Victoria Aguilar is the Founder and Managing Director of The AR Group, LLC – a law and HR consulting firm in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Victoria assists clients with effectively managing human capital. 

Email Victoria

 

LEGAL

HUMAN RESOURCES

As the founding Partner and CSO of DraughtLab Sensory Software, Lindsay's work is globally recognized for empowering companies of all sizes to apply Sensory Science to inform everyday business decisions.

Email Lindsay

​

QUALITY CONTROL

Beverage Business Builders, established in 2015, offers financial and operational services for craft breweries & distilleries. President Mary Brettmann assists with everything from accounting software implementation, to long-range strategic planning.

Email Mary

​

ACCOUNTING &  POINT OF SALE

William has established a solid reputation for designing production beverage facilities with HRVST, a process engineering/ start-up consulting firm, and CLTVT, a General Contracting firm; both companies he co-founded and operates.

Email William

​

BUSINESS PLAN

 

Tristan Chan is the Founder of PorchDrinking.com, a national beer publication, as well as The Porch Collective, a Marketing and PR firm focused on serving the hospitality industry.

Email Tristan

​

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

 

Jason Cook is an accomplished 10+ year insurance professional holding a Master’s degree in Insurance Management from Boston University and the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and Associate in Risk Management designations.

Email Jason

​

INSURANCE

 

Founder and director emeritus of the Cicerone® Certification Program, Ray is a veteran beer writer and educator who has traveled the world promoting quality beer service.

Email Ray

​

QUALITY CONTROL

TAP ROOM OPS

 

With White Labs since 2014, Erik has led education classes on yeast handling, sensory techniques and QC. His objective is to make fermentation education informative, accessible & interesting. 

Email Erik

​

INGREDIENTS

QUALITY CONTROL

 

Jason Gladfelter is a beer geek with a conflict management profession (or is it the other way around?) who developed Vombuds, a virtual ombudsman, to help small businesses with their internal dynamics.

Email Jason

​

HUMAN RESOURCES

 

With 58 years in brewing and beverage industry design and manufacturing, Jeff Gunn has seen & participated in pivotal processing developments, including Sankey keg systems, flash pasteurization, custom process equipment, and the HEBS mash filter brew house.

Email Jeff

​

EQUIPMENT & PACKAGING
LOCATION & BREWERY DESIGN

 

Tom has opened 7 breweries of his own & helped open over 100 more with his Colorado Boy Brewery Immersion Course. His 1995 video, Frankenbrew, has become a cult classic in the brewing world. He has written three brewing books. Tom lives, brews and writes in his mountain town of Ridgway, CO.

Email Tom

​

EQUIPMENT & PACKAGING

 

John Holl is the editor of All About Beer, the author of several books including The Craft Brewery Cookbook, and is a writer-at-large for Wine Enthusiast Magazine. 

Email John

​

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Matt has been a commercial insurance and risk consultant for 15 years. In addition, he has been a brewer for Wynkoop Brewing Company & founder/ former head brewer for Goldspot Brewing Co.

Email Matt

​

INSURANCE

An author, speaker, and vocal advocate for the craft beverage community, Dr. J helps craft beverage organizations develop inclusive, equitable, and just practices that drive success, build communities, and empower individuals.

Email Dr J

​

HUMAN RESOURCES

Joe Karcz is the Managing Partner of Brand Elixir Partnership. Joe brings a wealth of Marketing & Sales insights gleaned from a diverse, 30-year career in the adult beverage industry.

Email Joe

​

MARKETING

SALES

With 20+ years of experience in business development, human resources and finances, Val founded Healthcare Web Solutions to focus on employee benefits education, with especial attention to start-up businesses, small groups and self-employed contractors.

Email Val

​

INSURANCE

Throughout his professional brewing career John Mallett has been recognized for his expertise and leadership in brewery technical education and training. He has managed all beer production for Bell’s Brewery since 2001.

Email John

​

INGREDIENTS

Lisa’s entrepreneur spirit and focus are discovering ways to improve the customer experience within the craft beer industry. DigitalPour is the brainchild of Lisa & Eric Sterling’s first OkCupid date back in 2010.

Email Lisa

​

TAP ROOM OPS

ACCOUNTING & POINT OF SALE

Matthew McLaughlin is the founder of McLaughlin, PC, a boutique commercial law firm specializing in the beverage industry with more than 30 years combined experienced representing breweries, distilleries, and wineries.

