Rich Michaels Email & Phone Number

Albany, Ny, Us

East Coast

Provide pre and post sale customer technical support on brewery equipment. I also work as part of team to develop innovative solutions with applications in the craft brewery market.

Schenectady County, New York, United States

At I Make Beer LLC, we are passionate about all things craft beer. We believe that every beer should be a masterpiece, crafted with care and attention to detail. Our team of experienced craft beer consultants is dedicated to helping breweries, taprooms, and restaurants create exceptional beer experiences for their customers.

I teach brewing process, sensory, quality and basic lab skills as part of a multi week workforce development program.

Workforce Development Division

Teaching a program to educate students for successful employment in the craft brewing industry. The program provides brewing knowledge and hands-on training in commercial brewing practices.

Schenectady, Ny

Oversaw operations of innovative startup production brewery in NY's Capital district.

Utica, New York Area

Responsible for Product Development and Quality Assurance operations in regional craft and contract brewery. I oversee a team that is responsible for brewing quality and process innovation. In addition to daily quality operations we work to develop new products and improve quality with ongoing research. Recent areas of research have included improvement of beer aroma with innovative dry hoping techniques and improving flavor stability in finished beer.

Utica, New York Area

Worked to develop creative product ideas and process improvements while improving brewery efficiency. Designed and installed pilot brewery. Managed pilot brewing operations and worked on process improvement plant wide.Worked with production, sales and marketing teams to promote a culture of beer excellence.Projects included standardization of laboratory methods, ongoing recipe development and research to improve beer quality.

Utica, Ny

Responsible for daily operations in large craft and contract brewery. Areas of direct responsibility include brewing, fermenting, filtration and overseas tanker areas as well as working with contract brewery staff. Recent projects include leading design and installation of wort aeration, steam mass flow, temperature and pH control systems and developing, publishing and implementing Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures for brewing and packaging departments. Work as part of a team that develops new beer brands. Each quarter we push to introduce two new flavors in our mixed twelve pack. Directly supervise and mentor staff of 11 union employees and additional seasonal temporary workers as well as working with packaging staff on sanitation and scheduling issues. Responsible for coordinating sanitation and safety training for brewing staff. Constantly improving quality while increasing efficiency and production. Work as part of team that interviews and hires skilled trades. Active on daily taste panel and GMP inspection team.

Saugerties, Ny

Owned and operated a tavern serving a wide array of beers from around the world. Renovated existing space and operated a successful business. Developed and executed plan to renovate and expand into adjoining retail space and install microbrewery.

Lake Buena Vista, Fl

P&L accountability for five breweries. Responsible for daily brewery operations at Walt Disney World’s BoardWalk Resort and supervision of four other locations. Provided technical support to regional brewing team. Developed and implemented annual budgets. Responsible for quarterly auditing of Florida brewing operations. Developed goals and implemented staff training based on QC results and physical audits. Responsible for federal and state government tax compliance.

Grand Rapids, Mi

Managed construction of brewery and startup of brewing system, bottling line and kegging operations as well as short term contract brewing. Responsible for recipe development, wort production, cellar operations, laboratory analysis, plant maintenance, safety training and packaging. Designed and installed UL listed temperature and motor speed control systems for brewery. Directly supervised five full time employees and six part time employees. Maintained and improved quality while coordinating brewery expansion. Developed and produced award- winning beers distributed throughout Michigan.

Albany, Ny

Involved from conceptual stages through first year of production. Developed brewery equipment and control designs and layout while working closely with equipment suppliers. Managed installation and startup including the coordination of contracted trades. Developed daily procedures including those for wort production, cellar operations, laboratory analysis, safety guidelines, inventory controls and government tax compliance. Developed computer inventory database system to automate financial reporting and purchasing. Responsible for maintaining restaurant and back-office Windows based computer systems. Supervised two full time employees. Awards included Best Brewpub in the Capital Region for the Beer 1997, Times Union Reader’s Choice.

Troy, Ny

Assisted with day to day operations including, brewing fermentation, filtration and QC, Developed recipes and brewing procedures.

Diploma, Brewing

Comprehensive course in brewing science and technology. Areas of study included malting, brewing, engineering, process control, packaging.

Certificate In Sensory Panel Management

Activities and Societies: Technical course in sensory panel development with an emphasis on training and statistical methods.

Education record