Khris Johnson - Head Brewer at Green Bench Brewing Co.

December 15, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Downtown St. Petersburg, Fl

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Stone Ruination. It has just come to Florida and I was at lunch with my friend and his family after he graduated from college. The waiter asked if we liked craft beer and I hadn't really had a lot of craft beer in my life, so naturally as a 21 year old I said, "yes." He poured the bottle into a glass and it was so bitter that I couldn't drink it all. I had no idea so much flavor could be put into a glass. At that point, I knew that I wanted to learn everything I could about making beers that were that aggressive and flavorful.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

Farmhouse ales. There's no real definition for the style so it allows for infinite variances. Probably more so than any other beer style. They can be virtually any ABV, any color, almost any acidity level or hop profile; and you can use basically any form of mixed culture or single strain that you'd like. They do very well in stainless or in wood for primary, and they're excellent on fruit, spices, treatments, wood, and micro flora post fermentation. They're great clean, they're great funky, and they can be as complex as any beer out there, even when it's a simple. low ABV beer.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Right now? Aweseom Mix Tape #1. Guardians of the Galaxy is my jam.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

This is a difficult question because I find myself inspired all of the time by so many different breweries. I'd have to go back to Stone, first. I'd had good craft beer before drinking their beers, but non that affected me quite like Ruination, Sublimely Self Righteous, and Arrogant Bastard. Those beers changed me as a person. After having them (all on separate occasions) I was reminded of how much I don't know in the world. When it comes down to it, I'm an insignificant moron in a vast universe of unknowns. Whenever I began to think that I had it "all figured out," these beers individually brought me back to reality.

The second brewery would be Cigar City. Hunahpu's gave me a similar experience. A few other breweries that I admire and draw inspiration from would be Russian River, Jolly Pumpkin, New Belgium, Crooked Stave, Trinity, Wicked Weed, Allagash, Three Floyd's, The Rare Barrel, Jester King, Evil Twin, Prairie, The Bruery, New Glarus, AC Golden, Anchorage, 7venth Sun... Yeah... Just to name a few...

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

Cascade. It's by no means my favorite hop, but we know more about it than most American hops and I don't usually like many single hop beers. Hard to go wrong with classic.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

I hardly ever want to get a beer after work, but if I had to choose, probably Cycle Brewing. They're five blocks from my brewery, it's really low key, dimly lit, rad beers, and I can usually be alone for a few minutes.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Spend time working in a brewery. Get experience brewing on a system, cellaring, packaging, barrel aging: everything. Learn the practical process before jumping in. It's complicated. In the meantime, drink a lot of different beers and come up with a niche that you love. Focus on what you do well and allow your passion to shine through. Last, do not be afraid to ask for help.

10. Dogs or cats?

I own neither. I'm not a pet person, honestly. I love other people's animals, but I chose to forego the responsibility. I guess you could say I dislike them equally.

Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergso - Beer King/Founder of Evil Twin Brewing

December 08, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

Everywhere and nowhere. I don't own a brewery but brew all over the world from my own recipes under my own label. I have two main breweries I use, Two Roads in Connecticut and Westbrook in South Carolina.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

Rodenbach and Saison Dupont. When I tasted them many years ago, I realized how diverse and flavorful beer could be and haven't looked back since.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and why?

I don't know if I have a favorite style to brew but people tell me I'm really good at making stouts. It's a fun style because you can do so much with it, there is pretty much nothing you can't do. You can play with yeast, spices, fruit, etc.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

The classic answer, but I mean it: Orval. Such a perfect beer in so many ways. Hoppy at first, turns funky almost. It's like many different beers in one bottle. I have always said "Orval is magic."

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

Again, since I don't own the breweries I usually listen to what is being played. I have realized that by far the most popular "brewery music" out there is hard rock or heavy metal. I guess it goes well with the noise and the hard work!?

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

won't say a certain brewery inspired me more than others but the American craft beer scene in general has been very inspiring to me. I love the approach of taking classic styles and making them your own.

7. Single hop beer - which hops are you using?

I have done two and not for the sake of the hop but for the sake of the beer. I actually find the single hop thing a little silly unless it's for a purpose of making the beer better, different, and more interesting. I did an all Brett fermented beer with Nelson just because I thought the hop and yeast would work really well together and I just did an Imperial India Pale American Wheat Lager with Mosaic.

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

At home. I love going out, but being at home relaxing with a good beer (or wine or cocktail) is enjoyable.

9. What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

Be prepared to work your ass off. It's a fun, but also fast moving and very competitive scene. The breweries I see have the most success are the ones that work the hardest. Some think craft beer is so popular now that you can just start a brand and lean back; but that is definitely not the case!

10. Dogs or cats?

one, I'm not much of an animal person. My wife just got a dog, so I guess I will have to say dogs...

