Jen Blair

AHA Member

Jen Blair is a Master Cicerone and Master BJCP beer judge and has been homebrewing for 13 years. She is a graduate of the University of California – Davis Applied Sensory and Consumer Sciences program. Jen’s passion is beer sensory, and she pairs hands-on sensory education with a strong technical foundation. Jen is the CEO of Under the Jenfluence and Aroma: Explore the Wheel.

Drew Beechum

Maltose Falcons | AHA Member | Co-presenter: Denny Conn

Brewing since 1999, Vice Chair of the AHA, Grand Hydrometer of the Maltose Falcons. Host of Experimental Brewing and author of Simple Homebrewing and countless magazine articles in Zymurgy and BYO.

Hugo Picard

Innovation has always been at the heart of homebrewing, it’s in our DNA. We’re constantly creating, exploring, “exbeerimenting.” To push boundaries, it’s key to understand every part of a recipe, especially the four core ingredients: water, malt, hops, and yeast. In this session, we’ll focus on yeast, its metabolism, key traits, and how to use it to innovate.

Martin Brungard

Foam Blowers of Indiana | AHA Member

Martin Brungard is a professional engineer and homebrewer for 26 years that has been a leading advocate of brewing water chemistry and making beer better. He is the author of Bru’n Water software and a frequent contributor to homebrewing forum discussions. He has presented dozens of articles in Zymurgy and NHC presentations. He was a technical editor for BA’s Water book.

Sebastian Wolfrum

Epiphany Malt | AHA Member

Sebastian Wolfrum is the founder of Epiphany Craft Malt in Durham, NC, to provide an integrated regional supply to brewers and distillers. Born and raised in Germany, he earned his certification as a brewer & maltster with the Ayinger Brewery in 1999, where he continued working until 2005 before moving to North Carolina. In 2012, he added a certificate in distilling from IBD, London.

Martin Keen

Br˚losophy | AHA Member | Co-presenter: Kyle Brown

Martin Keen is host of The Br¸losophy Show on YouTube where he has produced over 120 episodes. Prior to this Martin founded The Homebrew Challenge, where he brewed 99 beers in 99 weeks. His YouTube videos have received over 9 million views. Co-presenter Kyle Brown is founder or Clawhammer Supply and hosts one of the largest brewing channels on YouTube, approaching 200,000 subscribers.

Brad Smith

Dr. Brad Smith is the author of BeerSmith brewing software, BeerSmith blog and BeerSmith podcast. Brad has been brewing for 39 years and has written over 400 articles, hosted over 340 podcasts and also hosts the largest collection of 2.1 million beer recipes at BeerSmithRecipes.com. He holds a PhD in Computer Engineering from the University of New Mexico, three Masters degrees and is a retired USAF Colonel. He previously commanded the Phillips Research Site, AFRL Space Directorate, and DMSP Satellite program.

Douglas Bendinger

Douglas Bendinger Household | AHA Member | Co-presenter: Joseph Aistrup

I have been brewing beer for 32 years. My passion is German and Belgian styles. I have tried beer in 18 countries and want to try more. This has helped me hone in the styles I enjoy. I don’t order IPAs but I have tried over 340. My favorite club brew event has been the barrel projects.

Brighid O’Keane

The Cider Institute | AHA Member

Brighid O’Keane is the Executive Director of the Cider Institute ñ previously Cider Institute of North America (CINA) ñ which provides global education and certification for cider and perry producers. Since 2017, she has judged at eleven international competitions and collaborated with cidermakers and researchers worldwide to advance cider quality and knowledge.

Eric Boehm

MALT | AHA Member

I have been brewing for 12 years and have been the President of MALT (Mountain Ale and Lager Tasters) here in Asheville for the last two years.

Brian Biggs

Dead Yeast Society (Louisiana) | AHA Member

I am, as the title of the presentation indicates, a very new homebrewer in my “rookie year” for competitions. I made my first mead in February 2025 using a “Craft-A-Brew” mead-making kit…I bought my next four carboys a week later…and two more a week after that. In late September 2025, I decided that the feedback of my friends wasn’t enough…nor was it credible.

