What’s your current position at your brewery, and how did you get started in the craft brewing industry?

I am the marketing director at Twisted Pine Brewing Co. [Boulder, Colo.]  I handle press releases, social media and events. My first venture into the craft beer industry was selling homebrewing equipment on the internet. I sold customizable six-pack carriers, crowns, bottles and other nostalgia. Later I landed an internship with the Brewers Association and learned some valuable lessons on how to work with the media in the most beneficial way for both organizations. A friend from the BA recommended me for a job at Twisted Pine and the rest is history.

What’s new at your brewery?

We just built a pilot system! This gives us the ability to produce a much wider range of beers and experiment without risking losing a substantial amount of product. We have five rotating taps in the Ale House so there is a constant need for new brews.

What’s the best part of being a part of the craft brewing community?

The best part of the craft beer community is the people. Friendly, interesting and overall enjoyable people are all attracted by this niche.

What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?

Boulder is just two hours away from some of the best skiing/snowboarding in the world. Any time I’ve got a day off, I try to make it up to the slopes.

What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?

Our Billy’s Chilies beer with a heaping pile of nachos. It seems so simple, but it’s so good. I’m also a huge fan of porters and barbecue.

What’s your favorite beer that your brewery does not produce?

I love Belgian beers. While we have 15-16 different beers on tap in our Ale House at any given time, I still crave the fruity, peppery, funky characteristics you get with a Belgian yeast strain.

What’s the most exotic travel destination at which you’ve had a chance to sample the local beer?

I was just in Peru and had the opportunity to sample fermented sugar cane spiked with every fruit you can imagine. Although delicious, these drinks were all extremely sweet leading to a pretty serious headache the next morning.