Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives Oral History Collection, 2014-2026

Carole Ockert describes her life with husband, brewer Karl, from their early travels in Europe through Karl's career at BridgePort Brewing Company in Portland, Oregon. She discusses the relationships among Portland's early craft brewers in the 1980s and how the community changed as breweries expanded. Ockert reflects on the development of BridgePort and the changing relationships, purposes, and goals of Portland's brewing community. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on March 1, 2014, at the Ockert's residence in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Blake Crosby is a fifth-generation hop grower and owns and operates Crosby Hop Farm in Woodburn, Oregon with his father, Kevin. Since 1900, the Crosby family has grown a variety of aromatic and bittering hops on their land. In this interview, Crosby traces the trajectory of his family’s farming and business practices. Crosby also discusses his personal connection to hop growing and his interest in the changing dynamics of the craft brew-driven industry in Oregon. Crosby believes the industry’s new focus on quality and stewardship has helped bridge the urban-rural divide between consumers and growers. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on March 7, 2014 on location at Crosby Hop Farm in Woodburn, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

John Foyston, former Oregonian beer columnist, shares his personal history in this interview, describing events that led him to write about Oregon’s emergent beer culture. Foyston recounts his time studying journalism at the University of Oregon, as well as the importance of influences like the Vietnam War and music upon his career path. After owning a motorcycle shop, Foyston was an Arts & Entertainment freelance journalist, tracking the immense growth and changes of the Portland craft beer industry. The interview was conducted by Peter Kopp, Tiah Edmunson-Morton, and Tim Hills on March 28, 2014 in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Warren Aney discusses his friendship with Charles Coury, brewer and proprietor of the short-lived Cartwright Brewing in Portland, Oregon. Aney describes meeting Coury through their shared interest in wine, participating in Coury's wine association, and taking Coury's viticulture course at Portland Community College in the early 1970s. He also recalls helping organize winery tours and attending the dedication of Cartwright Brewery. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Korey Jackson on April 4, 2014, at Aney's home in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Teri Fahrendorf was one of the first female brewers in the modern history of the Pacific Northwest. In her interview, she discusses her early experiences in professional brewing, including an injury that led her from the Golden Gate and Triple Rock breweries in California to Steelhead Brewing Company in Eugene, Oregon. She describes her later “road brew” trip and its role in inspiring women-focused brewing projects including the Pink Boots Society, Barley’s Angels, and International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day. Fahrendorf also discusses the importance of education and art in the brewing industry and reflects on the experiences of women working in brewing. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on April 19, 2014, at Occidental Brewing Company in Portland, Oregon.

Portions of the interview were used in the documentary history project “OHBA Stories.” The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Shaun Townsend discusses the development and operation of Oregon State University's Aroma Hop Breeding Program, including the catalysts and challenges behind the program and the scientific and physical processes involved in developing experimental hop varieties for Oregon's growing conditions and craft brewing. Townsend also discusses his role as an informational liaison to the general public in the absence of a hop-focused extension agent. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton May 7, 2014 at the OSU Experimental Hop Yard on Highway 34 in Corvallis, Oregon.

Portions of the footage were used in the documentary history project “OHBA Stories.” The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Thomas Shellhammer discusses his path to brewing and fermentation research and the development of Oregon State University's Fermentation Science program within the Department of Food Science & Technology. He describes the program's hands-on approach to brewing education and discusses funding, local collaborations, and the role of students in the program. Shellhammer also discusses his research in the chemical and sensory analysis of hops. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on May 7, 2014, at the brewing facilities in Wiegand Hall at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.

Portions of the footage were used in the documentary history project “OHBA Stories.” The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Blake Crosby discusses the history of his family's hop farm in Woodburn, Oregon, and the changes brought by increasing demand for hops from the craft brewing industry. He considers potential trajectories for the hop market and the importance of preserving agricultural history for future generations. The video concludes with a tour of the farm's pelletizer, described at the time as the only machine of its kind on an Oregon farm. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Korey Jackson on May 16, 2014, at Crosby Farms in Woodburn, Oregon.

Portions of the footage were used in the documentary history project “OHBA Stories.” The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Gayle Goschie discusses the history of her family's farm in Silverton, Oregon, and changes in hop-growing practices resulting from technological advancements and economic trends. She describes the importance of maintaining a steady and loyal employee base and discusses the development of sustainable farming practices at Goschie Farms. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on May 16, 2014, at Goschie Farms in Silverton, Oregon.

Portions of the footage were used in the documentary history project “OHBA Stories.” The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Kurt and Rob Widmer discuss the development of Widmer Brothers Brewing and their relationships with regional brewers and the Portland community. They describe Portland's pioneer heritage and adventurous drinking culture as influences on the brewery's development and discuss aspects of their business model that helped them navigate challenges in the brewing industry. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on May 10, 2014, at the Widmer Brothers Gasthaus Pub in Portland, Oregon. The video concludes with the filming of a tasting session.

Portions of the footage were used in the documentary history project “OHBA Stories.” The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Fred Eckhardt reflects on a life that spanned military service, education, brewing, writing, and the rise of American craft beer. He discusses his childhood in Washington, including time spent in a Norwegian Lutheran children's home, learning of his adoption, working at a paper mill as a teenager, and serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean War. Eckhardt recounts military training, service in Okinawa, studying Japanese and Far Eastern languages at the University of Washington, and his early experiences with beer, wine, and sake. Much of the interview focuses on Eckhardt's role in the emerging homebrewing and craft brewing movements. He describes teaching winemaking and brewing classes, publishing Listen to Your Beer, The Amateur Brewer, and A Treatise on Lager Beer, and promoting homebrewing as an accessible hobby. Eckhardt reflects on relationships with figures including Charlie Papazian, Michael Jackson, Burt Grant, Fritz Maytag, the McMenamin brothers, and the Widmer family, and discusses early breweries such as Anchor, Cartwright Brewing, Redhook, and Widmer. Additional topics include beer journalism, brewing ingredients, homebrewing legislation, brewpubs, and the transformation of beer culture in Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton, Tim Hills, and John Foyston on July 23, 2014, in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Gail Nickerson reflects on growing up in Portland, Oregon, during the 1940s and 1950s, her experiences at Laurelhurst Grade School, Grant High School, and Oregon State College, and the challenges facing women interested in scientific careers. She discusses early laboratory work, student employment, and the culture of agricultural research at Oregon State University. Much of the interview focuses on the history of hop research in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest from the 1950s through the early twenty-first century. Nickerson describes her work with researchers including Sam Likens and Al Haunold; the development of analytical methods for measuring hop quality; studies of alpha and beta acids, hop oils, storage characteristics, and harvest maturity; and the evaluation and release of new hop varieties. She reflects on changes in hop breeding, mechanization, pesticide use, computing technologies, research funding, and relationships among growers, brewers, and researchers. Additional topics include laboratory culture, women in science, international collaborations, and the globalization of hop research and hop production. The interview was conducted by Peter Kopp and Tiah Edmunson-Morton on August 6, 2014, in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Don Weathers reflects on his childhood in Oregon farming communities, his career as a hop grower, and the development of Mission Bottom Farms. Contributions from his wife, Rosalie Weathers, provide additional perspectives on family life, farm operations, and the multigenerational nature of Oregon agriculture. Together they discuss their childhoods in farming families, their courtship and marriage, and the establishment of Mission Bottom Farms in the Willamette Valley. Don recounts his family's frequent moves throughout western and central Oregon, his father's transition from electrician to farmer following a workplace injury, and the family's involvement in fruit, seed, grain, and hop production. The interview documents agricultural life in the Willamette Valley during and after World War II, as well as the partnerships and family relationships that shaped their farming operations. Much of the interview focuses on Oregon's hop industry from the 1950s through the early twenty-first century. Weathers discusses growing Fuggle, Willamette, Cascade, Crystal, and Nugget hops; collaborating with Oregon State University and USDA researchers on off-station variety trials; and adopting new harvesting, spraying, pest control, irrigation, cultivation, and mechanization technologies. He reflects on the federal hop marketing order, the Oregon Hop Commission, the Hop Administrative Committee, and other grower organizations. Additional topics include hop supply businesses, paper twine manufacturing, Yakima Chief-Hopunion, innovation in hop-growing equipment, aviation, family succession and partnerships, and the growing influence of the craft brewing industry on hop production. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on September 24, 2014, at the Weathers' home in Keizer, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Shaun Townsend discusses his childhood in central Illinois, his education and research experience in agronomy at Montana State University and New Mexico State University, and his career in hop breeding and genetics at Oregon State University. He describes his interest in crop science and the development of his research career. Townsend also discusses changes in the Oregon State University hop breeding program in response to the needs of the craft brewing industry and his collaborations with local growers and brewers in developing new hop varieties. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on November 3, 2014, at the OSU Valley Library in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Matt Sage discusses his career in winemaking, brewing, and hop consulting, including his work with Associated Vintners, BridgePort Brewing Company, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, Cameron Winery, and Indie Hops. He describes the operations and company cultures of these businesses and discusses beer production and ingredients, as well as contemporary trends in the hop industry. At the time of the interview, Sage was working with Indie Hops, a company that supplies hops to craft brewers. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on November 11, 2014, at the Indie Hops offices in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Alfred Haunold discusses his work with hop varieties including Cascade, Willamette, Sterling, Liberty, Mt. Hood, and Santiam during his career with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Corvallis, Oregon. He describes the development and characteristics of the different hops he worked with and recalls the personalities of colleagues and collaborators involved in the research program. Haunold also discusses technological advances in hop breeding and research. The interview was conducted by Shaun Townsend and Tiah Edmunson-Morton on November 18, 2014, in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Gary and Susan Wyatt discuss the development of Tumalo Hops, a small hop farm near Bend, Oregon, that they established in response to economic changes in the early 2000s. They describe planting, cultivating, and harvesting hops by hand and discuss the recent economic and cultural changes in Bend. The Wyatts also discuss marketing hops to craft brewers and homebrewers, the importance of locality in selling agricultural products, and the growth of agritourism. They describe efforts to remain a small operation by sharing intellectual and material resources with others. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Miles Wilhelm on February 18, 2015, at the Wyatts' farm in Tumalo, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Fred Bowman discusses the biological and mechanical interests and experiences that led him to co-found Portland Brewing Company with Jim Goodwin and Art Larrance in 1986. He describes his life before founding the brewery, including an extensive trip through Europe, his enlistment in the Army Reserves, and 16 years working for a Volkswagen distributor. Bowman also discusses his early homebrewing experiences and the challenges of establishing Portland Brewing Company, including the brewery's relationship with Bert Grant of Yakima Brewing and its licensing agreement to produce Grant's beer in Portland. He describes the brewery's development, the passage of Oregon's 1985 Brewpub Bill, and his eventual decision to leave the brewery and work as an independent brewing consultant. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton at Bowman's home in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Irene Firmat discusses her childhood as a Cuban immigrant in New York and the experiences that brought her to Oregon in the early 1980s, where she worked as a buyer for Meier & Frank. She describes changing careers and establishing Hood River Brewing Company in 1987, the brewery that became Full Sail Brewing Company, as well as the development of the company's culture of mutual respect and collaboration. Firmat also discusses past and projected trends in the craft beer industry and her interest in a return to the quality-driven production associated with Portland's flagship breweries of the 1980s. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on May 4, 2015, at the Full Sail Brewery in Hood River, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Joy Hoerner Rich discusses life in Corvallis and at Oregon State University during World War II, including the effects of the military draft and the proximity of Camp Adair. She describes meeting her husband at OSU, graduating with a degree in Home Economics in the 1940s, and moving to Roseburg, Oregon, where she worked for several decades as a kindergarten teacher and in early childhood education. Hoerner Rich also describes the work habits and responsibilities of her father, OSU hops specialist G.R. Hoerner, during his career at Oregon State University and later at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on May 20, 2015, at Hoerner Rich's residence in Roseburg, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Larry Sidor discusses his career in brewing, winemaking, and the hop industry, including his work at Olympia Brewing Company, hop merchant S.S. Steiner, and Deschutes Brewing. He describes the company cultures and economic trends he encountered at these organizations and discusses the importance of trust and relationships in both large and small brewing operations. Sidor also discusses the value of maintaining a “farm to table mentality” in brewing and the relationships among brewers, hop suppliers, and agricultural producers. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Chris Peterson on November 6, 2015, in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site. This interview has also been described in the Oregon State University Sesquicentennial Oral History Collection (OH 026).

