What’s your current position at your brewery, and how did you get started in the craft brewing industry?
We are co-owners of Huss Brewing Co. in Tempe, Ariz. Jeff was head brewer for BJ’s Brewery for seven years and Leah was the managing partner at Papago Brewing Co. for 11 before we struck out on our own to open Huss Brewing Co. We are now the fastest-growing craft brewery in Arizona in our third year.
What’s new at Huss Brewing?
We recently purchased a Wild Goose 600 that has helped speed up production of our canned beers. We also just announced that we will be opening a second location in Central Phoenix and we recently acquired Papago Brewing Co., for whom we have been contract brewing for the last three years.
What’s the best part of being a part of the craft brewing community?
The best part of the craft community is the willingness of friends in the industry to help out or give advice. What an amazing industry that we get to work in.
Name a favorite food and beer pairing.
Is there really anything that doesn’t taste awesome with beer?
What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?
For both of us, our biggest accomplishment is our five-year-old daughter, Lola Belle!
What’s your favorite beer that your brewery does not produce?
It has always been Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.
What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?
Leah is a trail runner and Jeff likes to play disc golf.
What’s the most memorable travel destination at which you’ve had a chance to sample the local beer?
For Jeff, it was Munich when he was at the Doemens Academy and fell in love with the beer and the city. For Leah, it was a trip to Cantillon and Frank Boon in Belgium.