This section of our e-newsletter is generally dedicated to highlighting a dynamic local homebrewer but with our third anniversary approaching we thought we would talk to our friend JR about his transition from homebrewer to brewpub owner and see what we have to look forward to.

Brewer, Restaurateur, Managing Partner, HR guy, Plumber, Electrician, Carpenter, IT support...the list is endless, but at least I've taken Kitchen Manager, Banquet Manager and GM mostly off the list.     

Your also very involved with the Georgia Craft Brewer's Guild. Tell us about that and how supporting the Guild helps beer lovers across the state.   

I've been the Vice-President and Chairman of the Membership Committee since the Guild's inception four years ago and am about to term out. The Guild is working hard not only to bring about regulatory change that will benefit both brewers and beer drinkers, but to build a vibrant beer community to bring Georgians the best beer possible. It's very rewarding to see how far we've come as a Guild in just four years and even more exciting to see what the future will bring.  

You started brewing in Atlanta in 1996 at Atlanta Brewing Company and then in 1998 you opened Max Lagers. How has the Atlanta beer scene changed over the years?  Oh my, it's a different world. When I first started brewing in Atlanta, brewpubs were popping up all over: John Harvards, Atlanta Bier Garten, Cherokee Brewing, Percy's Fish House, US Boarder Cantina, Peckerheads... Those are just a few that came and went. Very few production breweries were testing the waters. Craft beer just hadn't hit in Georgia and it was hard going. Those of us who were here at the beginning struggled to win over the people drinking yellow fizzy water and it wasn't easy. But some of us persevered. Today it is much different. It's hard to find a restaurant that isn't carrying some craft beer and most are carrying locals. More production breweries are opening than brewpubs. Thousands crowd into every beer festival out there and there seems to be at least one every weekend these days. Georgia brewers are pushing brewing boundaries and making fantastic beer. It's a great time to be a Georgia brewer. Imagine what it would be like if our laws were a bit more brewer friendly.  

Your advice and friendship to Bob Sandage and everyone on the Wrecking Crew has been a big asset for the Wrecking Bar Brewpub. Why do you think it's important to work together and help one another? It's a clich� I know, but a rising tide lifts all boats. It's hard for people outside of the brewing community to understand our openness with each other...Hell we actually like each other..mostly : ) Really, the sense of community amongst  brewers is one of the main things that made me decide to become a professional brewer. I strongly believe we have to help each other. For the most part brewers don't view each other as competition, but as allies, always pushing each other to be better. Plus you guys are my friends...I always help my friends.