When did your passion begin?
My passion for beer began on my first brew day. As an employee at Frothy Beard, everyone gets a brew day. You spend the day learning the process by studying the equipment on hand. That was it; I wanted to know everything. I asked a million questions and at the end of the day my final question was, “What do I have to do to get back here?” Seeing how much creativity, science and hard work inspired me. Trying new beers and figuring out complex flavors became a driving force.
People think of beer as a man’s world. Why is that incorrect?
Beer is for everyone and made by everyone. Sadly, some people don’t see it that way and that’s why there are some amazing groups like Pink Boots, Brave Noise and Brewsters that encourage others to get into the brewhouse. Women have always been a big part of the beer world. Sometimes people forget history.
What’s it like working with Frothy Beard?
Working at Frothy Beard has been a wild ride. Starting as a beertender and working my way into being a keg washer and now head brewer, has been challenging, but oh-so-rewarding. It’s also like working with a massive family. We all get along and genuinely enjoy being around each other. My favorite part is how we have each other’s backs. The owners and I have worked side-by-side for almost seven years. They gave me the tools I needed to get here and actually listen to me. I feel heard and respected, which not everyone is lucky enough to have. One awesome thing about Frothy Beard is they have always had a female in their brewhouse — even from the start and are always ready to host a Brewster day or Pink Boots collab day.
Did you think this would be your career choice?
Growing up, I never really knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. It always changed, but it was always centered around being creative. I was a hair stylist for a long time and was an educator in a hair academy. When I moved to Charleston, I worked in a salon and didn’t love it. I was bored, so I got a job beertending at Frothy Beard. Never in my life did I ever think I would brew beer for a living.
What’s your favorite part of brewing?
Brewing craft beer is this magical journey of combining different worldly traditions and styles with flavors from all over. In this day and age, it has never been easier getting unique ingredients from all parts of the world, which is why creativity just keeps flowing. Seeing an “out there” idea come alive and enjoyed by so many people is my favorite part. In the same breath, trying to re-create and make my own versions of traditional styles is equally rewarding. Beer brings people together and there is no better feeling than watching someone taste something you’ve created and say, “Wow, that’s fantastic!”
