How did you find your way to Hill Farmstead? (or, how did you return to HFB?)

I first met Shaun in 2007 at Belgian Comes to Cooperstown, and in 2009, he helped me find my first head brewing job in Denmark. Shaun and I started Grassroots together in Denmark right before he left in 2009. In 2015, Shaun brought me back to the States from England to work as the head brewer at Hill Farmstead. At this time, my wife and I started our brand, Casita, and left Vermont in 2017 to grow it in our home state of North Carolina. In 2024, I was seeking an opportunity to remain in the industry without doing as much physical labor, as I had injured myself that summer, and Shaun offered me the COO position here at Hill Farmstead.

What is different about HFB from ten years ago, and what is the same?

Ten years ago, there was not as much structure in place as there is now. The expansion had just been completed, and the taproom had just opened, and we were learning how to operate in this new space. The company has grown and evolved so much since then. What has remained the same is the never-ending pursuit of quality in the products we create here, and in the experience we try to offer guests and customers.

What is your favorite part about life in the NEK of Vermont?

I love the natural beauty of it all. When I drive to work, I find myself constantly in awe of the beauty of the nature around me.

If you could only brew one beverage, what would you choose?

The answer is beer. It’s always been beer for me. For the last 20 years, I have been in this industry, and I love making beer and brewing.

What motivates you most to get out of bed in the morning? (Besides your alarm clock)

I am driven by a sense of purpose. I get up in the morning and start my day doing something healthy for myself. I exercise and do a little reading. Then I make coffee for my wife, breakfast for my daughter, and lunch for myself, and I head off to work, excited to see how I can be of service to the people at the company and to our customers.

I look forward to my commute because I enjoy the peaceful time to take in the scenic views and mentally prepare myself for the day.

Outside of Vermont, where in the world have you enjoyed living the most?

I think of all the places I have lived–North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Colorado, Denmark, and the United Kingdom–living on Fanoe Island in Denmark was the experience of a lifetime. It was a charming little village with amazing, wide, flat beaches you could ride your bike on. We had the unique opportunity to live inside a 100-plus-year-old power station that had been converted into a brewery/living space with the beer garden all around us. The sun stayed up until midnight in the summer, which made for some memorable evenings, and I just loved the Danish beer geeks. They are a really endearing bunch, and we made a lot of great memories together.

How do you relax outside of the brewery?

I’m a man who has never lacked for hobbies. I love disc golf, board games, video games, film, music, books, hiking, and spending time with my family. I’m also a bit of a foodie. My perfect day off usually involves taking a road trip somewhere beautiful to hike or play disc golf, and then having a nice meal somewhere.