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Jason Goldstein
Founder & Operations Manager
Jason has been brewing professionally since he was 19 years old. While studying Food Science at the Ohio State University, he interned at a local brewery and soon discovered his true passion. After college, he furthered his studies in England through Brewlab at the University of Sunderland, earning advanced certifications in Cask Ale and British Brewing Technology.
Jason started Icarus Brewing in 2017 and finds it challenging to pick his favorite Icarus beer, but offer him a slow pour lager and you’ll see him immediately light up. He’s responsible for most of the cherished recipes that define our brand, and his commitment to quality and innovation continues to propel the entire Brew Crew ever upward.
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Shane Gertner
Director of Sales & Marketing
Shane has been with us since the early days when Taproom was the only place you could get an Icarus brew. His journey with us has seen him take on various roles, and now he oversees all sales operations. Shane’s favorite beer is a deep cut – Yukon Cornelius Coffee Porter. Outside of work, Shane’s passions extends to flea markets, estate sales, and thrift stores, where he enjoys transforming hidden finds into treasures!
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Brian Greco
Brand Rep
Brian started with us as a Driver and showed incredible dedication and product knowledge, so we moved him into sales. He is responsible for all our North Jersey accounts and is an absolute workhorse. There’s nothing he loves more than kicking back with a cold I Life and suffering through yet another disappointing Jets game.
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Phil Schmidt
Brand Rep
Phil brings a decade of craft beer experience to the Icarus team, Phil knows his way around a good pint. But there’s more—he’s got a half sleeve tattoo dedicated to Big Trouble in Little China (a certified cult classic), an undying love for The Office (bears, beets, beer sales?), and a cat who probably judges his every move but secretly supports his love for Das Beste!
If you spot him out and about in the South Jersey area, make sure to say hey and maybe quote a little Jack Burton while you’re at it.
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Matt Barnish
Taproom Manager
Matt runs the day-to-day operations of our Taproom, ensuring a seamless and welcoming experience for all guests while leading our dynamic team of Beertenders. With 12+ years of management experience, his main focus is delivering top-quality customer service and keeping the taproom running smoothly. He also has over 20 years of experience drinking beer, so he knows our products very well. Matt’s favorite Icarus beer has been extinct, but he dreams of the day he’ll once again enjoy a Fruited and Flying: Kiwi Pie!
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Carly Gant
Event Coordinator & Assistant Taproom Manager
Carly joins the Icarus team with an impressive 12 years of experience in planning and executing unforgettable events. From private parties to larger celebrations, she’s here to make your next gathering truly one-of-a-kind. She’s also helping us elevate your Taproom experience, ensuring every visit is as enjoyable as possible. Outside of work, Carly loves live music, spending sunny days at the beach, and cherishing time with her three daughters. Her current Icarus go-to? New Noise!
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Kevin Curtis
Packaging Manager
Kevin’s passion for crafting unique barrel-aged beers blossomed both at home and in our brewery. In 2020, he became our Packaging Manager, ensuring our brews are properly packaged into the kegs, cans, and bottles we all enjoy. As the head of our Barrel Aging Program, Kevin’s expertise shines through his constant innovation with new adjuncts and blend combinations—one of his personal favorites being Shadows Forming: Vanilla. In his spare time, he loves collecting bottles for his cellar, which, last he counted, held around 1,400!
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Emily Rappisi
Marketing Manager
Emily’s marketing journey kicked off at various agencies, where she honed her skills and soaked up experience. But her true passion? Craft beer! Thanks to her dad, who introduced her to the vibrant world of breweries, Emily developed a lifelong love for all things craft beer. Now, she brings her social media and marketing magic to Icarus, where she’s on a mission to elevate the brand and connect with the ever-enthusiastic craft beer community!
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Dave Menges
Head Brewer
You might recognize Dave for his standout Brewers Series creations like Hoppy Little Accidents, Little Grey One, and the award-winning King Arthur’s Steed, but around here, he’s affectionately known as Big Dave. From overseeing mashing operations to managing our sustainable spent grain donations, Dave is a cornerstone of our Brew Crew.
Dave’s journey began long before his Big Dave days, as he honed his craft as a dedicated homebrewer. His wealth of experience and commitment to excellence drive our production forward, ensuring we maintain our high standards for quality and innovation. While he appreciates a well-crafted mixed fermentation beer, his heart belongs to Let’s Be Franc!
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Nick Palazzo
Lead Brewer
Dr. Nick’s journey with us began in 2017 in our taproom, where his passion for homebrewing quickly earned him a place on the Brew Crew. Known affectionately as The Seltz Czar, Nick leads our innovative hard seltzers program, and is responsible for the recipes including Das Beste, Raspberry Rickie, and Hey! Take it Easy. While Nick has a soft spot for a cold crispy boi, his heart belongs to two standout Icarus brews: Let’s Be Franc and Not A Schooner.
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Mikey Schmidt
Distribution Manager
Meet Mikey, our incredible Distribution Manager! He joined the Icarus team in March as a Driver and quickly worked his way up to managing our distribution operations. When he’s not ensuring our brews get where they need to be, Mikey is rocking out as the drummer for his band, Junkfood, or enjoying a round of disc golf. A big fan of Chewbocka, our delicious Doppelbock, Mikey also loves spending time with his loyal German Shepherd, Ace.
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