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

I am the head brewer and co-owner of Black Cauldron Brewing in Orlando, Fla. Like so many of us, my husband and I started brewing in our garage, in 2010. Since I was from Sonoma and a bit of a wine snob, my husband thought my palate would be helpful in creating recipes. Little did we know we would create a monster, opening our brewery in 2016.

What’s new at Black Cauldron?

We recently began our barrel aging program and released our Russian imperial stout, Demon of the Fall, aged in Jack barrels. Next up is our Witches Broom Barleywine, aged in a bourbon/cider barrel; and a farmhouse ale, yet to be named, fermented with Cab Sauv grape must and aged in a sherry barrel.

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

Our ability to organize for the community. We created the Central Florida Brewers Guild within the Florida guild, allowing all of us to organize and collaborate on everything including charitable events, festivals, and bulk buying power. We’re all very community minded and are constantly coming up with fun ways to give back.

Name a favorite food and beer pairing.

Chicharrones and a nice Kölsch sound pretty good right now!

What’s your biggest accomplishment unrelated to your job?

Before I opened the brewery, I wrote for American Craft Beer. I focused a lot on craft beer and metal, as they go hand in hand. I started interviewing bands who were into craft beer (or had their own) and got to meet a lot of great musicians. We’ve become friends over the years.

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

Jester King’s Atrial Rubicite. Hands. Down.

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

Puerto Rico was such a surprise. Unfortunately, many of the breweries closed after Hurricane Maria, but imagine stumbling upon a brewery in the middle of nowhere that only brews Belgians! HEAVEN!

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

Well, living in Orlando, I’m a bit of a theme park junkie. Also, travel. Literally anywhere, anytime. And, with our brewery just a few hundred feet from the Orlando City Soccer Stadium, we bleed purple for our boys and you can find me on The Wall on game days.