What’s your current position at your brewery, and how did you get started in the craft brewing industry?
As cruise director at Dirigo Brewing Company [in Biddeford, Maine], I handle paperwork and finances, coordinate non-production scheduling, work with vendors, and set up special events. My husband, Tom, and I both make sales calls. We both work shifts in the tasting room. I got started in the craft brewing industry when I fell in love with, and then married, a brewer.
What’s new at Dirigo Brewing?
Tom and I recently became 100 percent owners of Dirigo Brewing Company. More than ever, we are focused on production of classic continental lagers. We recently brewed our first all-Maine-ingredients beer. Also, we are working with new food trucks, and we are very excited about that.
What’s the best part of being a part of the craft brewing community?
The people! So many dedicated, collaborative, bright, creative, helpful, and inspiring people in the craft brewing community. Because of them, even on the worst days I am grateful that I chose to pursue a life and work in the community of independent craft beer.
Name a favorite food and beer pairing.
Pheasant with venison sausage and dunkel.
What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?
Convincing my father, who is almost 80, to look at things differently and make some changes necessary to improve the quality of both his life and my mother’s.
What’s your favorite beer that your brewery does not produce?
Gneiss Sonnenschein or M nchshof Schwarzbier.
What’s the most memorable travel destination at which you’ve had a chance to sample the local beer?
Brussels, Belgium in the summer of ’99. I wasn’t really fond of beer then, but what I found in a pub in Brussels were beers of exceptionally high quality served to me by friendly staff. I enjoyed a few with patrons who were delighted to see how much I appreciated their finely crafted local suds. They saw that they were winning a “convert.” They convinced me to take part in some late-night tripels, which I am sure made the experience all the more amusing for them.
What do you like to do in your time away from the brewery?
Dirigo turns one in August, so I do not spend much time away from the brewery. I do love to swim, hike, play with my dog, and do yoga (which I do at the brewery). When we can, I very much look forward to returning to Central and Eastern Europe’this time with my husband.