Mark Swartz has seemingly done it all – aviator, train conductor, world traveler, and FedEx box handler. But two years ago he realized his dream of opening his own nanobrewery, Cannon Ball Brewing Co., in a not-yet-developed neighborhood just north of downtown Indianapolis. His interest in brewing really ignited in 2008 when his job as a pilot vanished with the bankruptcy of ATA Airlines. His brewery is now the anchor of a developing area that is home to coffee shops, a distillery, condos, and an influx of new restaurants.

Chef Erin Kem joined Mark from the inception of Cannon Ball Brewing. She spent decades honing her skills in some of Indy’s top kitchens, including R Bistro, before teaming up with Mark and his wife Tania. Her passion for Mediterranean cuisine shows through in her far-above-average bar fare that has made Cannon Ball a destination for foodies and beer geeks alike.