Erin Bishop

Erin Bishop is the Owner, Co-Founder, and CEO of Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company where she works alongside her business partner, Jack Lucas COO, to provide authentic in house brewed craft beer to the neighboring communities.  

Erin began in the hospitality industry at age 15, where she was a prep chef at a local breakfast café. From there, she expanded her knowledge base with catering, serving, bar tending, and managing front of house operations. Over the years, she developed a love for entrepreneurship and the service industry. In 2011, she assisted her husband, Mike Bishop, in opening his first craft brewery located in Pasco County Florida. 

In 2019, Erin began a consulting company to assist small businesses, such new breweries and bar start-ups, with build-out and operations. In 2021, after working as a Registered Nurse for over 13 years at a Level 1 Trauma Center, she developed her second business and became self-employed as a Legal Nurse Consultant.  

In August 2021, the idea of creating a true community brewery for local residents became a priority. Erin began seeking additional opportunities when she came across a project called, “The Hub”. Soon after, plans for Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company were put in motion.  

Jack Lucas

Jack Lucas is the Owner, Co-Founder, and COO of Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company where he works alongside his business partner, Erin Bishop, CEO. Together, they strive to create a community atmosphere where friends and family can come together and enjoy in-house brewed craft beer. 

Jack worked in the fast-paced high volume automotive industry for over 13 years. As a child, Jack worked with his father completing numerous carpentry projects. He perfected this skillset over the years, helping friends and family with cabinetry, built-ins, and small furniture. In 2014, he began a small business, Jax Woodworking. When you visit Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company, you will experience his woodworking craftmanship as he built each table by hand. 

Jack developed a love for craft beer when he enjoyed his first Bell’s Two Hearted American IPA in 2009. From there, he was hooked on all the unique flavors and notes the craft beer industry had to offer. After spending well over a decade traveling to various breweries, Jack began exploring the possibility of his first business venture; opening his own craft brewery where consumers could enjoy a drinkable and diverse variety of beer styles and flavors. In August 2021, his dream became reality when plans for Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company began. 

Justin Schau Head Brewer 

Justin Schau, Head Brewer at Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company, began his career in the craft beer industry in 2009 while earning his degree in Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State University. As a Pennsylvania native, Justin developed his love for beer while working at family-owned Sprague Farm & Brew Works in Venango, Pennsylvania where he became an Assistant Brewer. At Sprague Farm & Brew Works, an old dairy barn converted into a brewery and beer hall, Justin experienced the entire brewing process from farm to keg as he used their own farm grown hops and barley to help create their award-winning farm ales and lagers.  

In 2013, Justin began working with one of the top craft beer producers in the United States, Southern Tier Brewing Company. There, he worked with major production brew systems and eventually became a Head Brewer at their Pennsylvania location. In 2015, he completed his formal brewing education earning a certificate in Brewing Technology at World Brewing Academy, Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois. After 8 years in major production brewing, Justin’s love for innovation and small batch brewing lead him to Pittsburgh’s 28 Bridges Brewery where he helped rebrand and create an award-winning brewery. In 2023, Justin made his venture to Florida to become part of the Thirsty Bufalo Brewing Company team.  

In his free time, Justin enjoys spending time outdoors. Growing up in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, Justin was always surrounded by farmland, lakes, and national forests.  Hiking, camping, fishing, and exploring have always been some of his favorite activities. Saturdays at Penn State in the Fall are also tough for him to beat, watching and cheering on the Nittany Lions football team.  Live music, sporting events, and spending time with friends and family are also things he enjoys.