Welcome to our Team – Mike
The Maine Brew Bus has grown again, with the addition of several key members to our faculty. Today we learn about Mike, who has joined us with quite an impressive background of industry work and community service.
When Mike applied to us to work on The Maine Brew Bus, we didn’t quite know what to do. It was at a time in which we felt we were fully staffed, and well before we need more help in the summer.
But one look at Mike’s resume, and we knew we had to meet with him.
Prior experience at Sebago Brewing Company and Maine Beer Company! A background in teaching! An Americorps alum with community service and voluntarily helping others in need! And working on his Certified Cicerone certification!
We met with him, and realized that his varied work and travel experiences had allowed him to develop many valuable skills which would work very well with our guests.
Mike joined us a couple of months ago, and quickly became a key part of our faculty.
His passion for helping people learn enables him to engage with our guests and leave them with a valued experience. He genuinely enjoys discussing and teaching people about all aspects of craft beer.
Mike in front of a recent tour group.
Currently serving as a driver, he soon will be taking over guidance counselor responsibilities as well.
Let’s learn more about Mike, in his own words:
I’m the only one in my family who’s a native Mainer, but not a true Mainer. You need to be third generation born in state for that, but coming from a Navy family, I’m the best we have.
I grew up in Maine’s Western foothills, about an hour due north of Portland.
Like the vast majority of people, I spent my college years drinking whatever was cheapest, usually pitchers of Yuengling.
Occasionally splurging on a pint of Guinness, I didn’t graduate into better beer until my dad took me to the stateside Belgian mecca of Ebenezer’s Pub in Lovell, ME.
That summer I became well versed in dubbels, tripels, quads and lambic. I never looked back. Belgian style beers still hold a special place with me.
I spent a good portion of my 20’s travelling and working for service organizations, rebuilding disaster affected communities in the Gulf South and abroad. Everywhere I went, I was ready to work, teach, learn, and eat and drink in the local culture.
I’ve also spent time in the beer industry, working as an assistant brewer at Sebago Brewing Company and Packaging Manager at Maine Beer Company.
Already a Certified Beer Server, I recently studied and sat for the Certified Cicerone test in Minneapolis.
These days I spend my weeks at a day-treatment school, working with high school age kids with autism and trauma based disorders.
In a perfect world I will always drink Orval at any chance, but the wallet and availability have pushed me to dry, juicy IPA’s and Brett saisons from clean breweries.
Joining the Maine Brew Bus team has given me the opportunity to combine my two passions, teaching and beer. I truly enjoy teaching and learning about beer everyday.
Mike hanging with Ignatius Reilly on Canal St in New Orleans, LA.
Look for Mike on our tours much more this summer, and be sure to thank him for his service with people needing a helping hand.
With students in Haiti after their school was rebuilt by Mike and his team.
Don Littlefield is the General Manager of The Maine Brew Bus. He last enjoyed an Allagash Double U, a wild Belgian blonde ale with Brett that was aged in oak Chardonnay barrels from Napa Valley. Twitter: @BeerinME