After working as a consumer insights and media research expert for the last 17 years, Sarah decided to pursue her true passion for craft beer several years ago. Through classes taken at Bitter & Esters, an award-winning homebrew shop in Brooklyn, collaborating with commercial breweries through the Pink Boots Society, and completing the Concise Course in Brewing Technology at Siebel Institute as well taking beer industry-related courses at the University of Vermont, she spent several years preparing to make this transition. Today, she is answering the call for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the craft beer industry, not only as a Latina brewster and brewery owner, but also by leveraging her professional background to reach, educate, and serve underrepresented communities through her passion and craft.

As an award-winning creative marketer and fiction writer, Mike has found a way to pair his appreciation for beer and beer culture with storytelling across a variety of platforms. In addition to developing the Hot Plate brand and overseeing the marketing of our products and services, Mike continues to find ways for our organization to make a tangible, real-world impact with our neighbors and collaborators in Pittsfield as well as the surrounding towns in The Berkshires. He also serves as a contributing editor for our blog and is responsible for our Crafting Connections series in the taproom, along with all other events.