David Fetty

Brixie’s Brewers, Brewers Anonymous and Urban Knaves of Grain | AHA Member | Co-presenter: Megan Sawa

Homebrewer 32 yearsClub membership(s) Brixie’s Brewers 17 years, Urban Knaves of Grain 9 years, Brewers Anonymous 4 years.Brixie’s Brewers Vice President 8 years, President 6 yearsBeer Judge 18 yearsHost of 21 Beer Dinners

Max Finnance

BJCP | AHA Member

Max Finnance is a BJCP GM2 beer, mead, and cider judge and is currently the Northeast representative on the BJCP’s Board of Directors. He is also a Master Cicerone, Certified Pommelier, and Certified Specialist of Spirits, and works full time as a consultant in the alcoholic beverage industry. Max has judged beer competitions across the U.S. as well as in Mexico, Argentina, Spain, and Belgium. He has previously worked for craft breweries in sales, quality, and education roles. When he isn’t judging beer, Max loves spending time outdoors with his wife and son.

Dana Kapron

Five Star Chemicals | AHA Member, Exhibitor/Sponsor | Co-presenter: Joe Shanahan

My career in the alcohol industry began over 20 years ago as a homebrewer, where I developed a strong appreciation for both the craft and the science behind fermentation.

Matt Hunsworth

AHA Member | Co-presenter: Khrysti Hunsworth.

I have been home brewing for just over 10 years. I’ve been a board member of two clubs in the Central Florida having served as Vice President of Brewers Anonymous for the past 3 years helping guide the club to 3 consecutive Florida Homebrew Competition Circuit Championships.

Mike O’Brien

Ann Arbor Brewers Guild, GW Kent | AHA Member | Co-presenter: Matt Becker

I have been brewing for the last 42 years. I have been a member of the Ann Arbor Brewers Guild for about 35 of those years. I have helped organize lots of events from Big Brew Day, the annual BeerBQs, and many competitions. I have been an active Beer Judge for many years. (C0065)I started and ran the Original pico-Brewing Systems for about 10 years. I have earned the title BrewGyver – from my fellow brewers.

Aaron Pigors

Illiana Beer Rackers Union IBRU | AHA Member | Co-presenter: Mike Beck

I have been homebrewing since 2012, and in that time have created over 300 batches of mead, cider, and (mostly) beer. I am an active member and former officer of the IBRU homebrew club based in the Northwest Indiana/South Chicagoland region. I am a BJCP National Rank Beer and Cider Judge.

Aaron De Boer

Nordeast Brewers Alliance | AHA Member | Co-presenter: Nick McLawhorn

Aaron, a native of Minnesota, has been homebrewing for 20 years and is the current president of the Nordeast Brewers Alliance, the largest homebrew club in Minneapolis.

Aaron enjoys the mix of art and science in making beer and uses that passion to produce award-winning lagers, ales, and sour beers.

Gordon Strong

Gordon Strong is one of the most influential voices in modern homebrewing and the leading authority on mead and beer style structure. As President Emeritus and highest‑ranked judge in the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP), he has shaped how thousands of brewers design recipes, evaluate flavor, and understand style intent. A three‑time Ninkasi Award winner and principal author of the BJCP Style Guidelines,author of Brewing Better Beer and Modern Homebrew Recipes.

Mike Lentz

Winston Salem Wort Hogs | AHA Member

Homebrewer for over 30 years. BJCP Grand Master beer judge and active exam director. Retired biology professor whose most recent research projects involved investigation of the biochemistry of phenolic off-flavor production by Brettanomyces yeast.

Ron Minkoff

Hogtown Brewers | AHA Member | Co-presenter: Denise Brake

Ron Minkoff has been brewing in the comfort of his driveway since 2003. He is a past president of the Hogtown Brewers which won the 2016 Radegast Club of the Year during his tenure He is a BJCP Distinguished Certified Beer and Mead judge (“distinguished” is BJCP speak for “you’re old!”). Despite his 3rd grade level grammar, he has authored multiple articles for Zymurgy Magazine since 2018.

Chris “Crispy” Frey

Mountain Ale & Lager Tasters (MALT) | AHA Member

Started homebrewing in 1994, Currently the treasurer of MALT, several positions held over the years with F.O.R.D. & AABG in the past. Worked on the previous AHA Governing Committee for many years, helped create and launch the national AHA Club Insurance Program and spearheaded the now defunct Education & Research committee. Also served as the AHA designee on the Brewers Association for 9 years.

Tyler Miller

Arizona Society of Homebrewers | AHA Member | Co-presenter: Ross Stuart

Tyler Miller is the 2025 Samuel Adams Ninkasi Award winner. He has been homebrewing for 11 years and competing for 8, earning 8 National Homebrew Competition medals along the way. In 2024, he was named Arizona Homebrewer of the Year.