Email Matthew

​

LEGAL

Candace L. Moon is a San Diego-based attorney who handles many different legal areas including alcoholic beverage law, contract review and trademark law.

Email Candace

 

LEGAL

Do Better. Be Better. drives the award-winning diversity educator and consultant Ren Navarro as she educates, enlightens, and engages to help alcohol producers live up to the ideals and sense of community for which they strive.

Email Ren

​

HUMAN RESOURCES

Maria Pearman, CPA, CGMA, is an expert in the beverage alcohol industry and specializes in internal accounting processes, financial reviews, budgeting, cash flow forecasting, financial strategy and succession planning.

Email Maria

​

ACCOUNTING & POINT OF SALE

Drawing from a decade of experience in the specialty beer business, Julie is an authority on beer sales, marketing, sales team management, and distributor partnership management.

Email Julie

​

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

SALES

Taylor Seidler is co-founder and creative director of SeaThirst Creative. As an award-winning designer, she specializes in creative and branding for breweries & beverage companies, and has spent the last 10 years working in and around the brewing industry.

Email Taylor

​

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

With both CPA and CVA credentials, Owen provides business valuation, litigation support, and financial due diligence services across a variety of industries, with a specialty focus on breweries and distilleries.

Email Owen

​

ACCOUNTING & POINT OF SALE

BUSINESS PLAN

A Founding Member of the North American Craft Maltster’s Guild, Twila founded Grouse Malt House
in 2013. Grouse Malt House is a craft malting company dedicated to supplying gluten-free ingredients
to the craft brewing industry.

Email Twila

​

INGREDIENTS

As Co-Leader of our Craft Beer Practice Group, Grant Steyer helps craft breweries decide how and when to invest in IP and legal agreements.  If it makes business sense, Grant will help you decide what form of protection is best for you.

Email Grant

​

LEGAL

BUSINESS PLAN

Spencer Tielkemeier is the East Division and Brewing Innovations Lead for Yakima Chief Hops, developing new products and providing tailored technical support. He spent nine years as a production brewer.

Email Spencer

​

INGREDIENTS

Industry professional with experience in sales, marketing, POS needs, distributor relations, beer purchasing and quality control. Also, in-depth knowledge in on and off premise distribution. Experience 10+ years.

Email John

​

SALES

DISTRIBUTION

A TTB Certified Brewing Chemist with a passion for microbiology and beer, eventually leading her to found Fermly in 2018. Unafraid to dive into a pint glass or a cuvette, she utilizes her science degree to help breweries develop and maintain a QA/QC program from sensory to tracking information.

Email Emily

​

QUALITY CONTROL

Ben Weston is the founder and Head Honcho at Hoptown Handles, an American manufacturer of high quality, durable custom tap handles.  

Email Ben

​

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

TAP ROOM OPS

Co-Founder of Rock Bottom Breweries & the Colorado Brewers Guild, Founder of the Dolores River Brewery, and ICF Certified Coach, Mark has been in the brewing industry for over 35 years.

Email Mark

​

BUSINESS PLAN

Growing up in a family of woodworkers and craftsmen, Matt started River Drive Cooperage in 2008. Focused on oak barrels and wood aging, River Drive seeks to improve and revitalize the nearly lost art of coopering. 

Email Matt

 

INGREDIENTS

Scott is a SBA Lending Specialist for Dogwood State Bank, specializing in start-ups, expansions, refinances, partner buyouts, commercial real estate, and business acquisitions on a nationwide platform.

Email Scott

​

BANK & EQUIPMENT FINANCE

Brook Bristow, Attorney at Lager, is a Charleston-based attorney who counsels food and beverage industry clients from small start-ups to national brands. He can brew a passable IPA.

Email Brook

​

CONSULTANT

LEGAL

During JoAnne’s 30+ year career, she has held positions with breweries, industry associations and industry suppliers. Her diverse background allows her to have a unique perspective to sales and marketing in the brewing industry.

Email JoAnne

​

BUSINESS PLAN

 

Beer flavor variety brought Larry to craft brewing in 1997. Today he supports and coaches owners who want to build a culture of ownership and employee involvement.

Email Larry

​

CONSULTANT

HUMAN RESOURCES

 

Andrew Coplon is the Founder of Secret Hopper and Craft Beer Professionals. He is passionate about the growth of beer and helping businesses be more successful.

Email Andrew

​

TAP ROOM OPS

 

Chris DellaBianca and Audrey Gehlhausen are obsessed with crafting superior quality hops, committed to sustainable practices, and passionate about creating brewer-farmer relationships. 
Know your farmer, Love your beer.

