Michelle Olson - Artist

Michelle rocking the Dirty Herby shirt. Thanks for providing the picture!

I appreciate every artist with all of their creativity. I always wanted to be good at it but failed miserably to the point that my high school art teacher found side projects so that I would be able to pass art class.

I remember seeing this cool label for a Hwy 14 Brewing Co. beer. I loved the style and needed to find out who created the label. I found out it was a local person from Albion named Michelle Olson.

It is so fun to meet creative people in this industry, and I am so glad Michelle was willing to share her story!

So here are my questions for Michelle to find out just how she has become involved in the craft beer industry!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? For instance, are you a Nebraska Native?

I was born in Mexico while my parents visited my mom’s family. Mexico is where my mom is originally from. I lived in a small town in Missouri for a bit of my childhood before moving to Omaha, which is where I consider to be my hometown.

I graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with my bachelor’s degree in Public Health and a minor in Communications. While I didn’t have an exact career in mind, I have always known that I wanted to help people. In my junior year in college, my little brother passed away at the age of 16. It completely changed the way that I viewed life and further drove the desire in me to want to use my life to help others. 

I moved to Albion in 2016 with my now husband, who is originally from Albion. In 2017, I started my position in economic development as the Executive Director of the Boone County Development Agency. I was part of many great community projects and enjoyed playing an essential part in getting new businesses started and helping existing businesses grow. I also served as the Northeast Nebraska Network co-chair and a board member of the Nebraska Economic Development Association. I resigned as director of BCDA this year (2022) but still work for the organization on a contract basis. I will soon serve on the BCDA Board of Directors, so I can continue to be involved with economic development efforts in Boone County and Northeast Nebraska. My time in this position allowed me to help others and our community as a whole and has been a tremendously rewarding experience.

In 2019, my husband’s grandpa, Ray Olson, passed away. Ray played an instrumental part in Nate’s life, and they traveled all over the US together in Ray’s semi. He was also best friends with our dog, Jack, and they went everywhere together and got into a lot of trouble together too. Picture Ray and Jack cruising down the road in an old ford, and a 98 lb black lab jumps out of the truck window and chases a turkey or the time Jack got himself stuck in a tree trunk amongst many other adventures. After Ray’s passing, I felt like drawing something in his memory, but it had been several years since I picked up a sketchbook and pencil, that day, it just came back.
I drew a picture of Ray and Jack in his old pickup and gave it to Nate that day, and he loved it and wanted to get it framed to put on our wall. It was in this moment that I realized how much capturing feelings, emotions, memories, and personality in a piece of art could impact someone during a difficult time in their life. I then started creating more memorable art pieces for others, which has now turned into my own art business, and I get to continue helping people like I had always set out to do.

Also, through my art business, I have been able to create a program called the Gentle Giant Program in honor of my brother. The program donates a piece of artwork to a child that has experienced a loss in their family, with the goal of providing them with something they can cherish, and hopefully, it brings a bit of joy during a difficult time in their life.

How did you get involved in art? Is it just a hobby?

I grew up drawing cartoons, doodles, and making up my own characters just for fun. I didn’t pick up a pencil one day and start drawing awesome pieces, I would say that I probably always had the talent and creativity within me, but I had to practice a lot to turn it into a real skill.

It wasn’t until high school art class that I noticed that maybe I was good at drawing and pushed my creativity during those years. My art teacher would assign a project, and I always took it to the extreme of trying to make my work fit the assignment but also trying to push the limits.  

I started M. Art just offering custom graphite drawings mostly of people and animals and adding in details such as signatures, quotes, dates, etc. to make the piece a reflection of memories and that person’s story. Eventually, people started asking if I did any digital designs like logos or t-shirt designs. I had never drawn anything digital until 2020, but I knew if I could draw with a pencil, then I would have the foundation necessary to get into digital drawing and design work. I started practicing on my iPad, taking online classes, and taking on new projects, and since then, I’ve created several logos, graphics, t-shirt designs, and character designs.  

What has your experience been like working with Hwy 14?

Greg and Mandy reached out to me to draw a graphite portrait of their dear friend that passed away. After drawing that artwork, they reached out inquiring if I would be interested in drawing some designs for their beer labels. This was when digital design was still fairly new to me, so I told them I would give the first one a shot and see how it goes, which became the label for Dirty Herbie.
Six custom labels later, and it’s still as fun as the first one. The labels are all different yet still all align with the overall brand. For the first couple of labels, I always hesitated to show them initial concepts because I thought, “oh man, they are going to think I’m weird for even thinking of this.” (lol), but I think they appreciate the creativity. It sets a good foundation for the three of us to build on the concept to get the perfect end design.

Working with Greg and Mandy has been nothing short of an amazing experience. They could’ve easily gone with a different artist with more experience, but they gave me a chance, and it has truly been one of the most rewarding and fun experiences I’ve had as an artist.

How did the Dirty Herbie design come about? Can you describe your experience with this?

This was the first design, and the idea came from the beer’s name, color, and flavor. I met with Greg and Mandy, and we discussed a few ideas and ultimately decided on Dirty Herbie. It is a strawberry wheat beer, and what better way to represent that than to turn Husker Herbie into a strawberry, with wheat coming from his mouth, and have him holding a Hwy 14 beer.
After the meeting, I went into the sketch phase, sketching out the character using markers. The character went through a few different design phases before we eventually reached what Dirty Herbie is now.