Jordan Westengaard

Ward Laboratories, Inc. | AHA Member

Jordan Westengaard is the Quality Assurance/Sample Operations Manager at Ward Laboratories, Inc. in Kearney Nebraska. Jordan graduated from the University of Nebraska-Kearney with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He spent a 8 years in the pharmaceutical industry prior to his current role. Jordan consults with brewers on a daily basis.

Ken Schramm

Schra | AHA Member,

Brewing and meadmaking since 1988, Club: Ann Arbor Brewers Guild, Member AHA Board of Advisors.

Randy Mosher

Author Randy Mosher has spent the last six years researching and writing a book called Your Tasting Brain: A Sensory Approach to Wine, Beer and Other Pleasures, which covers every imaginable aspect of tasting and flavor creation. Really two sides of the same coin, understanding these two activities are key to brewing delicious beer.

Andy Scherzinger

Weiz Guys | AHA Member

I have been brewing since 2016 and been deeply involved in competitive homebrewing ever since. While living in Texas I served as Sergeant-at-Arms and later Director of the Cane Island Alers for five years.

Nick McLawhorn

Nordeast Brewers Alliance | AHA Member

I have been brewing for 15 years, with a love for how the science in fermentation and agriculture continues to unlock the ability to empower creativeness in brewing. I am a member of the Nordeast Brewer’s Alliance in Minneapolis, MN. I have been a part of the Leadership Committee, Competition Committee, and Community Outreach spearheading Brew for Good – which homebrewers across 7 clubs in Minneapolis/St.

Joseph Krause

Music City Brewers | AHA Member | Co-presenter: Kelly Krause

I have been growing hops, brewing beer, making both mead and wine with my wife in middle Tennessee since 2019. Two years ago I became an active member in the Music City Brewers home brew club, assisting with their annual BJCP competition. Recently I became a BJCP-certified beer judge which is one example of my desire to expand my knowledge of the hobby as well as to share that knowledge with others.

Mirella Amato

WSET | AHA Member

I started judging beer in 2007 and was a board member for the Canadian Amateur Brewers Association for a number of years. During this time, I also led a series of BJCP study groups to help members become certified beer judges. I have been an active judge ever since, both in professional and in homebrew competitions, and have now reached Grand Master status with the BJCP.

William “Bill” Boyer

North Georgia Malt Monkeys | AHA Member

Back in 2010, Bill started brewing with a Mr. Beer Kit and rapidly upgraded to all-grain brewing while dabbling in meads and ciders.

Chuck Beardslee

Butler County Brewing Society | AHA Member

I have been homebrewing since 2013, and I am a certified BJCP Beer Judge. I am a past President of Butler County Brewing Society based in Hamilton, OH. I brew a variety of beverages – beer, mead, cider and perry. I have been making mead since 2018 and medaled with fruited hydromels as high as a bronze at the 2022 NHC in the Berry Mead category.

Josh Weikert

AHA Member

I’ve been brewing for almost 20 years and writing about beer and brewing for 15, working as a regular contributor and feature writer for Brew Your Own Magazine, Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine, Zymurgy, and more. I’m a BJCP Grand Master and Certified Cicerone with medals in every beer category, and a founding member of the Stoney Creek Homebrewers.

Mark Schaad

50 West Brew Club | AHA Member

Mark Schaad is a Cyber Engineering Fellow by day and a Certified BJCP Judge by night, refining his craft since 2009. A past President of the 50 West Brew Club, Mark is the creator of a Gold Medal-winning Baltic Porteróa personal triumph of rich, smooth complexity. Originally captivated by the wild dance of Belgian esters and phenols, he now merges high-tech know-how with homebrewing goodness.

Joshua Little

A comprehensive course to sourcing, processing, fermentation, and bottling hard cider. How to create a balanced hard cider, from apple to bottle, while avoiding common mistakes.

David Byer

Diatribe Brewing | AHA Member

Dave Byer is the brewer and co-owner of Diatribe Brewing, named one of Best New Breweries in the U.S. in 2024 by VinePair. In 2025, Diatribe medaled at the World Beer Cup, Great American Beer Fest, and the Brussels Beer Challenge, and was named Best New Entrant in the Australian International Beer Awards.

