Please meet Joel Franklin, The MJF Sir Geoff Palmer Award for Brewing: “An Atlanta native found his entry point into craft beer through the lense of food and his educational/professional experience in culinary arts. Upon finding the parallels craft beer and cooking shared, it became a natural transition from the stove top to the kettle pot for him. His educational background includes an A.S. in Culinary Arts; Johnson and Wales University (Providence) and WBA Concise Course in Brewing Technology Certification; Siebel Institute of Technology (Chicago). Joel's professional background includes eight plus years of restaurant experience, both front of house and back of house. More recently Joel has spent the last six plus years honing his skills within the craft beer industry. Roles held during range from beer tender, packaging operations, cellar/cellar-lead, and brewer. Throughout his time in craft beer he's spent time at Twain's Brewpub (Volunteer), Scofflaw Brewing Co., Steady Hand Brewing, Halfway Crooks Beer and Atlantucky Brewing in various capacities. Joel is currently focusing on applying past and present experience to the building of his own brewery concept in the near future: Indigo Brewing Project (@IndigoBrewingProject), a brewpub centered upon gastronomic, BIPOC and indigenous inspired beers with community at the forefront.” Joel is applying to the UC Davis Online Master Brewer program. Next up: Filipe Garcia