Meet Our Officers
2023 OFFICERS
Ryan Spruill | President
Clay Vick | Vice President
I started brewing in late 2019 and was completely self-taught until joining the DEA in 2021. With a professional career in pharmaceutical microbiology I had a good background for farming yeast. My favorite style to brew and drink is saison. I also like to explore historical brewing and experiments like “what happens if I ferment this?”
BJ Willming | Hoptoberfest Coordinator
I have been brewing off and on since 2012. I brew all grain recipes I've gotten from online and tweak them. My favorite beers are barrel aged imperial stouts so I am working to make my own. I have a small 10g setup that I use. I also use a 10.5g Anvil Foundry. I’ve been entering competitions since 2018. If you have a love for brew come join us, have some fun and drink a delicious home brew!
Brian McVeigh | Treasurer / Social Coordinator
I have been with the Down East Alers for over 4 years. I have been brewing for approximately 9 years and started after my younger brother brewed his first batch. I switched to all grain after my first extract brew. I have built an all electric indoor 1/2 barrel brewing system in a shed in my backyard. I even figured out how to run underground 220 volt electricity from my house to the shed. (Thanks Youtube!) My favorite style is IPA with Belgians as a close second. I am trying to branch out from my usual brews and try out some unfamiliar styles. I have entered a few competitions and have won a blue ribbon for my session IPA, and got a third place in the regional AHA National Homebrew Competition in 2016 for my Sweet Stout.
Tony Kulas | Secretary
No cool story to tell…started brewing during pandemic, joined DEA at some point during pandemic, and now an officer because he wasn’t present at the DEA meeting when they were electing 2023 officers.
David Mitchell | WebMaster
I am mostly self-taught from online classes, reading books (John Palmer, of course), magazines and blogs. Like most brewers, I started with extract brewing, moved to BIAB (briefly) and then to all-grain. Then I progressed to fermentation temperature control, experimenting with sparging methods, water chemistry and kettle souring. Recently added an Anvil Foundry to the tool box for indoor brewing and completed my first keezer in January 2021. I have served as the Sergeant-At-Arms and as the 2017 President for the DEA as well as the Raffle Coordinator for the Summer Sizzler Competition.