Beer can art is booming. Do you see designing more in the future?

I hope so! There are so many different types of label designs that you see on beer cans, and I hope to continue down the lane of developing character art that reflects what consumers can expect from the beer and connect an image with the beer they love.  

I plan to continue with all the different art mediums and styles that I and others can enjoy. Whether that is a graphite memorial piece of a loved one, a logo for a new business, or beer can labels, it’s all art, and I’m fortunate to be able to share mine with others.

What an interview! Thanks so much Michelle!

Brianne Schuler - Executive Director Nebraska Brewers Guild

Photo from Brianne

One of the most important jobs for the Nebraska Craft Community that doesn’t directly involve brewing the beer is leading the Brewers Guild. Brianne Schuler became the Executive Director of the Nebraska Brewers Guild during the pandemic and led an industry through a tumultuous time.

I was lucky to get to meet Brianne early in her tenure. Over the years, I have been able to make relationships with most of the brewers in the state of Nebraska. I offered to go with Brianne to meet a couple of the brewers. During the late summer and fall of 2020, Brianne and I had a couple of road trips visiting places like Brush Creek Brewing Company in Atkinson, Nebraska, and the Fairfield Opera House in Fairfield, Nebraska.

I knew that Brianne would do extraordinary things to help support craft beer in Nebraska. She is a very energetic and passionate person who loves to help people! There was no doubt that Brianne would make a difference to help continue the growth of the breweries.

One of Brianne's first things was to launch a program in October of 2020 for Drink Local Month. This is a month where individuals pledge to drink just Nebraska brewed beer. This year it is even bigger with more information about the breweries and events that promote the wonderful craft beer community!

I have been wanting to interview Brianne for such a long time but thought this month would be perfect with Drink Local month going on! Here are the questions that I asked Brianne.

When did you first know you wanted to be in the role you're in today?

I didn’t until I was! Finding this role was somewhat serendipitous. I’m a nonprofit fundraiser by trade and had been working as a freelance consultant for a few years when COVID resulted in a loss of all of my contracting work.  I happened to come across the Executive Director role with the Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild on a nonprofit job board and was absolutely intrigued. As an avid craft beer enthusiast and a huge proponent of small business, it seemed like a perfect role to blend my background in organizational management and fundraising with something I’m passionate about. Today, I cannot imagine myself anywhere else!  

What has it meant to you to be a part of the Nebraska Craft Beer Community?

Coming from the nonprofit sector, I didn’t think it would be possible to find a community as passionate or driven… I was wrong.  It has been such a pleasure getting to know each of our member breweries and hear their stories, the “why” behind their business, and support the industry as it grows. Our members have poured their hearts and souls into bringing their businesses to life and making a positive impact in the communities in which they reside. The collaboration in craft brewing in Nebraska is beautiful; the sharing of ideas and resources is unparalleled.  I feel lucky I’m allowed to play a supporting role in our industry’s successes.   

What excites you most about the future of craft beer?

Growth of the industry in Nebraska! Right now, craft beer makes up only 3-4% of the market share. I believe, together, we have the power to grow our industry to be a much larger presence in the state.  Introducing beer drinkers to local, independently owned, craft alternatives is my favorite part of the job.  I see a future (soon!) where Nebraska beer makes up more than 10% of shelf and tap space across the state!  Also, we have seen both the economic and social impact of breweries in the community - creating jobs, stimulating local economies, becoming a hub for communities to gather - breweries are important in place making within Nebraska cities and towns.  Our Drink Local Nebraska campaign each October (happening now!) seeks to draw attention to the important role breweries play in the state and how choosing to drink #NebraskaBrewed beers, ciders, and seltzers is about more than just a great beverage.  

What is it like being a woman in the craft beer industry?

While I still consider myself newer to the industry, I have felt welcomed and included within our craft brewing community in Nebraska.  I will credit those who paved the way, both nationally and locally, for helping carve out space for women in an industry that has been, to this point, predominantly male.  In 2021, widespread attention was brought to the sexual harassment and treatment of women in the craft brewing industry (read more here), rocking many communities. While I’m proud of the work we’ve done in Nebraska, I recognize we must constantly challenge ourselves to do better and be better.  

I think we are seeing the response to the call for a more diverse and equitable workforce reflected industry-wide; the Brewers Association has magnified its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts by offering expanded resources for industry members, facilitating discussion, and making intentional efforts to foster an inclusive and diverse craft brewing community for both industry members and consumers. Organizations like the Pink Boots Society also continue to support and encourage women in the craft brewing industry. I look forward to continuing to educate not only myself but our community on how to best support women in the industry.  

Why is it important to see greater representation of women in the brewing industry?

I think everyone wants to see themselves reflected in the activities they are involved in; if you are excited about beer, it is inspiring to see women leaders in the industry - as owners, brewers, managers, and more.  The more women who enter and find success in the industry, the more it feels accessible for someone who may dream of opening their own brewery or exploring other careers in the craft beverage space.  Women have played a historical role in the creation of beer, and I want to see women continue to play an integral part in its continued story.  

Now the last question is just for fun! What was the first craft beer you tried?

It was probably Blue Moon or Boulevard Wheat, but my most memorable “first craft beer” story was being invited to a bottle share that included a 7 year vertical of Surly Darkness.  Until that point, I had never tried a Russian Imperial Stout, barrel-aged beers, or realized the depth of flavor that could be produced in this style of beer.  It was at that moment I became hooked!