Jeff Edgerton discusses his career in brewing, from his work as a laboratory technician and microbiologist at Blitz-Weinhard to his positions at BridgePort Brewing Company. He describes how his training in microbiology and experience with quality control at Blitz-Weinhard informed his work at BridgePort, where he joined the company as quality assurance manager in 1998 and later became brewmaster and general manager. Edgerton describes brewing as a “lifestyle career” and discusses his involvement with the Master Brewers Association and collaboration with Oregon State University's Fermentation Science students. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on November 18, 2015, at BridgePort Brewing in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site. This interview has also been described in the Oregon State University Sesquicentennial Oral History Collection (OH 026).

Mick Flanagan discusses his childhood in Australia and the United States, including time spent in Sydney, Seattle, Pasadena, Kansas, and Portland. He describes joining BridgePort Brewing Company in 1989, initially working on the packaging line, and recalls the brewery's early years as a small, hands-on operation with a brewpub that emphasized fresh beer, food, family-friendly spaces, and interaction between customers and the brewing process. Flanagan reflects on Portland in the 1980s and 1990s and the growth of craft industries throughout the city. He discusses BridgePort's role as a gathering place for community groups and organizations, as well as the brewery's early packaging operations, facility expansions, changes in consumer tastes, and increasing acceptance of diverse beer styles. He also describes the relationship between BridgePort and the transformation of the Pearl District, the influence of the Oregon Brewers Festival on Portland's brewing identity, and efforts to preserve the brewery's historic building amid neighborhood redevelopment. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on November 18, 2014, at BridgePort Brewing Company in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

John Harris discusses growing up in Portland, attending Portland State University as a theater major, and entering the brewing industry in the mid-1980s. He describes his work at McMenamins' Hillsdale Brewery & Public House and Cornelius Pass Roadhouse from 1986 to 1988, serving as the first employee and head brewer at Deschutes Brewery in Bend from 1988 to 1992, and working at Full Sail Brewing Company in Portland from 1992 to 2012. Harris also discusses his experiences working in Oregon's evolving craft brewing industry and the establishment of Ecliptic Brewing in North Portland in 2013. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on December 9, 2015, at Ecliptic Brewing, 825 N Cook St., in Portland, Oregon.

This interview is not available online. Reference access is available upon patron request.

John Annen discusses his family's history as fourth-generation hop growers in Mount Angel, Oregon, and the development of the Oregon hop-growing community. He describes the Oregon Hop Commission and its role in the industry, as well as changes in hop harvesting and processing brought by mechanization. Annen also discusses agricultural labor, diversification of hop varieties, and relationships between hop growers and both macro- and craft brewers. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on February 10, 2016, at the Annen Farm in Mount Angel, Oregon. Nancy Sites, administrator for the Oregon Hop Commission, was also present.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Dana Garves discusses her early interest in chemistry, her education at the University of Oregon, and her work as a brewing chemist at Ninkasi Brewing. She describes her involvement in STEM education for girls and her decision to leave Ninkasi in 2014 to establish BrewLab, a company providing chemical analyses for breweries, cideries, meaderies, and home brewers. Garves also discusses the Ninkasi Space Launch, a year-long project in which she collaborated with Team Hybriddyne to launch Ninkasi yeast into space. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on February 19, 2016, at Garves' laboratory in Eugene, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Chris Crabb discusses her work in public relations for beer-related businesses and events, including the Oregon Brewers Festival, Holiday Ale Festival, BrewFest in the Park, and individual brewery clients. She describes changes in beer marketing and public relations, particularly the advent of social media, and discusses the importance of developing local professional networks. Having worked with the Oregon Brewers Festival for more than twenty years, Crabb also describes the organization's development and the atmosphere of the festival. She recalls the cultural climates of Portland and Eugene during her adolescent and college years. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on June 2, 2016, at the City of Portland Archives and Records Management office.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Theodore “Ted” Cox discusses the experiences that led him to establish the Old World Deli in Corvallis, Oregon, including his two Peace Corps assignments in Sierra Leone and Belize. He describes his education and work in physical education, including his time as a student, teacher, and women's volleyball coach at Oregon State University and Linn Benton Community College. Cox also discusses the development of the Old World Deli complex, which includes the Oregon Trail Brewery and several galleries, and shares stories about Corvallis history and Prohibition-era brewing practices. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on June 7, 2016, at Cox's home in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site. This interview has also been described in the Oregon State University Sesquicentennial Oral History Collection (OH 026).