Joe Reyes - South Florida Beer Man for Lagunitas Brewing Co.

September 15, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is the brewery?

At the end of the rainbow. Lagunitas Brewery is nestled in Petaluma, California (Sonoma County). Our second brewery is in Chicago, where Tony Magee, proud father of Lagunitas comes from. Both taprooms are wide open to visitors Wednesday through Sunday for beers, cheers, and hangovers.

Joe Reyes.  Photo Credit - Julia Rose Photography — Joe Reyes. Photo Credit - Julia Rose Photography

2. What was the first beer that made you realize that craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

That's an easy one. Last Snow from Funky Buddha. I was at a point in my life where happiness (for lack of a better word) was being pulled from me every day at the brewery where I had been working. I would escape work and drive 45 minutes north to Oakland, Florida to get my share of Last Snow. It was John Linn, now Brand Director for Funky Buddha, who first introduced me to it. Linn’s honest nature and passion for beer sparked my drive to find a new brewery to call home. Thanks John!

3. What is your favorite style and why?

As of late I've been swinging by M.I.A Brewing, Wynwood Brewing, and Biscayne Bay Brewing. These guys have character and it shows in their brews. Styles are for home brewers and academics. For us and the dudes mentioned above, they are jumping-off points for further improvisation.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

How amazing would that be, huh?! You have a sick mind Craft Commander, I dig it! Lagunitas Czech Style Pilsner. Its delicate, crisp, and easy to drink. Tony Magee best describes this brew as “the child you put through college because it will become something someday. Where ales are street, lagers are ‘haute couture’. Where an ale might hit you over the head and take your wallet, lagers donate to charity and adopt stray cats. While an ale might steal your car and try to date your daughter and keep her out all night for who-knows-what-purpose, a well-bred lager would offer to clean your house while you’re on vacation and leave fresh chocolate chip cookies and coffee for you when you return. Now, don’t get us wrong, ales can be a lot of fun to hang out with when you’re in the mood, and if you have bail money on you. But what’s wrong livin’ uptown from time to time, on the nice street, where the doormen all wear those funny uniforms, the air smells like flowers, and lagers rule the Earth.”

5. What's your favorite music to listen to on the job?

All types of music. Really it all comes down to the day, mood, and strand. Lately it has been lots of Sublime, Green Day, and Chet Faker sprinkled into the mix. I am currently listening to Cypress Hill – (Rock) Superstar at Wynwood Brewing with Alex G-Money (Taproom Manager). Tony Magee is very musically minded. You can find him jamming out on stage with his band at most Lagunitas brewery parties. Come out to Fat Cats in Ft. Lauderdale 9/20 and rock out with us! Party starts at 11pm.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

According to Urban Dictionary, to “inspire” means to infuse with spirit. Based on that definition Luis Brignoni, Founder of Wynwood Brewery, is an inspiration to me. Talk about determination and drive. Building and managing a brewery is no cake walk.  I will give you an idea of what a day in the life of Tony Magee (our founder) was in 1994, six months into the business. Keep in mind he had a fulltime job in printing, his only source of income at the time. He had bought one additional fermentation tank and needed a fourth one to keep up. Days went something like this: He would mill grain around 9pm the night before a brew, wake up at 3 am, mash-in at 3:30 am, knock out the kettle at 7:30 am, clean up by 10 am, and then do printing work all day--- sometimes even while making keg deliveries, after which he would often fly to L.A. overnight to meet printing customers at the plants to approve press runs, while still doing brewery business the whole time. So next time you drive by Wynwood Brewing swing by and give those guys a high five for me. There is more than just beer in our bottles. There is hard work and love for this craft.

7. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

Where the bar is the best seat in the house.

8. What is on piece of advice you'd give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

If you want to dive into this industry and decide that the supplier side is where you belong, check with your liver first. Start by researching breweries you find interesting and relatable. Find the one that best matches your lifestyle, full of like-minded-people like yourself. Oh and you must enjoy the liquid. That’s a fact. In our case we have a reputation as quirky and irreverent, with a let-it-all-hang-out ethos. I’m living the American dream. I work for a brewery that encourages us to think freely and gives us a license to party. Tony says it best “We are in the tribe-building business. Beer just happens to be our common currency”. Craft beer is as prosperous now than ever. Expand your knowledge by tasting beers, follow your pallet.

9. Dogs or cats?

Dogs 110+%. Loyal. Honest. Loving. Fun. We are all stray dogs roaming through life looking for the right places to call home. Lagunitas is made of a bunch of strays who have had their share of ups and downs. This is why every Lagunator you meet is humble, kind, and proud of the beer they represent.

10. Best place to eat after a night of debauchery?

Stray dogs love the Waffle House.

