Ron Raike, Brewmaster and Certified Cicerone.

A Central Florida native, Raike has more than 30 years invested in brewing, brewery management and distribution. Ron is widely known across the craft beer community for his funky, fresh, seasonally inspired beers, ultra-dry wit and a great reverence for brewing’s diverse history.

For nearly a century, brewing and distilling has been part of the Raike family narrative. During America’s Prohibition Era, Ron’s grandfather “Pap” brewed beer and batches of root beer. He recalls his own father making his own wine throughout his childhood.

Raike, a University of Central Florida graduate, ultimately followed in the familial footsteps and left behind a career in computer engineering and laser/ optics research in pursuit of his passion for craft beer. Ron has helped to train some of the brightest up-and-coming brewers in the industry through apprenticeships, hands-on mentoring and instruction at UCF’s Rosen School of Hospitality.

His impressive resume includes 15 years with Shipyard Brewing Company and the Shipyard Emporium, a nano-brewery that once operated inside Orlando International Airport. Ron also contributed to the development of such Floridian staples as Cask & Larder, Tall Paul’s and Alligator Brewing, and spent several years on the distribution side of the business before coming to Playalinda Brewing Company.

Ron and his wife, Katie, are part-owners of Playalinda Brewing Company, currently reside in Titusville with their two children.