Behind every beer brand you drink is an impressive team of beer professionals — brewers, barkeeps, bussers, canners, sales reps, CEOs, COOs, lab techs, interns and everyone from marketing and HR teams to warehouse and restaurant workers. “Beer professional” encapsulates a wide variety of jobs and skill sets, and breweries are constantly making moves to secure great employees and industry leaders. Oftentimes, it’s not even a beer pro, but a food or technology wiz that’s needed. Craft breweries and their suppliers and trade associations have many facets and require specialized employees. Here are a few of the big personnel headlines from the craft brewing industry in the last month plus. Send your beer pro news to [email protected].
Ryan Gaumer returns to Lead Dog Brewing, partners with Revision and Great Basin Brewing
Lead Dog Brewing Co., a name synonymous with innovation and quality in the craft beer scene, announces the return of its original owner and brewmaster, Ryan Gaumer. Under his visionary leadership, Lead Dog not only burgeoned into Nevada’s second largest brewery but also garnered multiple accolades for its exceptional brews and pioneering spirit.
In 2021, Gaumer made the decision to sell Lead Dog Brewing Co. to California-based brewery, Mammoth Brewing Co., a move that celebrated a well-deserved return for the team. Despite the transition, Gaumer’s attachment to Lead Dog’s ethos and the community remained unwavering. Observing the brand’s subsequent evolution, he felt compelled to step back in, returning the brand to its original roots.
To maximize synergy and propel growth, Lead Dog recently announced that Revision Brewing’s CEO, Jeremy Warren, and Head Brewer, Jeb Taylor, are additional partners. Through this joint effort, Lead Dog is relocating brewing operations to Revision’s state-of-the-art facilities, streamlining production processes and heralding a new era of cooperation among local brewing giants — Lead Dog, Revision, and Great Basin. With the new alliance, Gaumer is also closing the Sparks taproom and establishing a new taproom with his partners in the heart of Reno’s Brewery District. This innovative collaboration allows each brand to pool resources and share expertise, marking a strategic shift from competition to cooperation and positioning Lead Dog, Revision, and Great Basin to thrive within the ever-evolving craft beer industry.
So what does all this mean for Lead Dog Brewing? It signifies a heartfelt return to the brand’s roots. Gaumer is passionately dedicated to reconnecting with Lead Dog enthusiasts, reestablishing the strong ties with vendors, and infusing the brand with an invigorated sense of purpose that aligns with Nevada’s rich craft beer culture and state pride.
With Gaumer at the helm, Lead Dog is set to embark on a journey honoring past achievements while forging new paths in the craft beer industry. Stay tuned for updates as Lead Dog continues to grow and evolve. Here’s to new beginnings and the undying spirit of Nevada craft beer!
Brewer Greg Winget will lead the new Sea Of Monsters brewery from Indiana’s Journeyman Distillery
One of the nation’s most exciting craft distilleries and the maker of ASCOT’s Whiskey of the Year award-winner (2022, 2023), Journeyman Distillery is now expanding operations, announcing the plans for launching Sea of Monsters — a brand new brewery. The microbrewery and tasting room is the newest addition to Journeyman’s The American Factory — the recently opened $40 million hospitality destination featuring a distillery, full service restaurant Union Hall, multiple wedding and corporate event venues and more on a sprawling historic factory campus in Valparaiso, Indiana — a state that’s becoming a boom town for brewers and distillers since craft distilling becoming legal in only 2013.
Owners Bill and Johanna Welter are gearing up for Sea of Monsters’ summer 2024 debut and have appointed Head Brewer Greg Winget to lead the charge.
California-born and Indiana-raised, Greg Winget joins the team with a decade of experience in craft brewing. A journalist and copywriter turned craft brewer, Winget got his start working in beer sales and distribution, before making his way to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he gained a Craft Brewing Certificate from Wake Technical College. After stints at Big Boss Brewing, one of North Carolina’s longest-running craft breweries, and Fortnight Brewing Co., he eventually joined the team at locally beloved Wye Hill Brewing to become its brewery director. He spent five years with their team, creating over 100 unique beer brands from creative recipes to label art conceptions and taking home numerous brewing awards across the nation, including gold medals at the North Carolina Brewers Cup and the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.