Email Chris

​

INGREDIENTS

 

Chris DellaBianca and Audrey Gehlhausen are obsessed with crafting superior quality hops, committed to sustainable practices, and passionate about creating brewer-farmer relationships. 
Know your farmer, Love your beer.

Email Audrey

​

INGREDIENTS

 

Creating strong, visually stimulating designs and providing cohesive marketing pieces across multiple platforms, from logo creation and branding to product packaging and merchandise.

Email Misty

​

MARKETING

GRAPHIC DESIGN/WEB DESIGN

 

Mr. Hauck, avid home brewer and craft beer enthusiast, possesses the skill, experience, passion and reputation for planning and executing a successful project, while coordinating with all engineering consultants, contractors and governmental authorities.

Email Dustin

​

LOCATION & BREWERY DESIGN

 

San Diego-based veteran brewery marketing professional, award-winning journalist, author, editor, copywriter, graphic artist, on-air news correspondent and freelance marketing consultant.

Email Brandon

​

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

TAP ROOM OPS

Andy is an award-wining certified Master Brewer with expertise in brewing science, brewery design, process engineering, equipment selection, process piping, support utilities, sustainability, and wastewater treatment. 

Email Andy

​

LOCATION & BREWERY DESIGN

EQUIPMENT & PACKAGING

Emily Hutto is a Colorado-based beer journalist-turned-barley industry marketer. After years of freelance writing and authoring the book Colorado's Top Brewers, she founded Rad Craft in 2012 to serve the communications needs of maltsters, brewers, and distillers.

Email Emily

​

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Dana consults for craft breweries on food safety/ sanitation practices. He has more than 25 years of experience and is known in the industry as one of the leading voices on sanitation.

Email Dana

​

EQUIPMENT & PACKAGING

Brynn is the founder and lead analyst at Grist Analytics where she helps breweries across the world turn production data into actionable information.

Email Brynn

​

QUALITY CONTROL

Rachel Schaffer Lawson has over 10 years of experience in the alcohol and hospitality sectors. She has dedicated her practice to advocating for businesses in hospitality and
alcohol law.

Email Rachel

​

LEGAL

As Founder and President of Brand Elixir Partnership, Andy offers business insights, strategic acumen and coaching skills based upon years of experience ranging from start-up beverage businesses to international wine conglomerates.

Email Andy

​

HUMAN RESOURCES

Doug is a founding partner at Marshall | Viliesis.  With his partner Peter Viliesis they created Business Value Protection Planning™, a planning system designed with the business owner in mind.

Email Doug

​

BUSINESS PLAN

CONSULTANT

Co-founder of Tabernash Brewing Co. and the Colorado Brewers Guild, Jeff has been a partner/ director at Left Hand Brewing Co. and has held leadership roles in the beer industry for 30+ years.

Email Mendy

​

BUSINESS PLAN

With 28 years of experience with major packaged goods companies, Jeff is known for being able to simplify complex issues and provide insightful recommendations based on consumer insights, innovation, and brand management.

Email Jeff

​

MARKETING

SALES

Jeff serves as general counsel to a wide variety of small businesses, and advises clients on entity formation, financing, real estate matters, intellectual property protection, operational issues, securities law, distribution contracts, and more.

Email Jeff

​

LEGAL

LOCATION & BREWERY DESIGN

Jeff has over 30 years experience sourcing great talent in operations and technical positions for food and beverage manufacturing companies that will make a huge contribution to your company. 

Email Jeff

​

BUSINESS PLAN

HUMAN RESOURCES

Scott Rosenbaum is CEO of Ah So Insights, a wine and spirit industry newsletter and consultancy. Scott was formerly the vice president of T. Edward Wines & Spirits, a New York-based importer and distributor.

Email Scott

​

SALES

DISTRIBUTION

Author of Denver Beer: A History of Mile High Brewing, Jonathan has spent more than 25 years as a journalist, most recently as the managing editor of Westword. He covers Colorado's dynamic craft-beer industry.

Email Jonathan

​

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Jason funded his first brewery 9 years ago, and has now funded breweries and other beverage companies across the US,  giving him unique insight into both the craft beverage and banking world.

Email Jason

​

BANK & EQUIPMENT FINANCING

Mitch is the Brewmaster/Co-Founder of New Realm Brewing Co. in Atlanta, GA. He has been brewing beer professionally for over 34 years, studying brewing science at UC Davis and homebrewing prior to 1988.

