Oregon Brewers Guild Records

Oregon Brewers Guild Records, 1988-2015

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Oregon Brewers Guild
Title: Oregon Brewers Guild Records
Dates: 1988-2015 (inclusive)
19882015

1992-2010 (bulk)
19922010
Quantity: 4.00 cubic feet, including 18 print photographs and 12 negatives, (5 boxes, including 1 oversize box)
Collection Number: MSS OBG
Summary: The Oregon Brewers Guild Records offer a look into the early, formative years of one of the nation’s oldest craft brewer associations, as well as their work in more recent tyears.
The Oregon Brewers Guild was founded in 1992 and is a non-profit trade, marketing, and lobbying association that represents the Oregon craft brewing industry. It's mission is to protect the brewing industry of the state and the interests of Guild members through education, advocacy, and events.
Repository: Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Languages: English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Oregon Brewers Guild was founded in 1992 and is a non-profit trade, marketing, and lobbying association that represents the Oregon Craft Brewing industry. It's mission is to protect the brewing industry of the state and the interests of Guild members through education, advocacy, and events.

The Oregon Brewers Guild began as the Greater Oregon Brewers Association; the first meeting was held January 10, 1992 at McMenamins’ Edgefield. The Association initially formed to function as a watchdog for Oregon’s growing microbrewery industry, mainly through lobbying the Oregon State Legislature. Early members also sought to promote Oregon’s craft and microbreweries in and out of state. They elected Jerome Chicvara, a founding partner of Full Sail Brewing Company, as their first president. In March of 1994, the Greater Oregon Brewers Association reformed as the Oregon Brewers Guild and membership was restricted to breweries producing a maximum of 200,000 barrels annually.

Mike Sherwood, formerly a software product manager, was the Guild's first Executive Director. For the next five years, Sherwood led the organization as it developed branding, quality certification programs, events like beer festivals, and more. He departed in 1999, later managed Rogue Ales and Spirits’ distilleries, and founded Sub Rosa Spirits in 2007. The Oregon Brewers Guild hired Jim Parker, a longtime alcohol and beverage industry professional and leader, as the next Executive Director. Among other positions, Parker had served as the Director of the American Homebrewers Association; he led the Oregon Brewers Guild for six years.

Brian Butenschoen, formerly an Oregon Brewers Guild contract employee, was hired as the Executive Director in 2005, a position he held until 2018. Butenschoen was a longtime homebrewer and beer judge. He expanded events sponsored or organized by the Oregon Brewers Guild, including the statewide Zwickelmania open house event held every President’s Day weekend; this later became the flagship event for Oregon Craft Beer Month. In addition to other festivals and annual member dinners, Butenschoen helped circulate legislative information and agendas to members, and advocated on the industry’s behalf through press releases and publications.

Christina LaRue and Anthony Roberts were hired as Co-Executive Directors in early 2019. Roberts, a longtime writer and editor, moved on to take a position in the legal field the following year. LaRue continued as the sole Executive Director; she is also the Event Coordinator for the Master Brewers Association of the Americas. In addition to various roles at Deschutes Brewery and Worthy Brewing Company, she served as the General Manager at Crux Fermentation Project.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Oregon Brewers Guild Records offer a look into the early, formative years of one of the nation’s oldest craft brewer associations, as well as their work in more recent years.

The materials cover a range of topics related to the organization and development of Oregon’s craft breweries and the surrounding industries, primarily from the late 1980s through the mid 2010s. Included are operational records that detail the creation and administration of the Guild; publications and clippings related to Oregon’s brewing industries, specifically regarding business openings, promotions, and legislative and tax changes; brochures and other materials related to events and festivals organized or attended by the Guild or its members; and VHS tapes promoting Oregon’s craft breweries and the United States hops industry. The Oregon Brew Pubs video is available online.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Oregon Brewers Guild Records (MSS OBG), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Oregon Brewers Guild Records are arranged into four series: 1. Operational Records, 1988-2015; 2. Publications and Reports, 1994-2011; 3. Events, 1993-2010; 4. Videos, 1995-1996.

Acquisition Information

These materials were donated to the Special Collections and Archives Research Center by Brian Butenschoen in 2015 and Christina LaRue in 2019.

