1. Where is your brewery?

Winston-Salem, NC

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

I always had an inclination toward English-style pale ales, was a big fan of Bass Ale and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale back in the day. I've always love spicy foods, so when I home-brewed my first batch beer I decided to dial up on the hops a little bit - that was a honey IPA, back in 1998. Turned out pretty good and I was on my way from home.

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

IPA, no question. My love of spices has inspired to love of hops. It's a fascinating beer style with regards to how you can take a basic malt body and tweak it with hop and make so many different flavors and layers with minor adjustments. It's fun.

4. If you were on a stranded 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 our May IPA of the Month from earlier this year. The azacca and simcoe hops partnered extremely well with the unfiltered medium malt body. It had enough flavor for cold weather but was also very refreshing in warm weather. Which is what we'd have on an island right? The pineapple and tropical fruit notes of that beer would also fit in well on a desert island.

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

I like listening to WNCW, its this eclectic little NPR station in Spindale, NC. They play everything from blues to jazz to the Dead, plus a lot of local artists.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most and why?

Odell Brewing in Ft. Collins, Colorado. I really like their business model - distribution in a limited number of states, limited but very solid portfolio of beers, great tap room. They're also very open with knowledge and willing to share things they've learned.

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

I don't think that way. Besides I don't want the other hops to get jealous.

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

Our pub, because the beer quality is good, customer feedback, you know everybody.

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

Don't. Just kidding. Make sure you're well-funded and have a good plan.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs. Definitely dogs.