From the 2020 Drink Local Program - Nebraska Beer night on my patio

Brianne it has been great getting to know you and to be part of some of the awesome things you are doing!

Keep the passion growing for craft beer in Nebraska!

Holly Tuch - A Decade of Passion, Learning, and Relationships

It was a little over a month ago where I had seen some of Holly’s social media posts. I was intrigued to find out more about this person who had so many connections in the craft beer community!

One of the posts was about 2020 being Holly’s ten-year anniversary in the industry. It isn’t often where you find someone who has been able to take part in the massive growth of craft beer and to experience it from so many angles!

For Holly, her story begins over 10 years ago where she had been selling insurance. While the job paid the bills, it wasn’t personally fulfilling. With some available time on weekends, the desire grew to find something that provided purpose and meaning in her career.

Sometimes timing is everything! Holly was listening to the radio when Zac Triemert came on. At that time, Zac was at Lucky Bucket Brewing and was talking about the brewery and some opportunities there such as helping out in the tasting room on weekends.

The interesting part is for much of Holly’s early adult life, she really didn’t like drinking. She told me how the light beers really didn’t have any flavor to her. It wasn’t until being at the Rock Bottom Cafe in downtown Omaha, where the bartender told her about a beer that tasted like grapefruit. Holly had her first IPA and recognized how craft beer could be so different!

Sorry little sidetrack, but important because Holly got the job at Lucky Bucket! When doing tastings, it is important to learn about the flavors of beer and being able to explain that to others. Holy loved learning about the brewing and distilling business Lucky Bucket was doing.

It was within a month or so back in the spring of 2010, where she was presented a full-time position at Lucky Bucket doing sales, marketing, and events. It was goodbye to insurance sales and hello to the world of craft beer!

After Lucky Bucket, Holly was able to be part of starting up Brickway Brewery & Distillery. Holly described all the things she learned. This included a newfound love for artwork during the designing of the logo. Dave Koenig not only did the logo, but has done some amazing labels for Brickway. His paintings and tattoo artistry are incredible!

Building a product line, branding, and so many more experiences for Holly. She told me that now about 5 years into the industry that she had met so many people and was building connections throughout the Omaha area. As Holly put it, “If you can’t make friends in the craft beer industry, then you just can’t make friends.”

The next chapter for Holly would be enlightening. All the time spent so far had been with companies creating the product. Now she would see the business through the eyes of a distributor. Holly took a job with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) not only doing craft beer but also spirits. For someone like Holly, having so many brands made it difficult to really build relationships like the ones she had built through the two breweries.

Holly enjoyed meeting so many good people like Lea Watson at RNDC, but her heart told her it was time to find an opportunity supporting more of the local breweries and took a job at Quality Brands. This new opportunity had Holly covering Gretna to the Old Market and she loved it.

It was a great experience, but overtime territories were realigned along with product lines. After selling for so long, Holly decided to take a break from that.

Earlier, I had mention how Holly at worked with Lea Watson. Lea is now one of the owners at Pint Nine Brewing Company and is the Director of Business Development. Lea reached out to Holly in January this year to see if Holly would be interested in doing the social media for Pint Nine. Holly accepted and has been busy with all the creative posts she has been doing.

So interesting to see all the areas in the craft beer and spirits business that Holly has been involved with. I ask Holly why she thinks the popularity of craft beer continues to grow? Holly told me that at the core it is so much than just drinking, it is about the social interaction. You meet new people all the time and everyone has a story about their favorite beer or drink. It is about celebrating each occasion with friends and family having a beverage that highlights that event.

We talked about the current situation with Coronavirus. Holly voiced her concerns about the huge challenges that craft beer breweries face right now and being able to stay in business. She went on to say that this a time like no other for most people. Social media right now is so important to provide information to everyone and remind them to support local as much as possible.

The last question I asked Holly was about what does the future hold for her in the craft beer industry. Holly had a great list of items she shared with me:

• Help women be more comfortable in applying their knowledge of craft beer and spirits. This isn’t the 1900s where it was a male dominated industry. There are so many opportunities.

• Have speaking engagements on the history of brewing and distilling.

• Continue to learn and focus on some certifications like the Cicerone series for craft beer.

• Expand involvement with women organizations like Omaha Girls Pint Out and others.

It was great to meet Holly virtually and to see her passion with building connections in the craft beer industry.

A special thanks to Holly for all the photos!

Thanks Holly for all you do for the Craft Beer industry in Nebraska!

These Boots Were Made For Brewing

Wrapping up the First Nebraska Pink Boots Society Brew Day

There was high energy in the air on this inaugural brew day for the Nebraska Chapter of the Pink Boots Society. The Pink Boots Society was founded by Teri Fahrendorft in August of 2012 at a Barley’s Angels event. Teri had been working on the idea since 2007. The goal was to spread the news that the craft beer industry needs more women in it!

I am proud so far of what the women in Nebraska have accomplished. Their knowledge, passion, and caring for the craft beer community is tremendous! I believe this amazing group of women we have today has made a major impact on the growth of the craft beer industry in Nebraska.

It is great to see so many women come together to create the Nebraska Chapter of the Pink Boots Society!

Mission: The Pink Boots Society was created to assist, inspire and encourage women beer industry professionals to advance their careers through education.

