Paul Hester
Founder & CEO
Certified Cicerone ®
Tell me about your background before First State
“I had a career in technology, previously working in cybersecurity. Sort of the classic home brewer story, I was fed up with the corporate world and had dreamed of opening a brewery, so I put pen to paper and eventually made the leap. 7 years later, FSBC was born.”
What’s your favorite FSBC beer?
“I would have to say of all time, probably would be Lost Ubiquity, our New Zealand Style Pilsner. Close second would be Cryptic Cipher, an IPA, and most recently Squishy Goblinoid, our Rice Lager.”
If you could be any app from the Microsoft Office Suite, which would you be and why?
“I have a weird obsession with Excel spreadsheets, so probably Excel. Most recently, I’ve getting back into writing Visual Basic macros.”
Anything else?
“Our Marketing & Creative Specialist is awesome.”
JUSTIN FAULKNER
SALES & OPERATIONS MANAGER
Tell me about your background before First State
“I was a career restaurant person, I spent almost 20 years in different restaurants around the state of Delaware in various capacities. I’m probably the only person who has ever been promoted to dish washer. Throughout the process of helping open FSBC, I knew I wanted to get into Sales and have since taken over a bulk of that.”
What’s your favorite FSBC beer?
“That’s like asking me to pick my favorite child, but Black Lotus comes to mind, that one is always one of my favorites. Evasive Confection, a Gingerbread Ale designed by the FOH staff, I think everything about that beer is really cool.”
We’re sending you to a desert island, and you can only bring three things with you - what are they?
“A packed cooler, a hatchet, and the complete works of J.R.R. Tolkien.”
Anything else?
“I think we have an amazing team here and I’m very lucky to work with everyone here!”
Jeffrey Horne
Marketing & Creative specialist, photographer
Certified Cicerone ®
Tell me about your background before First State
“Before FSBC I had a brief stint in the restaurant industry, which is where I really learned that I loved beer. I originally applied to work at FSBC on my two days off, and after my first week here I knew I wanted to work here full time. I quickly transitioned into my current roll and have been loving it ever since.”
What’s your favorite FSBC beer?
“Easy, our Czech Dark Lager, Monolithic Memories. It’s got some personal meaning for all of us, and I think it is one of the most under rated beer styles out there.”
What is the most used app on your computer?
“Well my laptop is definitely Photoshop, I think I easily use that and maybe Lightroom more than anything else. My computer at home is probably Discord, for when I’m playing games with the boys (shoutout Austin & Conor) .”
Anything else?
Go Birds!
AJ Johnston
BREWERY OPERATIONS MANAGEr
Tell me about your background before First State
“Before joining the team at FSBC, I worked for Iron Hill Brewery and restaurant group. It was my first professional brewing gig. I started as an Assistant Brewer, eventually working my way through the ranks to manage all things related to the brewery across twenty-one brewery and restaurant operations, as well as a production brewery.”
What is your favorite FSBC beer?
“My favorite First State Brewing Company beer has to be… the next one I plan to brew. Just kidding. I’m a big fan of our Square Theory. It’s the classic American IPA, showcasing a pleasant citrus and pine aroma from the healthy hop addition, balanced by a hint of malt sweetness.”
What is your favorite piece of brewery equipment, and why?
“I sure do love the canning line at FSBC. It’s a gem to work with, and never gives me any trouble. *wink* I’ve never wanted to light it on fire, and roll it down a steep hill… In all seriousness, the canning line can be a finicky piece of equipment, but it does allow me to get our delicious beer into the hands of the thirsty public.”
Anything else?
“Anybody else afraid to swim in the ocean because they saw “Jaws” at an early age???”
Grant king
assistant taproom manager
Tell me about your background before First State
“Before FSBC I lived in Charleston, South Carolina. I always had a passion for the hospitality industry and worked my way up to more responsibility in a few places before moving up to Delaware. When I was brought on the team as a server by a friend I fell in love with the culture and craft beer in general.”
What is your favorite FSBC beer?
“It's super hard to pick a favorite First State beer but if I absolutely had to it would have to be Spectral Continuum. I love a good West Coast Style IPA and the tropical notes you get, coupled with the dry finish, make it my ideal beer.”
How many geese do you think you could take in a fight?
“At least 6. I hate geese.”
Anything else?
“Go Phils!”
Steve Renn
taproom manager
Tell me about your background before First State
“Grew up in New Castle, graduated from University of Delaware, then moved to the beach. I spent over 20 plus years with TGI Fridays, 4 years with Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, and 2 years with Sodel Concepts”
What is your favorite FSBC beer?
“Chromatic Vibrance was released shortly after I started with FSBC. It is the perfect paring between a fruited beer and a hazy ipa. Which are my two most favorite styles or beers. ”
If you could own any car, what would it be and why?
“There are many! But I would probably pick a 1970 Olds 442 W-30. Growing up my dad had several Oldsmobiles that I never had the chance to drive. ”
Anything else?
“Go Phils!”
Matthew jarrell
ASST. BREWERY & LEAD BEER SERVER
Tell me about your background before First State
“I graduated from the University of Delaware in 2010, and taught school for a few years while I was bartending. I have also been a home brewer for 12 years. I quit teaching and saw there was a brewery opening up (FSBC), so I brought in a bunch of my home brew and applied shortly after, and here we are!”
What is your favorite FSBC beer?
“My favorite FSBC beer of all time is Spectral Continuum, our Tropical DIPA. I love the bitterness, and the tropical notes from the hops.”
If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
“Cyclops from the X-Men, because he’s the leader and he’s the best and I love him. And I have him tattooed on my arm.”
Anything else?
“I really love working at FSBC, not only because of the people who work here, but the people who come in are super welcoming and engaging and it’s really just a relaxing place to work.”
