Meet Our Team!
If you've been to our famed East Nashville taproom, then you've likely met one of these fine folks. We appreciate our team and we know you do too! Here's a little more about our small and mighty team that gets cold, delicious beer into your hands time after time, and keeps the taproom in great shape for another visit!
Head Brewer // Owner
Grayson
Tell me a little bit about your experience at Crazy Gnome!
Crazy Gnome Brewery was the working name of the brewery back in 2015 when I doubled down and got serious about homebrewing. At the peak, I was throwing house parties every other month to get feedback on the brews, while at the same time building the business plan that would lead us to forming our LLC in 2017. From there, it was time to sign a lease, break a lease, sign a second lease, build a taproom, get hit by a tornado, experience a pandemic, and finally help open the doors in August 2020 to the public. Easy!
When you aren't brewin' beer, what do you like to do?
I've lived in Nashville since 2015 and I still enjoy being a tourist here locally. You can find me bouncing around town and trying all the fun resturants, bars, breweries, and attractions this city keeps offering.
Where are you originally from?
Born in Germany, but grew up in Knoxville, TN. Tennessee is home.
What's something unique about you that our beer-drinking gnomies might like to know?
I'm not actually left handed.
What's your favorite craft beer?
Not quite craft, but Erdinger's Dunkelweizen is the beer that got me into beer. Outside of that, my favorite beer changes based on the one I have in front of me.
Woodworker Extraordinaire // Partial Owner of our fine establishment!
Bennett
Tell me a little about your experience at Crazy Gnome and how long you've been with us!
I’ve been at Crazy Gnome since the beginning. Helping open the brewery and continue to work for it has been a great experience.
What do you like to do outside of Crazy Gnome?
I enjoy woodworking and making things in general. I also like reading and playing games.
Where are you originally from?
I'm from Knoxville, TN. I moved to Nashville in 2019 to help open Crazy Gnome.
What is your favorite beer that we have had on tap?
My favorite beer we’ve had was the barrel aged version of our dubbel Dark Till Morn. It was incredible. My bartender series beer, Serious Taffy, is a close second though.
Retired Bartender // Social Media & Events Manager
Bri
Tell me a little about your experience at Crazy Gnome and how long you've been working with us.
I joined the Crazy Gnome family in July of 2021 as a bartender. About a year into my time here, I became too busy to bartend, so now I focus on the music, events, social media etc (and this webpage)!
When you aren't slingin' beer, what do you like to do?
I love to travel and see new places with my wife and our pittie boy, Porter. We typically visit new breweries while we travel, too, of course! I also really enjoy swimming, biking and (kinda) running.
Where are you originally from?
I'm originally from the Chicago suburbs (Go Cubs!) and I've been in Nashville for about 14 years; I've found myself in the hospitality industry for many of those years!
What's something unique about you that our beer-drinking gnomies might like to know?
I would spend more of my life in water, if I could. I love to swim and be in or on water.
What's your favorite craft beer?
My bartender series beer, It's Not a pHAZE is one of my favorite pale ales that I've ever tried. I also love New Belgium's 1985 mango IPA and Tennessee Brew Works' Hippies and Cowboys IPA.
Top Beer Knowledge In Town // Is he our mascot?
Bill
Tell me a little about your experience at Crazy Gnome and how long you've been working with us.
Beer Tender for about a year now. Enjoying the interactions with our guests and I occasionally tell people I am the mustache logo model
When you aren't slingin' beer, what do you like to do?
I work full time in Fin-tech, I’ve been in Sales one way or another my whole life. Outside of work, I like to camp, hike, bike, kayak, and work on my 100 year old house
Where are you originally from? What brought you here?
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Went to HS and College in Columbus, Ohio. I moved to Nashville in 2009 to help start the Nashville office for another software company.
What's something unique about you that our beer-drinking gnomies might like to know?
Come sit at the bar some Friday night and we can have this conversation!
What is your favorite beer that we have had on tap?
I tend to like blondes, heffes and lighter beers so I’ve had plenty of ours to choose from. I’ll be brewing my bartender series beer very shortly. An Imperial Pilsner.
Traveler Extraordinaire // sharer of science facts
Abby
Tell me a little about your experience at Crazy Gnome and how long you've been working with us.