The Nebraska Chapter leadership is made up of:

• Megan Arrington-Willams, First Street Brewing - Co-leader

• Gabby Ayala, Executive Director Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild - Co-leader

• Lea Watson, Pint Nine Brewing Co -Marketing

• Sarah Erdlen, Happy Raven - Financial Liaison

Kim Kavulak, Gabriela Ayala, and Megan Arrington-Willams getting registration ready

On March 9th, 2019, the first collaboration brew day for the Nebraska Chapter was held at Nebraska Brewing Company in La Vista. The attendance was incredible with representation from all over the state including: North Platte, Holdrege, Hastings, Ohiowa, Lincoln, and Omaha.

The event started at 9:00 am with registration, breakfast, and networking. The day was not only about working together to brew but also had the following sessions:

• Taproom Yoga - Beerlightenment

• Industry Opportunities Panel

• Get to Know Pink Boots Society - Nebraska Chapter

• Beer Education Session with Certified Cicerone, Sarah Erdlen

Julie - Lazy Horse Brewing & Winery, Michelle - Code Beer Company, Amy - Pals Brewing Company

The Industry Opportunities session had so much information to share. The time went way too fast! The panel members included:

• Kim Kavulak, Co-Owner, Nebraska Brewing Company

• Abby Gillick, Quality Brands Distributor

• Lindsey Hayes Clements, Co-Founder, Vis Major Brewing Company

• Diana Gutsche, Brand Ambassador, Zipline Brewing Co

As we got introduced to each member of the panel, there were several common characteristics of each person:

• Passion for the craft beer industry and the desire to see it grow

• Learning is key part of their everyday life

• Rewarding to be part of community that supports you

• The relationships that you build each day with your customers and people in the industry are very fulfilling

Here were a few of the questions and answers from the panel.

It is clear to see how passionate everyone is about the craft beer industry, but how hard is the work?

Kim responded by saying that in the beginning it was difficult since there wasn’t a road map to follow for starting a brewery. You have to learn your way and realize that it is ok to make a mistake. There are times that you worry about things you would have never thought of before owning a brewery like taxes. There is a tremendous amount of energy that goes into running and managing a business.

For Kim, this was here first brew day in the brewery that she has owned and worked in for 12 years!

Lindsey replied by reemphasizing the amount of work that goes into running a taproom and overseeing a staff. Making sure that everything is running smoothly is a top priority so that your customers always have a great experience. Some of the most challenging parts of starting a brewery were the business plan and financing. Getting a small business loan is completely different than a home mortgage!

Abby answered by saying it can be difficult at times to know exactly what your customers are looking for, but it is rewarding to help guide them.

Diana remarked that owning and running a retail business has been hard but the learning and creating part is well worth it.

What are some of the skills needed to get a job in the craft beer industry?

Lindsey replied by saying the key is to be eager to learn. You don’t have to know everything about the craft beer industry before applying for the first job. Knowledge will come in time. There are so many opportunities!

Abby answered that we simply need more woman to apply for positions.

Kim responded by saying that being a brewer is only one job role. There are many others such as owner, business manager, marketing rep, etc.

Diana added that one way to help grow the pool of women candidates is to help grow the consumer base of women. Providing more opportunities for women to try and enjoy craft beer will lead to more seeking employment in the industry!

Jennifer Obal-Misfeldt, owner of Patriot Homebrew Supply, replied to the group by saying her focus this year was to help create education opportunities for women. Classes for women only were created to cover beer styles, terminology, and brewing. A great way to gain appreciation for the brewing process and to elevate interest in the craft beer industry is through education. The classes so far have had high participation!

What do you see as some of the next big trends in craft beer?

Diana started off by saying the continued use of local products is a trend that she still sees growing. The continued building of customer connections and doing more education about craft beer is another area that is on the rise.

Kim replied by saying the biggest trend is to stay true to the style of beer you are brewing. Brew more core styles with good quality ingredients. Plain and simple, “Make Good Beer.”

Lindsey responded saying their model of a neighborhood brewery (not bar) allows them the try more varieties. Right now, it seems Sours and Hazy IPAs are continuing to grow in popularity.

Sarah Erdlen, Certified Cicerone - Photo provided by Sarah Miller

The education session that Sarah Erdlen led was very enlightening! Sarah is a Certified Cicerone which is the second level of certification through the Cicerone organization. Sarah is the only female Certified Cicerones in Nebraska. Nebraska currently has a total of 15 Certified Cicerones.

For this level of certification, you must have:

• A well-rounded knowledge of beer and beer service

• Be able to assess beer quality

• Identity different styles of beer by taste

Plus many other items.

The certification exam is 4 hours long with multiple parts including a written, tasting, and demonstration section.

Sarah provided the group with many great tips when it comes to learning beer styles. Some of those tips included:

• Take your time when tasting. Sip slowly to achieve full recognition.

• Tasting has a lot to do with the perception of what you smell.

• When you are doing a tasting, the max should be 4 styles. The styles should be very similar if you want to pick up on the subtleties of each.

• The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) is a great resource for learning beer styles.

First step during the brew day was to mill the Pilsner and Vienna malt

The brewing part of the day was filled with great participation from everyone that was there. Each step of the process of the collaboration beer entailed lots of questions about the beer itself and about the brewing system. It would be amazing to see out of everyone there, how many different brewing systems are being used.

