3 minute read
Meet the Brewer
16 | www.MiBrewTrail.com MEET THE BREWER: Manda Geiger
Mike Lerchenfeldt MiBrew Trail
Manda Geiger is a brewer at Dragonmead Brewery in Warren, which also supplies the beer to their second location, Dragon’s Landing in St. Claire Shores. As their only female brewer at this popular, family-orientated brewery, Geiger is also said to be a breath of fresh air in the world of craft brewing. In a vibrant community, she helps brew beers for the masses. Being able to write a recipe and create something out of raw grains that people can enjoy is an awesome feeling. Her favorite beer on tap at Dragonmead Brewery is the Iron Maiden Dry Irish Style Stout. When Manda is not at work, you will find her enjoying a Detroit Tigers game or going to a concert with her fiancé, Eric Briggeman who is a brewer at Rochester Mills Production Brewery in Auburn Hills. The couple cannot wait to get back into Comerica Park and Pine Knob (they even had opening day tickets!) They also love to camp throughout Michigan. Their favorite camping spots include D.H. Day Campground in Glen Arbor and the Hiawatha National Forest in Manistique. Eric proposed on their camping trip this past June in the UP. Geiger is a 40-year-old from Grand Rapids, who moved to the east side of the state about three years ago to continue her brewing career. She is creative with her beers and thinks outside the box. Geiger is a great role model for anyone interested in learning more about brewing some ale or a career in the craft beer industry. She has worked alongside other brewers, producing and learning about a variety of beers. Geiger also does cellar work where she transfers and carb (carbonate) up beers. Her duties include bottling and line cleaning as well. She loves all of the mechanical aspects of her job including being able to fix things when they break. In 2005, she decided to go visit a new brewery in Grand Rapids, The Hideout, with a few of her friends. (Unfortunately, this brewery is now closed). As soon as they walked in, they knew it was their new “home” away from home to hang out with each other. Geiger quickly became close friends with the original owners, Ken and Laura McPhail. They eventually hired her to work behind the bar. From there, she transitioned into the brewery. In addition to Dragonmead and The Hideout, she has also worked and brewed beer at a couple other local businesses including Michigan Beer Cellar in Sparta (now closed, too), Pike 51 Brewing Company in Hudsonville, and Cedar Springs Brewing Company before moving to the Metro Detroit Area. She learned how to brew beer as she went along. Geiger is doing what she loves and is following her passions. She absolutely loves the smell of mashing beer (especially stouts), the process of combining a mix of grains with water and then heating the mixture. She especially enjoys brewing with honey. In the spirit of cooperation and collegiality shared by brewers, Geiger has collaborated on some mighty fine, high quality brews with other local businesses and breweries giving her the opportunity to help put Dragonmead Brewery on the map. Dragonmead Brewery is known for its flagship beers: Erik the Red Irish Amber, Final Absolution Belgian Trippel, and Sin Eater Belgian Dark Strong. Through a collaboration with Bees in the D, Geiger recently created a Weiss beer called Honey Pants since it is made with local honey. It is definitely an original brew with fresh tasting notes of light honey. This German Wheat is clean and refreshing. Her latest brewing project was for International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day. Three Amigas, a Mexican Lager with lime, is slated for a Cinco de Mayo release. She collaborated with Kim Schneider from Batch Brewing in Detroit and Natalie Iseli-Smith from Founders Detroit. Hence the name, Three Amigas. Geiger is a member of the nonprofit organization Fermenta, A Women’s Craft Collective which helps women by providing scholarships and resources. This specific nonprofit helps women feel more comfortable about being in the craft beer industry through education and networking. As one of the founding board members, it has been exciting for her to see all the opportunities that Fermenta has been able to offer women.
