Meet our Legendary Team

Craig Cauwels

The Brewmaster

Craig is Brewmaster for Morgan Territory Brewing in Tracy, CA. He has been brewing professionally since 2004. He was head brewer at Schooner’s Grille & Brewery in Antioch as well as brewer at EJ Phair in Pittsburg, CA. He has done consulting work for several start-up breweries, as well as, contract brewing for well known local breweries. In 2014, his work helped win Schooner’s “Brewery of the Year” from the California State Fair. He has brought home at least one medal from the Great American Beer Festival every year he has competed as well three awards from the World Beer Cup. He holds a Master of Science in Biology with a concentration in Molecular Biology from San Jose State University and worked in the Biotech Industry for 7 years prior to becoming a brewer.

The Birth of a Brewer

Brewing started for me back in college when a buddy of mine got a home brew kit from his girlfriend for a birthday present. We were both biology majors and I was fascinated by the science of brewing. This began my journey into craft brewing throughout my undergraduate and graduate years. After many years in the biotech industry, that same buddy who began hobby brewing with me was starting a brew pub of his own in Antioch, CA so of course, I invested. By then I was director of the genomic laboratory at Dana Faber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. When my buddy called and jokingly asked “what would it take to get you to move back to California?” I replied, “Make me your brewer.” The universe must have heard because a few weeks later, his brewer resigned because his wife transferred with the Air Force.

Now I faced a decision – could I make a career out of brewing? With the support of my wife, we sold the house, packed everything up, and drove across country to begin a new adventure and I’ve never looked back.

My first day at Schooner’s, I began learning the professional system and the tricks of the trade from Shawn Burns and Chris Hendricks. The secret of success for me was to document the process and the details of each brew. I have collected binders full of brewing details over the years and can refer back to my award winners whenever I want to recreate the results.

I also began networking with other professional brewers in the Bay Area who generously shared their experience with me. I’m thankful to Steve Altimari, JJ Phair, Arnie Johnson, James Costa, and many others.

Becoming a professional brewer has turned out to be one of the best decisions. It marries my love of craft beers with great flavor profiles with my scientific approach to the process.

Michael LaCross

Chief Operating Officer & Beer Lover

Michael LaCross was raised in the East Bay. After finishing high school, Michael moved to San Diego whereMichael LaCross he attended San Diego State University and graduated with a degree in Urban Studies. It was in San Diego where Michael’s love and appreciation of craft beer began. On his 21st birthday, he was given a home brew kit and began making beer on his apartment stove top. What started out as a hobby, soon became an obsession that would become a huge part of his life. At first he was brewing once a month but quickly added more fermenters and it turned into a weekly activity and would continue to be so for many years afterwards.

Michael spent 10 years in San Diego. To help with paying for college, and some extra spending money, Michael worked at various bars and clubs. He was exposed to the booming beer culture that exists in San Diego and fell in love with the craft beer movement. In his free time, he would tour breweries to learn about the beers he carried at work, and because of his own passion for making beer at home. At that point, however, making beer for a living was not a career path he envisioned for himself. He saw himself eventually becoming an owner of a bar.

After 10 years of living in San Diego, Michael found himself maxed out in terms of his potential at work and started to look for a bar to call his own. His search took him back to Northern California where he would find Schooner’s Grille & Brewery in Antioch. It provided a perfect opportunity to combine his experience in the bar industry with his passion for making beer. Michael and his father, David, partnered up and purchased Schooner’s Grille & Brewery where Michael oversaw the operations of the restaurant and worked with Craig Cauwels, the Brewmaster. They entered the California State Fair Craft Beer competition, won two golds, a bronze and were named California’s Brewery of the Year. Later they medaled at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival. It was at that point in time that Michael and Craig made the decision to leave behind the time consuming stresses of operating the restaurant to team up, scale up, and focus on their real passion – brewing beer. They moved the brewery to Tracy and rebranded it Morgan Territory Brewing.

Michael’s formal title is Chief Operating Officer, though he wears many hats and is involved in nearly every aspect of the business. His favorite things include making beer, drinking beer, and talking about beer……. pretty much anything that involves craft beer. Introduce yourself to him when you come and visit the tap room or you see him at an event … just make sure you have a beer in your hand when you do….. he doesn’t trust people who don’t love craft beer.

Age: Capricorn of the early 80s
Likes: Beer, ocean, sunsets, long walks on the beach, spicy stuff
Dislikes: Oxidation, sulfur, hipsters
Favorite Song: Sports Radio
Favorite Beer: Beer
Favorite Food:Food
Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption

Kyle Manigold

Head Brewer & Beer Innovator

Kyle Manigold joined Morgan Territory Brewing in July, 2016. As Head Brewer, Kyle brings his experience from E.J. Phair Brewing Company and a passion for brewing craft beers. And of course, he fits the minimum height requirement for Morgan Territory brewers standing at 6’3″. He sports his brewers style with an amazing beard and quick smile. He admits that he is a bit obsessive compulsive about the brewing process and how important that attention to detail is to creating quality beers consistently.

Hailing from Ottawa, Illinois, he decided to head west to start his career in craft brewing. He landed in the East Bay where he was given his first break by JJ Phair. He knew he’d found his passion and completed the Intensive Brewing Science for Practical Brewing course from UC Davis. He quickly advanced from Assistant Brewer to Head Brewer.

“I’m excited to be a part of Morgan Territory Brewing and work with Craig. I’ve got some great ideas for new recipes that I can’t wait to try out. California has a tight brewing community and that love shows through in the constant accolades for California brewers and the growing population of true craft beer lovers,” says Kyle.

Austin Lesley

Brand Ambassador

Austin Lesley joined Morgan Territory Brewing in 2018. As Brand Ambassador for MTB, Austin touts the glory of our products to bars, restaurants, and distributors as well as festivals and events. Before joining, Austin owned and operated a wine bar in Lodi, California.

Tyler Petersen

Brand Ambassador

Tyler Petersen joined Morgan Territory Brewing in April, 2017. As a California native, Tyler grew up in the Bay Area and has a passion for studying and playing music. His music addiction landed him in several bands and he started playing music professionally at 17. But soon Tyler realized he had a greater passion for craft beer. As his fascination grew, he parlayed his passion into selling positions at BevMo, Young’s Market, and JARDESCA California Aperitiva. As Brand Ambassador for Morgan Territory Brewing, Tyler will be making connections with Northern California bars, restaurants, and distributors to get the word out about our award winning beers.

Wyndy Goforth

Tasting Room Associate

Wyndy is an experienced bartender who always brings a smile to brighten the Tasting room. She joined Morgan Territory in the March of 2017. Wyndy is also responsible for Internet sales, managing events, and food trucks at the brewery. Hailing from Sonora, she now lives in Tracy with her beautiful kids. 

JT Freeman

Brand Ambassador

JT has been in the bar industry for many years. Originally from the East Bay, JT loves craft beer and culture around the industry.

Drew Cauwels

Keg Manager & #1 Summer Grunt

Drew Cauwels joined Morgan Territory in the Summer of 2017. He is responsible for keg management, brewery sanitation and general odd jobs – basically grunt work. He is a high school student who loves playing baseball, soccer, and video games.

Jessy Goforth

Sales Associate 

Jessy Goforth grew up in Tracy, attending both Traina Elementary and Kimbel High School. Jessy has been helping out around Morgan for a few years and now helps out on a daily basis in the brewery store. She has been a great asset since Covid-19 started and found her love for the brewing process after spending time with Craig and Kyle in the brewery. Her favorite beer is the Lubricator Doppelbock.

James Noah

Assistant Brewer