Rob & Judy Neff
Checkerspot Brewing Company is a proudly independent brewery in Baltimore, Maryland, brewing small-batch, gluten reduced beer since 2018.
Two people, one very good idea
Judy Neff
As owner and brewer, Judy is a longtime homebrewer living the dream. She is a Certified Cicerone and helped found Baltimore Beer Babes, a craft beer appreciation group bringing more women into the fold and is a proud member of the Pink Boots Society. She has a PhD in microbiology from The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, so she isn't afraid of the scientific side of brewing, but firmly believes that the creative side and understanding of the ingredients are just as important. She loves all of the beers, but Juniperus IPA is definitely the #1!
Rob Neff
Rob has been a longtime craft beer lover and may even love great beer a little more every day. Born and raised in Mt. Airy, MD, Rob planted himself in Baltimore 26 years ago. Careers in civil engineering and Baltimore rowhouse rehabbing have prepared him to fix any and all bleeps, sweeps and creeps that need fixing! As owner and head of sales and distribution he makes sure our beer gets to the masses, you may even see him sitting at the barstool next to you.
Rob is the one to contact to buy our beer, find our beer or to ask how many square feet are in an acre! His favorite beer we make is Zicke Zacke Octoberfest and second favorite is. . .Zicke Zacke Octoberfest!
The crew behind the bar
Everyone on the team answers the same three questions: their favourite Checkerspot beer, what they'd name a beer, and who they'd share one with.
Assistant Brewers
1
Ian Noronha
- Go-to pour
- Juniperus and Under The Over
- Would name a beer
- Another One
- Would share with
- Family and friends that have passed.
Managers & Events Team
3
Denis Nash
- Go-to pour
- Bella Birra
- Would name a beer
- Already have, Sabro Cobra
Michelle Rigby
- Go-to pour
- Juniperus
Audrey Byrd
- Go-to pour
- Morenita Mía, Lima Limón Gose
- Would name a beer
- Poogah Paga - a word that I made up as a little kid and now my sisters and I address each other as such.
- Would share with
- Kristen Wiig
Sales & Distro Team
5
Shannon Carley
- Go-to pour
- Fancy Pants, Still A Hero
- Would name a beer
- Aragorn's Ale
- Would share with
- David Bowie
Ally Lloyd
- Go-to pour
- Juniperus
- Would name a beer
- Sure, I'll Have Another
- Would share with
- My Dad
Sam Gallant
- Go-to pour
- Bird Is The Word
- Would name a beer
- Pájaro Es El Palabra (Bird Is The Word)
- Would share with
- Jimi Hendrix, Shakespeare or Baby Jesus
Rick Carter
- Would name a beer
- No Gout About It
- Would share with
- My Grandfather
Cody Hudler
- Go-to pour
- Fancy Pants
- Would name a beer
- Crash Out
- Would share with
- Grandfather
Social Media Manager
1
Jess Leal
- Go-to pour
- Jess Coast
- Would name a beer
- Flock Yeah
- Would share with
- Special Agent Dale Cooper
Cooks
2Alan Friar
- Go-to pour
- Bella Birra
- Would name a beer
- Loading Dock
- Would share with
- Edgar Allen Poe
Adam Fridley
- Go-to pour
- Juniperus and Hillbilly Gold
- Would name a beer
- Hop Shuv-It or Roll Away The Brew
- Would share with
- Cal Ripken Jr or Alf
Bartenders
10
Corey Bergman
- Go-to pour
- Wrong Side Of The Tracks, Morenita Mía
- Would name a beer
- Holy Wudder
- Would share with
- JR Tolkien, in part cause I love his books and part cause he threw awesome parties
Rory Broderick
- Go-to pour
- 395 Rye
- Would name a beer
- Mistakes Were Made
- Would share with
- Vincent Cavanugh
JD Daley
- Go-to pour
- Bella Birra, Stoop Sesh
- Would name a beer
- Professor J.D. Cornucopia's Fantastic Beermagorium Pale Ale
- Would share with
- Denis Nash or Bill Hicks
Keenan Hickman
- Go-to pour
- Zicke Zacke
- Would name a beer
- Thirst Trap
- Would share with
- Robin Williams or Tupac
Mark Hodski
- Go-to pour
- Sip Happens
- Would name a beer
- Threat Level Midnight
- Would share with
- Anthony Bourdain
Jade Jackson
- Go-to pour
- Fancy Pants
- Would name a beer
- Sexy Cats, in honor of our trivia team winning the last ever Laughing Pint trivia!
- Would share with
- Freud
Kelli Kulnich
- Go-to pour
- Fancy Pants
- Would name a beer
- Magic Time
- Would share with
- RBG because she is the OG
Rachel Smith
- Go-to pour
- Butterfly Kisses
- Would name a beer
- Island Hoppin' Haze
- Would share with
- Paris Hilton
Brandon Tull
- Go-to pour
- Peach Tea Seltzer
- Would name a beer
- Mosaic-Galaxy Wave
- Would share with
- Neil Armstrong
Julia Tivvis
- Go-to pour
- Santa's Big Helper
- Would name a beer
- Opie The Big Red Beer
- Would share with
- Henry Winkler
Chief Hype Officer / Assistant To The Assistant Seltziér
1
John Patrick Hardy
- Go-to pour
- Juniperus
- Would name a beer
- Lucky Charm City (brewed annually in March)
- Would share with
- Ted Lasso
Can Artist
1
Adam Miller
Check out his artwork on Instagram @amillerillustrator or his band on Facebook @TheRacket.
How did we end up starting a brewery?
Judy and Rob first met through mutual friends at a party over some beers. While they both drank Natty Boh at first, as their relationship grew, so did their taste for more flavorful beers. After they visited Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco, Judy became inspired to start brewing at home. Brewing in the kitchen then moved to the basement and both of them started drinking new and different beers. Beer is a unifier that brings people together.
Do you remember how you met that person you're with? What beer were you drinking? Cheers and here's to many more!