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

I am the president and brewer at Crow Peak Brewing Company [in Spearfish, S.D.]. I started in the craft brewing industry by enrolling in the American Brewers Guild Apprenticeship program. Once the apprenticeship was completed, I jumped right in and founded Crow Peak Brewing Company in 2007.

What’s new at your brewery?

We recently expanded our brewery capacity by installing a 30 bbl brewhouse and 60 bbl fermentation vessels as well as purchasing a canning line. We are now the only brewery in South Dakota that is distributing our product throughout the state in both draft and packaged form.

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

I like the feeling of contributing to our continuously evolving beer culture. There are so many excellent beers for people to choose from and I enjoy our beers being part of those choices.

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

When I have time away from the brewery, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Carolyn, and my daughters Madeleine and Isabelle. I also like to get out with friends and do some rock and ice climbing as well as hunting. The Black Hills of South Dakota provide a great location for these activities.

What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?

Pizza Vallarta and Swamis IPA from Pizza Port Solana Beach enjoyed with good friends of course.

What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?

Besides having a beautiful family, I would have to say attempting to climb Mount McKinley in Alaska. Although we didn’t summit due to weather, we had a mountaineering experience I will never forget.

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

There are so many good ones out there, but a seasonal favorite of mine would have to be Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale.

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

Last year’s trip to Harbin, China was very memorable. We got to drink beer from the Harbin Brewery as well as beers from local brewpubs. Mongolian Hotpot with a Harbin Brewery lager was pretty memorable.