Lee Hedgmon discusses growing up in Portland, her work as a youth activist, and her experiences at Portland Community College and Portland State University. She describes her involvement in the queer community, work with Job Corps in Astoria, employment in Portland's hotel industry, and graduate study in Feminist Studies at the University of Minnesota. Hedgmon also recounts her early homebrewing experiences and her transition to professional brewing, including work at Coalition Brewing, Portland U-Brew, Old Town Brewing Company, Gateway Brewing, Pints Brewing Company, Ground Breaker Brewing, and F.H. Steinbart Co. She discusses her involvement with the Oregon Brew Crew, Ladies of Lager Ales, and Pink Boots Society, including her service as the first woman president of the Oregon Brew Crew in 2015. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on June 9, 2016, at The Valley Library in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Mellie Pullman discusses growing up near Chicago, Illinois, in a family with connections to Schlitz Brewing Company, developing an early interest in engineering and making things by hand, and traveling extensively with her family, including repeated visits to the Caribbean island of Nevis. She describes how these experiences influenced her approach to travel, work, and pursuing unconventional careers. Pullman traces her entry into brewing through engineering and construction work and discusses becoming the first woman employed as a brewmaster in the United States when she joined Schirf Brewing in Park City, Utah, in 1986. She describes training at Hart Brewing Company, later Pyramid Brewing, with Tom Baune and Beth Hartwell; working with brewery founder Greg Schirf and the development of Park City Brewing Company, later known as Wasatch Brew Pub. Pullman discusses recipe development, brewery operations, packaging, distribution, early craft brewing in Utah, and legislative efforts to permit brewpubs. She also reflects on working as one of the few women brewers and brewmasters in the United States during the 1980s and on her experiences in both brewing and engineering. Pullman also discusses her transition into business education and her work at Portland State University, including the development of the Business of Craft Brewing Program. She describes collaborations with industry members including John Harris and Teri Fahrendorf and discusses the growth of Oregon's brewing, cider, and craft malt industries. Additional topics include women in brewing, entrepreneurship, branding, and changes in the American craft beverage industry. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on June 17, 2016, in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Emily Engdahl reflects on growing up in a multigenerational Portland family and describes the city's transformation from a close-knit community shaped by family, gardening, outdoor recreation, food, and the arts into a rapidly changing urban center. She discusses her experiences at Grant High School, Southern Oregon University, Oregon College of Art and Craft, and Marylhurst University, as well as her work in mental health case management and social services. Engdahl recalls how interests in art, design, craft production, and homebrewing led her into Portland's craft beer community. The interview explores the development of PDX Beer Geeks, beer blogging, relationships among brewers, writers, and consumers, and the collaborative culture of Oregon brewing. Engdahl also discusses Women Enjoying Beer, the Pink Boots Society, gender equity in the brewing industry, educational opportunities for women, mentorship, community-building, and the social and cultural role of craft beer. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on June 17, 2016, in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Natalie Baldwin discusses growing up in Vail, Colorado, where skiing, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities shaped her childhood and identity. She reflects on attending a public school ski racing program, studying photography and biochemistry in Denver, and her experiences living in Colorado, Florida, and Oregon. The interview focuses on Baldwin's entry into Portland's craft brewing industry after moving to the city in 2012. She describes working at Pints Brewing Company, learning to brew, and later joining Burnside Brewing Company, where she developed recipes and experimented with ingredients, beer styles, and collaborative projects. Baldwin discusses the creative and technical aspects of brewing, mentorship within Oregon's brewing community, and the advantages of brewing in the Pacific Northwest. She also reflects on gender in the brewing industry, experiences with sexism and professional opportunity, the role of Pink Boots Society, the visibility of women brewers, and the culture of collaboration that distinguishes Portland's craft beer community.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Sonia Marie Leikam discusses growing up in the Bay Area, moving to Portland to attend Lewis & Clark College, and the development of her Jewish faith. She describes her education and work as an educator, including teaching in Portland-area schools and her interest in education as a means of addressing human rights and social justice. Leikam discusses her work with the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center and her experiences as a Carl Wilkens Fellow. She also describes starting Leikam Brewing with her husband, including the brewery’s community-supported model and kosher certification, and discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing brewery ownership, full-time employment, and family life. Additional topics include Jewish identity and community, education, human rights advocacy, entrepreneurship, and the place of a brewery within a religious and community context. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on June 17, 2016, at the McMenamins Mission Theater in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Jennifer Kent discusses her early childhood in Alaska and Colorado and growing up in Newport, Oregon, including memories of her family, her mother’s career as an artist, and her own interest in creative pursuits. She describes her work in the food service industry and her transition to brewing after working as a line cook and server at McMenamins Boons Treasury. Kent discusses learning to brew under the mentorship of McMenamins brewer Gary Nance and describes the process of developing new beers and experimenting with ingredients, flavors, and brewing techniques. She reflects on her work as a brewer at McMenamins Thompson Brewery & Public House and discusses the craft and creativity involved in brewing, influences on her recipes, and the brewing community in the Pacific Northwest. Kent also discusses her experiences as a woman working in a male-dominated brewing industry. Additional topics include McMenamins, food and brewing, creativity, and the relationship between art and brewing. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on July 7, 2016, at the McMenamins Thompson Brewery & Public House in Salem, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Blair Smith discusses growing up in Stockton, California, studying computer science, and working as a software engineer in Livermore before moving with his family to rural Southern Oregon. He describes moving to Applegate in 2003 and discovering an old apple orchard on the family’s property, learning to manage an organic orchard, and gradually transitioning from software contracting to full-time agricultural work. Smith discusses selling apples to cider-makers throughout Oregon and beginning to press and sell non-alcoholic apple cider at farmers markets and cooperatives. He describes the transition to hard cider and the development and first sales of Apple Bandit in 2013. Smith also discusses orchard management, cider-making, and the development of the Southern Oregon cider industry. More broadly, he reflects on his family’s commitment to community involvement and environmental responsibility and on the relationship between agriculture, place, and community. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on October 5, 2016, at Apple Outlaw in Applegate, Oregon. Maureen Battistella, who was documenting the Southern Oregon wine industry, was also present.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Guy Seghetti reflects on growing up in Corvallis, Oregon, during the 1950s and 1960s, describing childhood experiences, student life, local businesses, and the community's close relationship with Oregon State University. He discusses his interests in history, science, gymnastics, and anthropology, as well as attending the University of Utah during a period of significant social and cultural change. Seghetti also recalls Corvallis during the late 1960s, including the influence of national politics, student activism, and changing attitudes toward culture and recreation. Much of the interview focuses on Seghetti's work with the USDA-ARS hop research program at Oregon State University from the late 1960s through the 1970s. Beginning as a high school student washing laboratory equipment, he later worked in hop fields, laboratories, greenhouses, and breeding plots, assisting with chemical analysis, harvest operations, variety evaluation, and field maintenance. Seghetti recalls working with researchers Gail Nickerson, Al Haunold, Jack Horner, Sam Likens, Don Roberts, and Chuck Zimmerman, and provides firsthand accounts of hop breeding, disease research, field trials, and the release of Cascade and other new varieties. Additional topics include early homebrewing, hop growing in Oregon, agricultural research culture, and the relationships between researchers, growers, and brewers. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on October 6, 2016 in Roseburg, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Lisa Allen discusses growing up in Tualatin, Oregon, spending her junior year of high school in Moraga, California, studying anthropology and archaeology at Oregon State University, and traveling to New Zealand. She describes her early experiences in the restaurant, brewing, and wine industries and her decision to leave the wine industry in 2009 to join her father, Rick Allen, at Heater Allen Brewing in McMinnville. Allen discusses her experiences as a woman in the brewing industry and what it is like to brew in the middle of Oregon's wine country. Rick Allen joins the interview to discuss the origins and operations of Heater Allen Brewing, including the brewery's focus on German lagers and pilsners. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on October 20, 2016, in McMinnville, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Sarah Pederson discusses her transition from public relations and the technology industry to brewing and hospitality in Portland. She describes her work at Pix, a patisserie and bar, her brewing education through the American Brewers Guild, and her early work at Hair of the Dog Brewing Company and the New Old Lompoc Bar. Pederson also discusses opening Saravesa in 2008 and the development of its bar, bottle shop, and breweriana showroom. At the end of the interview, she reflects on her experiences as a woman working in a male-dominated industry. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on October 20, 2016, at Saravesa in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Kyle Almlie discusses his experiences teaching and studying chemistry at Oregon State University and participating in homebrew culture while living gluten-free. He describes the chemistry behind gluten-free beer and different types of mead, the chemistry of alpha acids in hops, and connections between brewing and his work as an analytical chemist. Almlie also discusses awards he received for his work as a teaching assistant and for a poster about equipment he developed for fluorescence spectroscopy in Sean Burrows' research group. The interview was conducted by Gillian Bergmann on October 27, 2016, in The Valley Library in Corvallis, Oregon. Also present was Tiah Edmunson-Morton, director of the Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Rick Allen discusses his experiences as an Oregon State University student in the early 1970s, including campus culture, student perspectives on the administration, and traditions associated with Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He also describes his family's longstanding connections to Oregon State University and reflects on changes he observed at the university across generations. Allen discusses the influences on his brewing style, his experiences operating Heater Allen in Oregon's wine country, and issues facing small breweries in 2016. He also describes his transition from investment banking to brewing and his decision to establish Heater Allen in 2007. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on November 16, 2016, in McMinnville, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Don Norton discusses establishing and operating Norton Hop Farm, including installing and managing his one-acre hop yard. He describes his work with an herbal supply company and discusses the challenges of operating a small hop farm, including finding markets for his crop and considering whether to expand. Norton also reflects on growing up in the Eugene area and his familiarity with the region's larger hop farms. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Michelle McKay on January 18, 2017, in Bend, Oregon, at the Hop Growers of America Conference.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Brian Crosby reflects on growing up on his family's multi-generational hop farm near Woodburn, Oregon, where he and his six siblings began working at an early age and participated in every aspect of hop production. He describes irrigation, harvest work, farm machinery, changing safety practices, pesticide use, and the transition from labor-intensive farming to increasingly mechanized operations. Crosby discusses the history of Crosby Hop Farm and traces his family's involvement in Oregon agriculture back to the late nineteenth century. The interview also explores Crosby's experiences beyond the farm, including service in the U.S. Navy, studying civil engineering at Oregon State University, and working in the construction industry before returning to the hop industry. Crosby recounts joining Crosby Hop Farm's marketing and sales efforts after his nephew, Blake Crosby, launched Crosby Hop Farm's direct sales, processing, and distribution business. He discusses the growth of craft brewing, the importance of grower-brewer relationships, hop quality, contracting, and the changing economics of hop production. Throughout the interview, Crosby reflects on family dynamics, succession in family farming, Oregon hop culture, and the transformation of the hop industry from commodity production to a quality-focused, customer-driven marketplace.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Cheryl Gillson discusses her work at Rogue Farms in Independence, Oregon, where she describes herself as a “beer farmer.” She discusses returning to Rogue after living abroad and transitioning from working as Jack Joyce's assistant at Rogue Ales & Spirits to working on the farm. Gillson talks extensively about the crops grown at Rogue Farms and describes how learning about farming has affected her understanding of agriculture and her own life. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Michelle McKay on January 19, 2017, in Bend, Oregon, at the Hop Growers of America Conference.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Dr. Thomas Shellhammer is the Nor’Wester Professor of Fermentation Science and a researcher specializing in hop chemistry. In this interview, he discusses growing up in San Jose, California, and his early memories of his father's work as a field biologist studying fire ecology and his mother's work as an arts educator. He describes his early interest in science, his education in food and fermentation science at UC Davis, and the internships and work experiences that shaped his path from a bachelor's degree to a Ph.D. Shellhammer also discusses his early impressions of Oregon State University's Food and Fermentation Science program, the changing demographics of the brewing and fermentation industries, and patterns of growth and contraction in those industries. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton at Wiegand Hall on the Oregon State University campus on February 14, 2017.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Lee Larsen discusses his introduction to cider culture while living in Barcelona, Spain, during high school and reflects on the influence of European food, beverage, and hospitality traditions on his later career. He describes visiting cider-producing regions in northern Spain, learning about traditional cider-making practices, and observing the role cider plays in local culture and community life. The interview focuses primarily on Larsen's work as a co-founder of 2 Towns Ciderhouse and the emergence of Oregon's modern cider industry. He discusses the company's early years, collaboration with business partners Aaron Sarnoff-Wood and Dave Takush, and the challenges and opportunities of operating a cidery at a time when few others existed in Oregon. Topics include fermentation, experimentation and product development, the influence of craft brewing on cider, the importance of apple varieties and ingredient quality, cider style definitions, and efforts to establish standards for authentic cider production. Larsen also reflects on workplace culture, collaboration, and the future of the American cider industry. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton at 2 Towns Ciderhouse on February 20, 2017.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Dave Takush discusses the development of 2 Towns Ciderhouse and the company's commitment to producing traditional cider. He describes the differences between New World and traditional heritage apples and discusses concerns about the supply of cider apples, finding and grafting new varieties, and working with local orchardists. Takush also discusses the company's relationships with the local community and the importance of agricultural history to its work. He describes the early history and culture of 2 Towns Ciderhouse and his work with Lee Larsen and Aaron Sarnoff-Wood. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton at 2 Towns Ciderhouse on February 20, 2017.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Nathan Kirk discusses growing up in New York state, his early research interests, and his experiences studying Biological Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo and Auburn University in Alabama. He describes his experiences as a home brewer, including the development of his brewing practices and the culture surrounding home brewing in Alabama. The interview was conducted by Gillian Bergmann and Tiah Edmunson-Morton on February 21, 2017, in Cordley Hall on the Oregon State University campus.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Hilda Stevens discusses the experiences that led her to establish Bazi Bierbrasserie, a Belgian-style beer taproom and soccer bar in Southeast Portland. She describes immigrating to the United States from Guatemala as a child, growing up in Texas, traveling extensively for work, and discovering Belgian beer during a trip to Europe. Stevens also discusses developing the business plan for Bazi, finding a location, and establishing the bar. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on February 22, 2017, at Bazi Bierbrasserie in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Aaron Sarnoff-Wood discusses the experiences that led him from graphic design into cider making, including his early interest in art and design, home brewing, and the decision to start 2 Towns Ciderhouse with Dave Takush and Lee Larsen. He reflects on the development and growth of the cider industry and describes how the company's operations and culture changed as 2 Towns expanded. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on February 24, 2017, at 2 Towns Ciderhouse in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Jeff Clawson discusses growing up in Davis, California, including his early memories and observations of the culture of the city and University of California campus. He describes his introduction to brewing while studying at Eastern Oregon College and the experiences that led him to pursue a career at Oregon State University. Clawson discusses the development of OSU's brewing program and research brewery, including the gift from James Bernau that supported construction of the pilot research brewery and establishment of the Nor'Wester endowed professorship. He describes the evolution of the program and considers the future of brewing education at Oregon State University. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on February 27, 2017, at The Valley Library in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Jeff, Kathy, and Gillian Tobin discuss the development of Mazama Brewing in Corvallis, Oregon, and the family's transition from home brewing to operating a brewery. Jeff describes his early interests in science, mathematics, and music and his introduction to home brewing with Kathy while they were living in Vermont. They discuss developing their brewing skills, particularly with German beer styles, and the recipes they carried from their years of home brewing into Mazama Brewing. The Tobins also discuss the decision to establish the brewery, the role of community involvement in its development, and the overlap between their relationships as family members and business partners. Kathy and Gillian join Jeff for portions of the interview to discuss their roles in the family business. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton at the Mazama Brewing taproom in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Nick Lorenz discusses growing up in Corvallis and his family's involvement in farming and value-added agriculture. He describes his interests in soccer and pottery, his studies in Ecological Agriculture at the University of Vermont, and his experiences working in an apple orchard and as a river raft guide. Lorenz also discusses his brother Philip's education in apiculture and fermentation science and his work in commercial beekeeping, and how the brothers' shared interests in agriculture and mead led to the establishment of Nectar Creek in 2012. Lorenz describes the growth of Nectar Creek and discusses the importance of personal connection to the company's community involvement and employment model. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton March 2, 2017 at the Nectar Creek Meadery in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Mark McKay discusses his family's history of farming in St. Paul, Oregon, and his experiences growing up on the family farm. He describes the crops his family grew, including hops, mint, filberts, and grass seed, and reflects on what he learned from his father and the surrounding farming community. McKay also discusses his family's decision to leave hop growing in the 1970s after a decline in prices and his return to the industry in the 1990s, when he and his brother Dean established a hop farm in Independence, Oregon. McKay describes changes in hop-growing practices and the challenges of an evolving agricultural industry, including labor practices and regulations, the effects of technology on farming, and the development of agritourism. He also discusses his thoughts about the future of farming and his hopes for his children's involvement in the industry. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton at McKay's home in St. Paul, Oregon, on March 8, 2017. McKay's daughter, Michelle, was also present.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Bill Coleman reflects on a lifetime in Oregon agriculture and hop production, tracing the history of his family's farming operations near St. Paul from the late nineteenth century through the twenty-first century. He describes growing up on a hop and dairy farm, where children were expected to contribute to daily work from a young age, and recalls hand-picked hops, wood-fired kilns, dairy chores, and family labor. Coleman discusses the expansion of the family's hop acreage and the technological transformation of hop production, including innovations in hop picking, drying, baling, cultivation, and irrigation. He details his own role in designing and adapting equipment that improved efficiency and was later adopted more broadly within the industry. The interview also documents major changes in Oregon hop farming, including the introduction of new hop varieties, the influence of public hop-breeding programs, marketing orders, contracts with brewers, labor recruitment, and the growth of craft brewing. Coleman reflects on relationships with neighboring growers, Mount Angel Abbey, and industry organizations, as well as the challenges of succession planning and multigenerational farm management. Throughout the interview, he emphasizes innovation, hard work, community relationships, and the importance of preparing younger generations to continue Oregon's hop-growing tradition. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton at Jane Wavra's home in St. Paul, Oregon, on March 8, 2017. Coleman's sister Jane and great niece Michelle McKay were also present.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Lisa Morrison is the co-owner of Belmont Station in Portland. In her interview, Morrison discusses her entry into Portland's beer community and her experiences documenting and shaping the city's expanding beer culture. She talks about home brewing with her husband and joining the Oregon Brew Crew, as well as her transition from television news reporting and anchoring to writing about beer for local and national publications and hosting Beer O'Clock, a radio program on KXL in which she interviewed people from across the brewing community. Morrison discusses her process for identifying and chronicling beer culture; experiences as a woman in journalism and the brewing industry; beer education and appreciation classes she taught, including Sud Sisters and Barleys Angels; and her experiences mentoring others and encouraging exploration of different beer styles. She also discusses her involvement in establishing and developing beer events and initiatives, including PDX Beer Week, Craft Beer Month, and Fred Fest, and reflects on her influence within the industry. The interview was conducted on March 15, 2017, by Tiah Edmunson-Morton at Belmont Station in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Gary Nance is the brewer at the McMenamins on Monroe in Corvallis, Oregon. In his interview, Nance discusses growing up in Oklahoma, moving to the West Coast after college, living in Eugene, developing an interest in brewing, and his experiences working at several breweries in different cities. He discusses his professional brewing career at Spencer's Restaurant and Brewhouse in Springfield, where he helped develop Oregon's first certified organic ale in 1998; West Bros. and Steelhead; and McMenamins breweries in Salem and Corvallis. Nance also talks about McMenamins culture and the challenges of balancing brewing experimentation with the standardization expected within a larger company. The interview was conducted on March 17, 2017, by Tiah Edmunson-Morton in the McMenamins Monroe brewery in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Brad Clack was a hop buyer for S.S. Steiner, Inc. (now Hopsteiner). In his interview, Clack discusses his family's agricultural work on the Oregon Coast and in the Willamette Valley, his experiences growing up in the Salem area, and changes in the Oregon hop industry during his career beginning in 1978. He discusses the importance of personal and professional relationships between hop buyers and growers, challenges in passing knowledge between generations, and his experiences managing the federal hop marketing orders. He also reflects on changes in hop growing and marketing over the course of his career. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on March 22, 2017, at the Hopsteiner offices in Brooks, Oregon. Michelle McKay was also present.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Sybil Perkins is the brand director and a board member of the Pink Boots Society. In her interview, Perkins discusses growing up in the Eugene/Springfield area, her interests in arts and music, and her early and evolving work as an activist. She reflects on her experiences living in Philadelphia and New York City and her return to the West Coast and the greater Seattle area. Perkins discusses her work in graphic design and marketing for the brewing industry, as well as her views on gender and inclusion within the industry. She also discusses the Pink Boots Society's mission, membership, and outreach and how the organization has expanded over the preceding years. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on March 27, 2017, at Perkins' home in Snohomish, Washington.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Robyn Schumacher is a brewer at Stoup Brewing in Seattle's Ballard district. In her interview, Schumacher discusses growing up in Spokane, her early interests in sports and science, and her experiences studying biology at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. She reflects on her career as a high school science teacher and the factors that led her to pursue work in the restaurant and brewing industries. Schumacher discusses learning to home brew, studying for the Cicerone certification exam, and becoming the first woman in Washington to receive the certification. She also discusses her experiences within the brewing community and the story of opening Stoup Brewing with Lara Zahaba and Brad Benson. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on March 27, 2017, at Stoup Brewing in Seattle, Washington.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Ralph Woodall works in sales for Yakima-Chief Hopunion, a company he has been with since the mid-1980s. In his interview, Woodall discusses his family history in the Yakima Valley and his career in the hop industry, including his present role within the larger YCH company. He also discusses his involvement with the Master Brewers Association of America and changes in the organization associated with the decline of large regional breweries and the emergence of the craft brewing industry. Woodall shows photographs he took over the years at festivals, trade shows, and other events, including photographs of Northwest brewers. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on March 28, 2017, at Yakima-Chief Hopunion in Yakima, Washington.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Tom Carpenter Jr. discusses his family's deep involvement in hop growing in the Yakima Valley, tracing its history to his great-grandfather Charles Carpenter, who established one of the region's earliest hop farms in 1868 using hop roots brought from New York. Carpenter recounts stories of early hop cultivation, irrigation development, and transportation challenges, as well as his own upbringing on a diversified farm raising hops, cattle, grain, and potatoes. He reflects on farm life during the 1940s and 1950s, emphasizing family labor, responsibility, and the values that shaped later generations of the Carpenter family. A major focus of the interview is the evolution of the hop industry and Carpenter's efforts to reshape hop marketing. He describes the limitations of traditional dealer-driven sales systems, the decline of federal marketing orders, and the development of direct relationships between hop growers and brewers. Carpenter discusses the formation and growth of Yakima Chief Hopunion and its role in improving grower participation in hop marketing and global distribution. Additional topics include relationships with the Yakama Nation and migrant labor communities, technological and regulatory changes in hop production, the growth of craft brewing, family succession, and the importance of maintaining strong community and family connections within the hop industry. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on March 28, 2017 at Carpenter Ranch in Granger, Washington.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