Brian Ballantine

Brian Ballantine Household | AHA Member

Been home brewing for 20 years

Ari Miller-Sisson

Broomtail Brew Club | AHA Member

Commercial brewer/ President of homebrew club: I have been homebrewing for 11 years. I got trained in the Brewing, Distillation, and Fermentation Program in Asheville, NC. Following Covid lockdown, I worked as the night shift brewer at Catawba Brewing for a year and a half, followed by working for two more breweries. The final brewery was Broomtail Brewing in Wilmington, NC.

Katrina Edwards

TRASH & TRUB | AHA Member

I am an officer in multiple Pittsburgh-area homebrew clubs, including TRASH and TRUB, where I help coordinate brewery-hosted meetings, collaboration brews, and community events. I serve on the planning committee for Brewing for a Cause, a charitable homebrew festival that has evolved through different missions while maintaining strong community engagement.

Franz Hofer

A Tempest in a Tankard | AHA Member,

After brewing my first batch of geysers back in 2010, I’ve settled into a more predictable kind of homebrewing. I’ve been a member of the Stillwater Brewers’ League since 2013, and currently serve as the club’s president, a role I’ve performed off and on since 2015. **I’m an award-winning beer writer, homebrewer, professor, and BJCP beer judge (National).

Larry Kula

Cass River Homebrew Club | AHA Member

Homebrewing for 13 years. Club member and officer for 10 years. Historical brewing for 8 years and Living History reenactor for 6 years as a colonial brewer.

John Hawkins

DRAFT (Dayton Region Amateur Fermentation Technologists) | AHA Member

I’ve been brewing for over 20 years, which means I’ve had plenty of time to make mistakes and occasionally learn from them. I started on a Mr.

Kary Shumway

AHA Member

Kary Shumway is a CPA and brewery finance expert with more than 20 years of experience in the beer industry. He has served as CFO for a leading beer wholesaler and as a part-owner/CFO of a craft brewery, giving him firsthand insight into both the operational and financial challenges of the business.

Eric Drost

Murphy & Son | AHA Member,

I began homebrewing in 2013 and quickly became obsessed with craft beer. In 2016, I left my career in property management and started working in sales at a regional brewery in Southern California called Hangar 24 Craft Brewing. Within 2 years, I was able to work my way up from merchandiser to VP of Sales.

Arnie Hoye

Spartanburg Brew Club | AHA Member

Have been home brewing for about 12 years, have been making raw ales for 4 years. I am part of, and currently the president of, Spartanburg Brew Club. I did this similar presentation to them last month and will have a “mini” competition in April. I also owned and operated a commercial Nano-Brewery in South Carolina, but have since retired and went back to home brewing for fun.

Andrew Melchers

Bloatarian Brewing League | AHA Member | Co-presenter: Keith Peace

20+ year brewer, BJCP Communications Director / BJCP Mid-Atlantic Region Asst Rep / BJCP Distinguished National Judge / Class organizer, Exam admin, Grader, Proctor. Two-term BBL club President, longtime club Communications Lead, aka “Minister of Propaganda” and Secretary. HomebrewCon 2022 Presenter. Numerous competitions organizer. 4x BOS winner. #Saison4Life

Elizabeth Burgess

Indian Peaks Alers | AHA Member

I started brewing in 2007 in Cary, NC, and continued through moves to Charleston, SC and Colorado, where I joined the Indian Peaks Alers in 2014. Since 2015, I’ve served in multiple leadership roles, including Social Coordinator, Treasurer, VP, and President, and have been running the Peak-to-Peak homebrew competition since 2017. I also helped launch and now co-run the Colorado Homebrewers Conference.

Seneca Toms

AHA Member

I have over 15 years of homebrewing experience, brewing a wide range of styles with a focus on process control, fermentation, and quality improvement.

Keith Mycek

I’ve been homebrewing for 30 years now. I joined our club 20 years ago, and spent the last 10 years on the board, the last 4 of which I served as President.

Katie Sloan

New York City Homebrewers Guild | AHA Member

Homebrewing since 2013, member of NYC Homebrewers Guild since 2014, former president. Advanced Cicerone(R) and Nationally ranked BJCP judge.

Jeff Hewit

I have been homebrewing for over 30 years. I have also been a member of the James River Homebrewers for over 30 years. I am currently Club Treasurer. I am a BJCP National Judge.