Related Materials

The Oregon Brewers Guild collection is complemented by several other collections. The Brewing and Fermentation Research Collection (MSS BFRC) contains information pertaining to the history, growth, and culture of the Pacific Northwest brewing industry; included are newsletters for homebrew clubs such as the Oregon Brew Crew and Cascade Brewers Society, as well other noteworthy industry periodicals and publications. The Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives Oral History Collection (OH 35) includes interviews from industry professionals, journalists, and community members.

Further information regarding the values, logistics, and goals of the burgeoning regional brewing community can be found in organizational collections like the Heart of the Valley Homebrewers Records, Ninkasi Brewing Company Collection, McMenamins Brewery Collection, Portland Brewing Company Records, and the Fred Bowman Papers. The personal research collections of Denny Conn, Pete Dunlop, Abram Goldman-Armstrong, Fred Eckhardt Papers, and Robert Daly contain additional information regarding the beer writing process and beer culture.

Collections linked to Oregon State University research, as well as other manuscript collections, are described on the Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives research guide. More information pertaining to the history of hop growing and brewing in Oregon can be found on the Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives website.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015Return to Top

This series contains materials and records related to the creation, administration, and operations of the Oregon Brewers Guild. In addition to correspondence, meeting minutes, membership lists, and press releases, this series contains promotional materials from the Guild and individual breweries, as well as documents pertaining to the Guild’s legislative advocacy.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
1.01	Oregon Craft Beer Month Proclamation by Governor Neil Goldschmidt.	1988
1.02	Greater Oregon Brewers Association Meeting minutes, correspondence	1991-1995
1.03	Oregon Brewers Guild applications	1991-1997
1.04	Hops Brochures, statistical and annual reports, convention publication	1994
1.05	Food Menus, recipes, advertisements	1994, 2007
1.06	Oregon Liquor Control Commission beer sales Statistical data	1994
1.07	Portland travel information Visitor’s guides and directories	1994-2005
1.08	Merchandise catalog information binder Advertisements for beer and brewing merchandise and paraphernalia, catalogs, a clothing price list	1994-1995
1.09	Membership list	1995
1.10	“Financing the Pacific Northwest’s Emerging Craft Brew Industry,” report by Jerry Boehn	1995
1.11	Deschutes Brewery Press releases, promotional materials dues, production and tax information, correspondence, 4 pictures of packaging.	1994-2002
1.12	Beer promotional materials Brewpub guides, Portland craft beer fest, Oregon food, Oregon Brewers Guild temporary tattoos, Rogue press release, information about Northwest brewing industry, hop tour, Oregon Brewers Guild presentation, Full Sail menu, barley information sheet from 1994.	1994-2015
1.13	Photographs and negatives Standing Stone, Mia and Pia’s Pizzeria and Brewhouse in Klamath Falls, tabling at event, 9 photographs, 1 contact print, 12 negatives.	circa 1995
1.14	Wild River Brewing and Pizza Company Focused on Cave Junction location, map and labels, 6 photographs of brewery and restaurant	circa 1995
1.15	Oregon Brewers Guild original artwork 2 color prints of Guild emblem by Trish Leahy-Graff.	circa 1995
1.16	Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association annual packets Several annual packets, including statements of member benefits; event invitations, schedules, and programs; issue papers, industry publications (Main Ingredient); “Restaurant Management Information and Control Reports,” by Dr. Edward E. Sanders, published by Oregon Restaurant Association 1992 and 1995.	1995-2010
1.17	Miscellaneous newsletters Erickson Report 1997, Widmer Brothers 1994, Oregon Ale and Beer Company 1995, Rogue 1999 10th anniversary celebration.	1994-1999
1.18	Oregon Brewers Guild quality mark and certificate program Quality certification information, objectives, and requirements; application forms; emblem; related news clippings; license agreements; announcement from Karl Ockert 1998.	1995-1998
1.19	Press releases Of note are releases from 1996 addressing craft brewers’ frustration with “impostor” contract brewers in Oregon.	1995-1999