John Coleman discusses growing up in a multigenerational farming family near St. Paul and Mt. Angel, Oregon, where daily life centered on dairying, hop production, and agricultural labor. As the eldest of four children, he assumed increasing responsibilities on the family farm, eventually managing crews, supervising seasonal labor, and helping oversee hop production. Coleman reflects on his education at Oregon State University, his return to farming, and the influence of his grandfather and father on his approach to management, decision making, and stewardship of the family business. A significant portion of the interview examines the evolution of Oregon's hop industry from the 1980s to the craft brewing era. Coleman discusses the transition from marketing-order systems and large contracts with Anheuser-Busch to a more diversified marketplace serving craft breweries, merchants, and hop dealers. He describes changes in hop varieties, labor practices, mechanization, food safety expectations, and the development of the H-2A guest worker program. Additional topics include farm expansion, tourism and brewery partnerships, preservation of historic hop structures, and the creation of Coleman Agriculture as a strategy for maintaining family ownership, supporting future generations, and sustaining large-scale hop farming in Oregon. The interview was conducted by Michelle McKay in St. Paul, Oregon on April 19, 2017. Also present was Tiah Edmunson-Morton.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Dave Wills is the owner of Freshops, Oregon Trail Brewery, and Dave's Christmas Trees. In his interview, Wills discusses the early home brewing community in Corvallis and his efforts to develop resources for home brewers, including establishing Freshops as a supplier of hops. He describes the development and evolution of Oregon Trail Brewing, which opened in downtown Corvallis in October 1987, and discusses changes he has witnessed in the local and state brewing industry, the hops supply business, and beer consumers. Wills also talks about his early interest in home brewing, which was sparked by a trip through Europe. The interview was conducted by Michelle McKay and Tiah Edmunson-Morton on April 24, 2017, at Oregon Trail Brewery in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Denny Conn discusses growing up in Newton, Iowa, and his early interests in science, electronics, computers, music, and cooking, as well as his interest in experimentation and problem solving. After moving to Oregon in the 1970s, he worked in audio engineering, live sound production, recording, and multimedia production and remained active in the Pacific Northwest music scene. A major focus of the interview is Conn's introduction to homebrewing in 1998 and his subsequent work in homebrewing. He discusses the development and promotion of batch sparging as a brewing method, his advocacy for practical and evidence-based brewing techniques, and efforts to make homebrewing more accessible. Conn also recounts the development of his rye IPA recipe, which inspired Rogue Ales' Two Tier Beer, and the preservation of the yeast strain later released as Wyeast 1450 "Denny's Favorite 50." Additional topics include the growth of online brewing communities, his service on the American Homebrewers Association Governing Committee, homebrew clubs, brewing education, authorship and podcasting, relationships between homebrewers and professional brewers, and changes in craft beer and homebrewing culture in Oregon and beyond. This interview was conducted on May 1, 2017 at the Valley Library in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

