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

I’m the brewmaster and head cidermaker at Lookout Farm Brewing & Cider Co. in Natick, Mass. I started way back in 1992 by volunteering to wash lots of kegs at Harpoon Brewery in Boston. I knew right then that this was going to be my new career going forward!

What’s new at Lookout Farm?

We are building a new brewery at our farm. We had been contract brewing at a local Boston brewery to gain brand recognition in the Massachusetts brewing scene. With the addition of a brewery to our successful cidery, we can give our customers a more diverse selection of craft beverages sourced from the ingredients we currently grow at Lookout Farm. Our newest endeavor is growing our one-acre hop field for future beers.

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

The friendly and resourceful camaraderie that exists in the brewing culture. It was the first thing I appreciated in this industry. While every brewer’s first passion is to make a quality product and run a successful business, we all appreciate the unwritten rule of sharing ideas and knowledge within our craft.

Name a favorite food and beer pairing.

Any Belgian-based beer paired with a nutty cheese, or a tart American wild sour beer with some contrasting foods like cured meats, cheeses, desserts, or seafood, especially the brininess of shellfish.

What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?

My building skills, including renovating my small house and building my dream kitchen. It’s my outlet to take a break from my cool job of brewing beer and fermenting cider!

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

Belgium, France, and Germany. There is so much rustic history, ambiance, and brewing culture woven into the landscape of those countries. Beer and food are part of an everyday experience while visiting there.

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

Build things, art, cooking, cycling, and my dogs.