As we expand, we’ve needed a bunch of new faces across the board. From packaging, to brewing, to beertending and barbacking, we’ve needed good workers in nearly every department.

The distribution department is no exception. We’ve needed a few good men (or women — just trying to turn a phrase, here) to get our beer to your favorite bar or liquor store, and we found a good one in Mike Gift.

“Mike has his Class A CDL and brings a whole lot of professionalism to the team,” says Distribution Manager Justin Vitti. “Since day 1, I have been able to count on him to take the big truck and the heavy loads without any issues. His background makes him a perfect candidate to grow with CMBC.”

Welcome Mike!

Egg Harbor Township native Mike Gift graduated from Absegami High School in 2007. Before joining the Brew Crew, he was a delivery driver for Sysco for five years, the largest food company in the United States, delivering to the Millville/Vineland area.

“I was working 70 hours a week at Sysco,” he says. “Now, I’m only working 40, 45 hours. More family time.”

Mike has a four-year-old son, Cole, and is getting married to his fiancée, Kristen, on October 20th. They’ve been together for four years, since Cole was two weeks old.

Though Miami is a little far from home, he’s a huge Miami Dolphins fan and not entirely sure why.

“Dan Marino?” he asks, unsure. “Since I was a kid, I had his jersey. It was when he was big; he retired in ‘98, ‘99. He played from ‘83 to, like, ‘98. Long time. I remember watching him on TV when I was a kid. My whole family is Eagles fans, but my fiancée’s a Giants fan because she’s from New York.”

When it comes to music, he listens to everything when he’s out on the road.

“I listen to rap, country, rock, classic rock,” he says. “I don’t really have a genre — I listen to everything. Anything that sounds good.”

He was in attendance at the Wiz Khalifa/Snoop Dogg concert in Camden last summer, the one where the stage collapsed.

“It was pretty wild,” he says. “They had to stop the concert. 27 people got hurt or something — they were leaning on the edge and the whole thing fell over. They had helicopters there, ambulances. It was a mess.”

He’s had a long relationship with Cape May, having been born here.

“My father was born and raised in Cape May; my grandfather still lives in Cape May,” he tells us. “I love it here. I love coming down here, I always came down here as a kid. It always stuck with me.”

Mike’s had a long relationship with the brewery, as well.

“I used to come here all the time,” he says. “All the time. I’ve been coming here since this place opened. I thought, ‘Let me see what’s up with a job.’ I applied, and they hired me in May.”

He’s definitely preferring this job over his last one.

“It’s the same thing I’ve been doing forever,” he tells us. “My son’s young. I was never home, you know? Working 70 hours a week? Sometimes working weekends if they needed me. I was never home.”

Mike is happy to be at Cape May Brewing Co.

“It’s a good company,” he says. “Everyone seems like they’re pretty happy working here.”

Like the rest of us, Mike loves the prospect of easy access to his favorite beer. Unfortunately, he’s got to wait a month or so until Mop Water comes out.

“It’s a good, five-spiced ale,” he says. “I’ve always liked it. It’s my favorite. It’s always been my favorite since I’ve been coming here. I like everything here, but Mop Water’s my favorite.”

Many days, you’re likely to find Mike in the Tasting Room after his shift. Be sure to say hello!