About
I‘ve been with New Holland for 6 years now. I started out as a young brewer at the production facility while it was on Fairbanks where I learned just about everything that I know working under John Haggerty. I also was working under two drunkards named Jake and Joe. Jake and Joe taught me about all of the important things in life such as not needing a bank account (cash can buy anything!), women (well sort of..), liberty (sexual freedom), a hard work ethic (far fetched, but the truth) and most importantly how to get on and off “the train” (drinking). What I would soon discover about all of these things, most importantly drinking, or getting on and off the train, is that “what didn’t kill me made me stronger”. (believe me, I almost died several times or at least I like to think I did). To this day I believe that my “education” in these areas has made me the man I am today… I know… wow…
Eventually I took the Pub Brewing position at our downtown pub location where I was able to start helping out in the distillery. I’ve worked as the Pub Brewer and Pub Distiller and “Cider maker” for the last 3 years and have now moved full time into the distillery ( and Cidery). Brewing is where my roots are but I just can’t help but think that there’s something very special in micro distilling. I eat, drink, sleep New Holland and I couldn’t be happier. Although there have been ups and downs for me at New Holland, one thing has stayed constant and that’s passion. I love what I do, and I love having a hand in a successful business that keeps growing, but knows where its’ roots are.
Besides my time at New Holland, I’ve lived with my heterosexual life partner, Adam LeClaire, for going on 4 years now. Time flies when your not sure what time it is… I also have two Vizslas (Hungarian Short Hair Pointers) named Barley and Rhye. I love to cook, I love anything that has to do with water and the outdoors, and I also love drunken garage sale-ing with my life partner Adam LeClaire. I like to think I’m a Cheese maker, Sausage Stuffer, Gardener, and Smoker of all things good because these are hobbies I’ve started but have yet to perfect. (well technically I haven't started stuffing sausage, but I plan to soon!!) I love good music and I'm always looking for more. I have a two year old niece, Chloe, who I love and adore and she lives with me at “Barley and Rhye’s house” part of the time along with my brother Jonathon who I also love and adore… most of the time… We also have a new roommate named Uncle Louis. (If you would like to meet uncle Louis please contact Adam LeClaire, he would be happy to introduce him)
Favorite Beers:
Not a good question.
I have different beers for different occasions. Whatever the mood suggests...
Today after work I think I will have a Hatter.
Favorite quotes:
“The human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers.'
-Cliff from Cheers
“ROCK ON!!”
-anonymous
"The Spirited Life, Deserves a Spirited Drink"
-New Holland Artisan Spirits
"We are buried beneath the weight of information, which is being confused with knowledge; quantity is being confused with abundance and wealth with happiness. Leona Helmsley's dog made 12 million last year… and Dean McLaine, a farmer in Ohio made $30,000. It's just a gigantic version of the madness that grows in every one of our brains. We are monkeys with money and guns."
- Tom Waits on "what's wrong with the world today"
Contact
phone: 616-510-2257
email: ben@newhollandbrew.com
Links
I‘ve been with New Holland for 6 years now. I started out as a young brewer at the production facility while it was on Fairbanks where I learned just about everything that I know working under John Haggerty. I also was working under two drunkards named Jake and Joe. Jake and Joe taught me about all of the important things in life such as not needing a bank account (cash can buy anything!), women (well sort of..), liberty (sexual freedom), a hard work ethic (far fetched, but the truth) and most importantly how to get on and off “the train” (drinking). What I would soon discover about all of these things, most importantly drinking, or getting on and off the train, is that “what didn’t kill me made me stronger”. (believe me, I almost died several times or at least I like to think I did). To this day I believe that my “education” in these areas has made me the man I am today… I know… wow…
Eventually I took the Pub Brewing position at our downtown pub location where I was able to start helping out in the distillery. I’ve worked as the Pub Brewer and Pub Distiller and “Cider maker” for the last 3 years and have now moved full time into the distillery ( and Cidery). Brewing is where my roots are but I just can’t help but think that there’s something very special in micro distilling. I eat, drink, sleep New Holland and I couldn’t be happier. Although there have been ups and downs for me at New Holland, one thing has stayed constant and that’s passion. I love what I do, and I love having a hand in a successful business that keeps growing, but knows where its’ roots are.
Besides my time at New Holland, I’ve lived with my heterosexual life partner, Adam LeClaire, for going on 4 years now. Time flies when your not sure what time it is… I also have two Vizslas (Hungarian Short Hair Pointers) named Barley and Rhye. I love to cook, I love anything that has to do with water and the outdoors, and I also love drunken garage sale-ing with my life partner Adam LeClaire. I like to think I’m a Cheese maker, Sausage Stuffer, Gardener, and Smoker of all things good because these are hobbies I’ve started but have yet to perfect. (well technically I haven't started stuffing sausage, but I plan to soon!!) I love good music and I'm always looking for more. I have a two year old niece, Chloe, who I love and adore and she lives with me at “Barley and Rhye’s house” part of the time along with my brother Jonathon who I also love and adore… most of the time… We also have a new roommate named Uncle Louis. (If you would like to meet uncle Louis please contact Adam LeClaire, he would be happy to introduce him)
Favorite Beers:
Not a good question.
I have different beers for different occasions. Whatever the mood suggests...
Today after work I think I will have a Hatter.
Favorite quotes:
“The human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers.'
-Cliff from Cheers
“ROCK ON!!”
-anonymous
"The Spirited Life, Deserves a Spirited Drink"
-New Holland Artisan Spirits
"We are buried beneath the weight of information, which is being confused with knowledge; quantity is being confused with abundance and wealth with happiness. Leona Helmsley's dog made 12 million last year… and Dean McLaine, a farmer in Ohio made $30,000. It's just a gigantic version of the madness that grows in every one of our brains. We are monkeys with money and guns."
- Tom Waits on "what's wrong with the world today"
Contact
phone: 616-510-2257
email: ben@newhollandbrew.com
Links