1.20	Truth in Labeling controversy Press releases, news clippings, correspondence, and other information related to Brewers Guild members attempting to halt larger contract brewers from claiming local, small-batch production and misleading consumers. Craft brewers petitioned the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, often targeting Oregon Beer and Ale, a subsidiary of the Boston Beer Company.	1996
1.21	Correspondence Reactions to articles about beer drinkers, discussions of proposed tax increases	1995-2005
1.22	Microbrewery definition Fact sheets, correspondence	1995-1996
1.23	Oregon Brewers Guild general information Business plan, membership directory, bylaws, member benefits, facts and figures, brief history and timeline, sales figures and estimates, membership list.	1996
1.24	Annual survey Surveys include member breweries’ administrative teams, business statistics, wage information, and benefits offered.	1996
1.25	Anheuser-Busch Companies, Consumer Awareness and Education packet Anheuser-Busch-sponsored packet containing resources for responsible drinking and stopping drunk driving, family communication, advertising opportunities and more; correspondence from law enforcement and school district officials, consultants, and more from local municipalities across the country, in appreciation of their distribution.	1996
1.26	Portland Media report Quarterly reports of publications or broadcasts aimed at garnering positive media attention, sponsored and assisted by the Portland Oregon Visitors Association. Includes dates, names, and valuations.	1996-1999
1.27	Oregon Brewers Guild general information Annual plans, financial reports, Quality Mark Program information and application, event announcements and information, work plans, meeting details.	1997
1.28	Oregon travel information 1998 event calendar, 2005 Governor’s Conference resource directory, 2000-2001 travel and resource directory.	1998-2005
1.29	R.S. Weinberg and Associates report, “Factors Which Will Determine a Brewer’s Future Growth" Sections include market potential, market development, competitive dynamics, available resources, the “gestation” period, organizational flexibility.	1997
1.30	American Brewers Guild Brewing School Application Packet Course catalog, including descriptions and images of (exclusively men) doing brewing science, and faculty profiles with a single woman member; application forms; degree descriptions; housing information; alumni listing and information	1998
1.31	Oregon Brewers Guild Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 7; Volume 7, Issue 1; Volume 9, Number 1	1999-2003
1.32	Pearl Brewing Blocks promotional material Colorized floor and building plans, location statistics, maps, aerial photographs, building design sketches, demographic information.	1998
1.33	Oregon Restaurant Association legislative report Includes management team with portraits, legislative news, recently passed legislation, and legislator scorecard.	1999
1.34	F.H. Steinbart Company Historical information about Frank H. Steinbart and company, correspondence, obituaries, 1 photograph.	1999-2001
1.35	Promotional Packet, beer in Portland Published by Portland, Oregon Visitors Association; focused on brewpubs and microbrews; historical and statistical information; festival information; story ideas.	2004
1.36	Beer Tax Coalition News clippings about Oregon legislature; correspondence; promotional materials; meeting agendas; advocacy statements featuring brewers, hop growers, and allied industries.	2007
1.37	Northwest Food Service Show speaker information Talking points, speaker agreement for Brian Butenschoen.	2007
1.38	Oregon Brewers Guild fresh hop beer making promotional packet Press releases, brewery participation and beer variety descriptions, images and logos, food pairing and contact information.	2008
1.39	Oregon Craft Beer Month Promotional brochures, event handouts, correspondence, Associate membership information and application, membership and attendance list, catering plans, agendas, temporary sales permit application.	2011
1.40	Legislative advocacy Specifically focused on the Small brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act, a bill that proposed reducing tax rates for craft breweries. Lists of small brewers caucus, promotional materials, economic impact statement, copies of the bill, sponsorship circular, Oregon small breweries list, agendas, records of meetings with Representatives and Senators.	2012-2014
1.41	Quality Mark plaque	circa 1999
2.01	Oregon Liquor Control Commission, liquor control laws and administrative rules Revised statutes for general alcoholic liquors, distilled liquors, wine, cider, and malt beverages; civil penalties and rules for state agencies; miscellaneous provisions	2000
5.01	Oregon Bounty poster	undated