William “Bill” Dettwyler discusses his childhood in the Silverton area and his family’s involvement in farming and hop production. Raised on a farm that included dairying, truck crops, and hops, Dettwyler left school after eighth grade and worked in hop yards and hop houses. He describes mid-twentieth-century hop cultivation, including training and pruning vines, maintaining trellis systems, hand harvesting, weighing and transporting hops, kiln drying, and bale preparation. A major focus of the interview is the Stadley Hop House, where Dettwyler’s father worked as a hop dryer and introduced technological changes including temperature-recording devices, draft controls, ventilation fans, and fire-suppression measures. Dettwyler also discusses labor recruitment, seasonal hop-picking crews, hop varieties grown in the Silverton area, marketing and price fluctuations, and the transition from hand-picked, low-trellis yards to machine harvesting in the early 1950s. Additional topics include family labor, the social aspects of hop harvest, and the decline of hop production in the Silverton region. This interview was conducted by Michelle McKay and Tiah Edmunson-Morton on May 17, 2017 in the Valley Library in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Jessica Just discusses her path into brewing, fermentation science, and food science education. Raised in Portland, Oregon, in a Seventh-day Adventist family, she left traditional high school and enrolled at Clackamas Community College, where an interest in homebrewing led her to study biology and chemistry. She recalls receiving a homebrew kit from her father as a teenager and developing an interest in fermentation, yeast, brewing literature, and Oregon’s emerging craft beer culture. A major focus of the interview is Just’s experience at Oregon State University as its brewing and fermentation program was being established. She describes discovering the brewery in Wiegand Hall, changing her major from biochemistry to food science, and graduating among the first students in the fermentation option. Just discusses her graduate research on the antimicrobial effects of wine, work in the wine, brewing, and beverage industries, and subsequent careers in technical sales and fermentation-related fields. She also discusses living in California, Georgia, and London, including her involvement with the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), and compares British and American beer cultures. Additional topics include fermentation science education, mentorship, and professional and brewing communities. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on May 25, 2017 at the Valley Library in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Joel Rea is the owner of Corvallis Brewing Supply. In his interview, Rea discusses his early life in Kirkland, Washington; his family's move to Albany, Oregon, when he was in elementary school; his college studies in environmental studies and fine arts; and his decision to open a homebrew shop. He also discusses his experiments with fermentation, brewers he has worked with and mentored, the challenges of operating a brewing supply shop in the Internet age, and changes in consumer interests since the shop opened in 1997. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on June 8, 2017, at Corvallis Brewing Supply in downtown Corvallis.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Gary Fish, founder and president of Deschutes Brewery, discusses his path from California and Utah’s restaurant industry to opening a brewpub in Bend, Oregon, in 1988. Fish discusses his family’s agricultural background, including connections to Oregon State University and California viticulture, and how the growth of the California wine industry influenced his decision to pursue craft brewing. He recounts the founding of Deschutes Brewery, early financial and production challenges, and the development of beers including Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale. He also discusses the relationships among brewers and others in Oregon’s emerging craft brewing industry. The interview explores changes in Bend as the timber industry declined and outdoor recreation and tourism expanded. Fish discusses the brewery’s approach to quality, community involvement, philanthropy, and employee development, as well as leadership and organizational growth. Additional topics include relationships with hop growers and Oregon State University researchers, and his work with the Oregon Brewers Guild and Brewers Association. Fish also discusses changes in the craft brewing industry in Oregon and the United States and the challenges associated with the growth of Deschutes Brewery. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on June 12, 2017 in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Veronica Vega discusses her childhood on her family’s avocado ranch in Ventura County, California, and her career in brewing at Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon. Raised in a large Mexican American family, Vega discusses agriculture, family traditions, outdoor life, and her mother’s cooking. She describes her education at Humboldt State University, where coursework in biology and botany led to field research positions studying red tree voles and northern spotted owls in California, Washington, and Oregon. After settling in Bend in the mid-2000s, Vega joined Deschutes Brewery as a tour guide with the goal of eventually working in the laboratory. Her experiences with the brewing process and with women working in the beer industry led her to pursue production work. She describes her transition into the cellar, training in the brewhouse, and promotion to assistant brewmaster and pub head brewer. Vega discusses recipe development, mentorship, leadership, balancing career advancement with motherhood, and changes in the role of women in brewing. Additional topics include continuous learning, teamwork, creativity, and her experiences working at Deschutes Brewery. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on June 12, 2017 in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Karl Ockert (b. 1959) discusses his family’s Czech heritage, his mother’s homebrewing and winemaking, and his early interest in science. He describes studying natural resources at Humboldt State University and fermentation science at the University of California, Davis, and discusses his introduction to the brewing industry through Dick and Nancy Ponzi and the development of BridgePort Brewing Company. A major focus of the interview is the development of Oregon’s early craft brewing industry. Ockert discusses the challenges of introducing flavorful ales to American consumers, changes to Oregon law that enabled brewpubs, and the work of early brewing companies and brewers including BridgePort, the Widmer brothers, McMenamins, and Portland Brewing. He also discusses the development of BridgePort IPA and changes in beer styles and consumer tastes. Additional topics include brewing education and mentorship, industry organizations, consulting, relationships between brewers and hop growers, and the growth and consolidation of the brewing industry. Ockert discusses his experiences working with and teaching brewers and his involvement with the Oregon Brewers Guild and Master Brewers Association of the Americas. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on June 13, 2017 in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Dr. Kendall Staggs discusses his childhood and high school years in Chicago, his experiences as a track and field athlete, and his academic work in twentieth-century American history. He describes his research on U.S. oil policy during the Herbert Hoover administration and twentieth-century oil import policies, as well as his early teaching career at a small college in Oklahoma. A major focus of the interview is Staggs’s interest in beer and his experiences as a homebrewer, beer educator, and historian. He discusses the beer culture he encountered in Oregon in the 1990s, teaching beer and brewing history as part of Oregon State University’s emerging Fermentation Sciences program, and the development of his interest in American brewing history and consumer culture. He also discusses beer scenes in other places where he worked, beer tourism in Europe, and his return to Corvallis. Additional topics include post-Prohibition consumer culture and the relationship between beer, history, and regional culture. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on July 19, 2017, in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Alfred Haunold reflects on his childhood in Retz, Austria, a historic wine-growing town near the Czech border, and the experiences that shaped his career as a plant scientist. He discusses growing up during the Great Depression, Nazi annexation, World War II, and the Soviet occupation of Austria, describing his family's agricultural background, university education in Vienna, and early work in wheat breeding and genetics. Haunold recounts coming to the United States on a Fulbright scholarship, earning additional training in plant breeding at the University of Nebraska, meeting his future wife, and ultimately deciding to build his career in America. A significant portion of the interview focuses on Haunold's work at Oregon State University beginning in 1965. He describes the origins of the university's hop breeding program, efforts to develop disease-resistant varieties, and the development and release of influential cultivars including Willamette and Nugget. Haunold reflects on relationships between researchers, hop growers, brewers, and processors, as well as changing priorities within the hop industry. He also discusses the rise of high-alpha hops, the adoption of Cascade, international hop production, beer styles, and the broader impact of hop research on brewing. Throughout the interview, Haunold offers insights into scientific innovation, agricultural change, and the global legacy of Oregon hop breeding. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on August 1, 2017 in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Pat Gerhart discusses her experiences working in construction, skiing, human resources, and the brewing industry. She reflects on working as a woman in Oregon’s construction industry in the early 1980s and on her transition into human resources. Gerhart describes her work at Deschutes Brewery, including her participation on the Executive Leadership Team and her experiences as the company grew. She discusses changes in the company’s workforce, organizational culture, and human resources practices during her tenure. Gerhart also discusses professional associations and networks in human resources, including mentoring and the development of the Craft Brewery Human Resources Group. She reflects on her career in human resources, her work with employees and managers, and her plans to retire from Deschutes Brewery at the end of 2017. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on September 13, 2017 in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Sue Page discusses her career in forestry and accounting and her more than twenty-five years at Deschutes Brewery. She describes moving to Bend and joining Deschutes as a part-time bookkeeper seven months after the brewpub opened in 1988. Page recalls the brewery’s early operations, including its accounting and administrative work, and discusses changes she observed as the company expanded. Page also reflects on the transition from her earlier career in forestry to accounting and on her experiences working in a range of managerial positions at Deschutes. She discusses the company’s growth, changes in its operations and management, and her role in the organization through her retirement in 2015. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on September 14, 2017 in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Melissa Talbott discusses her long career at Deschutes Brewery and her experiences working at the brewery’s downtown Bend public house. She describes the restaurant’s early years and her transition from serving and bartending into management. Talbott reflects on changes in the company and its customer base over the course of her career, including how Deschutes has responded to changing customer interests while maintaining its original goals and identity. She also discusses her experiences working in the Bend community and participating in company-sponsored community fundraising efforts. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on September 14, 2017 in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Tonya Cornett discusses her career in brewing, including her experiences as a brewer at Bend Brewing Company and in research and development at 10 Barrel Brewing. She describes her early experiences in the brewing industry and the transition from homebrewing to professional brewing. Cornett discusses becoming brewmaster at Bend Brewing Company in 2002 and the challenges of working as the sole brewer at a small brewery. She describes developing recipes, finding sources of inspiration, and receiving attention as a woman working in a male-dominated industry, as well as her experiences with brewing competitions and awards. Cornett also discusses joining 10 Barrel Brewing in 2012 and focusing on recipe development and specialty brewing projects. She reflects on the differences between working at a small brewery and in a position devoted to research and development, as well as the personal and professional effects of 10 Barrel’s 2014 sale to Anheuser-Busch InBev. Additional topics include professional goals, brewing education, and the development of her approach to brewing. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on September 14, 2017 in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Michael LaLonde discusses his career in finance and management and his transition into leadership at Deschutes Brewery. He reflects on his childhood and his mother’s work as a nurse and social justice activist, as well as his experiences working with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and overseeing its business enterprises. He discusses challenges related to tribal governance and working with tribal elders, and how these experiences shaped his approach to management. LaLonde also discusses his work at Deschutes Brewery, including his early experiences with the company and the increasing management responsibilities he assumed as the brewery expanded. He reflects on organizational development, management, and the challenges of operating in a competitive beer market. The interview also includes his thoughts about the company’s future and its continued growth. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on September 15, 2017 in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Henry Geschwill discusses his family’s history in Oregon agriculture and his career as a hop grower. He describes his father’s immigration from Germany to Oregon in 1924, his settlement in the Mt. Angel and Woodburn areas, and the establishment of the family farm. Geschwill recalls growing up on a diversified farm that included dairy cattle, hogs, chickens, grain, and hops, and describes the farm responsibilities he assumed from a young age. A major focus of the interview is the mechanization of hop production. Geschwill discusses the transition from hand-picking to machine harvesting, including the adoption of Dauenhauer picking machines, changes in hop kiln and drying technologies, and the development of farm safety practices. He describes his interest in machinery and improvements he made to hop harvesting equipment and other farm implements. Additional topics include hop varieties, disease management, seasonal labor, marketing orders, grower-dealer relationships, and changes in the economics of hop farming. Geschwill also discusses family farming, his service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War era, and the continuation of hop production across generations of the Geschwill family. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on December 15, 2017 in Salem, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Sam Smith is a fifth-generation hop grower in St. Paul, Oregon. In his interview, Smith discusses growing up on the family farm, changes in hop production, and the operation of the family farm over the course of his career. He discusses changes in farm labor and harvesting equipment, the hop marketing order, relationships among growers, and other changes in Oregon’s hop industry. His wife, Claudia Smith, and son, Monty Smith, also participate in the interview and share their experiences and perspectives on hop growing and the agricultural community. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on December 18, 2017 in St. Paul, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Art Larrance discusses his upbringing in the Reedville-Hillsboro area of Washington County, Oregon, including his family history, education at Linfield College, service in the National Guard during the Vietnam War era, and experiences in the region’s agricultural communities. He recalls the farming landscape and historic hop-growing culture of Washington County, as well as the influences of family, scouting, athletics, and entrepreneurship. A major focus of the interview is Larrance’s involvement in Oregon’s craft brewing industry. He discusses the founding of Portland Brewing with Fred Bowman and Jim Goodwin, the influence of brewer Bert Grant, and relationships among early Oregon brewers including Kurt and Rob Widmer, Dick and Nancy Ponzi, the McMenamin brothers, and BridgePort Brewing. He provides a detailed account of efforts to pass Oregon’s Brewpub Bill (1985 SB 813), including the campaign to allow breweries to produce and sell beer on the same premises. He also discusses the founding and development of the Oregon Brewers Festival, consumer education, Oregon’s hop industry, and the expansion of craft brewing. The interview concludes with Larrance’s founding of Cascade Brewing with brewmaster Ron Gansberg and their work with barrel-aged sour beers. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on March 26, 2018 in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Lucy Burningham discusses her development as a food, beverage, and travel writer and her growing interest in beer and brewing culture. She reflects on how travel influenced her personal and professional life and describes her early writing experiences before moving into beer writing, including her first articles for Beer Northwest/Beer West and later projects such as Hop in the Saddle and zine The Feminist Guide to Beer Drinking. Burningham discusses her 2016 book My Beer Year, which chronicles her efforts to earn a Cicerone certification, and reflects on how studying for the certification changed her understanding of and relationship to beer. She also discusses the evolution of Portland’s brewing industry since her arrival in 2005, her experiences as a beer writer and drinker, and the ways gender has influenced her experiences in the brewing and beer-writing communities. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on April 16, 2018 at Burningham's home in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Michelle Palacios discusses her career in Oregon’s hop industry and her work with growers, the Oregon Hop Commission, the Hop Research Council, and Crosby Hop Farm. She describes becoming acquainted with hop growers and the crop when she began working for the Hop Commission and reflects on her experiences working with farmers and representing their interests. Palacios discusses leaving the Hop Commission and Hop Research Council in 2008/2010 and returning to the industry two years later as marketing manager at Crosby Hop Farm. She describes changes she observed in the hop industry during her time away and the experiences that led her to return to the Hop Commission in 2016. Palacios also discusses issues of concern to Oregon hop growers, including changes within the industry and opportunities for future growth. She reflects on the next generation of growers and the developing collaborative relationship between hop growers and brewers. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on April 23, 2018 in Hubbard, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Aaron Brussat discusses his childhood in Maryland, his family’s book and record business, and his college studies in sound and filmmaking. He describes a cross-country trip with his then-girlfriend, now wife, that led them to the Pacific Northwest. Brussat reflects on his interests in gardening, farming, environmental issues, and outdoor activities, and on his discovery of craft brewing and the use of local ingredients. Brussat discusses his experiences in the Eugene-area brewing community and his transition to writing about beer full-time in 2018. He considers the relationship between beer, agriculture, and place, and discusses how beer can reflect the character of particular regions. He also reflects on changes in beer writing and publishing, including the effects of social media and the growth of online news and other digital content. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton May 16, 2018 at Brussat’s home in Eugene, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Gail Oberst discusses her development as a journalist and her interest in community, science, agriculture, and the complexities of Oregon. She reflects on her experiences reporting in different parts of the state and on the ways her background and family history have influenced her work. Oberst also discusses growing up in a religious household, her experiences moving frequently during her childhood, and the development of political views that differed from those of her family. A major focus of the interview is Oberst’s involvement with Oregon’s brewing community. She discusses her interest in homebrewing and the founding of the Oregon Beer Growler with her husband and son, including the process of developing the publication’s business plan and mission. Oberst describes learning about the brewing industry, documenting it as a woman working in a predominantly male industry, and efforts to include a diversity of voices in the publication. She also reflects on changes she observed in Oregon’s beer community and brewing industry through her work as a reporter and publisher. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton May 17, 2018 at Oberst’s home in Independence, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Kristen Arzner discusses her childhood and family in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and her interests as a young person. She reflects on her college experiences, including her time at Indiana University and her decision to change her major from business to public policy. Arzner describes meeting her husband, Nick, their move to Oregon, and her studies in natural resource law and policy at Oregon State University. A major focus of the interview is the establishment and growth of Block 15 Brewing Company in Corvallis. Arzner discusses the process of starting the business with Nick, the development of their roles as business owners, and changes at Block 15 as the company grew. She also reflects on balancing the demands of running a brewery with family life. The interview was conducting by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on May 25, 2018 at the Block 15 Brewery & Tap Room in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Kevin Harlander, marketing director for Terminal Gravity Brewing, reflects on his upbringing in St. Paul, Minnesota, his move to Wallowa County in 2010 to work as a wildland firefighter, and his decision to make northeastern Oregon his permanent home. He discusses the culture, economy, and geography of Wallowa County, describing the area's ranching, logging, recreation, and tourism industries, as well as the role that community identity plays in shaping life in rural Oregon. A major focus of the interview is the history and evolution of Terminal Gravity Brewing. Harlander recounts the brewery's founding in 1997 by Steve Carper and Dean Duquette, its early success with Terminal Gravity IPA, and its growth from a small brewpub into a regional craft brewery. He describes the transition of ownership and leadership in 2013–2014, the challenges posed by Oregon's rapidly expanding craft beer market, and the efforts undertaken to reposition the company through branding, storytelling, new beer styles, and stronger engagement with distributors and consumers. Harlander also discusses the brewery's relationship to place, including its use of regional ingredients and connections to hop and grain growers in the Pacific Northwest. The interview concludes with reflections on the opening of the East Fork Brewery in Joseph, changing consumer preferences, rural brewery economics, and the role of breweries as community gathering places and cultural institutions. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on June 19, 2018 at the Terminal Gravity Brewing Company in Enterprise, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Shannon Adair and John Spencer discuss their backgrounds and their roles in founding and operating 1188 Brewing Company in John Day, Oregon. Adair reflects on growing up in Grant County, studying business administration at Oregon State University, and returning to John Day to raise a family and build a business. Spencer describes his upbringing in Oregon after his family relocated from West Virginia and his path to becoming 1188 Brewing's full-time brewer in 2017. Together, they discuss the appeal of rural Oregon, the close-knit nature of John Day's community, and the opportunities and challenges of operating a business in eastern Oregon. The interview focuses on the origins and development of 1188 Brewing Company, which was founded in 2013 by Adair, her husband Jeremy, her sister, and brother-in-law. Adair explains the brewery's name, its roots in family partnerships and homebrewing, and the decision to establish a brewery in John Day rather than a larger market such as Bend. Adair and Spencer discuss renovating the brewery's Main Street location, developing beer recipes, sourcing ingredients from regional suppliers including Gold Rush Malt, experimenting with locally grown hops, and responding to changing consumer tastes. They also reflect on the role of breweries in rural economic development, tourism, job creation, community gathering, and the future growth of both 1188 Brewing and the John Day region. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton in John Day, Oregon June 20, 2018.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site. Note: the background noise from the brewing equipment interferes with the quality of the interview. An audio only file with better sound quality is available online.

