Our Team | Lower Left Brewing Company

Our Team.

Erika Woodcock

Head Brewer

Favorite LL Beer: Loose Change Spring Lager

A professional brewer with over a decade of experience, Erika hails from the smallest state in the union—Rhode Island. Before finding beer, Erika tried out careers as a weather forecaster in the U.S. Air Force, and a special education teacher. Her love of beer began while stationed in Germany in 2002, where she first discovered the depth and culture of brewing.

Like many other brewers, Erika’s brewing journey started with a simple homebrew kit and quickly became a passion. That enthusiasm led her to learning all she could about process and ingredients before finding a position at a local microbrewery, Bucket Brewery (RIP), in 2015, where her professional career took off. Erika has volunteered and is a member of the Pink Boots Society, which is an international education organization aimed at supporting and educating women in the brewing industry. After moving to Charlotte in 2019, Erika continued to adapt and establish her brewing career.

Today, as head brewer at Lower Left she continues to craft beers with precision, creativity, and heart.

Miami born but Charlotte raised, LLBC Co-Founder Tim Curtis is a NC State University and Western Carolina University graduate. A huge fan of craft beer, the idea for Lower Left was bred across multiple visits to venues nationwide. Slowly but surely, the model for what Lower Left would become was created over many discussions and just as many pints (Research!). Once Tim had finished compiling the do’s and don’ts, the only question remaining was not if, but when. That answer came once he was introduced to Alex. Realizing that they shared a common appreciation of beers and the desire to run their own facility, Lower Left Brewing Co was no longer an idea, but a reality. In 2018 they set out to create a spot that was diverse in its tap offerings, inclusive in its clientele, and comfortable in its atmosphere.

He believes they hit the mark.

Tim is also a huge fan of live music and sports. When not spending time in the taproom, he enjoys traveling with family and friends to places unknown. Lower Left Brewing Co is the culmination of his life long dream.

Tim Curtis

Co-Founder and CEO

Favorite LL Beer: Peach Ring Nebula Milkshake IPA

Casey Curtis

Director of Taproom Operation

Favorite LL Beer: Pencil Thin Mustache Key Lime Pie Gose

Casey Curtis is one of those rare native North Carolinians, born in High Point, NC but raised in Charlotte. A graduate of UNC-CH, she lives in a house divided with Tim and their 3 children. Casey enjoys being active and has completed multiple Ironman events as well as various marathons. She loves encouraging others to be active too and loves the opportunity to lead by example by participating in and managing RUN LLBC, Lower Left’s Wednesday night run club. While owning a brewery was never her dream, Casey has stepped in and handles the day-to-day operations of the taproom. A veritable jack-of-all-trades, she also handles distribution sales as well as pulls shifts in behind the bar so that she can really stay connected with the patrons of Lower Left.

When not at the brewery, Casey enjoys spending time and traveling with

Tim and their 3 children and 2 dogs.

John Durham was born and raised in Charlotte. He attended NC State University where he studied English and History. He is an avid collector of vinyl records and comic books and a devotee of Kurt Vonnegut and Frank Zappa. John’s favorite styles of beer are sours and stouts. He and his dog, Iggy, are both big Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers fans. John is most often behind the bar at Lower Left but he also has many behind the scenes responsibilities including washing dirty kegs and cleaning the tap lines. When he’s not at the brewery you’ll most likely find John at home reading, listening to music and spending time with Iggy.