Christopher Buck

https://gusteaucorp.org/ | AHA Member

I’m a vaccine scientist by day, but I’ve been homebrewing off and on for 30 years. It’s exciting to be able to share two lifelong passions together in a single talk.

Justin Crossley

As founder of The Brewing Network and a 20-year broadcasting veteran, Crossley has built a global audience of tens of thousands of fans and followers. He’s hosted and produced hundreds of brewing and beverage programs and covered global events like the National Homebrewers Conference for over a decade. Whether you’re a seasoned brewer or just getting started, Crossley’s perspective is guaranteed to spark ideas and make memories.

Jeffrey “Puff” Irvin

Jeffrey “Puff” Irvin is an accomplished brewing professional and educator with a deep-rooted passion for the craft beverage industry. He earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Iowa State University before advancing his brewing expertise through the Master Brewers Program at the University of California–Davis. He further distinguished himself by earning the prestigious Diploma Brewer certification from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD).

Puff spent a decade as head brewer at Olde Main Brewing Company in Ames, Iowa, where he honed his skills in recipe development, process optimization, and brewery operations management. In August 2013, he became the first full-time instructor for the nation’s first Associate of Applied Science program in Brewing, Distillation, and Fermentation at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Today, he serves as the department chair for Brewing, Distillation, and Fermentation and as the director of the Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast, shaping the next generation of brewing professionals.

Beyond the classroom, Puff shares his knowledge and enthusiasm for the industry as the creator and host of Consuming the Craft, a podcast that dives into the world of craft beverages. You can find it on your favorite podcast platform.

Denise Brake

Hogtown Brewers

Denise Brake has been homebrewing beer, mead, and cider since 2017, turning her kitchen into a slightly sticky fermentation lab along the way. She is a past officer of the Hogtown Brewers. Some of her brewing highlights include winning Best of Show at the SheBrew Festival Competition in Portland and landing gold in a recent competition that earned her the glory to brew on the professional system at Swamp Head Brewery. When she’s not brewing or planning the next batch, she always has a seat at the table when it comes to homebrew club events, helping to steer that ship.

Alex Titov

Lallemand Brewing | Technical sales manager, Southeast

Brewing has been a part of Alex Titov’s life for as long as he can remember, and that passion has only grown over the years. He has spent 15 years working across both large-scale and craft breweries, gaining hands-on experience and a strong technical foundation as a brewer. For the past five years, he has been part of the Lallemand Brewing team, supporting brewers with practical technical guidance and continuing to grow as a specialist. He is driven by curiosity, innovation, and a constant desire to better understand and improve the art and science of fermentation.

Denny Conn

AHA Member | Co-presenter: Drew Beechum

Denny Conn brewed his first batch of beer March 19, 1998, and since then has brewed 630 more. He pioneered the Cheap’n’Easy brewing system and championed batch sparging. Denny spent 16 years on the Governing Committee of the AHA. His recipes have been brewed by homebrewers and commercial breweries all over the world. He has traveled the world, sometimes with co-author Drew Beechum, judging competitions and presenting seminars on topics like recipe design, conducting experiments, and simplifying the brewing process. Denny has a strain of brewing yeast named after him: Wyeast 1450 Denny’s Favorite. Along with Beechum, he has co-authored three homebrewing books (Experimental Homebrewing, Homebrew All Stars, and Simple Homebrewing) and produced two brewing podcasts (Experimental Brewing and The Brew Files). He loves to say, “Don’t take beer seriously. It’s only beer. It’s about fun. If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong!”

Ross Stuart

MHP Grand Master V

Ross Stuart is an accomplished and highly decorated homebrewer with a proven track record of competition success across multiple national circuits. He is the 2025 Master Homebrew Program Circuit of America winner, back-to-back Bru Club Homebrew Circuit champion (2024 and 2025), and the 2023 Arizona Society of Homebrewers Brewer of the Year. In addition, he earned the 2025 Mid-South Competition Circuit champion and the 2025 Bee State Competition Circuit champion. He also holds the prestigious rank of MHP Grand Master V.

Michael Tonsmeire

Sapwood Cellars | Author, American Sour Beers

Michael Tonsmeire, also known as “The Mad Fermentationist,” is the co-founder of Sapwood Cellars in Columbia, Maryland, and the author of American Sour Beers. An expert in complex fermentation and wood-aging, Michael has spent decades bridging the gap between rigorous brewing science and hands-on culinary innovation.