It was really cool to see that there was a special blend of hops created for the Pink Boots Society.

The special blend of hops for the 2019 Pink Boots Society came from Yakima Chief Hops

The blend consists of:

• Loral (3 parts)

  • Commercialized in 2016

  • Aroma/flavor: floral, herbal, citrus

• Glacier (2 parts)

  • Developed by Washington State University

  • Aroma/flavor: herbal, wood, citrus

• Mosaic (1 part)

  • Released in 2012

  • Aroma/Flavor: mango, pine, stone fruit

Cleanup of the grain out of the mash tun

• Sabro (1 part)

  • Very new - released in 2018

  • American Southwest - neomexicanus heritage

  • Aroma/flavor: tangerine, coconut, stone fruit - hint of cedar and mint

• Simcoe (1 part)

  • Released in 2000

  • Aroma/flavor: passion fruit, pine, earthy

In addition to the blend, there was also some Warrior hops used in the collaboration beer.

Kim is taking her turn mixing the yeast in the keg

Getting the yeast ready to go into the fermenter

The brew day continued with preparing the yeast to go into the fermenter. In the meantime, the boil was taking place.

During the boil, the hops listed above were added. Once the boil had completed, the wort goes through a cooling process before then being transferred to the fermenter.

Brew days are a full day of work and I can’t wait to see how this pale ale turns out!

What an amazing day! The brewery was filled with enthusiasm and collaboration from this amazing group of women. The sharing of ideas and learning opportunity was spectacular!

Here are a few thoughts from some of the participants.

QUOTES

Amy Oettinger: Co-Owner/Event Manger, Pals Brewing Company

“Pink Boots Brew day at Nebraska Brewing Company was such a fun event! Women from the beer industry in Nebraska came together to not only brew a batch of beer, but to show support for one another and our industry.  I have been in the industry for 2 years now and I feel like we are a big family and we give each other support. We never view each other as competition. We know we can call each other and ask ‘how to’ questions, we bounce ideas off each other, we echo frustrations, we lift each other up and we ultimately have each other’s backs. Not many industries are like that. I am very lucky to be a part of this group.”

Megan Arrington-Williams: Director of Operations and Marketing, First Street Brewing Co

“Our first collaboration brew day was the perfect way to jump start our new organization. It was a fun, inspiring, and entertaining day in our young chapter’s existence. Having women from across the state present, excited, and involved gives Pink Boots Society: Nebraska Chapter an amazing place to start. I’m looking forward to seeing what this organization grows into and the impact if can make for women in the beer industry. “

Sarah Erdlen: Certified Cicerone, Happy Raven

“For me, the value of participating in the Nebraska Chapter of PBS lies in the ability to network with other top professionals without needing to prove my expertise first. We can talk business and share resources, and I don't have to start by convincing anyone that I deserve to be there. Every single industry is better when there are a multiplicity of perspectives offered, and bringing PBS to Nebraska is one way we're doing that for craft beer.”

Lindsey Hayes Clements: Co-Founder, Vis Major Brewing Company

“The PBS puts women from our state that are active in the beer industry front and center. It showcases our contributions to the growth of craft beer and sets an example for all that aspire to join our tribe.”

Lea Watson: Director of Business Development, Pint Nine Brewing Company

“I really enjoyed meeting all the women from across that state that are involved in brewing and the beer industry.  It was great to hear the stories everyone had about their experience in the industry.  The common theme was passion for beer & the brewing industry and The Pink Boots Society allows for that support system among a growing group of ladies!”

Support Pink Boots Society with the release of the collaboration beer

You can support the Pink Boots Society: Nebraska Chapter on their release day of the collaboration beer by enjoying a pint. For each pint sold, $1 will go to the Pink Boots Society.

Also, any donations to the group would be appreciated greatly!

Here are the list of breweries participating in the collaboration beer:

Nebraska Brewing Company
Zipline Brewing Co.
First Street Brewing Company
Lost Way Brewery
Scriptown Brewing Company
Kros Strain Brewing Company
Infusion Brewing Company
Farnam House Brewing Company
Vis Major Brewing Co.
Pint Nine Brewing Co.
Blue Blood Brewing Company
Lazy Horse Brewing & Winery
Pals Brewing Company
Code Beer Company
Empyrean Brewing Co

I want to thank the group for allowing me to share the day with them. I know that this group is going to do great things!

Cheers to the Pink Boots Society: Nebraska Chapter!

Jessica Kraus - Pink Boots Brewer of Lost Way Brewery

Picture from Jessica during one of her brewing days

It is been a pleasure getting to know Jessica. The first time I met Jessica was during a soft opening of Lost Way Brewery last fall. Her enthusiasm and excitement for the upcoming opening was more than just a little contagious!

Jessica is very busy with all things marketing and events at the brewery. Add to that, getting to brew also and I think she has found a great career!  Jessica told me about how she has brewed a couple of batches of beer. I remember seeing Jessica in her pink boots on social media while she was brewing. The beer - "It's Not Ale About You" was done in taking part with raising money for the Pink Boots Society. Lost Way Brewery contributed $1 for each pint of the beer sold and was able to donate $370 for the cause which is huge for small brewery to be able to do! 

Sign outside of the Lost Way Brewery letting you know you found a good place in Holdrege

I was so happy when Jessica agreed to answer a few questions and here is what she had to say.

