Meet the Team

David Loyd

What do you do at Rhinegeist?

That’s a tough question. Lately it’s been building and fixing stuff around the brewery, primarily in the different parts of the taproom. When I was hired, I was tasked with helping to maintain a clean and tidy work environment for my peers here at the brewery. From the beginning though, I've taken on many different tasks wherever I can help out. I'm primarily building, fixing, and maintaining the brewery these days. I suppose my job has been constantly evolving. It’s always been on the fly, in flux.

What did you have for breakfast?

I haven’t had a proper breakfast in probably thirty years, at least not in the morning.

What do you look forward to doing most every day?

Finding creative solutions to problems. Adapting to whatever is thrown my way.

You’re building a lot; can you tell me some of the projects you’ve cranked out?

I think there is something in nearly every room in the brewery that I have built, modified or set up; like the stage on the roof and the soon to be merchandise shop in the taproom. It’s my favorite part of my job. It’s immensely rewarding to look around and see the contributions I've had the opportunity to make.

I'm really excited about our new merchandise display. It will feature all of our latest and greatest Rhinegeist gear: shirts, sweatshirts, glassware and whatever future amazing stuff our creatives cook up. We'll even have to-go beers and bombers. It’ll be rad.

What's your favorite bagel topping?

Bacon. Yup, bacon.

Do you have a spirit animal?

A fox — I’m crafty!

Which project was the most fun?

I really enjoyed building the stage on the roof — that was a good time. Upholstering the Dad chair (pictured at the top) on the other hand, not a lot of fun, but a pretty cool result. I think the 'flaming fire' project may have been my favorite overall. It’s pretty spiffy.

If you were a Rhinegeist beer, what would you be?

Fluxion (Belgian Pale Ale), because things are always changing around here for me.

What’s something about you most people don’t know?

I think most people don’t know that I’m a trained chef. I lived in Copenhagen for two years working as a chef — totally amazing and beautiful city. The Danish people are incredibly generous and friendly, and their view on life is pretty different than ours. Time off and with friends and family are given higher priority than pursuit of wealth and material goods. Taking care of themselves, each other, and their environment, are core values and clearly evident by their amazing cities and culture.

Where else have you lived?

Wisconsin, Arizona, Oregon, Idaho, Virginia, Washington D.C., Colorado, Washington and multiple places within those states. I grew up in Colorado where I lived in Ft. Collins. I spent a stint in Telluride and Durango which are both pretty amazing. That being said, I’ve spent most of my adult life in the Pacific Northwest, which I suppose is where my heart is.

Have you been to all 50 states?

I’ve never been to Hawaii!

So you are a trained chef, what’s your best dish in the kitchen?

I like to go to the store and see what’s fresh and appealing. I like to get inspired by single ingredients and work from there. As my mood and tastes change, so does what I'll want to cook on a given day.

Where does the beauty of the brewery lie for you?

It's history, for sure — the evolution of the building over its many lives. It’s interesting because I work on the building every day. It’s always a challenge. A given room might be the culmination of many different eras, who knows how many different uses, and each presents its own challenge.

What are some other challenges that get thrown your way?

Honestly, a lot of the maintenance stuff because I really don’t have any background in it. For me, it's always about figuring out creative ways to repair something on the fly.

If friends used three words to describe you, what would they be?

Loyal, hardworking and thoughtful. I sound like a boy scout...

What’s your favorite Rhinegeist beer?

The one that’s in my hand (he cracks a smile). I like so many of our beers and my preference will change from week to week and season to season. That said, I'm definitely a hophead!

Is there a piece of apparel you wear the most?

Gotta be the vintage wool Ebbets hat, right?

What’s the best part of your personality?

Oh, I’d like to think I’m pretty creative. I’ve always enjoyed trying to see the world from different perspectives, in particular how those perspectives interrelate. If you look closely enough, all things are connected. It's in those connections that the magic happens.

What do you do when you’re not 'Geisting?

I always like a good film.

What have you seen lately that you really dug?

Just finally got around to seeing 'Sicario'. The way it built tension, the slow burn of gradually building stress leading up to an immensely gratifying payoff, so well done. Not the typical in-your-face-overblown-CGI-fest, brief but intense moments that felt like a punch to the gut. Me likey.

What do you enjoy most about this place?

I think it’s the camaraderie, the spirit, the team. We are all so different, and all bring something unique to the table. Pretty cool to see how it has come together and really excited to see where it all will go.