MEET THE STAFF AT
METAZOA BREWING CO.
Learn more about the team that works tirelessly to provide you with delicious beer and a lively pet-friendly taproom!
FULL-TIME STAFF
DAVE WORTHINGTON
PRESIDENT
Dave Worthington and his family have always enjoyed donating to animal charities and fostering rescued animals, but as Dave began dreaming of owning a brewery, he realized that he wanted to offer something even more special – so Metazoa Brewing Co. was born. Since opening the brewery in 2016, Dave has continued to build the company around a promise to donate five percent of all profits to unique animal charities in Indiana and beyond. A craft-beer enthusiast to his core, Dave is a retired home brewer and usually visits over 100 breweries per year. When he’s not enjoying beer you can find Dave on the golf course, fishing, or spending quality time with his family.
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Favorite Beer:
Anything with an ABV of 10% or above, and Belgians
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Favorite Animal:
Speedy, his late three-legged cat, and Charlie, Metazoa’s retired Pest Control Manager.
LAUREN FREDERICK
VICE PRESIDENT
Lauren graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Vanderbilt University in 2012 before starting a career in Sales and Marketing. As a craft beer enthusiast and the first person to pet any stranger’s dog, Lauren was thrilled to join Dave in his mission to create a company with a mission and culture as inspiring as its product. In her time outside the brewery, Lauren loves to cook, practice yoga, travel, and explore the local Indianapolis theater and arts scene.
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Favorite Beer:
“Pleading the Fifth” until Metazoa makes its first Bohemian Pilsner.
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Favorite Animal:
Any and all chimps and her fluffy, white Persian, “Sophie.”
NICK BETZNER
DIRECTOR OF BREWER OPERATIONS
Nick was raised in small town Indiana, but moved to Indianapolis to attend college. After completing his studies he worked in local nonprofits for six years. He also began to home brew right after college and fell in love with the process. Nick joined Metazoa in 2016 as the pilot brewer and has worked his way up to head brewer followed by Director of Brewing Operations. His main focus is brewing, but he also enjoys recipe formulation and developing effective and efficient processes for the brewing team. When he isn't brewing, Nick enjoys cycling and cooking.
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Favorite Beer:
Saisons
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Favorite Animal:
Otters, foxes
JOEY SMITH
DIRECTOR OF LOGISTICS
Joey is an award-winning videographer and photographer. Before becoming a brewer Joey came from the world of marketing, PR and content creation, working for the Indiana State Museum and NUVO Newsweekly. Joey has always had a passion for beer. First, drinking it. Now, making it. He is the proud pupper-papa of two rescues - Bruce and Linda Loo.
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Favorite Beer:
DIPAs and Imperial Stouts
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Favorite Animal:
Bats and dogs
GRACE BURNS
PACKAGING LEAD
Although Grace is often on an adventure, she has always called Indianapolis home. After graduating high school, Grace attended IUPUI studying sport management and then did mission work in Australia, India and Nepal. Grace started as a bartender at Metazoa and became more intrigued with the beer production process, so she decided to dive into the brewing side of things. In her spare time, you can find Grace running, traveling and hanging out with her pup Opal.
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Favorite Beer:
IPAs
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Favorite Animal:
Giraffe
ROB MALAD
BREWER
Rob was born and raised in Indianapolis. He got his start in brewing in 2012 at Sun King Brewery, and was most recently the Head Brewer at Flix Brewhouse. He is also married.
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Favorite Beer:
Two Brothers Domaine Dupage, Pale Strong Belgian Ales, and German Lagers of all kinds
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Favorite Animal:
Bernese Mountain Dog (I have two currently) and Meerkats
TAYLOR WILLIAMS
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING + EVENTS
Taylor graduated from Indiana University in 2010 with a degree in journalism and quickly began her career in marketing and branding. With more than 5 years in the Indiana craft beverage industry, Taylor is thrilled to bring her passion for great beer branding and her love of animals to the Metazoa team.
