Our Story

Born in England to a predominantly Irish family, Alan feels an ancestral pull towards pub culture and a good pint or two. He has traveled the world for much of his adult life, and lived in Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Brazil and South Korea, before marrying a Mainer and settling in Portland, which after *extensive* worldwide research, he believes to be the best beer city in the world.

In his spare time, when not running his South American tourism business from afar, Alan enjoys conducting dubious home-brew experiments, watching & playing soccer, cooking with his better half, and dreaming of future travel plans. But he is probably at his happiest when walking or chilling out with his two dogs, Max, a 3-legged South Korean dachshund-beagle, and Molly, a live-wire Argentinian street dog.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Inheriting his love of well-made American beers from his father, Alex has carefully followed the explosion of Maine craft brewing since moving north from Washington DC a decade ago. When not solving problems on the brewery floor, you can find him playing music around Portland, fly fishing, or enjoying the best of what Maine outdoors has to offer.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Allison was born and raised in Maine. Her love for craft beer flourished 4 years ago after moving to Portland. Allison is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Education while also working at a local elementary school. No matter where you find Allison, she is always looking to help others. In her spare time, you can find Allison taking photos, spending time with family, and playing with her dachshund Mac.

Pronoun: She/Her/Hers

Bea is 16 years old and born and raised in Maine. She attends Portland High School and loves the city of Portland. She is almost always outdoors and exploring new places. Her rescue dog named Phoebe is her favorite walking partner and beach buddy.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Originally from central New Hampshire, Ben found his interest in craft brewing upon his return to New England after college in Washington D.C. He is excited to be trading the office for the production floor to help make a great product. When he is not at work you’ll find Ben hiking, biking, and hanging out with his dog, Faye.

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Brady began brewing professionally after stints as a writer, painter, music seller, house builder, tee shirt printer, shipping clerk, shelf stocker, invitation engraver and nighttime laborer. When he’s not busy brewing or drinking, he still enjoys writing and painting and is a long time advocate of analog music, funky cheese and long walks in the woods. Despite a world of forums to the contrary, he still says the world’s greatest beer is the one in his hand.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Originally from Maine, Chris spent years in the windy city before returning home to enjoy the perfect mix of “gray and green” that Portland offers. Food allows Chris to express himself and playing with different flavor combos and pairings keep most days new and exciting. Food is a huge part of Chris’s world, even when not working in The Galley he is often smoking meats or “camp cooking”.  His other interest includes homebrewing and playing computer games.

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After bouncing around the East Coast, Dakota worked his way from the ground up in the beer industry while attending the University of South Florida’s Brewing Arts program. Seeking cooler weather, he came to Portland, Maine. Rising Tide was the first brewery he ever visited in New England, and he loved it so much he held his wedding reception here. When Dakota’s not concocting a new beer recipe, you can find him visiting other New England breweries and landmarks with his wife, Katrina and corgi/pitbull, Silas.

Pronouns: he/him/his

A California native, Devin relocated to Maine in 2020. Engineer by day, Devin designs residential PV solar systems along the Northeastern half of the country. When he’s not working on solar projects or at Rising Tide, you can find Devin hitting the trails, climbing a boulder or enjoying some fresh Portland brews around town.

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Emily was born and raised in Maine, but spent much of her life in Connecticut, where she moved as a middle schooler. She attended college at the University of Vermont in Burlington, a town which helped develop her love for craft breweries and exploring the outdoors. These loves served her well during two different cross country road trips with her childhood best friend, checking out local breweries between stops at national parks. Although she lived briefly in NYC after college, the majority of Emily’s adult life was spent in rural CT, where she worked for almost a decade as an 8th grade English teacher at an international junior boarding school. Emily’s abiding love of Maine and a desire for a new adventure brought her to Portland in the summer of 2019, and she has been happily exploring craft beers and the beauty of the state ever since. In her free time, Emily enjoys hiking, kayaking, doing yoga, baking/cooking, reading, and traveling.

