package for sale anywhere other than the brewery. I admire the business Sean has built for himself up there in VT and I thoroughly enjoy his beers anytime I get my hands on some.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

If I had been quick to answer this, back when it was originally sent, it would have been Nelson Sauvin. It's such a unique flavor profile and our fans come specifically searching for our Hobbit Juice DIPA. Recently I've been playing with Azacca not only in a single hop fashion but also as a blend with some other infamous players. I really enjoy the super ripe mango character that this hop lends to the big yet clean double IPA malt profile.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

One of our best accounts is the Engine Room in Mystic, Ct. I love stopping there because it's on my way home, they always have beers that I've never tried, and everyone knows your name when you walk in.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

I'd have to say to find some experience and learn as much as you can from someone who's been there and done that before making the leap. It's a fun industry to be a part of and it's consistently changing as flavor preferences, ingredients, and techniques change. Just be ready to roll with the punches and adapt easily.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs, no explanation necessary.

Megan O'Boyle - Brewer Cigar City Brewing

March 02, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Tampa, Florida

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Someone once handed me a Deschutes Black Butte Porter and I never looked back.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Saison: it's such a diverse style category. You can do just about anything with a saison! Dry it out for a light and refreshing beer, use seasonal ingredients such as herbs, fruits, and vegetables, make it hoppy... Get creative and have fun.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

I could drink Zombie Dust from Three Floyds all day, every day, and that's a no brainer.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

I'm guilty of listening to a LOT of My Morning Jacket.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Definitely 7venth Sun. The owners Justin and Devon taught me so pretty much everything I know about brewing and I will forever be grateful to them for that.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Galaxy, hands down. I love the intense passion fruit aroma.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

If I'm not sticking around the Cigar City tasting room, you can probably find me at Pour House. It's close to home and they always have a great selection of craft beer on draft and in cans.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Do your research. Know what you want to get out of it before you take a job and be willing to do plenty of grunt work. Make sure you love to clean!

10. Dogs or cats?

I love my cat, but she's a jerk (see: cat). I'll go with dogs on this one.

Troy Casey - Founder Casey Brewing & Blending

February 23, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Glenwood Springs, Colorado. About 3 hours west of Denver.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

That's really hard to say. It was probably a culmination of many. When I worked at Bristol Brewing Company in Colorado Springs 10 years, I was exposed to many styles. It was there that I really started to think about making it a career. I still remember drinking their Red Rocket Pale Ale and telling people, "it's like an IPA, but lower alcohol!" It was so amazing to me.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Fruited farmhouse ales, like our Fruit Stand ™ series. Making farmhouse ales is so much fun, but then take it a step further using whole local fruit, it just makes sense to me. Getting to meet the growers and walk in their orchards picking out what variety and crop you want. There's nothing better.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Hip hop! Anything 1986 to 1994.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Cantillon. I love their brewing philosophy and beers - who doesn't? Their use of whole fruit and old world brewing methods are great to see still in use today.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

3-5 year old whole European noble hops for making Belgian-style sour beers.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

The Brick Pony in Basalt, CO. They have Coors Banquet on tap. Enough said.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Brewing, for most, is a hobby that quickly becomes a job. That's okay, but it's not for everyone. Volunteer as much as possible before completely changing your life for a small amount of pay.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs all the way.

Doug Constantiner - Founder Societe Brewing Co.

February 16, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

San Diego, CA.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Rogue Chocolate Stout. I remember it vividly.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

The simpler the better. Brewing is though and has a lot going on. If I can avoid extra nuts and bolts, it's great.

Credit: @fourbrewers c/o Societe Brewing Co.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

The Harlot. The Harlot is a Belgian Extra Pale Ale at 6% ABV and it is the first beer that we brewed at Society. It is desert island worthy (trust me).

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Everything from bluegrass to death metal to country. We're an eclectic group.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

It's hard to only name one. Probably Russian River Brewing Company. My pallet aligns with their flavor profiles really well. Additionally, I like their approach to beer and business.

Credit: @Instapint c/o Societe Brewing Co. — Credit: @Instapint c/o Societe Brewing Co.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Amarillo.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

Here at the tasting room. It's great to hang out with co-workers after the day is done. Plus, we've made good friends with our regulars and it's nice to catch up with them.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Definitely work at a brewery for at least one year before you consider starting your own place.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs!

Nik Mebane - Brewmaster Wynwood Brewing Co.

