A Nebraska-born, third generation beekeeper, Doug infuses each bottle of Thistlerock Mead with his passion for nature, craft, and service to others. After years of experimentation as a home meadmaker, Doug joined John for training in honey and meadmaking at the UC Davis Honey and Pollination Center at the Robert Mondavi Institute. Prior to that, Doug studied  organizational leadership and renewable energy after serving our country for 10 years as a Navy SEAL. When he’s not making magic in Thistlerock’s mead lab, Doug can be found enjoying the outdoors with his wife, Lauren, and their German Shorthaired Pointer, Remi.