The Rock Cut team shares a common goal of providing the most exceptional experiences possible for our guests. We consider ourselves part of a family and hope you will, too! If there is anything about your time with us that could use improvement, please let any team member know or email our ownership team at email@rockcutbrewing.com. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us and we hope you’ll help us as we continually strive for excellence.
Meet our team below!
Matt Heiser, Founding Owner & Head Brewer
How’d you get to Estes Park?
I grew up with a love of the outdoors and the mountains. Estes is an ideal basecamp for adventures and exploration in the Rockies. As I looked for where to go next after college, having friends out here made it an easy choice.
What’s your favorite thing about the area?
The outdoors always. But I’ve been here 20 years now, and it’s the friends I’ve made here, the community and the small town feel of Estes that have made it my home.
What you do when you’re not at Rock Cut?
If you know me, then you realize this question doesn’t really apply. On those rare days though, I treasure time away with my wife, hiking or fishing in Rocky, and of course getting out to see what the rest of the Colorado Craft scene has to offer.
And most importantly, what’s your favorite Rock Cut beer?
They’re all my children, but luckily they don’t have feelings, so… from our standard lineup, the Tyndall Porter was the second beer we brewed and has been at the top of my list from the start. I do really enjoy our cellar program though and there have been so many one-off beers that have come from barrels that I have trouble narrowing it down. Our first ever barrel-aged smoked beer was fabulous; the Funky Portal (brett IPA) always stands out for me; and we have a few sours still in barrels that I like so much it’s hard to hold back and not serve them right away – I just know they’re still getting better every day.
Kate Stephens, Brewer & Beertender
How’d you get to Estes Park? I’ve been visiting Estes Park ever since I was little as my grandparents lived in Glen Haven. After getting my undergrad degree (a super applicable double B.A. in psychology and philosophy), I was looking to move away from my home state, so took the opportunity to move into the family home in the mountains. I remodeled the place a bit and lived there for about a year (2015-2016). My wanderlust ways kicked in again and I moved to Richmond, VA. There, I completed a teacher preparation program and got the east coast experience out of the way. Turns out it wasn’t for me (mostly the humidity), and as soon as my program was complete, I moved back to the mountains. And now, here I am.
What’s your favorite thing about the area? Seemingly endless beauty. Countless hiking spots – I’m certain I could live here the rest of my life and still not fully explore half of what the area has to offer. I also like being able to wander around some cities from time to time without living in one.
What you do when you’re not at Rock Cut? Serve at a local restaurant. Hike. Read. Play cribbage. Kick it with my cat Rick. Spend time with friends and family (if they happen to be visiting). Write short, abrupt sentences. And once in a while, go to a concert or comedy show. In a grander scheme – I like to get out of the country whenever I can.
And most importantly, what’s your favorite Rock Rock beer? Half and half of Galactic Portal and Ptart Ptarmigan.
Julian Garrett, Beer Wrangler (sales) & Beertender
How did you get to Estes Park? I first came out to Estes Park and RMNP in 2008 and quickly realized how much Colorado had to offer. When it came time for me to leave Iowa, the first place that came to mind was Estes Park. I moved to Estes with a small car packed to the brim in 2014. Best decision I’ve ever made.
What’s your favorite thing about the area? Endless outdoor opportunities. The biking, hiking and camping right out of my front door is unreal. Another great thing, some of the best breweries in the country are right here in Colorado. Oh yeah, the views are OK too.
What do you do when you’re not at Rock Cut? I like to get outside; mountain biking, hiking, and hanging with my dog Yarrow. If I’m not in Estes Park, I’m most likely camping elsewhere and finding new places to ride and explore.
And most importantly, what is your favorite Rock Cut beer? It’s way too hard to choose just one favorite but I could drink Galactic Portal anytime, anywhere.
Sarah Reynolds, Beertender
How did you get to Estes Park? I originally came to Estes Park in the spring of 2012 for a seasonal outdoor education job. After that I’ve moved back and forth for the last nine years, and most recently moved back April 2021.
What’s your favorite thing about the area? I have a lot of favorite things about this area, so it’s hard to choose just one. I of course love the mountains and the accessibility to hiking and running trails, but for me it’s the community. This is the first place I’ve lived where I truly fit in and have built a strong community.
What do you do when you’re not at Rock Cut? When I’m not at Rock Cut, I enjoy baking, cooking, yoga, being with friends, and walking my dog Luka. I also enjoy being outdoors whether that’s running or hiking a trail, or just soaking up the sun.
And most importantly, what is your favorite Rock Cut beer? Well anyone who knows me would always say it’s Galactic Portal, so much so that I would try others and always go for it. However, since working here I’ve learned to enjoy all the other beers as well, and am currently enjoying the Lemon Ginger Crusher. I’m sure Galactic will find its way back into the starting line up soon.
Dom Rickicki, Beertender
How did you get to Estes Park?
I first came to Estes when I was 19 to work at the YMCA for a summer as a groundskeeper. I kept coming back to Estes for several summers and have largely been a seasonal resident for the last 6 years. In May 2020 I moved back as a year round resident.
What’s your favorite thing about the area?
My favorite thing about Estes is the access to the mountains and the community. Being 15 minutes from the Long’s Peak trailhead is quite excellent, and so are the people. Folks in this town help each other out and I really appreciate that.
What do you do when you are not at Rock Cut?
I mostly go rock climbing, I also work as a climbing guide for KMAC here in town and have been doing that for 4 years. On my rest days I go fly fishing.
Most importantly, what is your favorite Rock Cut beer?
I hate picking favorites, but I could probably drink Enos Pils everyday for the rest of my life and be quite a happy camper.