At age 18 Casey hightailed it down to Florida from his childhood home in the Finger Lakes of upstate New York to pursue his dream of brewing beer in paradise . Before the ink on his high school diploma was dry he found employment at the Key West brewery working on the bottling line . He worked his way up to a brewer position before he turned 21 , putting him in the unusual spot of being a professional brewer who was legally prohibited from drinking his own product .
Casey Hughes
Master Brewer Coppertail Brewing Co .
In 2002 Casey became the head brewer of Flying Fish brewery in New Jersey . Over the next decade he developed a series of critically acclaimed beers and led the brewery through a period of rapid growth , winning GABF medals for his IPA , Trippel , Dubbel , Belgian Strong Dark Ale , Belgian Chestnut Specialty Ale , and Super Friends Collaboration . It was also during this time that Men ’ s Journal chose his Trippel as “ Best Belgian Beer in America ,” and he served as president of the Master Brewers Association of America , District New York . However , despite his brewing successes up north , with each miserable New Jersey winter the siren song of Florida grew louder .
Casey ’ s brewing career now comes full circle as he returns to Florida to lead Coppertail Brewing .
Born and raised in New York , trained in mixology while living in the Caribbean during his early 20 ’ s . Ryan blends bold flavors with island flair as he brings craft cocktails to the Channel District .
1 . What is the best / worst pick up line you ’ ve overheard while bartending ? It was a slow night , with only three patrons in the bar , two guys , and a girl . One of the guys tells me to buy a shot for the girl , but to “ not tell her where it was from .” After trying to convince him this was a terrible idea , I finally agreed and gave the woman her shot . Telling her , I was told not to say anything ; she looks at the guy who bought the shot , then to the only other guy in the bar . She proceeds to stand up , walks the shot over to the other guy , sits down next to him and proclaims “ I bought this for you .” They ended up exchanging numbers , all because the guys plan backfired . Always take your bartenders advice !
Ryan Fitzgerald
20
Beverage Director District Tavern
2 . What is the funniest story a stranger has shared with you ? I ’ ve definitely heard my fair share of stories . However , this is one of the best . A guy who told me about his date with a woman , who before things got too far , made him touch her deceased husband ’ s ashes she kept in a Ziploc bag in her purse . An equal mix of horrifying and hilarious , mainly because he was laughing the whole time he was telling me .