Tom is an Eden Prairie High School graduate and grew up just down the road on Dell. He went to Bemidji State University to pursue a degree in Environmental Science. While at Bemidji State, he stumbled upon a co-op that sold homebrew ingredients and started to think, “I could make my own beer?” Buying the book “The Complete Joy of Homebrewing,” he dove head first into the hobby even though he wasn’t 21….everyone at college parties was stoked to try fresh bottled homebrew (once we were all of age, of course).

He graduated with a B.S. degree, worked a few jobs related to it, but in the end, his heart was with beer. He took a tour with his brother in 2009 at Summit Brewing in St. Paul and asked the tour guide, “How do you get a job here?” This is where his professional brewing career began. Tom worked hard on the packaging line doing sample packs and whatever odd jobs he could to fill as many hours as possible. That proverbial foot in the industry door grew to full-time position at Northern Brewer Minneapolis, teaching classes, helping brewers with questions, pilot batching with new ingredients, and retail sales. He responded to a job posting for an assistant brewing position at Fulton Brewing and went for it. He beat out a slew of talented candidates for the job and was so stoked to be at a growing brewery with tons of great talent and leaders. He polished his professional brewing knowledge for over two years at Fulton and worked his way to shift lead brewer. As a far west metro citizen, he heard of a head brewer position opening at Waconia Brewing Company. Even though his credentials we a bit short of the job post, he went for it and got his dream job close to home. Fast forward 7+ years, hundreds of batches, a dozen impressive medals, and a lot of personal and professional growth. Waconia brewing is where Tom fully expanded to become a polished, respected, and well-regarded brewer. He took some time away from brewing to reset and refresh his mind, and it’s time to jump back in with a killer crew and location!

Tom is married to his wife, Miranda, and lives in St. Bonifacius. They have two children who make life so enjoyable and worth living. He enjoys time in the backyard with their dog and chickens, having fires, playing disc golf (and traditional golf…meet you at the simulator!), talking music, collecting coins, and playing board games, especially Dominion. 

He loves all types of beers. Favorite styles are Porters, Pilsners, and Pale Ales.

Cheers!!