February 09, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Our brewery is located in the Wynwood Arts District in Miami, Fl.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

I grew up in Pennsylvania so I was raised on Yeungling lager. By the time I was 21 I had been into beer for a while and going to different festivals but still couldn't get in to really hoppy beers. Even Sam Adams Boston Lager was on the bitter end of beers that I could handle... until one time at an even after a beer show I was handed a double IPA, called Edgar, made by Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport, PA. I don't know why this particular beer affected me the way it did but I remember after drinking it I knew that my palate was forever changed. After that, hops became a major part of my life.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

I love brewing the big beers; 9% and up. The ones with two mashes to one boil. Yeah its more work, longer day, etc., but it just makes the beer taste that much better.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

Either Magic City Pale Ale (my favorite beer style and a recipe based on a beer I drank almost exclusively for close to a decade) or Father Francisco (a recipe based on Duvel, another one of my favorite beers).

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

It all really depends on the mood and time of day in the brewery. We start really early, so in the mornings I like something a little more mellow, maybe some Pink Floyd or Sublime. If we are hustling around and have a ton of work to do, we may need something more up-beat like some punk rock or metal. But one safe thing to say about the music selection in our brewery... anything goes! You never know what you might hear.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

That is definitely a long list, but I have to say that Sierra Nevada is at or near the top of that list. I had a chance to visit their new facility in North Carolina and I was blown away. The amount of thought they put into recycling energy and water is just awesome. They have also become one of the largest craft breweries in the Country, yet they still don't budge on quality... I will never turn down a bottle of their pale ale.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Something amazing and hard to get... Simcoe, Falconer's Flight, anything from New Zealand. Some of those hops have an absolutely amazing flavor and aroma.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

I'm a dive bar kind of guy (as long as they have decent beer!) After work I like a nice quiet place with some decent scenery. Anything outside and by the water will work.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Go down to your local brewery and volunteer. There is A LOT more to this job than just brewing beer. Get a feel for what it involves on a daily basis, then decide if that is something you REALLY want to to do. Especially when you start out, you are going to be doing back breaking work for very little money. Still interested? Start reading. Working in a brewery encompasses many different fields: microbiology, chemistry, and engineering to name a few.

10. Dogs or cats?

Fish.

Patrick Rue - Founder The Bruery

February 02, 2015 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

The Bruery is located in Pacentia, CA, and Bruery Terreux, our new sour and funky spin-off brewery is located in Anaheim, CA. I grew up in Orange County and am proud to be able to make a contribution to the local beer scene.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

My first craft beer experience was Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale and Black Butte Porter, I don't remember which one came first but they were within minutes of one another. I was a teenager on a family trip in Sunriver, Oregon. My first sip gave me respect for beer - that there is something distinctive in craft beer, something waiting to be discovered. I'd like to think that paved the way.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Our barrel-fermented sour beers are probably where I get the most enjoyment from the process. Each barrel is a microcosm, and if we told you that we understood exactly what was happening internally, we'd be lying. The range of flavors, the impact of time, and the importance of blending make them really exciting for me.

Photo Credit: Cambria Griffith; Courtesy: The Bruery — Photo Credit: Cambria Griffith; Courtesy: The Bruery

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

Tough question! Victory Prima Pils is a beer that I would have a tough time getting tired of, and of course goes great with hot and humid weather on this island I'm stranded on (if it's not a tropical island, I'd like to change my answer!).

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Back in the day when I was brewing routinely, I liked it to be quiet. No music.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Another tough question! Lost Abbey/Port Brewing has had a huge impact. They were the first local brewery to prove that small, specialty, brewery-only releases can generate a lot of excitement and passion from customers. They had the first membership club (that I can recall), and that inspired our Reserve Society. They make a wide range of delicious beers, from sours, to IPA's, to robust bourbon barrel aged beers. They have a great crew that has always been willing to help us out. Thanks Lost Abbey crew!

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

We aren't very hop-centric, though we do love our hops. The only single hop beer that we make on a routine basis would be Rueuze, which is brewed with aged Willamette hops.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

My local spot is Amazing Grapes in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. I love places where I can get some beer for home and also get a pint while I'm there. The beer guy, Daniel, does a great job. They have a rotating selection, a lot of hoppy beers, so it's tough to go wrong there.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

This advice applies mostly to those starting their own breweries. Be an expert, find an area where you're able to make a contribution, and work your ass off! This industry doesn't have any room for people who don't know what they're talking about. It doesn't have a lot of room for people who are simply following trends created by others. It certainly doesn't have any room for people who aren't willing to give it their all.

