Will League, Retail Shop Manager

1. Introduce yourself to the world: Where did you grow up? How long have you been a part of Hill Farmstead? In what areas have you worked before?

I grew up in Richmond, Va. I had been to Vermont several times before moving here in August of 1998.

I have been at Hill Farmstead for a combined 6 years. I started in May of 2018 and worked until the pandemic hit and changed things in March of 2020. I returned again to the brewery in mid-August of 2021.
My work career began in restaurant kitchens. Then, I transitioned to working in Natural Food stores in Virginia, New Mexico, and Vermont. This led me to working seasonally at Riverside Farm in East Hardwick, Vt., for a total of 15 years. Then, I transitioned to driving the box for the Deep Root Cooperative in Johnson, Vt., that Riverside Farm is a part of. I have been a Backcountry Caretaker for the Green Mountain Club in 2002 and 2003 after a Long Trail end-to-end hike in the fall of 2001.

My longest running job is at Stowe Mountain resort where I have worked every winter since November 2000. I worked several jobs at the resort, snowmaking, lift operations, and kitchen work at a mountain-top restaurant. In the winter of 2004-2004, I joined America’s Oldest Ski Patrol, Mount Mansfield Ski Patrol. I have now worked that for 22 seasons, 15 full-time years, with 8 years being a patrol supervisor, and 7 part-time seasons.

2. What are you most likely to be doing outside of your time at work?

I spend time with my 2 children. I love outdoor activities: hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and snowboarding. I love listening to music, and I produce a twice-monthly community radio program remotely from my house called Show of Life on Central Vermont Community Radio (https://www.wgdr.org/)

3. What is a small, overlooked part of the operation that makes Hill Farmstead special and unique?

A major component of the brewery’s success is our attention to detail in all aspects of our operations.

4. Is there a moment from working here that has stayed with you in a particularly memorable way?

I really love it when former Boston Red Sox Pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee, who lives locally, comes to the brewery. He is one of the most interesting human beings that you can have a conversation with. He can go on about any topic with a wild eloquence and a very unique point of view.

5. What small routine or experience with your coworkers is most special to you?

I really appreciate how everyone on our team looks to help each other in any way that we can.

6. What’s your favorite beer and why?

Hard Choice! I’ll go with Of First and Last Things, an IPA featuring Motueka, Nelson Sauvin, and Simcoe. I feel that this IPA is so bright and pops with an amazing flavor. Our main hop provider in New Zealand, Freestyle Farm, really knocks it out of the park with their hops. They are producing some of the most amazing hops in the world!

7. What are you most proud of at Hill Farmstead and outside of work?

At Hill Farmstead, I am most proud of my ability to know a large number of our customers’ names. It started from working with Phil in the Bottle Shop and learning regulars. From our days of credit card and matching ID requirements for limited bottle purchases, to now having our online pre-orders, it has really helped me learn our customers’ names. I am really good at remembering people’s faces, but putting a name to a face offers exceptional hospitality to our guests.
Outside of work, I am really proud of my 2007 Appalachian Trail hike. It took me 165 days from late April to early October to walk from Springer Mountain, Ga., to Mt. Katahdin in Northern Maine. It was quite the adventure!

8. How has the philosophy of Hill Farmstead affected your life?

The aspect of paying attention to detail is the one bit of philosophy that has been my greatest takeaway from working at Hill Farmstead.