Biography
Get to know Sam
I was born and raised under the big Texas sky, a proud 6th generation Texan, hailing from South Austin. From a young age, I was drawn to the rugged beauty of the Texas outdoors and the intricate geography that makes this great state so unique. My journey in the Lone Star State began as an Boy Scout, instilling in me a love for adventure and a deep respect for nature. Those early days of camping and exploring the wilds of Texas and beyond would shape my passion for the great outdoors. I stuck with scouting through high school, eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout.
As I embarked on my academic path, I found myself at Texas State University in San Marcos TX. There, I pursued a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature, but it was my minor in Southwestern Studies that truly ignited my fascination with the rich cultural tapestry of my beloved state. Little did I know, my college years would introduce me to another love - the art of brewing.
During my time at Texas State, I developed a taste for beer and started experimenting with home brewing. It was during those college days that I stumbled upon another skill set I'd come to cherish - building, fixing things, and working with my hands. I joined a remodeling crew to make ends meet while finishing my degree, and there, I discovered the satisfaction of craftsmanship.
At the age of 25, I took a job at Twisted X Brewing Co. in Dripping Springs, Texas, as a delivery driver and draft line technician. Ten months on the road and many hours of overtime honed my work ethic, and before long, I was invited to join the brewery production team. From packaging to the cellar, and finally to shift brewing, I climbed the ranks while absorbing all the knowledge I could through books, podcasts and learning from my peers.
In 2018, I undertook the challenge of furthering my brewing career by completing the American Brewers Guild diploma in Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering - all while juggling a full-time brewing gig. Upon completion of brewing school I was promoted to Assistant Head Brewer, a position I held for 5 years. It was during this time that I had the privilege of working under the tutelage of Brian Bush, an industry veteran with experience ranging from brew pubs to macro behemoths and several GABF medals under his belt. in 2020 after several trials and variations Brian and I created Twisted X's best-selling brew, McConauHaze IPA.
When Brian decided to retire from the industry, I stepped into the role of head brewer, leading Twisted X into a period of tremendous growth. We watched our humble brewery's annual output soar from five thousand barrels to over ten thousand barrels per year.
Outside of the brewery, I have many diverse tastes and interests. I am a life long lover of music, with a special fondness for Texas legends like Doug Sahm and Townes Van Zandt. I'm a multi-instrumentalist, but guitar has always been my main focus. I also find joy in tabletop RPGs, the thrill of pro wrestling, and the simple pleasures of life spent with my wonderful wife, Caty, and our loyal pit-mix companions, Dewey and Carl at our home in Kyle TX.