Series 2: Publications and Reports, 1994-2011Return to Top

This series contains newspaper and magazine issues and clippings related to beer, breweries, and the brewing profession, organized by both publication and date. Newspaper clippings lack citations, but original order was grouped by year. Of note are the mid-1990s clippings documenting Oregon brewers’ frustration with contract brewing in the state, and clippings from 2009 documenting the effects of proposed tax changes on Oregon brewers. Also includes brewery guides, industry directories, and resources, as well as Brewers Association recruitment and membership reports.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
2.02	Willamette Week’s Restaurant Guide Includes “100 favorite restaurants,” restaurant of the year, restaurant descriptions, promotions, and menus.	2008-2010
2.03	Mix: Portland’s Magazine of Food and Drink Published by The Oregonian. 4 issues: February/March 2008, April/May 2008, August/September 2008, December 2008/January 2009.	2008-2009
2.04	Mix: Portland’s Magazine of Food and Drink Published by The Oregonian. 3 issues: October 2009, November 2009, December 2009/January 2010.	2009-2010
2.05	Mix: Portland’s Magazine of Food and Drink Published by The Oregonian. 5 issues: February 2010, March 2010, May 2010, July/August 2010, October 2010, December 2010/January 2011.	2010-2011
2.06	Main Ingredient Publication of the Oregon Restaurant Association. 7 issues: April through December.	2006
2.07	Main Ingredient Publication of the Oregon Restaurant Association. 9 issues: January through December.	2007
2.08	Main Ingredient Publication of the Oregon Restaurant Association. 5 issues: January through March, December, Media Kit.	2008
2.09	Main Ingredient Publication of the Oregon Restaurant Association. 8 issues: January through February, April, June, August, November through December, Media Kit.	2009
2.10	Main Ingredient Publication of the Oregon Restaurant Association. 10 issues: January through February, April through August, November through December, Media Kits 2010-2011.	2010-2011
2.11	BrewPub Trade publication for brewpub owners and beer professionals; Premier issue 1996 with press release insert, March through May 1997, September 1997, December 1997.	1996-1997
2.12	BrewPub Trade publication for brewpub owners and beer professionals; January through July, September through October.	1998
2.13	BrewPub Trade publication for brewpub owners and beer professionals; January through February, April through May, July, September through October, December.	1999
2.14	BrewPub Trade publication for brewpub owners and beer professionals; January through December, Buyer’s Guide.	2000
2.15	Micro Brewery Times ”Informational and educational link between breweries and consumers.” Premier issue, June, November/December.	1995
2.16	The Pint Post The Official Magazine of the Microbrew Appreciation Society.	1995-1996
2.17	Taps Magazine June 1995, December 1995, January/February 1996, July 1997.	1995-1997
2.18	Beer Talk May through September issues.	1995
2.19	The Brewer International Color copy of September issue “Brewery Focus” section, focused on BridgePort Brewing Company, by Chris Crabb, Karl Ockert, and Paula Troyer.	2001
2.30	Brew Premier issue 1994, July-August 2002, March-April 2005, October 2005.	1994-2005
2.31	Miscellaneous beer publications Frontier Magazine, March/April 2000; Beverage Retailer, June 2001; Beer the Magazine, July 2002.	2000-2001
2.32	Miscellaneous publications Northwest Palate, July/August 1994, September/October 2003; Westworld, June 2001; Main Ingredient, February 2006; Beer West, Winter 2011.	1994-2011
2.33	Michigan Beer Guide January through February, May through June.	2004
2.34	California Small Brewers Association Organization profile with membership newsletter, application, statistics, insights, and legislative information.	1996-1997
2.35	Brewers Association publications and reports 2009 draught beer profit data sheet; Brewers’ Resource Directory (including breweries, their suppliers, wholesalers, and professional organizations) 2007-2008, 2009-2010; stewardship reports, 2006-2008.	2006-2010
3.01	Modern Brewery Age Blue Book 54th edition international directory of breweries and affiliated industries; includes production, regulatory, distribution, and other industry information.	1994
3.02	Brewery Planner: Guide to Opening and Running Your Own Small Brewery 2nd edition compiled by Brewers Publications. Includes subject chapters ranging from design to distribution; written by John Hickenlooper, Jim Koch, Sheri Winter, and more.	1996
3.03	North American Brewers Resource Directory 14th edition published by Institute for Brewing Studies; includes brewing statistics and contact information for breweries, brewing equipment, and marketing.	1997-1998
3.04	Beer Serves America pamphlet Promotional pamphlet published by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association, includes economic impact data for the country and Oregon.	undated
3.05	Willamette Week Beervana guides to microbrews, drinking, and wine; 1998 issue contains cover story on McMenamins’ expansion.	1994-1998
3.06	Newspaper clippings Includes several stories related to Northwest microbrewery expansions.	1994
3.07	Newspaper clippings Includes stories on contract brewing and microbrew authenticity in Oregon.	1995
3.08	Newspaper clippings Includes stories on contract brewing and microbrew authenticity, as well as debates over brewing terminology and labeling.	1996
3.09	Newspaper clippings Includes stories on McMenamins’ renovations of the Crystal Ballroom, and Portlandtourism.	1997
3.10	Newspaper clippings Includes stories on microbrewers’ quality mark efforts.	1998
3.11	Newspaper clippings Includes stories on “Made in Oregon” quality mark program.	1999
3.12	Newspaper clippings	2000
3.13	Newspaper clippings	2002
3.14	Newspaper clippings	2004
3.15	Newspaper clippings	2005
3.16	Newspaper clippings	2006
3.17	Newspaper clippings	2007
3.18	Newspaper clippings	2008
3.19	Newspaper clippings Includes many stories on discontent over and proposed changes to Oregon’s beer tax structure.	2009
3.20	Newspaper clippings	2010
3.21	Newspaper clippings	2011
3.22	Oregonian special sections FoodDay, Diner, A;&E sections, include guides to Oregon’s wineries, restaurants, beers, and brewers festivals.	2007-2011
3.23	Miscellaneous publications Includes Oregon Brewers Guild and Portland BrewBus-sponsored Travelhost breweries 1996 map, Beer Portland April 2001 issue, BarleyCorn June/July 1997 issue, Portland Cuisine Spring/Summer 2001 issue.	1996-2001