Email Mitch

​

EQUIPMENT & PACKAGING

QUALITY CONTROL

A craft beer veteran, “Dr.” Bill is on the SDSU Business of Craft Beer Faculty/Advisory Board, is a Certified Cicerone, Co-Founder of Wild Barrel, a pairing expert, and master of zymurgical knowledge.

Email Bill

​

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

TAP ROOM OPS

Nancy has spent 6+ years in the brewing industry helping breweries optimize taproom performance. She is a passionate advocate for the beverage industry and partners with both vendors and breweries.

Email Nancy

​

ACCOUNTING & POINT OF SALE

TAP ROOM OPS

As an Owner at Ska Brewing Co, Matt developed products to help ease beer production challenges. His small footprint can depalletizer was the inspiration for Ska Fabricating, which has now helped beverage producers in 27 countries.

Email Matt

​

EQUIPMENT & PACKAGING

With over 12 years of experience, Derek is the Owner/Operator of Plato Brewing and Consulting Inc. - a full-service brewery consulting firm specializing in start-up planning, expansion, and operations from concept to completion.

Email Derek

​

LOCATION & BREWERY DESIGN

CONSULTANT

Sales & Marketing professional who previously worked for Scottish & Newcastle Importers (Newcastle Brown Ale) & Duvel USA/Brewery Ommegang & currently works for Fat Head’s Brewery in Cleveland.

Email Bill

​

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

SALES

Mel has worn many hats in the beer world, but her specialty is brewing QA/QC and Sensory Analysis.   She is a Beer Educator, International Beer Judge, and General Manager for The Rayback Collective in Boulder, CO. 

Email Mel

​

QUALITY CONTROL

TAP ROOM OPS

Mark is an industry veteran with an MBA in accounting and finance. He founded the Craft Beer Accounting Group, a network of 100+ regional brewery CFO’s, Owners, and Controllers & is an avid (award-winning) homebrewer.

Email Mark

​

ACCOUNTING &  POINT OF SALE

Founder and Former Owner of Factotum Brewhouse in Denver Colorado, Laura employs her Regis Certificate in Applied Craft Brewing, her Cicerone certification, and status as a BJCP judge to create Craft Beer Uncovered.

Email Laura

​

TAP ROOM OPS

Prior to founding Opensō, Jon Carpenter has been involved in every aspect of an operational brewery, including engineering & design, new product development & operations, staffing/training, and construction/installation/startup of equipment, systems, brands, and facilities.

Email Jon

​

LOCATION & BREWERY DESIGN

 

Carol founded Horse & Dragon Brewing Company in 2014 with her husband Tim.  She has an enormous appreciation for the community of Fort Collins, the Horse & Dragon team, and the craft brewing community.

Email Carol

​

LOCATION & BREWERY DESIGN

TAP ROOM OPS

 

I work to help companies own their brands and hit their objectives with smart creative that’s just as functional as it is aesthetic. Design and business strategy are my primary focus.

Email Erik

​

MARKETING

Through working in multiple facets of the beer industry, Bud has seen the need to bring suppliers and distributors closer together through the use of data and technology. 

Email Bud

​

DISTRIBUTION

 

John Giarratano has spent almost two decades in the pharma, biofuel and now brewing industries.  He now puts his expertise and knowledge towards operations at Inland Island Yeast Laboratories. 

Email John

​

INGREDIENTS

 

Charlie Gottenkieny is a co-founder and brewmaster at Bruz Beers - a Belgian-style brewery in Denver. Charlie has authored more than a dozen beer education programs and regularly teaches beer classes at Bruz Beers.

Email Charlie

​

QUALITY CONTROL

SALES

 

Ashleigh Hayden has spent the last decade working in brewing and quality.  She is currently the Eastern Field Marketing Manager for Yakima Chief Hops, organizing industry events and beer collaborations.

Email Ashleigh

​

INGREDIENTS

 

As CEO and Founder of HerzMuses Enterprises, LLC, Julia is a strategic consultant, speaker, and educator who supports small business and nonprofit entities.

Email Julia

​

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Jon is the director of brewing and sensory science at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education and lead instructor for the Master Brewers Certificate Program.

Email Jon

​

QUALITY CONTROL

As Chair of our Employment & Labor Practice Group, Jon Hyman provides practical solutions to help craft breweries solve their workforce problems. With decades of experience advising employers of all shapes and sizes, Jon is well equipped to do the same for your brewery.

