Our Crew – Airways Brewing Company

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Alex Dittmar

Founder, Owner, & Head Brewer

Alex Dittmar founded Airways Brewing in 2009 with the goal of providing tasty microbrews to the Kent Valley and beyond. Before that, he was a multiple-award-winning home brewer and full time airline employee – hence the airline theme. “I love being able to meld two of my passions together – big jets and craft beer.”

Alex considers himself the brand ambassador. “Every beer has a story, and when I’m in the tap room, guests want to hear how the different beers came to be. I love being able to share conversation and beer with them, as well as get their instant feedback on what they think about a particular beer. I do listen to all the feedback I get, and sometimes make changes to beers based on hearing what our guests experience.”

He also loves talking airplanes with the many guests drawn to Airways by the local air industry. “I love that we get quite a few customers in because of the airliner theme. I’ve heard fascinating stories from people who work on everything from current-technology jets to folks who worked in the era of the big propliners.”

Before brewing, Alex spent 9 years in the radio broadcasting industry, and was a corporate event emcee and a graphic designer. “I’ve used my speaking and interaction skills, as well as my design abilities, many times at Airways.”

As you might guess by his love of airplanes, Alex loves to travel. “When we travel – whether it be a day trip or multiple-day vacation – we always seek out local breweries or beer-centric taverns. It’s fun to taste different beers from all over and sometimes it inspires new creations.”

Favorite Airways Brew: Midnight Departure CDA. “It has a little bit of Porter and a little IPA going on at the same time. To me, that’s a tasty combination. The CDA is one of the few beers I can drink and not overanalyze – me being the perfectionist, son of a native German, Virgo.”

Dione Dittmar

Owner, General Manager, & Marketing Director

Beer was never a part of Dione’s life until after she married Alex. “A friend of Alex’s family asked me once while we were dating, how I would feel about Alex starting a brewery. It wasn’t even a consideration back then, but I told her if that’s what he wanted to do, he should. You only get one shot at life, so why not? Alex hadn’t even tried homebrewing yet, and she says she knew then that this was our future.”

After moving from San Diego to join Alex, the Washington beer community was a bit of a culture shock. “I had an award-winning career in marketing that I loved, and I never intended to give that up to pour beer. But after the first few months of bartending to help out Alex, I realized this was my path, too. It was all about the people.”

Although she can still occasionally be found behind the bar, Dione is now mostly responsible for the business side of Airways. Previous project management experience comes in handy for keeping track of the day-to-day details. She has also immersed herself in the Kent business community, serving as Vice President of the Kent Downtown Partnership, and participating on the steering committee that is currently planning for the future of downtown Kent. “Kent has embraced us, and supported our business and dreams. I feel like I owe it to give back as much as I can.”

In her rare bits of spare time, Dione enjoys working with hot glass, photography, cooking, and traveling. “Art, food, travel—all of those things allow you to experience other people’s worlds and ideas. I’ve never needed possessions. I’ve always needed experiences.”

Favorite Airways Brew: Starliner Stout. “I remember sitting in lawn chairs with friends while Alex brewed this in the garage. The recipe hasn’t changed, and it still takes me back to that time.”

Robby Leviton

Owner & Sales Manager

As a longtime friend of Alex’s, Robby had the pleasure of hearing about the future of “Airways” before it was even named. “Sitting with Alex over beers, I watched the growth of his love for craft beer, and his passion for brewing the best possible beer. Once he decided he would open a brewery, it was obvious that this would become a reality.”

Robby has supported Airways from the beginning as a friend, and knew it was the right step when he was offered the opportunity to join the company as a partner in 2011. In his official role in sales, Robby and his Sky Hag shirt can be found out and about with kegs for new customers. In addition to that, Robby supports Airways in many other ways. “My role is to be there to support our team and company as needed, with a ‘whatever it takes’ attitude. I love creating an environment that allows our team members to feel they are valued, have the opportunity to grow with the business, and love being there.” He is always willing to do whatever is needed, as long as he doesn’t have to help roll silverware.

“I love that our beers are truly outstanding. The customers enjoy them very much and know that when our beers are brewed, great effort is made to provide them a tasting experience that is above ‘normal’. Our customers have become a community, friends, and I enjoy the time I get spend chatting with them, sometimes from behind the bar, sometimes sitting at their table with them and getting to know them.

Robby loves being of service and helping people enjoy life more, whether through his many volunteer activities or through work. He also loves doing “research” in local pubs and breweries with his wonderful wife, Debbie. “The people in the beer community are very amazing, friendly, warm folks.”

Favorite Airways Brew: Starliner Stout. “Why, because it’s delicious! Besides being a very tasty stout its texture and consistency makes it more drinkable then many stouts. I tell people all the time that it is the beer that has converted many non-dark beer people into dark beer lovers.”

