Brewer Bios
At Hinterland, we like to think the personality of our beer has a lot to do with the
personalities of our brewers. Joe and Bill. Together they've created what has steadily
become one of Wisconsin's best known craft-brewed beers-Hinterland Pale Ale. While
Joe says, "It's a little bit country," meaning it's rooted in tradition, Bill says, "It's all
rock 'n roll." Either way you see it, we hope you'll enjoy it's unique personality.

My name is Joe. I'm the brewer at Hinterland Brewery.

My name is Bill. I own Hinterland Brewery in Green Bay, WI.
Photo of Joe Karls, Brewmaster Photo of Bill Tressler, Owner

I trained at Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago.

I drive a mini van. Hey, it's really safe AND I can fit a lot of barrels in the back.

I carry my Palm Pilot and day planner everywhere I go.

I used to sky dive and scuba dive, but I don't anymore. These days I really enjoy watching the sunrise from the loading dock with a hot cup of Luna coffee.

I've been a home brewer since 1984. I've been brewing at Hinterland since 1997.

I'm passionate about alpha amylase and isomerized acids, but I also like a snifter of brandy and a good steak.

My favorite piece of equipment in the brewery is the hydraulic lift on our rake. It's got so much power!

I like my malty beer. I'm proud to say that Hinterland Pale Ale has won many medals.

I studied brewing science and engineering at the University of California-Davis.

I drive a 1985 VW Bus. It breaks down a lot. I have two other cars, but they're not as much fun.

I've been an Apple fanatic since 1988. I have eight Macs.

When I'm not working, I play the drums, listen to reggae, and snowboard the steeps in B.C.

I opened Hinterland Brewery in 1995 after leaving my job as the editor of Beer, the Magazine.

I'm passionate about a lot of things, but mostly Hinterland beer and great food.

I tricked out our mash tun with the coolest rake, plough, and spent grain pump ever. I did it just for Joe.

I like bitter beer. Hinterland Pale is a traditional English bitter.

I'm a freak about perfection, integrity, and quality. I think it shows in our beer.