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Favorite Beer:
Anything barrel-aged
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Favorite Animal:
Orca whales and her beloved puppy, Finn
ALEX POLEY
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Alex grew up in Centerville, OH and attended Eastern Kentucky University where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Professional Golf Management. Upon graduation he served as a PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Meridian Hills Country Club for 3 seasons. In his free time, Alex enjoys playing golf with friends, listening to podcasts, running and exploring new restaurants around Indy.
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Favorite Beer:
IPAs & Belgians
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Favorite Animal:
Busby, his family’s
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
ANGELA SMITH
TAPROOM MANAGER
Angela is an Indianapolis service industry veteran. She was with the Slippery Noodle Inn since 2008, helped open Bru Burger on Mass Ave, and was the manager of Big Woods in Franklin. She started out, in the taproom at Metazoa, as a bartender in 2020 and is excited to transition into her new role of taproom manager. Angela loves the farmer's market, trading recipes with everyone, being creative, and of course, loves all dogs. She is the proud Dog Mom of two rescues and can't wait to rescue more.
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Favorite Beers:
La Vaquera Rubia and Ambers or Red Ales
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Favorite Animals:
The list is long, but a few are elephants, manatees, and DOGS!
SAMI AYRES
MARKETING + EVENTS COORDINATOR
Sami was born and raised in Indianapolis and graduated from Purdue University in 2018 with a degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management and minors in Event Planning and Spanish. Sami has spent several years working in the craft beer industry and is thrilled to now be at a brewery as unique as Metazoa. In her free time, Sami enjoys reading, watching Purdue & Indianapolis sports teams, and going to concerts.
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Favorite Beer:
Sours and Wheat Beers
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Favorite Animal:
Horses and her two rescue dogs, Jay and Mia
JOHN HALL
BREWMASTER
John was born and raised in the Northwest side of Chicago. He attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and graduated from Columbia College with a degree in Film and Animation. After 10 years of industrial film work and Hotel audio visual work, he realized that perhaps he should look outside his intended career field for a more fulfilling vocation.
Having a love for beer and already homebrewing for about a year, he confidently, if not irrationally, quit his job and and enrolled at The Siebel Institute, the country's oldest brewing school. After graduation, he landed a cellar position at Goose Island Beer Co. He worked at Goose Island for 15 years and in that time, worked up to the position of Head Brewer. After Goose Island, he moved on to become Brewmaster at the Latin American-inspired startup brewery, 5 Rabbit Cerveceria. After 4 plus years at 5 Rabbit, he came to Metazoa in Indianapolis, leaving his home city for the first time. John says of the move, "I'm enjoying being a stranger in a strange land, and am really enjoying brewing in and exploring my new home."
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Favorite Beer:
Depends when you catch him, but Bohemian Pilsner is always up there
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Favorite Animal:
Otters (River or Sea), the Elusive Giant Squid
JIM RICKETTS
MANAGER, FINANCE, & ADMINISTRATION
Jim graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in the field of accounting in 1997. This launched his career with a Fortune 500 company where he worked in many financial roles for twenty-three years. During his tenure, he furthered his education and obtained a Master of Science in Business Administration. Jim’s passion for the craft beer industry and his love for all animals eventually drew him away from corporate America to join the Metazoa brewing family. When not working, Jim enjoys play time with his adopted Pitbull pup, Lola, and rocking out with the family cockatoo, Maggie. Jim is also a big advocate for supporting local restaurants, stores and music venues.
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Favorite Beer:
DDH Hoppopptamus W/ Nelson Sauvin & Pacific Sunrise Hops
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Favorite Animal:
Large dogs of all breeds, but small ones are cool too.
RAND WILSON
GENERAL MANAGER
On Feb. 7, 2007, Rand Wilson starting working for Dave Worthington at The Worthington Company as an on-site coordinator. He quickly proved himself invaluable to Dave. In 2012, Rand and Dave began Brewery Tours of Indianapolis together and Brewery Tours of St. Louis in 2013. As a Marine, Rand currently holds the position of Past Commander of the American Legion Post 34 in Broad Ripple. He also enjoys riding his Harley Davidson Street Glide on long road trips or spur of the moment adventures.
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Favorite Beer:
Anything hoppy or imperial
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Favorite Animal:
All animals