I have been working for CGB since August of 2022, but have been low key helping out since July 2021.
When you aren't slingin' beer, what do you like to do?
I’m a National Park nerd, so I love traveling to new parks, checking out breweries along the way. I also love live music, so anytime any of those things can be combined, I’m a happy camper! My wife, dog, and I also love to take our camper on adventures!
Where are you originally from? If not Nashville, what brought you here?
I am originally from Central Ohio. I landed in Metro Nashville by way of a teaching job in Kentucky after college and a career change to environmental work once I got my Master’s.
What's something unique about you that our beer-drinking gnomies might like to know?
Probably my National Park fandom. I’ve been to about 100 National Park Units (national monuments, battlefields, lakeshores, etc) in over 30 states.
What's your favorite craft beer?
I always say Jackalope’s Bearwalker was my gateway to craft beer way back in 2012 or so.
What is your favorite beer that we have had on tap? Have you brewed your bartender series beer yet?
My favorite has been Its Not a pHAZE, Bri’s bartender beer. I’m bias, but it turned out so well! I haven’t done my bartender beer yet, but I already have lots of ideas 😏
Kansas Native // Part Time Beertender
Riley
Tell me a little about your experience at Crazy Gnome and how long you've been working with us.
I started at Crazy Gnome Brewery in Feb 2023. First beertending gig and loving it so far!
When you aren't slinging' beer, what do you like to do?
I spend a lot of time watching, playing and occasionally coaching sports. Anything from volleyball to golf. Outside of that I love finding good live music, breweries, and spending time outdoors!
Where are you originally from? If not Nashville, what brought you here?
Originally from southwest Kansas but called Minnesota home for a few years before moving down here. Moved to Nashville for work.
What's something unique about you that our beer-drinking gnomes like to know?
I've worked in manufacturing for 5 years - all types of food from Cinnabon to Yoplait yogurt.
What's your favorite craft beer?
A couple Minnesota beers are what brought me into the craft beer space - Indeed Mexican Honey and Castle Danger Cream Ale.
What's your favorite beer that we have had on tap? Have you brewed your bartender series beer yet?
I slove Celtic Grounds - combines my love for coffee and beer. I haven't brewed my bartender series yet but expect a cream ale coming your way soon!
Taproom Manager
Kramer
Tell me a little about your experience at Crazy Gnome and how long you've been working with us.
I have been a big fan of Crazy Gnome and The Kalamity Kolsch since they opened their doors in 2020 but have been working the team a little over 2 weeks!
When you aren't slingin' beer, what do you like to do?
- When I am not slinging beers I enjoy to talk and watch basketball, Thinking of random business ideas I wouldn't start and learning about beer!
Where are you originally from? If not Nashville, what brought you here?
I am originally from Atlanta, Ga and I moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University in 2010. Go Bruins!
What's something unique about you that our beer-drinking gnomies might like to know?
I have worked in a brewery in almost every major neighborhood in Nashville except The Gulch and Downtown Nashville.
What's your favorite craft beer?
My favorite craft in terms of style is a good stout from here or Living Waters
What is your favorite beer that we have had on tap? Have you brewed your bartender series beer yet?
My favorite style I have had here was The Celtic Grounds Coffee Stout and Calamity Kolsch. I have not brewed my bartender series beer yet but can not wait to do so!
Pool Shark // Asheville Native
Peter
When you aren't slingin' beer, what do you like to do?
I play in an APA 8-ball pool league, so I’m often practicing or out shooting around the East side. I also play a lot of chess, do a little songwriting with friends, and study philosophy.
Where are you originally from? If not Nashville, what brought you here?
I grew up in North Carolina near Asheville, and I moved here in 2015. Nothing specific brought me—I just thought it would be a fun place to live!
What's something unique about you that our beer-drinking gnomies might like to know?
I think it’d be fun to have a chess event of some kind at the brewery, so if you’re curious about that, let me know!
What's your favorite craft beer?
I used to prefer IPAs and pale ales, but more and more I'm coming to appreciate the nuanced elegance of lagers and pilsners.
What is your favorite beer that we have had on tap? Have you brewed your bartender series beer yet?
My favorite beer so far is the Märzen! The subtle caramel richness is gracefully ushering me into the autumn season.