Erik was born in Colorado and raised by his mother, Jane, mostly in the Phoenix area. He grew up playing soccer and that led to a Bachelor of Arts degree from Winthrop University, in Rockhill SC where he made pots, prints, photos, and drew.

From there he made his way to Durango and along the way found the intricate process of making beer was similar to his creative process. Each step is predicated on an intentional outcome that is built on layers of understanding, skill, and focused effort. While beer making is most evidently science now, there remains an allusive alchemy that coalesces all the disparate elements into the outcome that is the creative process found in his art.