What’s your current position at your brewery, and how did you get started in the craft brewing industry?
I am the managing partner, brewmaster, and co-founder [of College Street Brewhouse & Pub in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.]. In college, I was on the path to becoming a lawyer when my roommate moved out. I decided to use the extra space to start homebrewing. I landed my first job in a brewery as a bartender and server, worked myself into the brewhouse, and after three years I attended the Siebel Institute. I returned to Free State Brewing Co. to head up the quality control and yeast propagation lab. After a small stint in Portland, Ore., I was recruited by Barley Brothers Grill to install and manage Barley Brothers Brewhouse before partnering with John Hughes (aka “Pirate John”) to start College Street Brewhouse & Pub. It’s a 30-bbl, four-vessel distribution brewery with a brewpub that seats 144 people.
What’s new at College Street?
We are coming up on our one-year anniversary in November. We have our bottling line up and running and have two beers bottled in six-pack carriers, American Wheat and Sweet Devil Stout. Next to be bottled is Jesse’s Malt Liquor. We sell and distribute our beer in kegs and bottles locally as well as statewide in the Arizona craft beer market.
What’s the best part of being a part of the craft brewing community?
Freedom and autonomy to be creative and collaborate with other brewers, even if they are my competition.
What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?
I always strive to get back to the basics that make me who I am: music, art, and literature.
What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
Authentic traditional Mexican street tacos accompanied by any local beer I can find.
What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?
Raising two beautiful daughters, Jenna and Hannah, with my amazing wife, Dina.
What’s your favorite beer that your brewery does not produce?
Stone Ruination IPA.
What’s the most memorable travel destination at which you’ve had a chance to sample the local beer?
Lawrence, Kansas, drinking my mentor Steve Bradt’s beer with his staff at Free State Brewing Co—a bunch of super cool cats with progressive minds in a very red state brewing awesome beers.