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

I’m the lead brewer at Pikes Peak Brewing Co. [in Monument, Colo.]. I got my start helping on the canning line at Wynkoop Brewing in Denver before attending the Master Brewer Program at UC-Davis under Michael Lewis and Charlie Bamforth.

What’s new at Pikes Peak?

Lots. We are finishing up the installation of a second brewing system and the associated tanks. Our old system is a 10-bbl Premier two-vessel brewhouse, paired with five 10-bbl fermenters and brite tanks, one 20-bbl fermenter and brite tank, two 30-bbl fermenters and one brite tank, and one 40-bbl fermenter and brite. This system will remain online for pilot batches, barrel program batches, and sours/specialties. Our new system is a three-vessel Atlantic Brewing Supply automated system; mash-lauter, internal calandria kettle, and steam-jacketed whirlpool/secondary kettle. We have four 90-bbl fermenters and a brite tank for it, along with a 90-bbl HLT and 60-bbl chilled CLT.

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

Working with passionate, creative, happy, and kind people on a daily basis.

Name a favorite food and beer pairing.

Dinner and low-fills.

What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?

Tie between earning my pilot’s license and getting accepted to medical school (turned down for beer).

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

Anchorage Brewing’s Galaxy White IPA with Brettanomyces.

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

In the Arctic Circle north of Fairbanks, Alaska is a brewery/tap house with one of the largest cellar collections of beer I have ever seen. Silver Gulch Brewery is a good brewery in its own right, but their amazing bottle menu, coupled with the location, make it a true destination taproom.

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

Take photographs, travel, and explore the Colorado brewing community.