Behind the Bush: Jim Christopher

Note: beard not pictured at maximum potential.

So there’s this dude that works for us, a dude with the dudeliest beard of all beards in Greenbush land. This dudely dude I speak of is Jim. Maybe you don’t think you know him, but I’m sure his beard presence has been observed in your surroundings a time or two. Jim joined the GB family about 2 years ago as a cellerman, not too long after going on to be a brewer for some time & now taking on a new position as the head of our yeast lab. You can also think of him as the Harry Potter of Greenbush because his working quarters resemble the “cupboard under the stairs” although, unlike Aunt Petunia & Uncle Vernon, we appreciate our “Harry Potter”  creator of yeast magic & alike. Read on to learn more about the guy who creates roadblocks over intense comic conversation with our UPS delivery guy…

What do you do at Greenbush?
I am the “head yeast wrangler” and deal with quality control too. Previously, I was a brewer and a cellarman here.

How’d you get involved with the brewery?
I was told by a friend of mine to call Joe [Editor’s note: you might be wondering who the heck Joe is… Joe is the official name of the guy we all affectionately call Carlos] and talk to him about working here. I was sick that day so I came in the next day and the day after that put my two weeks notice at my other job.

What time is happy hour for you?
All day?!

You’re on a deserted island and can only have one case of mass-produced domestic beer dropped to you—what do you pick?
Michelob Ultra [Ed’s note: total “Mom trying to watch her calorie intake” response if you ask me]

What’s your favorite non-Greenbush beverage to drink?
Mt. Dew

What’s been your most memorable Greenbush experience thus far?
Winter Beer Fest 2012

What do your friends think about all this madness?
Lots want to be part of it. And they love the beer, so there’s that too. lolz

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A baseball player

If you were a Greenbush beer, which would you be and why?
Retribution, because it’s sweet and it will also put you under the table if you aren’t careful.

What’s your favorite food?
Pizza, Lasagna, Venison & RIOS

Where do you think you and Greenbush will be in 5 years?
Sittin’ steady at 5885 Sawyer Road

If you only had one item you could take with you to work, what would it be and why?
My phone probably

What’s the most exotic place you’ve ever visited?
The rainforest exhibit at the Detroit Zoo

Chicago or Michigan sports teams (or Indiana if you’re crazy)?
Detroit and Maize and Blue!

Did you have a favorite brewery before Greenbush opened? If so, what and why?
Actually no, I wasn’t into craft beer until Greenbush.

What’s on your nightstand?
Wallet, knife, alarm clock, phone and Transformers.

How many beers do you drink in a typical day?
Two for the most part

Rhapsody Hero (where you try to pick the WORST song for everyone to enjoy)—what’s your pick?
I’m confused by this question so I will give two answers… song to actually enjoy: Duran Duran – Hungry like the Wolf  & song to enjoy that other people hate: Nickelback – any song.

BONUS QUESTIONS–
Tell us a little bit about this new lab/yeast business you’re up to these days…
Well I am responsible in making sure that the yeast we are using is viable and healthy and also to make sure we have the right amount when it comes to pitching.  I also run other parts of quality control in the brewery… pH, DO, etc.

You’re into collecting comics– what’s your favorite one & what’s your most valuable one?
I have a couple favorites, both Transformers comics. The first one is Transformers issue #80 (1991 marvel) & the second one is Transformers Dark Cybertron chapter 12 (2014 IDW). My most expensive is my Stan Lee signed X-men #1.