Meet Jolly Pumpkin’s Brew Crew:

Captain Spooky Ron J
General Mischief Maker, chief squeegee operator

As Brewmaster, Ron’s goal is worldwide recognition as a brewer and creator of beers of outstanding art and grace, a philosopher of things beery, and an outspoken advocate of the slower, finer life.

Ron began studying brewing science in 1991-ish with one eye always towards opening his own brewery. He began brewing professionally in 1995, and quickly became a well known and respected brewer in Michigan’s emerging craft beer scene.

Driven and dedicated, he progressed from brewer, to craftsman, to artist, and most recently to philosopher and visionary. Beginning to learn to step back, and decelerate the hectic pace of modern life to a slower, more livable, more enjoyable walk, he learned to smile and laugh, and was finally able to open his own brewery (Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales) in the summer of 2004. Running Jolly Pumpkin, Ron now practices the art of “Hawaiian time”, full time.

Some favored words:

What the white whale was to Ahab, has been hinted; what, at times, he was to me, as yet remains unsaid. – Herman Melville, Moby Dick

The middle “e” in Jeffries is silent, and invisible. – Ron Jeffries (Ron’s father)

Try wait, – Rex Halfpenny

Laurie Jeffries General Director - Management and logistics Laurie’s chief duties lie in creating a friendly and welcoming retail area at the brewery, overseeing off premise accounts, and developing ways to position and market all of Ron’s crazy visions and ideas. Always a friendly face, ready to smile at a child, or take in a stray dog, Laurie’s extensive background in education and equitation / equine management provide grounding and guidance to the whole motley Jolly Pumpkin lot. Stop in and experience the warmth as our retail area slowly grows and expands week after week, finally to emerge as the quaint country store of her dreams.

Daemon Jeffries Director – Labeling Operations Being the son of a brewer can sometimes be more demanding than most people realize. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not all beer and skittles. Jolly Pumpkin is a small family run business, and Daemon pitches in whenever and wherever he can. From carpentry and painting during the brewery’s construction, to helping stack bags of malt, and pallets of glass, to hauling out the used brewers grains, to bottling and labeling, Daemon does it all, and gets the job done well!

Drew Karl Bottling & Cellar Drew Karl; Bottling and cellar.

Charles Psenka Chief Liaison The founder of the Leelanau Brewing Company. Charles spends time at Jolly Pumpkin inspecting barrels and consulting. Charles happily provides digital support and copious tasting notes.

Mike Turriff VP Sales Mike Turiff; Vice President of Sales

As for the rest of you;
Mahalo plenty, all!

Brewery Photos | The Crew | The Name | Our Beers | The Brewing Process