OUR STORY
Dirtbag Ales started with a home-brew kit and the promise of free beer for life. Like all great adventures, the story is full of friendship, a love for all things beer, and many a night taste-testing the fruits of our labor.
OUR STORY
Dirtbag Ales started with a home-brew kit and the promise of free beer for life. Like all great adventures, the story is full of friendship, a love for all things beer, and many a night taste-testing the fruits of our labor.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
The Dirtbag Ale legend begins several years ago while serving in the U.S. Army. One of Dirtbag Ales’ founders, Tito, traded the promise of free beer for life in exchange for a friend’s home-brew kit. There were many long nights of stove-top brews, which led to a home-made all grain brewing system founded in Tito’s garage. Brew after successful brew led to a new calling for Tito and the preliminary beginnings of Dirtbag Ales Brewery.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
The Dirtbag Ale legend begins several years ago while serving in the U.S. Army. One of Dirtbag Ales’ founders, Tito, traded the promise of free beer for life in exchange for a friend’s home-brew kit. There were many long nights of stove-top brews, which led to a home-made all grain brewing system founded in Tito’s garage. Brew after successful brew led to a new calling for Tito and the preliminary beginnings of Dirtbag Ales Brewery.
AS THE TALE UNFOLDS
Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom was born out of a single contracted batch of Blood Orange Kolsch and has grown into a unique location to unwind and experience beer at its finest. A place to experiment, create, and embrace beer as more than just a chemical reaction between barley, hops, yeast, and water. With each step of the Dirtbag Ales journey, the founding members have pushed aside conventional wisdom, to pioneer a skillfully crafted beer that depicts a true love of brewing.
AS THE TALE UNFOLDS
Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom was born out of a single contracted batch of Blood Orange Kolsch and has grown into a unique location to unwind and experience beer at its finest. A place to experiment, create, and embrace beer as more than just a chemical reaction between barley, hops, yeast, and water. With each step of the Dirtbag Ales journey, the founding members have pushed aside conventional wisdom, to pioneer a skillfully crafted beer that depicts a true love of brewing.
DIRTBAG ALES DEFINED
Dirtbag Ales is about great friends, a genuine passion for hand-crafted beer, and breaking the status quo. The mentality that being a “dirtbag” means shattering the mold, not playing by a set of rules, and questioning life at every turn. Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom is where real innovators and pioneers come to blaze their own path towards greatness.
DIRTBAG ALES DEFINED
Dirtbag Ales is about great friends, a genuine passion for hand-crafted beer, and breaking the status quo. The mentality that being a “dirtbag” means shattering the mold, not playing by a set of rules, and questioning life at every turn. Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom is where real innovators and pioneers come to blaze their own path towards greatness.
OUR DIRTBAG FAMILY
Every family has a dirtbag, our family has a whole crew! Meet the Dirtbag Ale cast responsible for rejecting the status quo, violating all social norms, and admiring the un-admired in order to create North Carolina’s I-95 brewery and taproom.

Vernardo “Tito” Simmons-Valenzuela is the Head Brewer and Co-Founder of Dirtbag Ales. Brewery and Taproom. Born to military parents in Fort Campbell, KY, he moved to Jacksonville, FL, where he attended high school. While working through college he decided to enlist in the military as a combat medic. He has also worked in the emergency room in Womack Army Medical Center where he met Eric Whealton, another founding member of Dirtbag Ale and Taproom. In his free time, he enjoys being creative: building, painting, cooking, and playing bass or guitar.
VERNARDO (TITO) SIMMONS-VALENZUELA

ERIC WHEALTON

JERRY HALL

Born in Westchester NY, graduated from Walter Panas High School in NY c/o 2010. Currently enrolled at Fayetteville Tech working towards Applied Sciences. Works as bartender at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom. Enjoys napping, working out, basketball, and avid Jets fan. Dog lover.
ALYSSA CAMBEIRO

Born in Biloxi Mississippi, graduated from Fayetteville Terry Sanford High School c/o 2003. Enrolled at Central Carolina Community College working on a degree in Sustainable Agriculture. Enjoys farming and brewing beer. Talented welder.
GINO GONZALEZ

Born in Winchester TN, graduated from Southview High School c/o 2007. Attended App State, University of Hawaii, Middle Tennessee ST. BS in Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Currently assistant brewer at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom. Certified Yoga teacher, enjoys attending Bonnaroo, gardening, and karaoke. Talented soup maker.
HOPE DEMITRIS

Born in Fayetteville NC, went to Harnett Central High School. Currently works as a brew assistant at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom. Enjoys Bald eagles, fireworks, and guns, but really just fast cars and music.
JORDAN LAY

Born in Tampa Florida, graduated from Armwood High School c/o 1993. Attended Hillsborough Community College. Currently works as a bartender at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom. Enjoys hula hooping, playing frisbee, cooking plant based meals/telling people she is a vegan, and the outdoors.
KATHY GORDON

Born Sylmar California, graduated from Antioch High School c/o 2008. Attended Sacramento State University earning a BS Chemistry. Military Spouse, currently works as assistant operations manager. Enjoys crafts, cooking, and dancing.
MICHELLE BRUENING

Born on Fort Bragg, went to and graduated from 71st High School c/o 1997. Attended Fayetteville Tech. Currently HBIC at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom, in her free time likes to watch her daughters play lacrosse, drink good beer, and travel. Likes to attend Music festivals and avid fan of Volkswagens.
SHANNON LOPER

Born in Fayetteville NC, graduated from Southview High School c/o 2002. Enrolled at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Earned an AA in General Education. Sworn Law enforcement officer 2016. Served as a heavy equipment mechanic in the United States Marine Corps. Currently works as a bartender at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom. Enjoys jiu jitsu, bowling, and dancing. Talents include thinking he’s funny and dad jokes.