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

I am co-founder, head brewer, and overseer of brewery operations [at Kalona Brewing Co. in Kalona, Iowa].

What’s new at Kalona Brewing Co.?

Our new facilities manager, Micah Seale, and our new honey wheat beer, Good Day Sunshine.

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

Brewing beer and the resulting relationships.

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

Read, garden, cycle, fish; not necessarily in that order.

What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?

Everything goes well with beer. One of the simpler pairings I like is Thai green curry with our lean and mean IPA, Sucha Much.

What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?

I received a U.S. patent for a quick release drum head (musical) hardware that I designed and invented.

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

Wernesgr ner in Germany makes a serious Pils. St. Bernardus Abt 12 is pretty amazing. Avery makes some incomparable barrel-aged beers. I guess I don’t have a singular favorite.

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

In the U.S., Hamilton’s in San Diego was pretty awesome when I visited a few years ago with its broad range of local beers that were killer. Vancouver B.C. has a great beer scene. Central City Brewers really stood out.