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Beginning in the Tourism & Hospitality Program at the University of Southern Maine and continuing into the early years of her career, Haylee has left no stone unturned exploring her passion for events. She has curated a multi-cultural food festival, planned a land and sea tour on a cruise to Bermuda, and most recently helped execute weddings and corporate events. When she’s not busy orchestrating good times, you might find her enjoying a cup of coffee, taking too many photos of her dogs, or browsing the nearest home decor store.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

After earning a master’s degree in teaching and then a law degree, Heather never expected to be running a brewery.  But she has jumped on board with a level of excitement that has buoyed Rising Tide from its very inception. From financial projections to supply chains, Heather pulls a laboring oar in nearly every aspect of the brewery operations. Heather is currently serving on the Maine Senate and is past-president of the Maine Brewers’ Guild.

When she’s not putting out fires at the brewery, Heather likes to ski, sail, watch NFL football, and hang out with her son and her pup.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Jake is a Wisconsin native and a proud University of Maine alum. He is a passionate Green Bay Packers fan who also loves to spend his time in the outdoors with his rescue dog, Luna. He enjoys skiing in the wintertime and hiking and camping in the summer. Jake is an early childhood educator who loves to travel and be active with his family and friends. From the thriving German beer gardens and beer scene in Wisconsin to the Maine coast filled with New England IPA’s, you will find Jake enjoying a beer with company.

Pronouns: he/him/his

After chasing heavy-hopped IPAs up and down the west coast for nearly a decade, Jake has moved back to New England with sights set on exploring and rediscovering his native state of Maine.  When not sampling Portland’s freshest brews, you can find Jake on the slopes or the soccer field, stirring something in the kitchen, or strumming a guitar somewhere around town.  His favorite beers include any iteration of the IPA, barrel-aged blends, and anything that accompanies a good taco.

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Jenavieve was born and raised in Florida. After completing her BAS in Digital Media, she began traveling. Backpacking Europe multiple times, living in Brazil, and living in Alaska has enriched her life heavily. During this time, she was experiencing the world of beer – literally. In Alaska, she worked for her first brewery and realized she wanted to stay in the brewing community. Hitting another corner of the USA, she moved herself to Portland and has been enjoying Maine’s brewery and outdoor scenes.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Jesse is a steadfast New Englander.  He grew up in Maine and Massachusetts, attended college in Connecticut, and eventually landed in Boston where he began working his way through restaurants.  As chef at a small brewery, he was allowed to also be an assistant brewer and quickly fell out of restaurants and into the beer world.  When he isn’t zipping between accounts listening to audiobooks you can find him in his garden or trying to trick his son into eating veggies.

Pronouns: he/him/his

A native of New Hampshire, Julia is an avid Printmaker (ask her about levigating stones and multi-block registration) and brought her passion of beer and art together by homebrewing and printing labels for her senior thesis. After acquiring a 600lb printing press she moved to Portland with dreams of working with beer and opening her own community print shop. She also enjoys punk shows, hiking, dogs, board games and sunny-side eggs on everything.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Kailey is a Maine transplant originally from suburbs of Philadelphia by way of Ithaca, New York.  She has a background in performing arts management and multi-media design.  Her passion for craft brewing started with Ithaca Beer Co.’s CascaZilla and only grew upon arrival in Portland.  As a weekend beer tasting and brewery touring hobbyist, she loves working with the crew at Rising Tide.  When she is not in the office, she enjoys soaking up the sun by exploring the beautiful coast of Maine, taking photographs, cooking with her wife, and spending time with close friends.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Born and raised outside of Washington DC, Kelly moved to Maine in the middle of the pandemic for the cooler weather and abundance of outdoor activities. She was lucky enough to work at a popular beer bar in the nation’s capital, and developed an appreciation for stouts and sours (Pisces is her fave RT brew!). When she isn’t slingin’ beers at Rising Tide or working remotely for a couple tech startups, you’ll find her at the beach with her dog, Zeke, with an iced coffee in hand.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Born and raised in central Maine, Kevin calls Portland “home”.  It is the experience of tasting the passion and care that goes into the creation of craft beer that excites Kevin and brought him to Rising Tide. Cooking gives him the opportunity to learn new things and put them to use with the immediate satisfaction of having accomplished something.  When not in the kitchen, Kevin enjoys video games, “trash TV”, and spending as much time as possible with his son, Apollo.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

After years living in New Orleans, Kyle “Bird” returned home to Maine in 2020.  His love of the independent spirit of craft beer and desire to learn more, especially about beer’s place within the greater confines of dining brought Bird to Rising Tide. He is driven by artistic expression as well as the great exchange of culture best achieved around the diner table.  When not at Rising Tide, Bird enjoys long walks on moonlit beaches and dancing to Elliott Smith.