10. Dogs or cats?

Definitely dogs! I have a black English lab, Ollie.

Brian Faivre - Brewmaster at Deschutes Brewery

December 29, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

It all started at our pub in downtown Bend, OR in 1988. About 1 mile away, alongside the Deschutes River, is our production facility which was built in 1993. We also have a pub in Portland, OR that opened in 2008.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Mendocino Brewing's Blue Heron Pale Ale. I remember being fascinated by the aroma, flavor and bitterness of this beer compared to the beer you find at most college gatherings. Around the same time I had just purchased my first home brew kit. After a lot more college and a different career I landed my first professional brewing job 8 years later. But I always trace it back to my original home brew experience and the craft beer available in the Bay Area of California that inspired me to a professional brewing career.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

I really enjoy brewing some of our specialty beers. Hop in the Dark, The Abyss, and our Imperial Black Butte Porter Anniversary series. These beers are very challenging from an ingredients point of view, and really test your brewing skills and this is why I enjoy brewing them so much.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

I'd go with the Dissident. The automatic replenishing system would create some unique blends over time.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

This is akin to asking what your favorite beer is. Depends on the weather, my mood, and what is going on around the brewery. But I've been known to move the dial between bluegrass, rock, alternative, R&B/rap to classic 80's.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Recently it has been Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project - I love the awareness and education that they are bringing to the sour and "wild" fermentation. I've also been inspired by Boulevard Brewing regarding their brewing systems and the talented and fun staff that is employed there in KC.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Mirror Pond Pale Ale - 100% Cascade

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

At Shifties - our Deschutes Brewery production facility lounge that includes 10 taps - 2 which are cask and 1 nitro handle. We always have a great selection and I love to shoot the bull with my fellow co-owners. We truly have a great group of people at Deschutes Brewery.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

This is a great question. Remember that there are so many things a craft brewery needs from brewers, QA, packaging, maintenance, sales, marketing, IT, finance, etc. So you don't necessarily need to be a brewer. However, if being a brewer is your goal - get your feet in the door at someplace - don't take no for an answer. Find out if it is the career for you. I know it was for me.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs all the way.

Doug Dozark - Founder/Brewer at Cycle Brewing

December 22, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

We have 3 locations, the first was our original spot at Peg's Cantina in Gulfport, we still brew half of our beer out of there for now. The brewery at Peg's will be transitioning into our version of a side project called Orange Belt Brewing, headed by our lead brewer Eric Trinosky, in early 2015. The main tap room is the other half of current production called Cycle Brewing located in downtown St. Pete. The 3rd spot is our small warehouse currently under construction, we are expecting to increase production slightly but mostly focused on spirit barrel-aging, we do have a different warehouse for wine and brett barrel-aging as well but it is truly storage. Both warehouses are in or near the Dome industrial park in central St. Pete. By March 2015 we should be running 3 complete breweries.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

I would have to say that craft beer didn't draw me in so much as macro beer pushed me out. There was no epiphany and in fact I was very reluctant to try brewing. My interest in craft grew out of college parties with something that I liked to drink rather than choking down whatever cheap beer we could find, 30 'stones for 8 bucks anybody? I drank a lot of Guinness (a favorite of shotgunning) and Saranac, going to school in Potsdam, NY, that was what was available. I grew up in Iowa, lived in extreme Northern NY and then moved to Florida all at times when those were craft beer wastelands. When I traveled I would always look for something new to try and from there I would say I started really exploring craft beer without realizing that it was part of a trend or the movement it has become. The reason we turned Peg's into a brewpub was because I had a part time job at Starbucks working the drive thru and needed the extra money, it didn't become all about the beer for me until I was working full time at Cigar City bottling barrel-aged beers and drinking fresh IPA. After that it became a personal challenge to make my favorite beers and it was a bitter struggle for years, double IPA is still destroying my ego on a regular basis.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Favorite to brew is probably Fixie, simple, easy to hit consistent numbers and all that Simcoe smells pretty good. As far as favorite to create, that really varies, its not really a particular style that I like to work on as much as I find satisfaction in making what I set out to make. I find making great hoppy beer, IPA, Pale Ale, and recently double IPA to be some of the most maddening, there is so much to making hops really shine and as much success as we have had it still hasn't erased from my memory all of the failures and mediocrity I created of the dread of continuing to stumble in this vein that I desperately want to be great at.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