Debbie Leviton

Owner, Trainer, & Events Manager

Debbie has been friends with Alex since 2001, before he and Dione were even dating. “Alex and Dione became the kind of friends that I knew we could count on and would be there for life. I love that the two of them got married.”

Like Robby, Debbie supported Airways before the business even had a name, even letting the Dittmars throw a party in her backyard to test out the beer. She confesses, “I was more of a wine lover than a beer lover, but I fell in love with the stout.” She was quickly converted into the craft beer scene as she got to know the people. “It’s so fun to be a part of the brewery. I think my favorite part is really the customers and the employees. It has become like an extended family for me. I have become very much of a beer lover at this point and really enjoy all of the beers we bring in from around the Northwest.” Debbie was there from the start, pitching in wherever she could to get the new brewery up and running.

With her background in sales, and the many events she has worked, Debbie has been a natural fit for tracking kegs for Robby, and helping to coordinate the many festivals and private events Airways has booked every month. Debbie has also played a huge role in hiring and training the Airways crew. “I call myself a personologist. I love to watch people find their joy in life, even if it is for a moment. I have worked with people my whole life, whether it has been to help people to grow their business through coaching, or help people create a financial portfolio to create their futures. I am also certified as a life coach, which is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.”

Like most of the Airways crew, Debbie loves to travel and visit other breweries. “I get very excited to meet the owners, and get their expression of the different beers that they brew. This industry is very fun. Everyone in the industry is supportive and friendly. I love all the new people we have met.”

Favorite Airways Brew: Starliner Stout. “It has such a nice note of chocolate and roasted coffee, two of my favorite flavors, and is very drinkable both in the summer and in the winter. A close second is the CDA. It has a little more hoppy flavor, and still the malt, yet not to sweet or heavy.”

Mitch Kling

Beertender at the Tap Room

Mitch first heard of that “airplane bar” from a friend’s dad. He said they had the best IPA in town, and Mitch was excited to find out that there was a microbrewery practically in his backyard. He and his friends buckled up and ventured into the valley. They ended up in a business park in Kent, where they circled four times before someone shouted, “Stop, that guy’s got a growler!” From then on, Mitch and his friends made it down almost every Thursday for cask night, and he quickly became enamored with the beer world. Hired as Airways first official employee in October of 2011, Mitch fondly remembers his days as a customer, back when it was still a super-secret nano-brewery.

Mitch’s favorite thing about working at the Tap Room is the time he gets to spend with guests. “I feel like I’m just the guy in charge of making sure everyone is having a good time. I love that I can stand around and just pick apart beer with our guests, and feel like I’m in a laboratory, learning and sharing all the time. All of our guest have their particular field of expertise, which brings the whole bar together sometimes in some pretty thought provoking conversations. Whether its yeast and hops, or nozzle proficiency, they never disappoint. I feel like I’m hosting a party every Thursday and Friday, and I’m the one in charge of making sure everyone parties safe and comfortable.”

Since the Tap Room is open limited hours, Mitch works at other places during the rest of the week, and even has a bit of the entrepreneurial spirit in him as well. He an owner of a small business that sells aluminum spikes used to hold boats to the beach. When he’s not working, he likes to be out and about, hiking, and traveling to other breweries.

Favorite Airways Brew: Starliner Stout. “It’s just so chocolaty, smooth, coffee, toasty, roasty awesomeness.”

Ken Buckley

Chef at the Beer & Bistro

The newest addition to the Beer & Bistro kitchen, Ken found out about Airways through a meeting of the Impaling Alers, Kent’s homebrew club. “It was love at first sip when I went to my first Cask Thursday in February of 2012. Tickle Your Zwickel was on tap that night.” After offering his services when the Bistro needed backup, Ken became a full-fledged crew member in August of 2012.

In his short time at Airways, Ken has already made his mark behind the scenes, with new menu ideas that will be appearing soon. “I hope to ‘come original’ with some of the tastiest foods that Kent has to offer. I also expect to contribute to some mean food and beer pairings, and I’m awaiting the next brew that Alex is ready to challenge me with.”

Ken brings with him a wide range of experience including culinary training at the Art Institute of Seattle, and work in culinary outlets such as casinos, wedding facilities, conferences, and colleges. “My biggest influence was the time spent as a cook at a local winery. This is where my taste for local, original, tangible culinary arts blossomed.” This background is also what attracted him to Airways. “The concept of Airways and everything that is attached has been touched by human hands at some point in production. From the malted barley that is about to be used for the Hag, to the fresh pizza dough that is flying through the air.”

When he’s not homebrewing or cooking, Ken is a family guy with “two boys, a lovely wife, and no pets. Now that I’m neck deep in the homebrew life, my six and eight year olds help separate our homegrown hops into the correct bucket at harvest, and also let me know when the timer is going off for the next hop addition.”

