Steff Deschenes started as a “beer girl,” wearing campy costumes to promote specific beer brands to bar, restaurant and event patrons. That turned into a gig as New England retail brand merchandiser and marketing specialist for Guinness. Today she’s operations and retail manager for the Baxter Brewing Company, the brew house opening next year in Bates Mill No. 1.   

In other words, Deschenes works with beer.

She doesn’t hate her job.

Name: Steff Deschenes

Age: 26

Town: Lewiston

Married/single/relationship: Dating photographer Jeffrey Remick for over a year.

You are a former alcohol spokesmodel. What does an “alcohol spokesmodel” do? An alcohol spokesmodel is basically a tool that alcohol companies use for marketing and promotional purposes. They send their models (who are dressed up in specific outfits, for example: cowboy boots, jean skirts and straw hats for Dos Equis XX; sexy pirate outfits for Captain Morgan) to bars, restaurants and events to promote the product to people through education, giveaways and free samples. Mostly the models used are freshly turned 21-year-olds still in college. They do it for a year to make some spare cash before moving on. I did it four years – which is incredibly long in that business! I’m actually planning on writing my second book about it!

You work with beer. How popular does that make you with friends and family? It definitely use to impress them! I think I’m at that point now where when I’m not working in alcohol, it feels unnatural.

What is it like working in a brewery, a typically male-dominated business? I. LOVE. IT. There’s this automatic sense of skepticism when people (men) in the industry meet me for the first time – I’m a very small, very young-looking woman – what could I possible know about alcohol? But they quickly come to realize what an educated, experienced and relentless force I can be in this industry, especially when it comes to the marketing aspect. I learned to walk the fine line between being totally adorable and totally annoying while working for Guinness, which helped propel me to being the best in my playing field, and as a result there’s a level of trust and ultimate respect from not only some of the major distributors in New England, but from key players in both on- and off-premise accounts throughout Maine and New Hampshire.

What’s the best part about working for a brewing company? I once heard that the beer business was for people who didn’t want to grow up. And that 30 years will slip by before I know it and it will feel like I never worked a day in my life. Being able to have a job where you get play and have fun like a kid – and get paid for it! – is everybody’s dream I think.

What’s the worst part?: For me, it’s that periodic feeling of swimming upstream as a woman in this business. But even then, it’s not “the worst part” – it’s just more of an awesome challenge!

What beer would you suggest for a non-beer drinker? Everyone’s palates are so different, that that’s an impossible question. I would say something crafted locally – you’re more likely to find something created with care and precision as opposed to something mass manufactured. Think about what you like the taste of already. I love coffee and just had the chance to try a double coffee stout – it was incredible!

Which is best — glass, can or bottle? Glass. Not only do I think it tastes cleaner, but there’s something pleasing to the senses about being able to smell, taste and actually see the beer you’re drinking. It should be an intimate experience.

What was your first beer? My first beer in private was Red Stripe. My first beer in public was – and I’m not making this up! – a pint of Guinness at The Quay’s in Dublin, Ireland, on St. Patrick’s Day. Oddly enough, Red Stripe and Guinness are owned by the same company (Diageo), who are the people who would eventually alter the course of my professional life!

Do you like beer? I think I love the beer industry more than actually drinking beer, though I’m definitely acquiring a palate for it. This year I began cooking with it and have sort of become famous for my vegan beer bread!

What’s the strangest beer you’ve ever tasted? Sparks. It’s an energy drink beer and it’s absolutely revolting.

Which is better: root beer, butterbeer, regular beer? I’m an absolute sucker for root beer floats (made with chocolate ice cream)!