Email Jon

​

LEGAL

HUMAN RESOURCES

Fred Kaplan brokers buy-side and sell-side M&A transactions, performs valuations, and advises on Exit Planning for clients who are food and beverage processors, distributors, retailers, breweries, distilleries, and restaurants.

Email Fred

​

CONSULTANT

BUSINESS PLAN

Dave teaches business within Auburn University’s Brewing Science and Operations program. He is thrilled to have made modest contributions to the many success stories being created by AU Brew graduates!

Email Dave

​

BUSINESS PLAN

Preparing for distribution, selecting a distributor, contract insight and review, managing your distribution partnership, etc. Distribution Insight covers it all.

Email Laura

​

DISTRIBUTION

Formerly a small acreage hop grower, Eric is the Co-Founder of the San Diego Hop Growers Association, a homebrewer, speaker and advocate of locally grown ingredients for local and seasonal craft beverages.

Email Eric

​

INGREDIENTS

Jess  founded SSQ Consultants to help breweries establish QA/QC programs, develop SOPs, and create safety programs. Jess is guided by her experiences as a CR&D biochemist and as a brewer.

Email Jess

​

QUALITY CONTROL

Brian Mollohan is co-founder and owner of Ruby Street Brewing. Since 2011, Ruby Street Brewing has been designing and building hand-crafted small batch and pilot brewing equipment.

Email Brian

​

EQUIPMENT & PACKAGING

Tim Myers started Strange Craft Beer Company in May 2010, brewing one barrel at a time in Denver’s first taproom brewery.

Email Tim

​

EQUIPMENT & PACKAGING

Todd Olander cultivated Root Shoot Malting in 2016 to specialize in the highest quality of local grain and craft malt available to the brewing and distilling industries.

Email Todd

​

INGREDIENTS

Jon Reynolds is the founder of BrewPlan, LLC a strategic marketing advisor to craft brewers, craft distilleries, boutique wineries, and a Certified Instructor in the UVM Business of Craft Beer Professional Certificate Program.

Email Jon

​

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

SALES

Brian is an experienced patent and trademark attorney, who founded CrossPond Law in 2017 to provide high-quality cost-effective IP services to clients.  He is a beer nerd who started homebrewing in 1993, and is now a BJCP Grand Master I beer judge and one of the hosts of the popular Dr. Homebrew podcast on the Brewing Network.

Email Brian

​

LEGAL

Kary Shumway is the founder of CraftBreweryFinancialTraining.com and Kary'sFinancialTraining.com, online resources for beer industry professionals. 

Email Kary

​

ACCOUNTING & POINT OF SALE

BUSINESS PLAN

Alex has been in the brewing industry since 2008 and is currently the ABS Mid-West sales consultant as well as Executive Brewer worldwide helping new and existing breweries get off the ground and grow. 

Email Alex

​

CONSULTANT

EQUIPMENT & PACKAGING

Nicole Stenoish is an employment law attorney who specializes in providing practical legal advice to breweries on all aspects of employment and HR-related issues. She also has extensive experience defending businesses in a variety of employment litigation matters.

Email Nicole

​

LEGAL

HUMAN RESOURCES

Owner & CEO of The Homebrewer & Home Brewing Co. (AHA Homebrew Store of The Year 2018). Instructor with the SDSU Business of Craft Beer. National Rank BJCP. Cicerone. Small Brewery Consultant. Homebrewing since 2001. 

Email George

​

INGREDIENTS

TAP ROOM OPS

Ethan Tsai is a Ph.D. chemist that has worn multiple hats throughout an incredibly diverse career, including GM of brewing operations for Cigar City Brewing and director of the brewery for Tivoli Brewing Company.

Email Ethan

​

QUALITY CONTROL

CONSULTANT

Danny has been a part of the Colorado craft brewing community since 2011 with the start of his first brewery. His knowledge in computer science and data sciences is the driving force behind the technology Fermly runs on. Danny is also a Certified BJCP judge and an award winning brewer.

Email Danny

​

EQUIPMENT & PACKAGING

QUALITY CONTROL

Rick Wehner founded Brewery Finance in 2005 and has since provided nearly 1500 startup and established brewers with vital equipment funding to help them launch, grow and flourish.

Email Rick

​

BANK & EQUIPMENT FINANCING

Neil Witte is a Master Cicerone and 24-year beer business veteran. He owns TapStar, which certifies draft beer quality at bars, restaurants, and brewery taprooms.

Email Neil

​

QUALITY CONTROL

TAP ROOM OPS