Paul Arney, owner and founding brewer of Ale Apothecary in Bend, Oregon, discusses his path into brewing and the development of his brewery. He talks about growing up in Everett, Washington, in a family with a lineage of independent pharmacists; his early interest in science; and his studies in geology and homebrewing at Western Washington University. Arney describes how meeting a Seattle-based brewer while working at a coffeeshop led him to the Master Brewers Program at the University of California, Davis, and discusses his move to Bend in 1996 to work at Deschutes Brewery. He reflects on his work at Deschutes from 1996 to 2002, his 18 months traveling in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and his return to the brewery in 2004. In particular, he discusses changes at Deschutes during his absence as the company expanded its production capacity. Arney also discusses leaving Deschutes in 2010 to establish Ale Apothecary and describes his efforts to create a brewery that reflected his values and interest in creative, historic, and traditional brewing practices. He discusses the importance of location, local ingredients, and agricultural relationships, as well as how his experiences at Deschutes informed his approach to brewing. He describes Ale Apothecary's use of wild fermentation and Scandinavian brewing traditions and reflects on developing a brewery centered on experimentation and long-standing fermentation practices. The interview concludes with Arney discussing a collaboration brew with Deschutes for the brewery's 2018 30th anniversary. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on June 26, 2018 at the Ale Apothecary taproom in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Veronica Vega, Research and Development Brewmaster at Deschutes Brewery, discusses changes to her position and the company since her June 2017 interview. She describes joining Deschutes’ senior management team and discusses her interest in mentoring women in STEM fields and the importance of engaging with a diverse community of brewers and consumers. Vega also reflects on the Bend area and describes how ingredients inspire her recipe development. She discusses new opportunities for deeper, forward-thinking, and impactful industry research at Deschutes’ newly established pilot plant. Finally, Vega reflects on five collaborative brews created with former Deschutes brewers as part of the brewery’s 30th anniversary celebrations and discusses what the projects meant to her, the company, and the participating brewers. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on June 27, 2018 at the Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Peter Skrbek discusses his path from a childhood in Colorado and Arizona to a leadership role at Deschutes Brewery. He reflects on his early interest in science, education in an International Baccalaureate program, and studies in political science and history at Colorado College, where exposure to craft beer culture first sparked his interest in brewing and homebrewing. Skrbek describes study and research experiences in Chile, Cuba, and Slovakia, as well as graduate studies in economics and finance at the University of Chicago during the 2008 financial crisis. He explains how economic conditions led him to Deschutes Brewery in 2010 and details learning the brewing industry from both financial and production perspectives. Topics include Deschutes Brewery's growth during the craft beer boom, the company's employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), the development of plans for a second brewery in Roanoke, Virginia, industry collaboration through the Brewers Association, and the role of pubs as community gathering spaces. He also discusses brewery culture, research partnerships, innovation, and challenges facing the craft beer industry. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on June 27, 2018 at the Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon.

