What’s your current position at your brewery, and how did you get started in the craft brewing industry?
I’m the head brewer at Geneseo Brewing Company in Geneseo, Ill. I got my start in St. Louis apprenticing under a former Hofbräu München brewmaster.
What’s new at Geneseo Brewing?
We release anywhere from three to six new beers a month, anything from a Polish Grodziskie to a Lime Milkshake IPA. We’re always releasing new experimental and traditional brews.
What’s the best part of being a part of the craft brewing community?
I love collaborating. We do a lot of collaboration brews with other breweries, homebrewers, local businesses, and nonprofits. We even released a beer recently with Team USA ATV Motocross. They came in to help brew a beer to celebrate their third consecutive championship.
Name a favorite food and beer pairing.
It’s so hard to pick just one. Either a taco flight with a Yep Yep IPA or a nacho burger with a Viking’s Beard Amber Ale sounds great right now.
What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?
I’m a proud dad to four kids who are growing up way too fast. It’s very rewarding to see them grow into great people.
What’s your favorite beer from another brewery?
Schlafly Pale Ale was my introduction to craft beer. It will always be my first choice on any tap list.
What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?
I co-host a beer industry podcast with Royce Barnett called What’s Tappening and a weekly radio segment with the same name. Even when I’m not at my brewery, I’m usually spending time at other local breweries and promoting independent craft beer any way I can.
What’s the most memorable travel destination at which you’ve had a chance to sample the local beer?
Last year I traveled to Chicago for the Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer and Kveik Fest. I spent a few days before and after each event visiting some breweries that don’t get as much attention. Every time I’m in that area I feel like I hear about a dozen new breweries. There’s so much great beer coming out of there right now. I highly recommend the District Brew Yards if you’re visiting the area.