I would probably take something like Fixie, drink it all day, stay a little hydrated but able to get drunk enough to forget my plight by the end of the day.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Unfortunately, I am not a music listener when I work. I am generally happy with silence. I don't think it's a zen thing, I just think I get focused on my work and like it that way. If I can tune it out, classic rock or stuff that I have heard a lot, it doesn't bother me but Screamo and music I detest will actually drive me bonkers and distract me so the sound of pumps running or the burner howling is all I really want. A smooth running operation is music to my ears.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Lots of breweries have inspired me, it really depends what part of my career you look at. Oskar Blues was my first job, it was a laughably brief job, but I can't express how much I learned from and still respect my old boss there, Jeremy Rudolf, for teaching me all that he did. After that, Wayne Wambles at Cigar City, I worked with Wayne for several years and while I think we differ a lot in how we approach a brewery and even recipe creation he taught me a lot about creativity in brewing and pushing boundaries, not to mention I really learned all aspects of brewery operations there. I would say Hill Farmstead is the most recent, Shaun has had a great influence on my approach to certain styles and I really value his knowledge. Other breweries that I don't know well but I do get some inspiration from are Perennial and Side Project, wonderful beers and I like their business model; Westbrook, delicious boundary pushing beers and a Gose in cans, fuck yeah. I also get some inspiration from New Belgium, their QA/QC program is truly excellent, the sour blending - fantastic, and top of it all they're environmentally conscious growth and development on site is even more impressive than the brewery in my opinion - who builds a waste water treatment plant and methane recapture system? I would say the combination of all those breweries and more has helped me understand what kind of brewery I want to be in terms of size, beers, and ethic.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Whatever I can get. Hops are the most infuriating raw material to source. A lot of our IPA's are almost single hop beers, to my palate, single hopping with the right hops can really give a bright hop character that almost always get muddled with blending. I worked at a brewery that was all about layering in different hos to create complexity but it turns out I have simple taste and generally prefer single hops or very limited blending. Fixie is mostly Simcoe, Freewheel is mostly Nelson Sauvin, Crank is mostly Citra, Hammer is mostly Mosaic, we also have a Unicycle series where we have showcased a few different hop varieties.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

Lately my favorite place has been at Cycle. Depending on the day, we weren't working down there so it's a change of pace and on top of that we have a lot of regular customers that are nice to see, sitting on the sidewalk on Central you never know who you will run in to.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Depends what that person's goals are really. I hear from a lot of people looking to open a brewery and to them I usually say make sure you have a good product and can stay within yourself financially, opening a business is expensive and a brewery can be even more so, stainless isn't cheap. For folks just looking to work in the craft beer industry I say: work hard and be flexible, the brewery runs on the beer's schedule, not a persons. I got my job at Cigar City by volunteering for nearly 3 months, 20-30 hours per week just to be a part of it, it was luck that I had the kind of flexibility to do that, but I don't think I could have walked into any job there any other way. Brewing is work, it takes some physical strength but I think the mental fortitude to stay focused and mind the details in all aspects, especially cleaning is harder. In looking at staff, dedication is the most important factor for me, a trained chimp can run brewing process but a dedicated individual is hard to find.

Brewing to me is the best job in the world; there isn't much I would give it up for, there are so many wonderful aspects to this industry and if you aren't enthusiastic about that to the point where it seems perfectly reasonable of spend hours scrubbing the tops of tanks and the floors then maybe this isn't the right industry. For folks looking to be a head brewer someday, that most important thing I have learned so far was how to be honest with myself about what I create. It sounds so simple but I found it really challenging to criticize myself honestly (not the same as harshly), it is open depressing but I don't know how you improve and make a truly great product without that ability. Sadly, more often than not, at this time new brewers will share a beer they are convinced is fantastic and it is loaded with technical flaws. I am still not sure what the appropriate response is because I know I hate it when I get criticism I'm not prepared for, but it is clear to me that they are lacking any objective view of their beer and I worry about that trend.

10. Dogs or cats?

Falcons

Khris Johnson - Head Brewer at Green Bench Brewing Co.

