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

My current position with Wild Rose Brewery [in Calgary, Alberta] is marketing manager. I started working in the craft beer industry back in 1995 at Steamworks Brewing Company in Vancouver, BC, then moved to work for Granville Island Brewing Co. in Vancouver from 1997 to 2004 until I moved to Calgary.  I stayed in the “beverage” industry for a number of years and then came back to “craft” in 2007 with Wild Rose.

What’s new at your brewery?

We’ve just celebrated the launch of our seasonal release for the holidays … Wild Rose Cherry Porter. This beer has been recognized as being one of the best in two different published beer books:  1001 Beer You Must Taste Before You Die (Adrian Tierney-Jones, editor) and World’s Best Beers (Ben McFarland).

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

Being part of a community with a common goal—educating and sharing amazing craft beers with others. As craft brewers we need to stick together and it’s so much fun doing so.

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

Travel and visit more places that can provide amazing taste experiences (beer and food!). Most recent trips have been to Montreal/Quebec City, Boston and San Diego.  It’s a hard life!

What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?

An amazing pairing is BBQ corn on the cob and a hoppy IPA. Unexpected but delicious.

What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?

Successfully re-establishing myself, both professionally and socially, after moving to a new city.

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

Tough one! I’m a big fan of Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Stone’s Arrogant Bastard and Lost Abbey’s Cuvee de Tomme.  In Canada, anything from Phillip’s Brewing in Victoria, BC and Storm Brewing in Vancouver, BC is worth a pint (or two).

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

Three memorable beer destinations would have to be Denver, San Diego and Portland. Three great brewing cities all worth a visit.  The most memorable moment would be enjoying a Casablanca beer on a rooftop patio in Essaouira, Morocco.