Stillwater, MN — Lift Bridge Brewing Company, one of Minnesota’s leading craft breweries, is proud to announce the appointment of John Hensley as its new Director of Operations. Hensley brings over a decade of experience in large-scale brewing and operations, most recently serving as Master Brewer at Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, part of Molson Coors.
As Lift Bridge continues to grow its footprint across Minnesota and the Midwest, Hensley will join the company’s leadership team to oversee brewery operations, quality assurance, packaging, and the expansion of Lift Bridge’s diverse portfolio of craft beers and beyond beer beverages.
“We are thrilled to have John join our team as we continue navigating the evolving craft beverage industry with our award-winning beers and innovative product lines,” said Igor Barabash, CEO of Lift Bridge Brewing Co. “John’s industry expertise strengthens our ability to scale, support contract brewing partners, and continue delivering exceptional quality across every sip.”
A Proven Leader in Brewing Innovation
At Leinenkugel’s, Hensley oversaw brewing and quality control while leading capital improvement projects that supported growth for one of the country’s most iconic breweries. His deep technical knowledge and passion for innovation align perfectly with Lift Bridge’s mission to craft high-quality, flavor-forward beverages.
Lift Bridge Brewing: Growth, Innovation, and Commitment to Quality
Lift Bridge’s hiring of Hensley comes amid a wave of innovation from the brewery. Recent product launches include:
Gluten-Removed Flavored Malt Beverages (crafted using a proprietary nano-filtration process)
Year-Round and Seasonal Craft Beers
Premium Non-Alcoholic Mocktails
Hemp-Based Beverages and Gummies
Sodas and Spirit-Based Cocktails
Now in its 17th year, Lift Bridge Brewing is preparing for its next phase of growth with a planned production facility expansion that will allow for full insourcing and increased co-packing capabilities.
“Our mission has always been to create the highest-quality beverages possible—and that takes the highest-quality people,” said Brad Glynn, Co-Founder and Creative Director. “With John on board, we’re ready to push boundaries while staying true to our roots.”
About Lift Bridge Brewing Company
Lift Bridge Brewing Company, founded in 2008 by Dan Schwarz and a group of high school friends in Stillwater, Minnesota—the birthplace of Minnesota—is one of the state’s pioneering craft breweries and remains a beloved local favorite in 2025. Based in a historic downtown Stillwater building just steps from the iconic Lift Bridge over the St. Croix River, the brewery is best known for its flagship Mini Donut Beer (a golden ale with real cinnamon-sugar mini donuts from the Minnesota State Fair), Mango Blonde (a refreshing fruit-infused blonde ale), and the award-winning Commander English barleywine. With a spacious taproom featuring river views, seasonal patio seating, and a lineup that includes hop-forward IPAs, crisp lagers, and the popular Hop Dish IPA, Lift Bridge blends Minnesota tradition with modern craft innovation. Their beers are distributed across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and parts of the Midwest, and the taproom regularly hosts events, live music, and food trucks—making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Minnesota’s thriving craft beer scene. Discover more at liftbridgebrewery.com