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Meet the Team

Jason Goldstein

Founder & Brewmaster

Jason has been brewing professionally since he was 19. While studying Food Science at OSU, he interned at a local brewery and discovered his true passion. He later studied in England through Brewlab at the University of Sunderland, earning advanced certifications in Cask Ale and British Brewing Technology. Jason finds it tough to pick a favorite Icarus beer, but a slow pour lager is the key to his heart. He’s behind most of our cherished recipes and continues to propel the Brew Crew ever upward.

Shane Gertner

Sales Director

Shane has been with us since the early days when the 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 at Icarus, helping expand our reach across New Jersey and beyond. Shane’s favorite beer is a deep cut—Yukon Cornelius (Coffee Porter). Outside of work, Shane’s passions extend to flea markets, estate sales, and thrift stores, where he enjoys transforming hidden finds into treasures!

Dave Menges

Head Brewer

You might recognize Dave for standout Brewers Series creations like Hoppy Little Accidents, Little Grey One, and the award-winning King Arthur’s Steed. Around here, he’s affectionately known as Big Dave. From overseeing mashing to managing spent grain donations, he’s a cornerstone of our Brew Crew. Dave honed his craft as a dedicated homebrewer and brings a commitment to excellence that drives our production. While he enjoys a well-crafted mixed fermentation beer, his heart belongs to Let’s Be Franc.

Matt Barnish

Taproom Manager

Matt runs the day-to-day operations of our Taproom, ensuring a welcoming experience for all guests. With 12+ years of management experience, he leads our dynamic team of Beertenders focusing on delivering top-quality customer service and quality pours. 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.

Carly Gant

Event Coordinator

Carly joined the Icarus team with a deep resume of experience planning and executing unforgettable events. From private parties to larger celebrations, she’s here to make your next gathering at Icarus one-of-a-kind. 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!

Kevin Curtis

Packaging Manager

Kevin’s love for unique barrel aged beers blossomed both at home and with Icarus. He became our Packaging Manager in 2020, making sure all of our brews are properly packaged and ready for the world. As head of our Barrel Aging Program, his expertise shines through constant innovation with new adjuncts and blends—one of his all-time favorites is Shadows Forming: Vanilla!

Nick Palazzo

Lead Brewer

Nick joined the Taproom in 2017 but his homebrewing abilities earned him a place in our Brew Crew. Known affectionately as The Seltz Czar or Dr. Nick, he leads our innovative hard seltzer program, and is responsible for the beer recipes Das Beste, Raspberry Rickie, and Hey! Take it Easy—to name a few. He loves crisp lagers and the Icarus classics Let’s Be Franc & Not A Schooner.

Marissa Sacca

Marketing Director

After leaving the corporate world behind, Marissa landed in the craft beer industry bringing fresh creative energy to Icarus. She now leads the brewery’s creative and marketing efforts, blending strategy with storytelling to share the brand far and wide. Her favorite Ipours are a daily debate between Das Beste, Ichi For The Michi, and Life In Helles—depending on the mood.

Brian Greco

Brand Rep – North Jersey

Brian started with us as a Delivery Driver and quickly stood out for his dedication, reliability, and deep product knowledge—so we moved him into sales. He now manages all our North Jersey accounts and is an absolute workhorse, always going the extra mile. There’s nothing he loves more than kicking back with a cold I Life and suffering through yet another disappointing Jets game.

Kevin Kilfeather

Brand Rep – South Jersey

With a marketing degree from Kean and 8 years of experience on the buyer side of the alcohol industry, Kevin has made the leap to the seller side—bringing a fresh perspective and a serious love for craft beer. He’s a die-hard Mets fan, loves a good Devils or BlueClaws game, and when he’s not out on the road getting fresh Icarus beer throughout South Jersey, you’ll find him kicking back with a cold can of Milkshaking It.

Mikey Schmidt

Distribution Manager

Mikey joined the Icarus team as a Delivery 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.

+ Our Stellar Beertenders, Drivers, & Support Staff