Now returning to his Indiana roots, Winget has joined the Journeyman team to launch the brand’s first foray into brewing with Sea of Monsters, which will function as both a brewery and stand alone beer bar within The American Factory complex. Sea of Monsters is a reference to early audacious maritime explorers who sought adventure and overcame great odds around the world while braving real and mythic creatures from the deep, which also inspires their “Face Your Fears” slogan.
The brewery will focus both on regional iterations of popular American craft beers like IPAs, stouts and porters, barrel aged beers, as well as beer styles from across the world, including the exploration and resurrection of ancient recipes. Winget will be making use of the brewery’s 10-barrel system constructed by American brewing industry leader Sprinkman (Franklin, Wisconsin), and will be visible to diners and guests from the bar’s adjoining Union Hall restaurant. He is excited to explore sustainably sourced raw ingredients, with a focus on regional hop varieties and locally grown or foraged elements from the Midwest. Plus, he’ll leverage Sea of Monsters’ proximity to the distillery with barrel aged brews made in Journeyman spent whiskey barrels and recipes that feature similar mash builds to Journeyman’s signature spirits.
The first official core collection from Sea of Monsters is set to debut in summer 2024 with beer served exclusively on-premise at The American Factory.
Yuengling announces Sean Erney as chief sales-marketing officer
D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. recently announced that industry veteran, Sean Erney, has joined the Yuengling leadership team as its newly appointed chief sales-marketing officer, reporting directly to David Casinelli. Erney joins Yuengling’s strong leadership team to include Colin Callahan and Charlie Trepcos who will continue in their respective roles and report to Erney. He comes to Yuengling with extensive and broad-based experience primarily in the Anheuser-Busch network, where he held a vast array of leadership positions over his 28-year career, 13 relocations to include field sales, marketing, and wholesaler development.
Erney places tremendous value on his independent wholesaler experiences with Brown Distributing Co. in Austin, Texas, and Gretz Beer in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Over the past year he returned to his home state of Delaware accepting the position of vice president sales for Breakthru Beverage, additionally broadening his wine and spirits experience while working closely with the hometown Boston Beer and Dogfish Head teams.
His focus on success is built around strength, character, and a deep passion for the people you work with and serve to earn unwavering trust. Throughout his career and travels, Erney continues to build on and share his experiences and best practices through team collaboration, working shoulder to shoulder in market to build relationships that produce results. Erney credits his wife of 28-years, Erin, for managing their many moves, raising their three wonderful children, Jake, Grace and Brooklyn, and for opening their home and kitchen to team members and retail partners to foster special relationships. As Yuengling continues to celebrate its 195th anniversary, the company remains committed to strengthening its organization and keeping it competitive in today’s complex environment.
Beer Institute announces Stacy Skelly as vice president of strategic communications
The Beer Institute, the oldest national trade organization representing the beer industry, recently named Stacy Skelly as vice president of strategic communications. Skelly previously served as senior vice president at The Reis Group and brings with her more than twenty years of experience in public affairs.
Joining the Beer Institute is an exciting opportunity to champion the economic and cultural impact the beer industry has on America,” said Stacy Skelly. “I’m thrilled to bring my extensive strategic communications and public affairs background to the organization and look forward to supporting America’s brewers, beer importers, and industry suppliers.
The Beer Institute is delighted to welcome Stacy to Team Beer, and we know her wealth of experience in communications will elevate our ability to tell the story of our vibrant industry and the nearly 2.4 million Americans who work in beer,” said Brian Crawford, president and CEO of the Beer Institute. “Stacy’s impressive background in public affairs, from mounting national public relations campaigns to countless interactions with media, will be a boon to the association, our members and the wellbeing of America’s favorite alcohol beverage.
Skelly’s career spans policy and communications in the non-profit and corporate sectors. As the former strategic counsel for executives and business leaders at Pearson, the world’s largest education company, she oversaw corporate affairs for two major business units, corporate philanthropy projects, marketing communications and executive profile building. Skelly also spent four years at the Association of American Publishers, where she supported the public affairs needs and policy goals of the publishing industry.
