From the time I was old enough to start drinking legally, I have enjoyed craft beer. Before working at my first brewery, I had spent most of my time busing tables trying to make fancy cocktails at a fine dinning restaurant. Then about 3 months after I turned 21, something truly exciting happened in my little town of Rockford Michigan, a craft brewery opened up! Rockford Brewing Company opened its doors right across the parking lot from where I sorted endless bottles of domestic beers for recycling every night.
As someone new to the world alcohol I was beyond excited to go and drink beer in a real pub. I was certain there would be big bearded men cheering mugs of ale and attractive bar maids a plenty. The atmosphere of Rockford Brewing Co is quite pleasant, with its custom wooden trim, including a Michigan pine and Curly Maple bar but my initial idea of what a Brewery would include was a little off the mark. My first beer was poured for me by a slim, fine-featured bartender named Pat, with a pony tail and turtle-patterned glasses. The Pub itself was a hodgepodge of hippies, People in suits, local teachers and sweaty cyclist. Nevertheless, from that first sip of Scotch ale, I was completely blown away! I had no idea that beer could be so bold with such aroma and depth. Between the joy I got from drinking the beer and seeing the jovial yet casual atmosphere of the Pub, I new immediately that this was someplace I wanted to work.
After a few more visits to RBC, to conduct further research of course, I asked for an application for employment. I then interviewed, twice actually, and within 3 weeks was serving tables and learning to pour beer. Since my first days working the floor, almost 5 years ago, the learning curve has been huge but I have loved every minute of it. From serving and bar-tending, I worked my way to becoming Manager of the Pub and began taking on other roles, some I created through observing new needs that surfaced for our growing brewery. The first of which was to become the first Sales Rep at Rockford Brewing Co. My job was a simple one, SELL! In a time when the Craft Beer market was going through a historic period of growth this was no small feat. Through cold calls the networking I accumulated a list of repeat accounts to carry our beer and in my first year I was able to increase our total beer distributed by over 30 percent.
Today I carry the title of Sales Manager at Rockford Brewing Company and have expanded my work to many areas of Brand Management and promotion. I have taken on the role of working with our Chef to promote a farm-to-table menu by partnering with my family farm, Trapp's Farm and several others based locally for seasonal produce. I have worked to educate myself on all areas of craft beer knowledge through the Cicerone program and the Master Brewers Association of the Americas but still crave knowledge! I feel great growth within myself and much progressive momentum in the industry itself. I still think Craft Beer's best days are ahead of it and an hugely excited about it's future, especially in the mitten. Join me as I work to learn more and further educate myself and those around me on Craft beer, its partnership with local agriculture, and its role in a healthy society. Cheers!
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