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

I am co-founder (with Jim Sampson) of the Twisted X Brewing Co. in Austin, Texas. I started homebrewing several years ago, and then we turned a uniquely Texas idea into a new, first-of-its-kind craft brewery idea—Tex Mex Beer.

What’s new at Twisted X?

Our whole brewery is new. We just started commercially selling our craft Tex Mex Lagers here in Central Texas on May 5—Cinco de Mayo. We’ve established our pilot brewery with three initial flagship beers and two seasonals. We recently completed our initial run on a summer seasonal called Siesta prickly pear lager.

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

The sense of openness and genuine willingness to help each other along with easy access to really great beer across Texas. We are proud to produce a uniquely Texan (Tex Mex) line of new craft brews.

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

Anything adrenaline-related (mountain biking, kayaking, adventure racing, wakeboarding, surfing), and spending time with my kids and family.

What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?

Matt’s El Rancho street tacos (tacos al pastor) with Twisted X Fuego jalapeño Pilsner.

What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?

Helping take a high-tech software company in Austin from startup to 250 employees and getting purchased, which led to the craft brewery birth.

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

I’m mostly a hop head. I like Inversion IPA from Deschutes and Uncle Billy’s Hop Zombie, as well as 512 Pecan Porter (barrel aged).

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

A trip to Jamaica (Ocho Rios) where we were able to score some local beer in between scuba and rum adventures.