Skelly graduated with a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Based in Washington, D.C., Skelly spends her free time cheering on her two sons at numerous sporting events, watching college basketball and cycling.
Abstrax Hops bolsters leadership with diversity champion and beer flavor innovation pioneer
Abstrax Hops, a leader in innovative hop products for the brewing industry, proudly announces the addition of two trailblazing executives to their team: Barbara Stone as the national sales manager and Tom Nielsen as the director of brewing and beverage innovation. Both appointments mark a significant stride in the company’s mission to revolutionize hop utilization and inclusivity in the brewing and beverage sectors.
Barbara Stone joins Abstrax Hops with an impressive background in the food and beverage sector, beginning her career at a large ice cream production facility before transitioning to the brewing industry, where she spent seven years at Ninkasi Brewing Co. At HAAS, her most recent tenure, Barbara managed key accounts both nationally and internationally and played a pivotal role in direct partnerships with hop farmers and support for national organizations like the Master Brewers Association of the Americas (MBAA), where she co-chaired the national DEI committee.
Barbara has been instrumental in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the industry, a testament to her commitment to making the brewing world more inclusive. Her involvement in initiatives such as Pink Boots, and now Lifting Lucy through Abstrax’s partnership, highlights her dedication to empowering underrepresented groups in the craft beer community.
As she steps into her role at Abstrax Hops, Barbara is focused on introducing advanced brewing products that redefine daily operations for breweries, moving from traditional methods to innovative, flavor-enhancing solutions. Her goal is to transform how breweries perceive and utilize advanced hop products.
“Joining Abstrax Hops is a pivotal moment in my career that aligns perfectly with my passions for innovation and inclusivity,” said Barbara Stone. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to shape the future of brewing by integrating cutting-edge solutions that not only enhance the quality and diversity of our products but also foster a more inclusive industry environment. My mission here is to challenge the status quo and open new paths for creativity and growth in the brewing world.”
Tom Nielsen is a distinguished figure in the brewing industry, renowned for his extensive experience and pioneering contributions, particularly during his 20+ year tenure at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co and as a co-founder of the Hop Quality Group.
Tom’s leadership at Sierra Nevada involved not just management but also active engagement in the practical application of research and development efforts, collaborating closely with company partners to ensure the delivery of top-quality products. His skill set includes a robust combination of technical knowledge and strategic acumen, encompassing areas such as new business development, cross-functional team leadership, supply chain optimization, and project management. These competencies have equipped him to drive significant advancements in brewing operations, from enhancing raw material sourcing and quality control processes to innovating flavor profiles and product lines.
At Abstrax Hops, Tom is set to channel his formidable expertise into developing revolutionary hop products that cater to the evolving needs of modern brewers. His focus will be on harnessing cutting-edge scientific advancements and flavor chemistry to create superior brewing ingredients that not only meet the current demands of the industry but also set new standards for quality and creativity.
“I am genuinely excited to be at Abstrax Hops, where the focus on scientific innovation meets my deep-rooted passion for hops and brewing,” stated Tom Nielsen. “Here, I see a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of hop usage and flavor profiling in brewing, driving the industry forward with groundbreaking products. My goal is to transform how breweries everywhere think about and utilize hops, ensuring they have access to the highest quality ingredients for creating exceptional beverages.”
As the Director of Brewing and Beverage Innovation at Abstrax Hops, Tom is eager to leverage his vast knowledge and experience to develop groundbreaking hop products that meet the evolving needs of today’s brewers. His passion for quality and innovation aligns perfectly with Abstrax Hops’ vision of pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in hop utilization.
“We are thrilled to welcome Barbara and Tom to our team,” said Max Koby, CEO of Abstrax. “Their unique skills and experiences are vital as we continue to innovate and expand our impact within the industry. Barbara’s leadership on diversity and Tom’s pioneering work in hop research will undoubtedly propel us towards a future where Abstrax Hops leads the charge in crafting superior brewing ingredients.”
With these new appointments, Abstrax Hops reaffirms its commitment to excellence, innovation, and inclusivity in the craft brewing industry.
For more information about Abstrax Hops, please visit www.AbstraxHops.com.
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