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Sev is grounded in Portland but now resides in Auburn with her two college-bound daughters and six cats. When not behind the bar at Rising Tide, Sev is teaching at Poland Regional High School where history/social studies take center stage. If there is an adventure outdoors – hiking, biking, swimming, snowshoeing etc. – that’s where you will find her. Since field hockey is a passion – you can track her down at college games to watch her daughters on the field. You might also catch her building furniture, decks, or remodeling on inside and outside projects. Cheers.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Loren recently relocated to Maine from New Mexico where he lived for ten years. Loren has a varied background, but a love for craft food and drink are at the center of it all. After studying microbiology at Montana State University in Bozeman Montana, Loren opened the first craft coffee roasting company in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His company, now called “Slow Burn” is going strong under the watchful eye of his original business partner and colleagues. Loren has also worked in the kitchen of some top restaurants, but prefers to make food as a private chef or even more so for his friends and family. French and Mexican cuisine are his mainstays and finding inspiration from local farmers markets fuels that passion. 

Craft beer has been a passion of his for over 15 years. From hosting a beer club in his home, to writing a beer column in his spare time, Loren loves to keep up with the ever changing landscape of the beer world. When traveling he makes sure to find the best coffee, food and beer in the area, making Portland Maine a perfect fit for his new home. 

When he’s not imbibing or making delicious food and drink you will find Loren doing things outdoors. Loren loves to run, cycle, rock climb, backpack etc. and is very excited to explore this new landscape. 

Loren is excited to be a part of the Portland food and beverage scene and wants to continue to build upon the success that Rising Tide has enjoyed throughout the years. Building a more inclusive and welcoming community through hospitality and education are the major goals as he takes on his role with Julia Starr as co-manager of the taproom.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Marsinah is new to Maine, she moved here from Philadelphia four months before Covid, she is still learning and exploring this beautiful state! Originally she was a coffee quality manager at a coffee shop in Philly and a Barista in Portland. Fortunately, before the shutdown, she competed in the U.S Barista Competitions in Nashville, Tennessee. Now that we’re slowly making our way back to “normal”, she felt it was time to dip her feet back into the service industry but with a different community, the beer community. She is pretty excited for this new adventure! Marsinah is outgoing and a real people person. Her favorite hobbies are getting lost in movies and video games and she love, love, loves Karaoke! You’ll most likely see her at your local Karaoke bar jammin’ out!

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Missy’s quest of beer started like most people, by drinking a lot. Then she wondered how it was made and has now opened a bottle that cannot be closed. After working too many years in the restaurant industry, she decided to call it quits and started learning everything she could about brewing, joined a couple clubs, and started working as a brewer.ÊWhen Missy’s not brewing, you can find her biking, hiking, boating, cooking, or doing more research on beer.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Morgan was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. After attending school in Iowa, pursuing majors in theatre and music, she began working at the local craft brewery where she developed her love for craft beer. Recently, Morgan relocated to Portland and can’t wait to get a taste of some true New England IPAs! In her spare time Morgan can be found practicing her instruments, geeking out over Shakespeare, and discovering what Maine has to offer.

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Rising Tide’s beers are brewed by Nathan Sanborn, a Portland native. Prior to founding Rising Tide in 2010, Nathan spent more than a dozen years teaching himself about brewing, experimenting with creative recipes on his home-brewing system, and serving up his beers for feedback from friends and family. Nathan is fascinated by the science and the art of beer-making. He strives to create beers that are informed by traditional styles but with a creative, modern sensibility.

When he’s not brewing and selling beer, Nathan likes to ski, sail, cycle, and cook for friends and family.

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Originally from the New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia, Rob got into the beer industry twenty years ago while living in Chicago. He and his family are recent transplants to Portland. When they’re not out exploring Maine, you’ll find Rob spinning records, sipping bourbon and doing the prepwork for a home cooked meal.

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Born in Portland and raised throughout the state of Maine, Rori has always had a love for the ocean and coastal towns. Her path has led her into many fields including teaching, bartending, beer sales, brewing beers, beer tours, and even some yoga instructing. She has always loved the variety and creativity that goes into brewing and enjoys conversations over a great pint. 

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers