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

I’m currently the first-shift hot side brewer at Rohrbach Brewing Company [in Rochester, N.Y.]. My pathway to this second (and amazing!) career wound its way through a decade of dedication to higher education while homebrewing, formal education in brewing science, and taking vacations to crash brew days at various breweries in western New York. A spot opened up and I am so incredibly grateful and fortunate that Rohrbachs took a chance on a new brewer with so little commercial experience!

What’s new at Rohrbach Brewing?

We recently retired our 22-year-old classic German style brewhouse (collection grant and all!) and installed a new, custom-built ProBrew system. It’s a really exciting time to be at Rohrbachs!

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

The support, camaraderie, and sharing within our craft community, as well as the enthusiasm for craft beer in western New York!

Name a favorite food and beer pairing.

Food and beer, period.

What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?

I made it onto Shark Week on the Discovery Channel without having to be attacked by a shark.

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

Right now, I’m a big fan of all things Allagash. We had a chance to visit the brewery last summer and were treated like rock stars. Amazing brews, incredible people, and a truly generous model of relating to industry folk and customers alike.

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

My brother got married in San Diego last summer and there wasn’t a poor pint to be had. I can’t wait to go back and visit!

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

My wife and I enjoy all things food, time with friends and family, custom reclaimed woodworking, traveling, and (randomly) chasing great whites in Cape Cod.