When did you first know you wanted to be in the role you're in today?

I knew I wanted to manage a taproom the second my husband joked with the idea of opening a brewery. I've always enjoyed working with people, especially in the service industry, and I enjoy good beer!

What has it meant to you to be a part of the Nebraska Craft Beer Community?

Nebraska itself has been a great community to be a part of. The Craft Beer Community, has been even greater. When we first opened, a lot of our customers considered other breweries to be competitors and we make it a point to let them know that is not the case. The brotherhood that is the Nebraska Craft Beer Community is a beautiful thing. The way that everyone is more than willing to help out whenever possible and when we can all work together to fight for a common goal is really a wonderful thing to be apart of.   

What excites you most about the future of craft beer?

Oh gosh, All of it!  Not a lot has changed from the days of prohibition for a lot of the country, I think more people are becoming aware of that especially here in rural Nebraska. I think we're going to be seeing a lot (or at least I hope) of changes for the state.  

What is it like being a woman in the craft beer industry?

One word ... unexpected. Most people expect to see a woman doing the day to day things like working the taproom, social media, even the books. Not because its a woman's job, there are plenty of men out there that are killin' it, but because the brewing industry has always been a male dominated industry. Us ladies are becoming more and more prevalent in the brewing industry, as owners, managers, CFOs and even brewers!    

Why is it important to see greater representation of women in the brewing industry?

Well Its empowering for one! There's a ton of women out there doing great things in the brewing industry and I hope it inspires more women to go after it! It excites me knowing that my daughters and my nieces are growing up seeing their moms working in the industry. To me, it gives them an opportunity to consider a future in an industry they may not have thought of, or maybe even push them to consider another traditionally male dominated field with a bigger focus on STEM.

Thanks Jessica for all you do for the Craft Beer industry in Nebraska!

The Women of First Street Brewing

From from left to right Deb Russell beertender, Brittany Henderson beertender, Jessi Hoeft co-owner, talker of beer, Maddon Williams brewery baby, Megan Arrington-Williams director of operations and marketing, and Carey McGehee beertender. Not pictured Jodi Bahr beertender and Gayle Mohlman bookkeeper

If you thought that craft beer breweries are run by men only, then think again. First Street Brewing in Hastings, Nebraska is made up of an amazing staff of women that cover everything from marketing to operations to beertending. Nathan Hoeft who is the head brewer and owner along with his wife Jessi have created a brewery that is not only brewing great beers but also strives to give back to the community they love. 

I was so excited to receive an email from Megan, who is the Director of Operations and Marketing for First Street Brewing, asking if I would be interested to tell their story in a segment I have on my blog called Women in Beer. We sat down in the taproom on a cool, wet spring day and had a wonderful conversation. 

Such a warm and inviting taproom. It is hard to believe this was once an automotive shop.

I wanted to get to know more about Megan and her background. I asked Megan if she grew up in Hastings and she said that she was from Colorado. That peaked my interest since there are so many breweries in Colorado. Megan made her way to Hastings to go to college after receiving a scholarship for Journalism. Now that is cool - my first time interviewing someone also that has a passion for writing! Megan graduated from Hastings college with a degree in Mass Communications with a focus on Print Journalism. 

Megan fell in love with Hastings and decided to make it her home. One of the things I could tell when talking with Megan is that she had a strong desire to be part of a community where she could make a difference. One of the business ventures that Megan helped to start after college was an online magazine called Open For Business - Central Nebraska's Business Magazine. The magazine served as a great way to showcase and help promote small businesses in Central Nebraska. Helping provide the community with a means to network and partner for the greater success of all in the area was the key focus for Open For Business.

I asked Megan how she met Jessi and Nathan.  She replied, "being a smaller community it was only a matter of time before we all met. Jessi was the director of a board I am on. Nathan and I got to know each other better during a Thai Boxing Class where we would often end up sparring partners! I've got a mean right hook and his kicks are super powerful."  

... And you definitely are happy at the First Street Brewing taproom

One of the fun things for me is seeing how relationships get started and blossom. I could tell that Jessi and Megan have a shared purpose in wanting to make their community a great place to live. One of the ways that Jessi got the community introduced to the brewery was through the First Founders Club. The club provided community members with an opportunity to contribute money to the brewery in return for a few benefits. Jessi is also very active in the community with the Hastings Community Arts Council and Hastings Community Foundation. Megan is a former president and is currently on the board for the Downtown Center Association and also participates in the Hastings Community Arts Council.

First Street Brewing has also been a big part of the revitalization of downtown Hastings. The Hastings Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) has helped businesses with some facade improvement and loans to get things started, but it has been the business owners like Jessi who have made a huge impact in turning downtown Hastings into a destination again! The Odyssey restaurant and Steeple Brewing are a couple of the other businesses you will find in downtown Hastings that are helping to revive the area.

First Street Brewing has a top notch brewing area

Where was I ... yes - relationships. Jessi and Megan have built a wonderful relationship that has grown since Megan started working part time for First Street around September of 2015. By May of 2016, Megan would become a full time employee. It takes a lot to get the word out about a business, so I asked Megan how they got things going. She said that Jessi and herself spent a lot of time talking with local bars introducing their beers. Megan also went on to say that social media has been very beneficial in keeping a constant stream of information flowing about First Street Brewing.

