Press Release:
(Boulder, CO) (At a recent) meeting in Boulder, Colo., the Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade group dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s small and independent craft brewers—inaugurated its 2014 Board of Directors.
Led by Gary Fish of Deschutes Brewery, who succeeds Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery as Chair, the Board provides strategic direction for the BA. Four board positions were added as a means to increase representation and participation from the BA’s growing and diverse membership, which comprises more than 1,900 U.S. brewery members, 40,000 members of the American Homebrewers Association, allied trade, beer wholesalers, craft beer retailers, individuals, and other associate members.
“As the Brewers Association’s governance has evolved, it is critical that the diversity of our growing membership continue to be represented and have a voice. Updating the Board structure and creating additional seats provides an opportunity for increased representation from some of our smallest packaging and brewpub members, while helping to assure that institutional experience and knowledge is passed on,” said Charlie Papazian, president, Brewers Association. “The support and guidance from our board members is crucial as we continue to groom and grow the flourishing craft brewing landscape.”
The 2014 BA Board of Directors is made up of the following members:
Executive Committee
Chair – Gary Fish, Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
Vice Chair – Rob Tod, Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, ME
Past Chair – Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE
Secretary/Treasurer – Mark Edelson, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Wilmington, DE
Charlie Papazian, Brewers Association President
American Homebrewers Association Representative Board Members
Chris P. Frey, Saline, MI
Jake Keeler, St. Paul, MN
At-Large Board Members
Steve Bradt, Free State Brewing Co., Lawrence, KS
Steve Hindy, Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
Nick Matt, F.X. Matt Brewing Co., Utica, NY
Scott Metzger, Freetail Brewing Co., San Antonio, TX
Brewpub Representative Board Members
Larry Chase, Standing Stone Brewing Co., Ashland, OR
Mark Edelson, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Wilmington, DE
Cyrena Nouzille, Ladyface Ale Companie, Agoura Hills, CA
John Pinkerton, Moon River Brewing Co., Savannah, GA
Packaging Brewery Representative Board Members
Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE
Gary Fish, Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
Ken Grossman, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA
Kim Jordan, New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO
John Mallett, Bell’s Brewery, Inc., Galesburg, MI
Rob Tod, Allagash Brewing, Portland, ME
Eric Wallace, Left Hand Brewing Co., Longmont, CO
“I am honored to be at the helm of such a dedicated and committed group that is eager to continue making great strides for the community of small and independent craft brewers across the country,” added Gary Fish.
The BA Board of Directors also has several standing committees that work with members and staff, focusing on specific areas to help achieve association goals. Committee chairs include:
AHA Governing—Jake Keeler
Brewpub—John Pinkerton
Communications—Chris P. Frey
Events—Steve Bradt
Executive—Gary Fish
Export Development Program—Brett Joyce
Finance—Mark Edelson
Governance—Steve Bradt
Government Affairs—Gary Fish
Market Development Committee—Rob Tod, Fred Matt
Public Relations & Marketing—Kim Jordan
Technical—Ken Grossman, John Mallett
And Charlie continues to spend the majority of his time traveling the world and drinking, all paid for by AHA and BA dues. Must be nice.
The AHA in particular need to open up to a full and complete financial audio to its members. We deserve to know where our membership dues are being spent (and how much is just going into Charlie’s pocket).
Let me think…American beer without charlie PaPa-zian. We would be 10 years behind.
Even Washington, Jefferson and Adams eventually stepped out of the picture!
The group shot in this article reminds me of an episode of the Untouchables, where the mob has moved in to take over a small Union. How many of these guys in their “uniforms” of blue jeans and plaid are millionaires?
All but a couple of these folks are on the Top 50 Craft Breweries list. Seven of them are on the Top Twenty U.S. Breweries list (any size). So why do these guys prefer to hang around with a bunch of homebrewers and brewpub owners unless it’s to their advantage.
It seems to me that they have reached a level of success (deserved by all of them) that is forcing them out of a definition they originally created.
Are Craft Breweries being taxed at a better rate then the megas? In today’s business climate is it an advantage to be considered Craft? What’s their angle?
And by the way,six million barrels can in no way be considered “small”:
6,000,000 Barrels
186,000,000 Gallons
23,808,000,000 Ounces
1,984,000,000 12 Ounce Bottles
8760 Hours/Year
226,484 Bottles/Hour
3775 Bottles/Minute
63 Bottles/Second
Every Second, Every Hour, Every Day
Currently, only a few of the players are really getting near that figure. The two that are about halfway there (Yuengling and Boston Beer Co.) are being run by billionaires!
Shame on you. Move on. Start your own association. You don’t belong with the little guys anymore. If you want them to profit from your experience, write a book. Host seminars. I look forward to your continued success, but move on!