Favorite Airways Brew: Jet City ESB. “It’s the best of both worlds (hops & grain), and also does an amazing job bubbling around bratwurst or completing the perfect beer batter.”

Erin Caywood

Beertender and Front of House Manager

Erin has captained fishing boats through Alaska, worked in the grocery business, and bartended at another craft beer establishment before landing at Airways in February of 2012. Her diverse experience and knowledge of craft beer makes her a perfect fit for the Beer & Bistro, where customers come in from all over to try out Washington brews.

At Airways, Erin has become known by customers and coworkers alike for her genuine desire to provide a friendly and entertaining environment. “I want our customers to feel like more than just customers because they are! I really enjoy the regulars and my wonderful coworkers who laugh at my jokes even when they are awful.”

When she’s not behind the bar, Erin enjoys being at her home on the river, where she likes to go floating and pull out the BBQ in the summer, and go fishing in the Fall and Spring. “All while drinking beer, of course!”

Favorite Airways Brew: Starliner Stout. “It’s so smooth and delicious, and if it’s hot out, I like to mix it with cider. My second favorite would have to be the Midnight Departure CDA.”

Sarah Dunn

Beertender at the Beer & Bistro

Sarah has been homebrewing for a little over a year, and has made about half a dozen different styles, including a cider. “Yeah, I know it’s not technically a beer, but it took up carboy space for over four months, so I’m counting it!”. Her favorite beer to make so far has been an ESB.

She was out visiting new breweries when she discovered the Airways Tap Room. Alex Dittmar happened to be out front, so she asked if there was any chance they were hiring. Soon, she was working behind the bar at the Tap Room, and then moved over to the Bistro as a beertender and occasional cook.

“Working as a server was a brand new experience for me, and I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by experienced and supportive coworkers and bosses.” While food service may have been new to her, it quickly became obvious that Sarah knows her stuff when it comes to beer. Thanks to her quick wit and ability to talk nerdy with the beer geeks, Sarah was quickly adopted into the family by the Airways regulars.

In addition to knowing her beer, Sarah shares the Airways passion for high quality service. “I feel that my main objective as a server is to do exactly that, serve the customer. Everything is about them. They come in to the Bistro to have good food, good beer, and a good experience. I believe we have great quality food and beer, and our guest taps are unique and always changing. We have a spectacular group of fun, enjoyable customers.”

Favorite Airways Brew: The Midnight Departure CDA or the Dirty Hag (Sky Hag mixed with Starliner Stout). “I really like that dark, roasty, and hoppy combo.”

Greg Wick

Sales, Beertender, Dishwasher

Well known to the Airways regulars that have been around from the start, Greg Wick is a good friend of Alex and Dione, and was even there to witness the first lease signing for the Brewery & Tap Room.

For the first year, Greg provided entertainment from behind the bar at the Tap Room, frequently dropping things, breaking dishes, and forgetting to ring in beers. This lead to daily firings by customers, who kept a tally. He could always be counted on to show up late, mess with the music, and play practical jokes.

Greg also became known for his easy going personality, and ability to draw a group of customers who had never met into a conversation at the bar. In 2011, he was a Best of Kent finalist for Best Bartender. Although he was replaced by a dishwasher when the Tap Room expanded, he is a permanent member of the Brew Crew, assisting with sales in the Tacoma area, pouring beer at festivals, and stepping back behind the bar when needed.

When he’s not breaking things and getting fired, Greg is a techy guy in the airline industry as well as a part time DJ.

Favorite Airways Brew: Sky Hag IPA. “Great balance and a smooth IPA.”

Jon Morrow

Honorary Brew Crew Member

Jon discovered Airways about 2 years ago. Like many Airways customers, he became friend with the owners. After about a year of enjoying the beer, Jon adopted Airways and started helping Alex out with various things around the brewery including brewing. As a beer judge with 10 years of homebrewing experience, Jon’s knowledge of beer has provided invaluable insight to the process of getting the expanded brewery up and running. Jon recently became a minority owner of Airways as well, investing in the purchase of new equipment to accelerate the growth of the brewery.

As a techy guy, Jon was instrumental in the installation of the new brewhouse. His ability to read complex electrical diagrams, plus inability to leave any puzzle unsolved proved to be key in figuring out the new system.

Jon enjoys promoting the brewery and craft beer throughout Washington, and supporting the Airways family. “I enjoy the friendships I’ve built around the brewery and industry most.” When he’s not homebrewing or judging beer, Jon has a passion for all things mechanical and technical. His real job includes software delivery and development as well as iPhone development.

Favorite Airways Brew: Sky Hag IPA. “Sky Hag is my favorite IPA on the market. It does a very good job of being an approachable double IPA. Very well balanced even though it is extremely hoppy.”