I had to ask Megan a very important question - was it hard to come up to speed working for a brewery? Megan told me that it did help that she enjoyed craft beer going back to her 21st birthday where she remembers having a Fat Tire from New Belgium Brewing Company. Megan also stated that it is the constant learning that has made the job so exciting. Nathan is continually coming up with new beers with great flavor profiles and rotating seasonal favorites.

Personally, my first beer from First Street Brewing was Bapajack's Biere De Garde which blew me away with the incredible honey and lemon flavor.  During the interview, I was having the Back Alley Porter which has such a nice roasted malt flavor. So up and down the flavor spectrum - First Street Brewing has you covered!

First Street Brewing beers stand out in a crowd

Time flies when you are having so much fun! I knew our time was just about up, but I had to ask Megan the following questions.

When did you first know you wanted to be in the role you're in today?

I have always been a fan of craft beer and have enjoyed helping small businesses. When Jessi and Nathan presented the opportunity to me, I knew that this was something I really wanted to be part of.

What has it meant to you to be a part of the Nebraska Craft Beer Community?

It has been an honor to be part of a relatively new scene if you were to compare to other states like Colorado. One of the best things is seeing how the breweries are experimenting and taking risk on new beers. It really keeps the market fresh and exciting. It truly is a labor of love with the connectedness of the staff at First Street Brewing and the community.

What excites you most about the future of craft beer?

I would say seeing more females in the industry in leadership roles. I think it is important to remove the perception that craft beer drinkers are big, burly men in flannel. It has been great to see more women drinking craft beer and currently First Street Brewing has a 50/50 split women to men patrons.  I also get really excited about the growing spectrum of flavor profiles in craft beer.

What is it like being a woman in the craft beer industry?

Probably the most important part is how welcomed you are. People are very nice when asking you questions about beer. It is also surprising at times to see people's reaction to an IPA or dark beer. Seeing that wow factor from a hoppy flavor burst or that malty smoothness from a dark beer.

Why is it important to see greater representation of women in the brewing industry?

I think women bring a unique perspective in the flavor profiles they enjoy that can help contribute to new beers. Another important aspect women bring to the table is the way they build relationships with businesses and the community. I think there is a nurturing factor women bring to relationships that is beneficial to the brewing industry.

What a fantastic Saturday afternoon! You need to make your way to First Street Brewing in Hastings. Just a short trip off I-80, south of Grand Island. I guarantee that you will be welcomed like family in the taproom and will enjoy a beer or two.  

Cheers!

Gabby Ayala - Executive Director Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild

Photo from Gabby...

Most of you reading this article probably have not been introduced to the Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild. So I think the mission statement does a great job explaining the guild's purpose:  "The Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild is a professional organization that fosters a Nebraska-centric community that is informed, enthusiastic, and actively creating unity among its members on market and public policy issues to create the most business-friendly climate for craft brewers."

For those of us that take for granted being able to walk into taprooms across the state and have some amazing beer or buying it at our local grocery store, there is a lot work taking place in the background. Gabby is busy working with the brewers, community organizers, and a long list of others to insure that craft beer in Nebraska is given fair treatment as a local industry of the state.

I have been at a couple of events with Gabby and what I really appreciate about Gabby is her ability to build relationships. Gabby is passionate about serving the craft beer community in Nebraska and is out in the public constantly being an advocate for everyone involved in the process of making beer in our great state.   

I had a chance to get to know Gabby even better recently in an interview on the following questions.

When did you first know you wanted to be in the role you're in today?

I have been a craft beer lover and fan for over 10 years and have especially enjoyed seeing the Nebraska craft beer scene explode and grow over the last 5 years. As a nearly Nebraska native, (I was born in Wisconsin but moved to Nebraska at the young age of 3 months old) I also have a lot of Nebraska pride in general seeing my state start to put itself on the map as a place doing great things in the world of beer was exciting.  When I saw the open Executive Director position for the Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild this past summer, I knew I had to take the plunge and apply.  The opportunity to represent my state and work to promote Nebraska craft beer was one I couldn't pass up.  

What has it meant to you to be a part of the Nebraska Craft Beer Community?

I am new to working inside the community and I've been overwhelmed with how welcoming and inclusive everyone has been.  In an industry that can be highly competitive it's very inspiring to see all these businesses coming together to enhance craft beer in the state as a whole.  The collaboration and camaraderie between breweries, farmers, industry partners, retailers, and also organizations and businesses beyond the industry is just really amazing to see.  Being able to be an advocate for this industry and work closely with all these entrepreneurs, creative brewers, and community organizers is an absolute honor. 

What excites you most about the future of craft beer?

I'm most excited about seeing the economic and social impact the brewing industry can bring to cities, communities, and neighborhoods across the state. The brewing industry in Nebraska is poised to be a real force for economic and even social change in the state.  Whether a brewery is located in a small town or larger city, we've seen breweries become this hub for community engagement and involvement.  Breweries are so much more than just bars or places where people get drunk and then go home. They're becoming meeting places for families, community, religious groups, young, old, and everywhere in between.  This sense of community they are bringing is going to continue to have a ripple effect and trickle out into our state's economy and continue to positively impact industries beyond just craft brewing. One industry I feel will particularly benefit is the tourism industry.  Beer tourism in the state is just getting started and people are really excited to get out of their neighborhoods and experience breweries away from home.  As they go out on  beer adventures they'll need to stop for gas, food, lodging, and all sorts of other pits stops along the way.  As breweries become destination spots the ripple effect on the state will have even more of an impact.

