Our Brewers
The most fun you can have with a microbiology degree.
Damian McConn, Chief Brewing Officer
More than 15 years ago, Damian made the enlightened decision to leave the European brewing industry for the bright lights of Minnesota. In addition to his regular brewing duties, Damian supervises the production of our cask-conditioned ales. He also routinely examines our beers to make sure they’re within specification.
Dog person or cat person?
Neither. Likes dogs, but has been bitten 3 times so he’d rather have a horse.
Beer Cred:
- Honors Degree, Brewing and Distilling, Heriot Watt University, Scotland
- Member of American Society of Brewing Chemists
- Member of Institute of Brewing and Distilling, London
- He’s Irish
Mark Stutrud, Brewmaster/ Chief Knucklehead
A native son of North Dakota, Mark changed career paths to help bring back the great brewing traditions of the Midwest.
Mike Lundell, Head Brewer
Mike has worked in many roles at the brewery since 1996. A “Mike of all trades,” if you will.
Melissa Rainville, Brewer
Melissa has been working as a brewer in Minnesota for over a decade. After five years on the north shore of Lake Superior, she’s grateful to be home in Saint Paul and proud to be working in the brewery that made her fall in love with craft beer to begin with.
Matt Rivard, Brewer
Originally born and raised in Wisconsin, now residing in Minnesota, Matt finds brewing exciting and rewarding and is proud to call Summit a second home. (We let him brew even though he is a Green Bay Packers fan.)
Joel Weyenberg, Brewer
Joel has worked in the Minnesota beer industry since 2012, starting at Summit in the summer of 2019. He loves fly fishing, live music and all things beer related.
Nick Wilbricht, Brewer
Nick has been working as a brewer since 2017 and joined the Summit staff in 2019. He has a degree in Chemistry and has additional experience in food production, quality control and retail beer and alcohol sales.
Paul Hedlund, Brewer
Paul joined Summit in the fall of 2021. He came to brewing via fermentation in the sustainable chemicals and biofuels industries, and is proud to be a part of the production of high quality Minnesota beer here in his home state.
Josh Merrick, Brewer
Josh joined the Summit Brewing crew in 2022. He has a degree is Food and Nutrition Science and Certification in Brewing and Beer Steward Technology. He enjoys anything beer or food related, sports and anything that can keep him active.
