As the VP Brewmaster for Granite City Food & Brewery, RJ is able to apply his passion for home-brewing into making delicious handcrafted beers for Granite City food & Brewery. Beginning as a Bartender/Assistant Brewer in 2005, RJ quickly rose in the ranks as Brewery Manager for the Kansas City locations to a Field Brewery Manger in 2008. RJ’s responsibilities included company wide training and overseeing of all brewery operations for Granite City Food & Brewer, which implements a patented brewing process, known as Fermentus Interruptus™, offering unique styles and flavors not typically produced by major breweries.

I started working for Granite City in 2005 as their first full time truck driver. After a few years, I advanced into a brewing position. I brewed for several years before being promoted to the Brewhouse Logistics and Operations manager then to a Directors role. At this position I oversee all aspects of the truck department, from safety and compliance, to vehicle procurement and driver supervision. I also oversee the daily brewing operations, shipping operations and Brewhouse administration.

I have been with Granite City since 2013 and perform laboratory testing on the beers from each Granite City location at our laboratory here in Ellsworth, Iowa. I am also responsible for growing all of the yeast needed to ferment our beer. I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Agriculture with an emphasis in laboratory science/microbiology and Mercy College in Des Moines with a degree in Radiology. I consider myself a lifelong learner and enjoy finding new ways to apply my 20+ years of biotechnology and laboratory experience. When I’m not in the lab or brewery I can usually be found knitting, reading or playing and competing in dog agility with my four Pembroke Welsh Corgies.

I started with Granite City in 2011 as an assistant manager and part time brewer. Within a year I was offered a regional brewers position in the company. I now brew in four in the Twin City’s area and oversee four others. With a great passion for our beer and our brewing process I work everyday to ensure our products success.

I studied Viticulture and Enology at M.S.U. which is when I dreamed of opening my very own winery. That is until I fell in love with brewing beer in my brother’s garage. Working at GCFB has definitely increased my excitement for every part of the brewing process. In 2012, I was part of the store opening team at the Troy location as a Chef. Later I moved into the brewery, eventually opening the Northville and Detroit breweries. I am proud to be a brewer in one of the greatest brewing states, for an innovative company, along side with some of the best brewers in the country. This is such an exciting time in brew making history as we build upon the unique culture of craft beer, educating our teams as well as our guests, and sharing the passion with home-brewing enthusiasts! I am honored to assist in the development and education of team members white taste-testing with our guests to better understand and better appreciate the many facets of brewing.