OUR TEAM
FOUNDING PARTNER /
HEAD BREWER
KYLE ACENOWR
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
I’ve developed a pretty intense infatuation with lagers since we began brewing them about a few years ago. Right now our Festbier is occupying that space.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
I’ve been an angler since I was young and picked up fly fishing seriously this year. It's a great way to explore the northeast.
FOUNDING PARTNER /
GENERAL MANAGER
DAVID KAYE
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
I love traditional English cask ale. Whenever we have a bitter on the handpump you can find me posted up in the taproom with a pint glass in my hand.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
I like to ski, ride my bike, and cook for family & friends. Also play mandolin in a bluegrass band and nerd out on various music things.
FOUNDING PARTNER / HR /
BOOKKEEPER
SARAH ZITNAY
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
Since we opened in 2017, I have really enjoyed expanding my palate with the variety of styles that Kyle and Kat brew. That said, I tend toward our Belgian ales like Ace of Wands and Le Bucheron (at the moment). The mixed fermentation bottle, The Wand, is a super special treat as well.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
One of my favorite hobbies is knitting...you may have seen some handknit hats in the taproom recently - that was me! And... not-so-secret, I am a yoga instructor, teaching in Ridgefield since 2015 as well as at the brewery occassionally. Somewhat secret, I earned a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase and lived in Brooklyn for 9 years.
FOUNDING PARTNER / PRESIDENT
ROBERT KAYE
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
For me it’s the Ace of Wands. I really love the flavor profile with its hint of spices. A great session beer.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
I enjoy bike riding. Most of my riding is done on Martha’s Vineyard. They have so many bike paths, but my favorite is through the State Forest due to its peaceful environment. I recently took an electric bike for a spin, and it was pretty cool…. does this mean the end of the exercise portion of my excursions or will it expand my horizons? Time will tell.
BREWER
FIG MICHAUD
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
My favorite styles of beer are mixed ferms and farmhouse sours. My go to beer from Nod Hill right now is Ace of Wands and Festbier. My favorite from another brewery is Bellwood’s Barn Owl.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
I try to keep busy with lots of things in the spare time. I’m a cook and love feeding the people I love. I am also a freelance illustrator and muralist and try to fill my time with my art whenever possible.
TAPROOM & BIERGARTEN MANAGER
EDDIE CARTER
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
Ace of Wands is definitely my favorite Nod Hill beer. I also really love our lagers and hoppy session ales - particularly Sunrunner & I'm Okay, You're Okay.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
I’ve been really into disc golf recently, I’ve played every week for the past couple months. As for a secret talent, I’ve played the viola for about 20 years. I haven’t kept up with it as much since college but music will always be a passion of mine.
SALES MANAGER
STEVE CUEVA
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
I’d have to say my current go-to beer right now is toss up between our Giddyup and Beam. Both of which exemplify the hard work, creativity, and patience that our brew team puts into our beers. And of course I will never say no to an ice cold Miller High Life and a shot of Fernet.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
During the warmer months, I enjoy hiking and taking my kayak out on the lake. I always make sure to bring my hammock and a good book. My not so secret hobby is making craft cocktails. I like to nerd out on the entire process, everything from the concept stage to the final product. Plus It allows me to be as creative as I want!
TAPROOM & BIERGARTEN MANAGER
BEAU SANTOMERO
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
When I started at Nod Hill a few years ago, I was doing mostly IPAs and sours but thats definitely shifted towards Belgians and lagers. My go to right now is our Biere Ambree le Bucheron.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
I was a rugby player in college and I try to keep up with it as much as my body will let me. Outside of work you can usually find me out checking out live music or at Yankee Stadium.
EVENTS & COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR
ANDREA VANACORE
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
I'm OK, You're OK was the first Nod HIll beer I ever had, and remains one of my favorites. There is so much flavor packed into a low ABV beer.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
I love hiking. I get pretty cranky when I don't get enough time outside! I tend to stick to shorter trails lately because I am usually with my kids, but I am trying to turn them into avid hikers who will want to do some long distance hiking with me when they are older.
A/V TECH & SOUND ENGINEER
ADAM BERNIER
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
My current go-to-beer is Sound Chaser - it's perfect at any time to quench your thirst on a hot summer day but also hits close to home in describing my previous career as an audio engineer and music producer.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
Currently my not-so-secret hobby is Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality photography and videography. I stumbled upon the medium for filming concerts a few years ago and fell in love with the novel storytelling that VR can achieve as well as the technical complexity of setting up and editing shots. At the end of 2019, I launched a boutique creative agency specializing in VR and virtual tours which I own and operate when I'm not working at Nod Hill.
SERVER
IAN NEFF
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
I gravitate towards any of our lagers but in particular Smoked Sunrunner is a real treat. Our English style beers have been growing on me rapidly in large part because of Topstone.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
I’m probably watching anime in my free time or writing about random things that interest me. Pretty big into snowboarding also when my schedule and the weather allow it.
SERVER
JAMES PRITTING
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
I really enjoy any kind of beer that I know took the brewer a good deal of time and passion to create. Not that I have anything against an IPA--some of them are delicious. And I enjoy the complexity of many a dark styles - porters, browns, Belgians, etc. My basement is full of bottles of barrel-aged stouts that I'm looking for excuses to open up.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
I'm halfway decent at throwing darts, and used to play regularly in bar leagues around Stamford.
FOUNDING PARTNER
BOB PONTURO
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
My favorite Nod Hill beer is Super Mantis, although I enjoy all of the IPAs.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
I enjoy playing guitar and piano and with an acting degree from Emerson College in Boston, have performed in many plays over the years. I also enjoy golf, tennis and paddle tennis (in the winter months). My son Will and I own Quartertone Coffee Roasters located just behind the brewery.
FOUNDING PARTNER
LISA PREHODKA
CURRENT GO-TO BEER
Super Mantis is my favorite beer but I also really enjoy the variety and trying new ones.
SECRET/NOT-SO-SECRET HOBBY
I love spending time outside! I especially enjoy biking, swimming and hiking. I am active member of the Ridgefield Bike Club. I ride both locally and via destination trips. I’ve completed the Eerie Canal and the Gap Trail and look forward to more trail rides. I did my first triathlon last year, The Ridgefield Tri, and I’m hooked!