Brewers of Pennsylvania give their inaugural President’s Award to…

At the 2018 Meeting of the Malts held on August 23 at the Artsquest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, the Brewers of Pennsylvania (BOP), the state’s official brewers guild, presented Carol Stoudt of Stoudts Brewing Co. with the organization’s inaugural President’s Award. The honor is given to a person or organization “in recognition of and appreciation for outstanding achievement and extraordinary contributions to the Pennsylvania Craft Beer Industry.”

Stoudt launched her Adamstown-based brewery in 1987 becoming the country’s first female brewmaster.

“Carol has been an industry trailblazer for over three decades and has had a significant influence on women getting into the craft beer business,” said Chris Lampe, president of the BOP who, along with his mother, Barbara, vice president of Weyerbacher, presented Stoudt with the award. “Every Pennsylvania brewer can find her persistence, dedication, talent and longevity inspiring.”

Stoudts started as a lager brewery but has since brewed various American and Belgian style ales. Stoudts has also launched a barrel-aging program. The brewery has a capacity of producing 10,000 bbls of beer and employs approximately 30 employees year-round.

“Receiving the President’s Award at Meeting of the Malts was certainly a night to remember,” said Stoudt. “I am so honored to have received the inaugural award from the Brewers of Pennsylvania. In the next few months, I will take my engraved growler and have it filled up at many of the BOP’s respected breweries to show my appreciation for this award.”

In her acceptance speech, Stoudt recognized many of the female brewers in attendance.

Presented by Micro Matic USA, Meeting of the Malts VII had over 500 attendees with more than 50 BOP breweries participating. The highlight of the popular annual event was a powerhouse panel including Bill Covaleski (Victory Brewing Co.), Tom Kehoe (Yards Brewing Co.), Wendy Yuengling (D. G. Yuengling & Son), Mike Stevens (Michigan-based Founders Brewing Co.), and Joey Redner (Florida-based Cigar City Brewing). Jim Koch (Samuel Adams) provided opening remarks.