One of the industry's most well-respected and experienced craft brewers, Cantwell co-founded Elysian Brewing Company in 1996, where he served as head brewer until its sale to Anheuser-Busch in 2015. During his tenure, Elysian was named Large Brewpub of the Year three times at the Great American Beer Festival® (1999, 2003 and 2004), and in 2004, he received the BA's Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing. Additionally, he has written for various beer magazines, including The New Brewer, Beer Advocate and American Brewer. His book publishing credits include Barley Wine (with Fal Allen), The Brewers Association's Guide to Starting Your Own Brewery, Second Edition, and Wood & Beer with New Belgium's Peter Bouckaert. He divides his time between Seattle and San Francisco.