One of our favorite community partners and amazing beer makers, Sun King Brewing recently celebrate eight years in business. They launched a year before Indianapolis Fashion Collective (PATTERN’s precursor) came into existence, so it’s like we’re cousins or something. 😉
Not only does SK make some really tasty beer, but their community partnership program is something to behold – they’ve been supporting our events since 2011!!
We got a chance to photograph a few members of the SK team, as well as co-founder Dave Colt. Lookin’ good, guys! Lookin’ good!
DAVE COLT
Official title: Co-founder & Head Brewer
Do you remember trying your first beer and what you thought of the experience? I remember stealing a sip of beer from my stepdad. I remember thinking “Yum”.
What’s your favorite SKB beer? Osiris is my daily beer but there’s a soft spot in my heart for Grapefruit Jungle.
What’s your favorite food that you love to pair with your favorite beer? Anything that humans can consume.
How many beers are too many? Whatever Johnny Law says. Is that even a thing? But please drink responsibly.
GRETCHEN FERRINGER
Years with SunKing: Almost four years full time, five if you count my year of part time.
Official title: Canning Line Operator/ Fork Lift operator
Is working in a brewery different than what you thought it would be and why? Yes. It’s so much better than I thought it would be. I have learned a lot of new skills, and knowledge. And, I’ve gained an extended family, which is awesome.
Do you remember trying your first beer and what you thought of the experience? Yes, I was 21, and thought it was terrible. LOL. It wasn’t until I was introduced to craft beer that I actually discovered I like beer.
What’s your favorite SK beer? House Beer: Osiris, Seasonal/Specialty Beer: Pachanga
What’s your favorite food that you love to pair with your favorite beer? I love to have an Osiris when I am enjoying Thai food of any kind.
How many beers is too many? Is this a trick question? LOL! It depends on the day, just be responsible when you drink.
EMI GRINVALDS
Years with SunKing: Almost two (in September)
Official title: Assistant Brewer
Is working in a brewery different than what you thought it would be and why? Brewing is a tough job. It’s a lot of cleaning, and scrubbing, and lifting 55 lbs bags of grain up the stairs. The steam makes everything hot and sticky. But it’s satisfying seeing people enjoy our beer. I smile every time I pass a case stack at a grocery store or I see people with cases of Sunlight or Wee Mac in their carts.
Do you remember trying your first beer and what you thought of the experience? I think that my first beer experience was when I went to Tobago with my family and I was about 12 years old. Every time we ate somewhere I would drink like four ginger shandies. Near the end of our trip we found out that they were close to 3% ABV. I thought they tasted good because the ginger was spicy, but I guess I liked them for other reasons too.
What’s your favorite SunKing beer? Hard to choose, if I got three choices I’d say Cherry Busey, Oktoberfest, and Osiris.
What’s your favorite food that you love to pair with your favorite beer? I don’t like to make rules about what foods necessarily go with different beers because sometimes the weirdest combinations work. I prefer pairing beers with experiences. Like when I’m doing yard work at home I must have a Founders All Day IPA. For brunch I love a Stiegl Radler with a shot of gin. My post work shift beer will always be an Osiris.
How many beers is too many? Eight.
TERENCE SHACKLEFORD
Years with SunKing: Five years this summer.
Official title: CANbassador
Is working in a brewery different than what you thought it would be and why? No. This is exactly what I hoped it would be. Challenging, fun, hard work, and a great end product.
Do you remember trying your first beer and what you thought of the experience? I do. Sitting on a cooler with my uncle. I loved it. Until everything started spinning and I had to go to bed. I was 4.
What’s your favorite SunKing beer? Osiris and all our Kings Reserve releases.
What’s your favorite food that you love to pair with your favorite beer? Pizza. Or anything that is being grilled at the time.
How many beers is too many? It’s too early to tell.
ANDY SEXTON
Years with SunKing: 1 1/2
Official title: Assistant Brewer
Is working in a brewery different than what you thought it would be and why? It’s pretty much what I thought it would be. A bad day in the brewery is still ten times better than a good day in a cubicle!
Do you remember trying your first beer and what you thought of the experience? I remember not liking it too much.
What’s your favorite SunKing beer? Timmie or Osiris
What’s your favorite food that you love to pair with your favorite beer? Burgers on the grill.
How many beers is too many? Depends on the situation. Camping with buddies involves a few more than dinner with the wife.
TYLER DeKEMPER
Years with SunKing: Almost 5 years
Official title: Cellerman
Is working in a brewery different than what you thought it would be and why: I did not realize how much work goes into everything. It’s not just drinking all day. A lot of hard work and long hours go into every aspect of brewery life.
Do you remember trying your first beer and what you thought of the experience: First beer was red dog that I stole from my uncle when I was 10. Thought it was horrible
Favorite SunKing Beer: Osiris is my fav beer
What’s your favorite food that you love to pair with your favorite beer: Spicy food and IPA
How many beers is too many: As long as you’re not driving. There’s no such thing as to many.
DUSTIN BOYER
Years with SunKing: Seven years
Official title: Operations Manager
Is working in a brewery different than what you thought it would be and why? I can’t remember a time where I didn’t work in a brewery!
Do you remember trying your first beer and what you thought of the experience? My first craft beer was Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Most magical thing to hit my lips.
What’s your favorite SunKing beer? Pachanga
What’s your favorite food that you love to pair with your favorite beer? TACOS TACOS TACOS
ANDREW HOOD
Years with SunKing: Three years
Official title: Wood Cellar Manager
Is working in a brewery different than what you thought it would be and why? Working in a brewery is different than what I thought. It’s not a job it’s a lifestyle. Most people don’t understand that.
Do you remember trying your first beer and what you thought of the experience? I don’t remember because I was an infant but I can tell you the second time I tried beer was in 6th grade. It was Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. I thought it was great and loved the taste. I’m sure that is a reason why I’m in the brewing industry.
What’s your favorite SunKing beer? I have two that I love. 666 Sympathy for the Devil and Cherry Busey (Sun King King’s Reserve Series beers).
What’s your favorite food that you love to pair with your favorite beer? Mexican Food with anything malty or hoppy.
How many beers is too many: Never too many!
