About The People You’ll See At RockPit

The peeps you’ll run into at RockPit

This is usually where you’ll find some boring story about how our brewery came to fruition and how we all were homebrewers and couldn’t think of doing anything else for the rest of our lives.

And while that is certainly true, I’ve decided instead to dedicate this page to the kick-ass people you’ll run into at RockPit.

Hi, I’m Chris Rock (scroll all the way down the page to see me), one of the co-founders of RockPit Brewing and I want to introduce you to the people of RockPit in the best way possible; with bad photoshop shots.

The Staff

Rachel Wright – Taproom Manager

Now the taproom manager, Rachel (@wrachelright) was the first bartender we hired at RockPit. With dreams of setting the financial world on fire (Hello CNBC!), she’s currently enrolled at UCF majoring in finance, minoring in debating with her bosses. Which she does extremely well.

Under her leadership, the taproom now runs much more smoothly. Mostly due to her death stare which she gives to anyone that challenges her authority.

When she’s not at RockPit (which is rarely), she’s at home with her hubby Mario and her two four-legged friends Zula and Loki pictured above.

Calista Rock – Beertender

Calista Rock (@calistarock) is our youngest bartender and my daughter. At any given moment, you’ll catch Calista in this exact pose snapping a selfie behind the bar, in a coffee shop, or while driving down I-4.

When she’s not at RockPit slinging beer, she’s mentoring up-and-coming Instagram influencers on the optimal camera angle and facial expression to create the perfect profile pic for their LinkedIn, MySpace, or Geocities account to get them noticed – no matter what speed your modem is (including 14.4 kbps). So give us your best #badglamourshot that you can feature on your own LinkedIn, Myspace or Geocities account.

Tammy Rock – Beertender

Tammy Rock is my wife and one of the happiest people you’ll ever meet. She always has an infectious smile on her face, loves chatting with you, getting to know you, and slinging beer your way.

She also LOVES to make you laugh. It’s one of her most charming features.

Tammy channeled her inner 80’s party animal and donned some jorts, frizzy hair in a bright pink scrunchie, over accentuated makeup, and of course, a Queen t-shirt. One of her all-time favorite bands.

Given a choice to go back in time, you’d catch her at Live Aid in 1985, screaming the lyrics to “Radio Ga Ga” at Wembley Stadium.

After the concert, she’d be pushing a keg of Rock Hard Water to the after-party where she’d no doubt be the center of attention.

Cody Cronk – Head Brewer

Cody Cronk is our beertender and brewery assistant extraordinaire.

Cody hails from Melbourne where his affinity for all things adventure led him down the deep, dark underworld of extreme dolly racing. He’s been warned several times in the brewery not to ride the dollies to no avail. In Cody’s case, you can take the boy out of Melbourne, but you can’t take the Melbourne out of the boy.

So the next time you see Cody in the taproom, ask him to show you a few tricks on his dolly. Be prepared to be amazed.

Katie Arcidiacono – Beertender

Katie Arcidiacono is our “Italian Redneck” as she refers to herself.

Born and raised in Orlando, she graduated from Boone High School with co-founder Jeremy Pittman.

When she’s not hunting stuffed animals or slinging drinks for you, you can catch her at nearly any country music concert or festival around Orlando. And if Garth Brooks is within 300 miles, you’ll find her front and center screaming “I got friends in low places” in an Italian Redneck accent. Ask her to demonstrate that for you when you see her next.

A self-taught boxing referee (i.e. Mom), she also spends time breaking up fights between her two daughters. Something that will be featured in an upcoming commercial for RockPit.

Mercedes Lace Castro – Beertender

My favorite story about Mercedes @weezybenz is my wife asked her if she’d like some food from Fresh Kitchen. Mercedes replied, “Yes, but something light like a salad.” She paused for a few seconds and said “I don’t know why I said that. I hate salads.”

When Mercedes isn’t hustling around the brewery, she’s out in nature spending time with her boyfriend Ethan and her two dogs, Bean and Nancy (@beanandnancy). You’ll often catch her dressed to the nines in 70s disco fashion while jamming out to 70s disco. Hence the theme for her glamour shot.

Fun fact about her: She writes gangster rap and will be recording some soon. Yes, seriously. We hope to have the release party at RockPit.

Jonathan Padover – Barback

Jonathan was born in Key West, FL but grew up in Bloomsbury, NJ. He’s currently studying Health Sciences with a minor in Organic Chemistry at UCF.

In other words, he spends his life outside of work studying his ass off.

When he’s not studying, you can find him playing with his wood or blowing bubbles. Meaning, of course, he’s an avid woodworker and scuba diver. In fact, he just completed his 400th dive!

Be sure to ask him to show you some of his woodworking projects the next time you see him at RockPit.

The Co-Founders

Chris Rock – Co-Founder

Yeah, that’s me. And honestly, that’s how you’ll see me most of the time. Shorts, t-shirt, hat and lots of sawdust all over me from building stuff. In fact, when you come in and sit at any of our tables or bar, I had a hand in building it.

I’m the marketing guy here at RockPit so I’m the one who convinces you to give us a try and gets you to come back over and over again. Mostly through the emails I send every week (click here to sign up). They’ve been called “The only email I read every week” by hundreds of our customers. My hope is that you feel like you’re not in Florida anymore when you walk through our doors and you’re treated like a family member.

If you feel like that didn’t happen, shoot me an email to chris@rockpitbrewing.com and let me know about it. I’ll get it fixed for you.

Sean Burke – Co-Founder

Sean is our numbers cruncher and the one who ensures our crew and bills are paid. A pretty important part of keeping RockPit beer flowing your way.

I brewed my first beer ever with Sean. It was a Foster’s Lager clone that was absolutely delicious. After brewing the beer he told me “One day, I’m going to open a brewery.” True to his word, we opened that brewery together eight years later.

You’ll often catch Sean in the taproom chatting it up with regulars or teaching customers how to enjoy the sours brewed here at RockPit. It’s earned him the nickname “The Sour Sherpa”.