December 15, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Downtown St. Petersburg, Fl

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Stone Ruination. It has just come to Florida and I was at lunch with my friend and his family after he graduated from college. The waiter asked if we liked craft beer and I hadn't really had a lot of craft beer in my life, so naturally as a 21 year old I said, "yes." He poured the bottle into a glass and it was so bitter that I couldn't drink it all. I had no idea so much flavor could be put into a glass. At that point, I knew that I wanted to learn everything I could about making beers that were that aggressive and flavorful.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Farmhouse ales. There's no real definition for the style so it allows for infinite variances. Probably more so than any other beer style. They can be virtually any ABV, any color, almost any acidity level or hop profile; and you can use basically any form of mixed culture or single strain that you'd like. They do very well in stainless or in wood for primary, and they're excellent on fruit, spices, treatments, wood, and micro flora post fermentation. They're great clean, they're great funky, and they can be as complex as any beer out there, even when it's a simple. low ABV beer.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Right now? Aweseom Mix Tape #1. Guardians of the Galaxy is my jam.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

This is a difficult question because I find myself inspired all of the time by so many different breweries. I'd have to go back to Stone, first. I'd had good craft beer before drinking their beers, but non that affected me quite like Ruination, Sublimely Self Righteous, and Arrogant Bastard. Those beers changed me as a person. After having them (all on separate occasions) I was reminded of how much I don't know in the world. When it comes down to it, I'm an insignificant moron in a vast universe of unknowns. Whenever I began to think that I had it "all figured out," these beers individually brought me back to reality.

The second brewery would be Cigar City. Hunahpu's gave me a similar experience. A few other breweries that I admire and draw inspiration from would be Russian River, Jolly Pumpkin, New Belgium, Crooked Stave, Trinity, Wicked Weed, Allagash, Three Floyd's, The Rare Barrel, Jester King, Evil Twin, Prairie, The Bruery, New Glarus, AC Golden, Anchorage, 7venth Sun... Yeah... Just to name a few...

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Cascade. It's by no means my favorite hop, but we know more about it than most American hops and I don't usually like many single hop beers. Hard to go wrong with classic.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

I hardly ever want to get a beer after work, but if I had to choose, probably Cycle Brewing. They're five blocks from my brewery, it's really low key, dimly lit, rad beers, and I can usually be alone for a few minutes.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Spend time working in a brewery. Get experience brewing on a system, cellaring, packaging, barrel aging: everything. Learn the practical process before jumping in. It's complicated. In the meantime, drink a lot of different beers and come up with a niche that you love. Focus on what you do well and allow your passion to shine through. Last, do not be afraid to ask for help.

10. Dogs or cats?

I own neither. I'm not a pet person, honestly. I love other people's animals, but I chose to forego the responsibility. I guess you could say I dislike them equally.

Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergso - Beer King/Founder of Evil Twin Brewing

December 08, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Everywhere and nowhere. I don't own a brewery but brew all over the world from my own recipes under my own label. I have two main breweries I use, Two Roads in Connecticut and Westbrook in South Carolina.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Rodenbach and Saison Dupont. When I tasted them many years ago, I realized how diverse and flavorful beer could be and haven't looked back since.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

I don't know if I have a favorite style to brew but people tell me I'm really good at making stouts. It's a fun style because you can do so much with it, there is pretty much nothing you can't do. You can play with yeast, spices, fruit, etc.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

The classic answer, but I mean it: Orval. Such a perfect beer in so many ways. Hoppy at first, turns funky almost. It's like many different beers in one bottle. I have always said "Orval is magic."

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Again, since I don't own the breweries I usually listen to what is being played. I have realized that by far the most popular "brewery music" out there is hard rock or heavy metal. I guess it goes well with the noise and the hard work!?

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

won't say a certain brewery inspired me more than others but the American craft beer scene in general has been very inspiring to me. I love the approach of taking classic styles and making them your own.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

I have done two and not for the sake of the hop but for the sake of the beer. I actually find the single hop thing a little silly unless it's for a purpose of making the beer better, different, and more interesting. I did an all Brett fermented beer with Nelson just because I thought the hop and yeast would work really well together and I just did an Imperial India Pale American Wheat Lager with Mosaic.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

At home. I love going out, but being at home relaxing with a good beer (or wine or cocktail) is enjoyable.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Be prepared to work your ass off. It's a fun, but also fast moving and very competitive scene. The breweries I see have the most success are the ones that work the hardest. Some think craft beer is so popular now that you can just start a brand and lean back; but that is definitely not the case!

10. Dogs or cats?

one, I'm not much of an animal person. My wife just got a dog, so I guess I will have to say dogs...