Ozarks Profile

Brewmaster, Springfield Brewing Company, 305 S. Market Ave. Springfield Brewing Company is the city's newest and largest brew pub, located in the old downtown district in a "beautifully restored, turn-of-the-century grain warehouse," Lewis said. Springfield Brewing Company was built as a showcase, and research and development center, by Paul Mueller Company for its new line of computer-automated brewing systems. In addition to its commercial function, SBC offers craft-brewed ales and lagers, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. SBC also has outdoor dining, live entertainment, full-size billiards tables and a private banquet facility. The initial plans for SBC began in the fall of 1996 and construction and facility remodeling began in the summer of 1997. SBC began brewing beer in December and opened its doors to the public Dec. 17, 1997. Lewis' early involvement in the project was as a consultant, working for the California-based brewing consulting firm of Lewis Twice & Shellhammer. The consulting firm provided technical assistance to Paul Mueller Company's team of brewery engineers and designers during the design phase of the project. Lewis became an employee of the Paul Mueller Company in June 1997 as a member of the company's brewery systems team and as Brewmaster of Springfield Brewing Company. Lewis is an associate member of the Institute of Brewing, London, and a member of the Master Brewers Association of the Americas.

Age: 28.

No. of years in Springfield: 1 year.

Education: Bachelor of science degree in food science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1991 and master of science degree in brewing science from the University of California, Davis, in 1994.

Early career: Lewis, the son of a professor of animal science, "grew up in an open-minded and creative family," he said. During his high school years, he discovered the hobby of home brewing, which led to the pursuit of brewing as a career. While in college, Lewis held numerous jobs "to broaden my view of life," he said. These included landscaping, an internship at a small vegetable farm, working as a student research assistant in the Virginia State Enology Lab, working in sales at a gourmet beer, wine and fish market and an internship at a Campbell Soup tomato research center. During his graduate career in California, Lewis supported his education by brewing at a local brewery and working as a teaching and research assistant. After completing his graduate degree in 1994, Lewis was employed by the University of California as an instructor of brewing science 1994-1997. In 1995, Lewis co-founded Lewis Twice & Shellhammer, a consulting firm specializing in all aspects of brewing science and technology, with his graduate professor.

Current projects: Lewis has a dual role with the Paul Mueller Company. As brewmaster at Springfield Brewing Company, he is actively involved with the growth of the new business and is constantly "working to offer a variety of excellent, craft-brewed beers to the Springfield community," he said. As a member of Paul Mueller's brewery systems team, he is also working on projects in the United States and Japan, and is working with the team to make Mueller a world leader in the brewery equipment market.

Management philosophy: "At both Springfield Brewing Company and the Paul Mueller Company, we strive for excellence by fostering teamwork. At SBC, we have a young, energetic staff that stays motivated in a competitive and fun environment. Sales competitions, creative parties (like Halloween in April) and a variety of live musical acts keep our staff excited and dedicated to working at SBC. Our brewery systems team works best when challenged by new and different projects, and is always seeking new opportunities to keep the team active," Lewis said.

Spare-time pursuits: Gardening, enjoying the outdoors, cooking and traveling.

Family data: Married for four years to Terri Lewis, service coordinator at Springfield Regional Center.

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