My passion for fermentation all started in 1995 when Joe Gula told me he brewed his own beer. Intrigued, I agreed to make Joe’s favorite dinner, macaroni and cheese from a box and fish sticks, if he would teach my husband and me how to brew. We bought the equipment and fought over Papazian’s New Complete Joy of Homebrewing. I still remember the pure exhilaration when we popped the crown on our first batch, Cheeks to the Wind Mild, and it tasted great. Soon thereafter we formed BTCE, Inc. (short for big time corporate executives), the corporation doing business as Great Fermentations of Indiana. Back then we had 900 square feet, one employee–me and three voluteers, my husband and two sons. Now we have three full time employees, a part time packager and 4000 square feet. We have come a long way in these 13 years, thanks to our customers. I strongly believe in giving back to the community that supports us so well. I have served on a trade industry board (never, ever again!). We donate to charities and give beer to different causes. I am a volunteer technical editor for Brew Your Own Magazine. I help organize the Indiana State Fair Brewers Cup, an amateur and professional beer competition with about 1000 entries. I earned my beer judge certification in 2006 and volunteer to judge at competitions when I can get away from the store.

All-in-all, I have never worked more hours a week at a job but have never enjoyed my job more. I can say that I really like my boss. It is a gift that my avocation is my vocation.