Brian Cendrowski
Co-Founder & Governor
Entrance music: “Pick up the Pieces” by Average White Band
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you and to hear the lamentations of their women.
First beer I liked: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Proudest beer achievement so far: To have someone come up to me at a beer festival and say they heard they had to try the ghost pepper beer.
Remember: To make time to do more of what you love.
Nicole Cendrowski
Co-Founder & CMO
Entrance music: “Barracuda” by Heart
What is best in life? Carefree timelessness—solo or with family and friends.
First beer I liked: Guinness
Proudest beer achievement so far: When people fondly remember specific beers of ours that they had at festivals and events before we opened—and ask for the beer by name now in our taproom.
Remember: “Fear is useless. What is needed is trust.” -Luke 8:50
Doug Simmons
Taproom Manager & Bar Czar
Entrance Music: “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd most days or “Hair of the Dog” by Nazareth on rare occasions.
What is best in life? Making a difference in someone’s life (no matter how big or small) and of course..my family. Love being a husband and father.
First beer I liked: Miller High Life Pony beers. I won’t say how old I was, but was NOT of legal age.
Proudest beer achievement so far: Being asked and entrusted to lead and serve our awesome taproom team.
Remember: “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” (C. S. Lewis)
“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes” (Oscar Wilde)
“Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely” (Henry Ford)
To lead well is to serve well.
Ken Johnson
Brewer
Entrance music: “The Recluse” by Cursive
What is best in life? When you step outside your comfort zone and feel like you’ve grown as a person, however big or little it may be.
First beer I liked: Goose Island 312 Wheat
Proudest beer achievement so far: Brewed a beer that tasted just like Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
Remember: Always be nice, free of judgment and open minded.
Catherine McElhany
COO & Consigliere
Entrance Music: “The Eagle and the Hawk” by John Denver
What is best in life? A quiet moment to enjoy the beauty of life, preferably shared with those close to you.
First beer I liked: Stroh’s, which I drank out of a mini beer mug while sitting with my father on a warm afternoon. But, my first true beer love has to be Krystal Weizen from when I was living in Germany.
Proudest beer achievement so far: Being welcomed as a member of the Fireforge team!
Remember: “Be weird. Be random. Be who you are. Because you never know who would love the person you hide.” (C.S. Lewis)
Ben Wright
Chef & Kitchen Manager
Entrance Music: “Learning to Fly” by Tom Petty
What is best in life? Around the kitchen table
First beer I liked: Magic Hat #9
Proudest achievement so far: Completing my first wine dinner. In the past, the sommeliers had to help me a lot and over time, I came out of my shell and got comfortable talking about my food and the beverages together. I’ve done several dinners since then, and the som’s can’t shut me up!
Remember: “Cooking is a philosophy; it’s not a recipe.” – Marco Pierre White