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contributors

  Listed Alphabetically by Last Name  

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Victoria Aguilar

Founder/Managing Director

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

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Lindsay Barr

Founding Partner/CSO

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

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Mary Brettmann

President

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

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William Camacho

Principal

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

 

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Tristan Chan

Founder

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

 

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Jason Cook

Producer/Insurance Advisor

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

 

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Ray Daniels

Founder & Director Emeritus

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

 

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Alexis Foreman

Co-Founder

Alexis Foreman has 20+ years in the machine and mechanical-design industry, including five patents. As co-founder of Wild Goose Filling, he's an expert in the craft-beer industry, beverage packaging, and mechanical design.

Email Alexis

EQUIPMENT & PACKAGING

 

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John Giarratano

Founder/Lead Engineer

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

 

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Charlie Gottenkieny

Co-Founder & Brewmaster

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

 

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Ashleigh Hayden

Eastern Field Marketing Manager

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

 

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Julia Herz

Executive Director

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

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Jon Hughes

Director of Brewing and Sensory Science

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

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Jon Hyman

Co-Leader Craft Beer Practice Group

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

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Fred M Kaplan

Partner and M&A Intermediary

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

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Dave Ketchen

Harbert Eminent Scholar and Professor of Management

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

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John Mallett

Vice President of Operations

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

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Lisa Marcus

CEO

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

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Matthew McLaughlin

Attorney

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

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Candace L Moon

Attorney

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

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Ren Navarro

Owner/Operator

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

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Maria Pearman

Principal

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

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Julie Rhodes

Owner/Educator

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

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Jonathan Shikes

Author/Beer Writer

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

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Jason Sleeman

Vice President - Craft Beer Lending

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

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Mitch Steele

Brewmaster

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

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Bill Sysak

CEO

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

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Nancy Trigg

CPO

Nancy Trigg is the President and CPO of Arryved.  Arryved provides Point of Sale and Loyalty software to taprooms and brewpubs across the country. Addressing business challenges and finding solutions to create excellent taproom experiences for guests.

Email Nancy

ACCOUNTING & POINT OF SALE

TAP ROOM OPS

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Matt Vincent

Founder/Co-Owner

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

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Derek Wasak

Owner &

Full-Service Brewery Consultant

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

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Bill Wetmore

Sales & Marketing Director

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

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Matt Albrecht

Owner/Founder

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

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Scott Birkner

SBA Lending Specialist

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

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Brook Bristow

Attorney at Lager

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

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JoAnne Carilli-Stevenson

Head of Business Development

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

 

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Larry Chase

Great Game of Business

Certified Coach

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

 

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Andrew Coplon

Founder

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

 

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Chris DellaBianca

Co-Owner

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

 

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Erik Fowler

Education &

Brewery Experience Manager

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

 

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Jason Gladfelter

Owner

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

 

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Jeff Gunn

President & CEO

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

 

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Tom Hennessy

Founder

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

 

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John Holl

Editor

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

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Matt Hughes

Risk & Insurance Consultant

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

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Dr. J Jackson-Beckham

Principal

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

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Joe Karcz

Managing Partner

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

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Val Lang

Benefits Specialist & Financial Services

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

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Andy Mansinne

President

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

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Doug Marshall

Partner

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

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Jeff Mendel

Partner/Director

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

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Jeff Musial

Partner

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

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Jeffrey O'Brien

Attorney/Partner

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

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Jeff Porter

President

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

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Scott Rosenbaum

CEO

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

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Kary Shumway

Founder

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

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Alex Smith

Executive Brewer &

Midwest Sales Consultant

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

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Nicole Stenoish

Employment Attorney

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

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George Thornton

Owner/CEO

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

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Ethan Tsai, PhD

Brewing Operations Consultant

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

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Danny Wang

Co-Owner/Information Architect

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

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Rick Wehner

Founder

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

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Neil Witte

Owner

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

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Melissa Antone

Quality/Sensory Specialist

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

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Mark Boelman

Principal

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

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Laura Bruns

Founder

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

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Jon Carpenter

Brewmaster/

Craft Beverage Consultant

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

 

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Carol Cochran

Co-Owner

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

 

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Erik Cox

Owner

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

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Bud Dunn

Director of Sales

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

 

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Audrey Gehlhausen

Co-Owner