Vince Tursi - Brewer Night Shift Brewing

August 04, 2014 by Marco Leyte-Vidal

1. Where is your brewery?

We're located at 87 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA. We used to be at 3 Charlton St, Everett, MA, but recently expanded from the old 2,400 sq. ft. spot into a very spacious 16,000 sq. ft. location with a taproom the size of our old spot. Essentially, just outside of Boston.

2. What was the first beer you had that made you realize craft beer was going to be a bigger part of your life?

There were two moments, actually. One was the drunken bet with an old neighbor that got me started homebrewing years ago. The other was the moment I tasted the first beer I had brewed...and subsequently lost the bet. The beer was insanely awful, but it lit the biggest fire under my tush to just keep trying harder and harder. Haven't stopped striving to be a better brewer since that first magnificent failure of an Octoberfest. I just shivered thinking about it...blegh.

3. What is your favorite style to brew and Why?

Barrel-aged mixed-fermentation farmhouse ales. So that'd be where you pitch Brett and/or bacteria at the same time as your primary yeast. The whole process is very time consuming, as it takes months to fully mature, but the finished product is so enjoyable. We just packaged one, actually, so that's pretty great timing (Farmer's Funkadelic is the current working name). The style is so wide open and easily manipulated by time and blending. Each barrel turns out slightly different, and the blending to create a harmonious union of flavor and complexity is easily the best part.

4. If you were stranded on an island (with a working refrigerator that automatically replenished itself) and you could only have one beer for the rest of your life in that fridge, which would it be?

Wow, that's a really good question. If it was canned and super fresh, probably RPM from Boneyard. Seriously, though, I'd love it if they ever get on that canning train...and then send some here.

5. What is your favorite music to listen to in the brewery?

There's always a bunch of us in the production space, so we usually go for Alternative/Rock radio stations on the interweb. I'll throw out a few bands we usually cycle through: Surfer Blood, Har Mar Superstar, Cold War Kids, Tame Impala, Modest Mouse, Cake, Mr. Gnome, STRFCKR, Cut Copy, Hot Chip, Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Arcade Fire, Family Crest.

6. Which other brewery has inspired you the most? Why?

Oh man, I'm gonna go ahead and list 3, because there's literally no way I could choose just one.

1) Lost Abbey - Tomme Arthur is the man, Gwen Conley is doing amazing things with their QC program on a consistent basis, and the entire staff is just incredibly welcoming and thoughtful. Great group of people making really killer beers. Their flagship offerings are great, but their barrel program, Brett program, sour program, and experimental beers are really where they shine. Essentially, they make great straight-forward beers, and killer "niche" stuff.

2) Jester King - Every single person there is insanely kind and knowledgeable. Seriously, every correspondence with them leaves me with more knowledge and a HUGE smile. Plus, their transition of moving to strictly using a house culture of wild yeast obtained from their land...just whoa. One of the ballsiest moves from a brewery as of late, and they're absolutely killing the game in terms of reinventing the wheel. They're constantly using innovative techniques most other breweries are terrified of, and they have such an impressive brand. All-around champs.

3) Ale Apothecary - Paul Arney is just doing such amazing things with a seriously small setup. All wild ales? Practically the only time it touches metal is in the kettle? Everything is barrel-aged for extended periods of time? You fell a tree and carved it out to use as a lauter tun? Paul also runs a really open and forward attitude with his brand. It is just so refreshing to see someone so open about the struggles he's going through in order to create such an amazing product. Totally humbling.

7. Single hop beer – which hops are you using?

Pacific Jade or Southern Cross. Just the best spread of spice/fruit from each of them. So good!

8. Where is your favorite place to get a beer after work and why?

Probably Cambridge Brewing Company. Will Meyers is the man and Jay Sullivan runs a really tight ship. Solid barrel program and always a great tap list. Plus, ya know, support local. Honestly, though, most after-work beers end up happening here. We're all huge beer nerds and end up sharing our absurd cellar collections pretty often, haha.

9. What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone who thinks they want to get into the craft beer industry?

I hate it when people say this, but that person probably has no idea as to what they're getting into. I mean that in the nicest way possible, and certainly don't mean to deter anyone from ever following their dreams. That being said, this job is literally 90% cleaning and scrubbing. The craft beer industry is basically comprised of glorified janitors that just so happen to know a thing or two about fermentation. How much do you love cleaning tanks and sweating for 12 hours or more in 80%+ humidity? Is that totally and completely your jam? Blue collar work at it's finest, and it certainly isn't perceived that way by the average person. Having said that, this is the most rewarding and gratifying job I've ever had, absolutely no contest. I'd never trade it for anything in the world, and I haven't regretted it for a second.

10. Dogs or cats?

Dogs. No contest.