The Dragon
So why did we pick the name Dragon Distillery? We are huge fans of Dungeons & Dragons and all things geeky — role playing games, fencing and science-fiction/fantasy books and movies. We embrace our inner nerd. We delight in the slightly off-beat, and invite you to do the same
Our founder is a Navy veteran, having served as an Arabic linguist and intelligence analyst while stationed overseas and in Maryland. He served on a number of surface and subsurface ships while stationed in Greece for five years, and participated in Operations Desert Storm/Desert Shield. He served as a senior intelligence analyst on his return to the United States.
We strive to be an innovator. From our spirits, to our Dragon's Den. From our hands-on workshops
to interactive events - our goal is to provide a comfortable, safe, and fun environment.
We specialize in small batch artisan spirits, made from the finest locally-sourced ingredients in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. Some may call us quirky or eccentric, and we are happy to embrace this. We believe in individuality, creativity, and innovation. We strive to bring all of this to the creation of our unique, high-quality spirits.
We’d love to tell you more, give you a tour, and help you learn about our craft and vision.
STAFF
Hirad Yaldaei, Chief Operating Officer
Dragon Certifications:
Master Distiller
Product Development
Quality Control
Marketing
HR
Production Flow
Finance Operations
Sourcing
Reporting
Inventory
Den Operations
Customer Relations
Axe-Throwing Safety
Bartending
With a steadfast commitment to excellence and a passion for the craft of distillation, Hirad Yaldaei has been an integral part of Dragon Distillery since its inception in 2015. As our Chief Operating Officer, Hirad is the driving force behind our day-to-day operations, ensuring that every aspect of our distillery runs smoothly and efficiently.
Hirad’s journey with Dragon Distillery began at the ground floor, and his deep understanding of the industry has been pivotal in shaping our growth and success. His expertise is not just limited to operations; his innovative approach has led to the refinement of our distillation processes and the creation of unique spirit recipes that delight our customers.
Under Hirad’s operational leadership, Dragon Distillery has flourished, maintaining the highest standards of quality while fostering a culture of innovation. His vision for the distillery is one where tradition meets modernity, where each bottle of spirit we produce is a testament to our dedication to the craft.
Join us at Dragon Distillery, where Hirad and the team are always eager to share their passion for distilling spirits that are as unique and bold as the legends that inspire them.
Colin Heller, Production Manager
Dragon Certifications:
Distiller
Production Flow
Quality Control
Axe-Throwing Safety
Bartending
Kitchen Operations
Reporting
Inventory
Colin Heller is an integral part of the Dragon team, serving as our Production Manager for the past four years. With wealth of experience in the industry, Colin oversees all aspects of our production process, from mash preparation to quality control. His expertise in fermentation, still operations, filtration, and bottling ensures that every bottle of Dragon is of the highest quality. We are proud to Colin on our team and know that his dedication to excellence is reflected in every sip of our premium spirits.
Aubrey Zeigler, Dragon's Den General Manager
Aubrey is an key member of Dragon's team, having joined in 2019 during the launch of Dragon's Den. As the General Manager of the Den, she expertly oversees all aspects of its operations, including customer service, waitstaff, in-house event coordination, menu planning and deployment, and guest services. Additionally, Ms. Zeigler is responsible for directing Dragon's social media presence. She happily provides a guest-first experience at Dragon, and is always eager to hear customer's thoughts and ideas.
Dragon Certifications:
Den Operations
Customer Relations
Marketing
Social Media
Bartending
Axe-Throwing Safety
Zach Watkins, Off-Site Event Manager, Kitchen Manager, and Distiller
Zach joined Dragon in 2021, and has quickly become an essential member of the team. His infectious can-do attitude has enabled Zach to excel and take on new roles and operations. He heads Dragon's off-site event team, is the Kitchen Manager and lead chef, and works in distillery operations. An expert axe-thrower, Zach is always ready to assist customers in perfecting their technique.
Dragon Certifications:
Kitchen Operations
Customer Relations
Off-Site Event
Production Flow
Axe-Throwing Safety
Quality Control
Tania Lambert, Owner & President
Tania's infectious laugh and positive attitude has helped Dragon become an warm and welcoming environment for both staff and customers. Tania is an expert in spirit development and pairing, and has highly refined palate that is important in new product development as well as guiding customers in selection of spirits. She is always willing to share her knowledge and enjoys interacting with guests.
Dragon Certifications:
Spirit Tastings
Customer Service
Product Development
HR
Quality Control
Event Management