Series 3: Events, 1993-2010Return to Top

This series contains materials related to beer festivals and brewing trade shows in Oregon, mostly brochures, programs, and advertisements.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
3.24	Miscellaneous brochures and programs Programs for first annual Spring Beer Fest at Multnomah Greyhound Park, 1995; Institute for Brewing Studies Conference and Trade Show for National Craft Brewers, 1997; promotional brochure and application for Northwest Food Service Show, 2008.	1995-2008
3.25	The Great American Beer Festival Programs for the Great American Beer Festival in 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003, organized by the Brewers Association. Each includes maps, brewery index, sponsors, style guidelines, and advertisements.	1997-2003
3.26	Oregon Brewers Festival Programs for years 1993 through 1999 and 2005. Each includes introductory statements, glossaries, style guides, brewery index, and tasting notes sections. Also included is a public promotional pamphlet for the 1998 Oregon Brewers Festival, published in a newspaper or periodical.	1993-2005
3.27	Oregon Craft Beer Month Special publications by the Oregonian and the Portland Tribune, advertising and celebrating Oregon’s craft breweries in July 2006 through 2010. Include schedules, event information, and brewery spotlights. Also, 2009 Oregon Craft Beer Month Guide, including hops and brewing stories, Oregon Brewers Guild members, and calendar of events.	2006-2010

Series 4: Videos, 1995-1996Return to Top

This series contains several VHS videotapes produced by the Oregon Brewers Guild and the Hop Growers of America. Oregon Brew Pubs is a promotional video spotlighting several Oregon brewers and brewpubs, with interviews and behind the scenes looks at the brewing processes. A Tradition of Excellence is a brief series of short videos promoting hops as a commodity, aimed at breweries.

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box/Folder
4.01	Oregon breweries and hop industry A Tradition of Excellence Part 1: An Introduction to the U.S. Hop Industry (1995) and Oregon Brew Pubs (1996). Oregon Brew Pubs is available online.	1995-1996
4.02	Hop industry A Tradition of Excellence Parts 2 and 3: Processing and Processed Hop Products, and USA Hops Research and Development.	1995

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Beer industry--United States--History.
Beer--Oregon--Portland--History.
Brewing industry--Oregon.
Brewing--Periodicals.
Brewing.
Microbreweries--Oregon--Portland--History.
Microbreweries--United States.

Corporate Names

Oregon Brewers Guild

Form or Genre Terms

Ephemera (general object genre)
Film negatives.
Photographic prints.
Video recordings (physical artifacts)

Other Creators

Personal Names
- Butenschoen, Brian. (creator)
- LaRue, Christina. (creator)
- Parker, Jim, 1960- (creator)
- Roberts, Anthony R., 1978- (creator)
- Sherwood, Mike D., 1954- (creator)

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