What is it like being a woman in the craft beer industry?

I'm so new to be working inside the industry that I'm not sure how to answer that quite yet!  First of all, I would be remiss to not mention all the women who have been working hard in the industry well before I came around. They may be in the minority but they are a small and mighty force. Tina Fey has a quote that says "bitches get stuff done."  Well, bitches in beer definitely get stuff done!  Whether they are brewery owners, managers, working in marketing and event planning, serving and educating, or working behind the scenes to help produce and craft the delicious beer we have in our state, women have certainly been making a mark on beer in Nebraska over the last 5-10 years. This group of ambitious and innovative women has paved the way for other women in the industry like myself and also are responsible for helping to make women in Nebraska feel like they can be part of the beer community here.  I've been a craft beer fan and consumer for a while and I know how intimidating it can sometimes be to show up to a taproom, bottle shop, or event and feel like you're one of a handful of women (if not the only woman) in the room.  It's so important to see other women making waves and showcasing that craft beer is for everyone.  While the industry may have a history of being comprised mostly of men, the tide is turning because of women in the industry who are committed to opening up doors and claiming space.  Men have been instrumental in this shift as well. It's encouraging to see that men are making it a priority to create space for women in the industry here in Nebraska.     

Why is it important to see greater representation of women in the brewing industry?

According to the Brewers Association, women make up about 25% of craft beer drinkers.  While that means we're certainly still in the minority, women have definitely made it clear that when given a seat at the table, we will become very passionate fans and consumers of craft beer.  For everyday craft beer consumers (or potential consumers) it's important to see yourself reflected in the industry, so seeing other women enjoying, working, and advocating for beer is so important.  I think the craft beer community by nature is a welcoming place and it is important to make conscious efforts to hire women. It is also important to create an atmosphere in breweries, bottle shops, and taprooms that is accessible and approachable to women and also for people of color, people of different socioeconomic backgrounds etc. The stereotype of a beer drinker is often a bearded white dude.  However, craft beer is a beverage for everyone and making sure that everyone feels included, and that they can see themselves in the industry is very important.  Bringing more people into the craft beer community will only make the industry stronger and better. 

Thanks Gabby for all you do for the Craft Beer industry in Nebraska!

Katie Kreuser - Hop Program Coordinator University of Nebraska

Photo from Katie checking hop plants

I first met Katie last summer and I was blown away by her passion and enthusiasm for developing Hops in Nebraska as a viable product for the state's brewers. You will not find a more knowledgeable person when it comes to everything you need to consider when starting or maintaining a hop farm. 

Katie is active with the Hop Growers across the state and Nebraska Craft Beer community. This past January, she coordinated the Nebraska Growers and Brewers Conference. It was an excellent conference! I enjoy every chance I get to see Katie present about Hops. I get extremely energized from conversations with Katie about the great community of growers and brewers in Nebraska.

I had the chance to ask Katie a few questions about what it was like to be part of the craft beer industry. Here are the answers Katie had for me.

When did you first know you wanted to be in the role that you are in today?

In college, I studied biology, focusing on my passion of plant life. It was an internship after college at a botanical gardens that made the connection of plants and people. I continued that pursuit in graduate school, knowing that I wanted to share knowledge about plants and build relationships with people in the process. After moving from the northeastern U.S. to Nebraska, I began working in research that included hops, but knew extension was where I wanted to be. When the Hop Program Coordinator position opened at UNL, I knew it was a natural fit, with my background and work with hops in the couple years prior. While I knew there was competition for the position, I also pursued it with passion and the connections I had built in the industry.

What has it meant to you to be a part of the Nebraska Craft Beer Community? 

Being a part of the Nebraska Craft Beer Community has been so exciting. It makes me proud to live in a place that works together and creates great beer. Breweries have encouraged me to explore the small, unique towns across the state so that I can better get to know Nebraska.

 What excites you most about the future of craft beer? 

The excitement continues with the growth and increasing interest in using local hops. I love watching the industry come together to collaborate and work to be better together.

Photo from Katie most likely enjoying an IPA

What is it like being a woman in the Nebraska Craft Beer Community? 

While agriculture and brewing may have typically been male dominated industries, the community has embraced the amazing women that are making contributions to the Nebraska Craft Beer industry, and they’re proud to share it with other states. I feel welcomed and empowered by the community, which is a great feeling. It’s is motivating to continue to make contributions to improve the community and industry.

Why do think it is important to see greater representation of women in the brewing industry?

 It’s important for women to have representation in this industry for collaboration and growth. We all have unique strengths, talents, and dynamics to bring to the table, and together we can continue to make this community and industry stronger and better.

Thanks Katie for all you do for the Craft Beer industry in Nebraska!

Nebraska Women

From the Nebraska Hop Cup Event on January 20th, 2018

I am so excited to announce a new blog section entitled "Women in Beer". In Nebraska, we are blessed to have a great representation from the Brewer's Guild, University of Nebraska (hops R&D), hop yard owners, and brewery owners! Over the next several months, I hope to share with you many of their stories. The leadership and innovation that this group provides is helping to shape and grow the Nebraska Craft Beer Community! 

If you have someone you would like to know more about, please use my Contact link and I will make sure to get that story!

Cheers!