This interview is not available online. Reference access is available upon patron request.

Alicia Hicks, Quality Assurance Assistant Manager at Deschutes Brewery, discusses her early interest in science and mathematics, her education and laboratory work, and her career in brewing. She reflects on her early experiences at Deschutes Brewery, where she has worked for 20 years, and describes how her work and the company have changed during that time. In particular, Hicks discusses the brewery’s expansion and its impact on quality assurance, including changes to facilities, equipment, and the packaging line. She also reflects on her relationships with coworkers, favorite memories from her career at Deschutes, and her favorite Deschutes beer. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on June 28, 2018 at the Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Tim Gossack, Production Manager at Bell’s Brewery in Michigan, discusses his path into brewing and his 28 years in the brewing industry. He reflects on growing up in Salem, Oregon, on his family’s cherry orchard, and on his interests in mathematics, science, swimming, running, and outdoor activities. Gossack describes his experience at Lewis & Clark College, including the campus environment, Portland’s beer culture in the mid-1980s, and his growing interest in homebrewing. Gossack discusses his six years at Deschutes Brewery from 1990 to 1996, sharing memories of working with John Harris and Mark Vickery and of the pub and Bond Street brewery. He describes moving to Arizona, founding Rio Salado Brewing Company, and the challenges of operating a small brewery, including differences in the local brewing environment and difficulties with distribution. He also reflects on his work at MillerCoors from 2006 to 2014 and the opportunities it provided to study brewing operations on a larger scale, particularly through process tracking and analysis. Gossack discusses earning an MS in Brewing from the University of Nottingham and describes learning about different brewing styles and workflows from his international classmates. He also talks about his move to Bell’s Brewery, his work there, and adapting to life in Michigan. The interview concludes with Gossack reflecting on his career in brewing, what has kept him in craft brewing, his anniversary collaboration beer with Deschutes, and the significance of Deschutes’ longevity. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on June 28, 2018 at the Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Amanda Benson, Sensory Panel Coordinator at Deschutes Brewery, discusses her path into brewing and her career in sensory analysis and quality assurance. She reflects on growing up in rural eastern Oregon near Mitchell, her interest in sports, and her school experiences. As a member of the second graduating class of Oregon State University’s Fermentation Science program, Benson discusses her classes, classmates, the development of the program, and her memories of the OSU campus and Corvallis. She describes an internship at Cascade Lakes Brewing Company in Redmond and reflects on how hands-on experience differed from her classroom training. Benson discusses beginning her career at Deschutes Brewery as a brewer in 2001 and moving into sensory analysis in 2006. She describes how her increased focus on sensory evaluation has influenced her experience as a beer consumer and reflects on her experiences in the brewing community and participation in professional organizations. She also discusses significant milestones at Deschutes and changes she has observed in the company and brewing industry during her career. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on June 29, 2018 at the Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Kari Doyle, Brewing Logistics Specialist at Deschutes Brewery, reflects on a childhood spent moving between countries and cultures because of her father’s government career. She discusses adapting to new places and people, her education in different countries, and family relationships and traditions. Doyle also discusses her military service in the United States Marine Corps, including her experiences in Japan and Iraq and her transition to civilian life. Doyle describes her career at Deschutes Brewery, including her early work on the packaging line, her time as brewmaster’s assistant to Larry Sidor, Brian Faivre, and Cam O’Connor, and her current work in brewing logistics. She reflects on living in Bend, the importance of Deschutes’ company culture, and what has kept her in the brewing industry. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on June 29, 2018 at the Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Alex Ganum, owner and brewer at Upright Brewing in Portland, Oregon, discusses the experiences and influences that shaped his approach to brewing. He reflects on growing up in the Detroit area as the son of Argentine immigrants, visiting family in Argentina, and developing an interest in food and cooking. Ganum describes moving to Portland, attending culinary school, and developing his interest in brewing through homebrewing and work in Portland’s craft beer community. He also discusses his brewing internship at Brewery Ommegang in upstate New York and his subsequent work at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery. Ganum discusses founding Upright Brewing in 2009 and describes his vision for the brewery, including his choice of space in the Leftbank Building, the logistics of using open-top fermenters, and the importance of local ingredients. He reflects on how farmhouse brewing traditions, food, experimentation, and creativity have influenced his brewing practices and discusses the ways marketing and consumer tastes shape his work. The interview concludes with Ganum’s thoughts on brewery growth and his experiences as a co-owner of the Grain & Gristle restaurant and Old Salt Marketplace. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on July 2, 2018 at Upright Brewing in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Frank Appleton, a microbiologist, brewery consultant, and author, discusses his early life and career in England and Canada and his experiences working in the brewing industry. He reflects on growing up in post-World War II Manchester, his education in microbiology and food science, and his work in a microbiology laboratory at a Brown and Polson factory. Appleton describes moving to Canada and discusses the social and political differences he observed between Canada and England. He recalls his work at O’Keefe Brewery, his move to the Kootenays after the plant closed, and his subsequent work as a journalist and author. Appleton discusses his international work as a brewery consultant and facility designer and reflects on differences in brewing regulations between the United States and Canada. He describes consulting with Deschutes Brewery on the installation of its first brewing system, early recipe development, and his work with brewery staff. He also discusses returning to Deschutes in 1994 to design a larger brewing facility. The interview concludes with Appleton’s reflections on the evolution of beer styles and the development of the craft brewing industry. This telephone interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on July 19, 2018 at The Valley Library in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Ginger Johnson, founder of Women Enjoying Beer, discusses her childhood in Minnesota, her family’s activities, and the ways her family supported her interests in art. She reflects on her experiences at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and how her education influenced her perspective as an adult. Johnson describes the variety of jobs she held and places she lived before moving to Ashland, Oregon, to work at Standing Stone Brewery. Johnson discusses founding Women Enjoying Beer and her work as an educator and consultant focused on women and beer. She reflects on writing How to Market Beer to Women and on how her understanding of gender and marketing changed over the decade she spent studying and working in the field. She also discusses her evolving perspective on women as beer consumers and participants in beer culture. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on July 24, 2018 at Johnson's home in Talent, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Karen Amarotico, one of the founders of Standing Stone Brewing Company, reflects on her upbringing in Staten Island, New York, her family, and her early interest in baking. She discusses her education at Brooklyn College and the Culinary Institute of America and describes early work in the restaurant and food industries. Amarotico reflects on moving to Dallas, Texas, and San Francisco, California, with her then-husband, Emile, and later relocating to Oregon. She discusses her experiences at Standing Stone, including her work in the brewery and kitchen, and reflects on the community surrounding the business. Amarotico also describes the origins of her 2011–2012 “Pie a Day Give Away” project, in which she baked and gave away a pie each day for a year, and reflects on the project's lasting personal and community impact. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on July 24, 2018 at the Plaza Inn & Suites in Ashland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Steve and Rebecca Pierce, owners of Alpha Beta Hops, an organic hop farm near Ashland, Oregon, discuss establishing the farm and developing a small-scale hop-growing operation in Southern Oregon. They reflect on moving to Ashland in the 1990s and describe their experiences growing hops and later experimenting with hemp cultivation. The Pierces discuss the challenges faced by small hop growers, including markets, production, and competition from larger operations, and consider the changing agricultural landscape of Southern Oregon. They also discuss the region’s cannabis industry, the effects of state regulations on cannabis growers, and the growth of industrial hemp production. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on July 26, 2018 at the Pierce residence in Ashland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Carrie Archer, Event Coordinator at 2 Towns Ciderhouse, reflects on growing up in Fort Scott, Kansas, and discusses her experiences at Cottey College and Pittsburg State University. She describes her work in events, college admissions, and alumni relations after graduation and her move to Oregon, where she worked at Oregon State University in the INTO program and Registrar’s Office. Archer reflects on her experience as a queer woman in rural Kansas and discusses finding Oregon to be a more welcoming environment. She also talks about her interest in homebrewing and cider making, her leadership as president of the Heart of the Valley Homebrewers club, and her transition to 2 Towns Ciderhouse. Archer discusses community and inclusion in the craft beverage industry, including efforts to make homebrewing and craft beer more welcoming and accessible to women. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on July 27, 2018 at 2 Towns Ciderhouse in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Erik Frank, Marketing Manager for Deschutes Brewery, reflects on growing up in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, area, his experiences in Boy Scouts and leadership, and his academic path from struggling in college to finding a connection with anthropology. While attending college, Frank worked as a server at Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh, where he realized that beer could become a career. He discusses his decision to move to Bend, Oregon, sight unseen, in the early 2000s and describes beginning work at Deschutes Brewery in 2002. Frank reflects on his early positions at the Deschutes pub, including work as a host, server, and tour guide, and discusses how his interests and abilities shaped his progression into marketing, beer education, and consumer outreach. He also reflects on working with founder Gary Fish, Deschutes' growth and 30th anniversary, and the aspects of his work and the brewery of which he is most proud. This interview was conducted by Anna Dvorak on September 7, 2018 at the Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Jon Bier, Lead Bartender at Deschutes Brewery, reflects on growing up in Corvallis, Oregon, attending the University of Oregon, and working in the service industry before moving to Bend in 1995. He discusses his experiences traveling and his interests in fly fishing and other outdoor activities. Bier describes beginning work at Deschutes Brewery in 1996 and reflects on the brewery's growth and evolution over his tenure. He discusses changes in Bend and in the craft beer industry and considers how customers, customer expectations, and the culture surrounding craft beer have changed since the 1990s. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on September 10, 2018 at the Deschutes Brewery Pub in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Robin Johnson, Assistant Brewmaster at the Deschutes Brewery Public House, reflects on his childhood in Southern California and move to Eugene, Oregon, in middle school. He discusses family memories of the Northwest, including his father’s work as director of the Eugene Symphony, and his experiences at the University of Oregon. Johnson describes moving to Boston with his girlfriend, now wife, and their return to Portland, where he worked in financial services before pursuing a career in brewing. He discusses his transition to Deschutes Brewery, his training through the American Brewers Guild, and his progression into brewing and assistant brewmaster roles. Johnson also reflects on his brewing philosophy and discusses drawing inspiration from food ingredients in developing beers. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on September 10, 2018 at the Deschutes Brewery Pub in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Tony Lawrence, co-founder and Brewmaster of Boneyard Brewery, reflects on growing up in Southern California, beach and hot rod culture, and his interest in snowboarding. He discusses moving to Tahoe and Bend to pursue snowboarding, working on the Mt. Bachelor ski lifts in the late 1980s, and beginning at Deschutes Brewery in the kitchen. Lawrence describes how John Harris encouraged him to pursue brewing and discusses taking advantage of Deschutes' educational program to attend brewing classes at the Siebel Institute of Technology, as well as studying welding at a community college. He reflects on leaving Deschutes in 2002 to work with former Deschutes brewer Tim Gossack at Rio Salado Brewing Company in Phoenix, Arizona, and later working at Firestone Walker before beginning brewery consulting. Lawrence discusses how his experiences with breweries and brewing equipment led him to design and build his own brewery, initially constructing Boneyard in a garage from equipment he had collected through his consulting work. He describes working with co-founders Clay and Melodee Storey and reflects on Boneyard's early years, beers, growth, and development. He concludes by discussing future projects and opportunities for the brewing industry. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on September 11, 2018 at the Boneyard Brewery production facility in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Jon Abernathy, an author and beer blogger, reflects on growing up in the Alfalfa community east of Bend, attending school in Redmond, and continuing his education at Central Oregon Community College and Eastern Washington University, where he earned a B.A. in French. He shares family stories and describes how work at a call center led to a career in data management, computer systems, and web development. Abernathy discusses early computer programming and website development, his interest in homebrewing, and founding his beer blog in 2004. He reflects on the development of Bend's beer scene, his 2014 book about the area's brewing industry, and changes in the industry during the four years since its publication. Abernathy also discusses his experiences as a beer writer and concludes by considering the use of creative ingredients in beer. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on September 11, 2018 at the Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Jimmy Seifrit, Brewmaster at 10 Barrel Brewing Company and former brewer at Deschutes Brewery, reflects on his family and childhood in Philadelphia and his experiences attending college in Vermont, where he developed an interest in New England beer and homebrewing. He discusses moving to Oregon in pursuit of snowboarding and a career in brewing, initially hoping to work for Rogue, and settling in Bend in 1995. Seifrit reflects on his years at Deschutes Brewery, including the people he worked with, beers he brewed, product development, company culture, and his experiences at the downtown pub. He discusses leaving Deschutes in 2011 to become Brewmaster at 10 Barrel Brewing Company and describes helping establish new brewing facilities and leading his staff through the brewery's 2014 acquisition by Anheuser-Busch. Seifrit also reflects on challenges and successes in the brewing industry and discusses the aspects of his work that bring him pride. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Anna Dvorak on September 12, 2018 at 10 Barrel Brewing Co. in Bend, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Whitney Burnside, Brewmaster at 10 Barrel Brewing Company in Portland, Oregon, reflects on growing up in Issaquah, Washington, and developing an interest in cooking in high school. She discusses studying culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University in Denver and working at The Herbfarm in Woodinville, where her experiences with cheesemaking, fermentation, and farm-based ingredients contributed to her interest in homebrewing and bread baking. Burnside describes her work at Laurelwood Brewing, Upright Brewing, and Tastebud in Portland before moving to Seattle to brew at Elysian Brewing Company and later returning to Oregon to work at Pelican Brewing Company in Pacific City. She reflects on learning to brew “true to style” from Darron Welch and on her experiences as a head brewer at Pelican, including the brewery's recognition at the Great American Beer Festival. Burnside discusses joining 10 Barrel in late 2014 and drawing on her previous experience with brewery operations and expansion while establishing the company's Portland brewing and pub facility. She also reflects on joining 10 Barrel shortly before its acquisition by Anheuser-Busch, changes in brewery culture and consumers during her career, and some of her favorite beer ideas and beers she has made. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on October 26, 2018 at Cathedral Coffee in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Christine Jump, Executive Director of Barley’s Angels, discusses her experiences growing up in Kentucky and relocating to Oregon in the 1970s. She describes her introduction to craft beer through her partner, brewer Glen Hay Falconer, and her subsequent involvement in Oregon’s brewing community. Jump reflects on her work with Rogue Ales from 2004 to 2016, including managing the Eugene pub and serving as Executive Assistant to founder Jack Joyce. She also discusses her podcast, Craft Brew Cast, which she began in 2007, and her experiences interviewing brewers and covering brewing events and culture. Jump discusses her involvement with the Pink Boots Society and the development of Barley’s Angels, including the 2012 separation of Barley’s Angels from the Pink Boots Society. She reflects on her role in developing Barley’s Angels as a network of chapters for women to learn about and study beer and shares her thoughts on the importance of creating spaces where women can gain knowledge and confidence about beer. Jump also discusses the effects of women’s beer education and participation on breweries, servers, and the broader craft brewing community. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on December 8, 2018 at the Valley Library in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Walter Scheurle, a brewmaster and brewing consultant, reflects on growing up in Germany and his family's brewing business, Stuttgart Hofbräu. He discusses the impact of World War II on his family and community, his brewing apprenticeship and education, and his immigration to the United States in 1961. Scheurle describes his career in brewing, including his work with Pabst Brewing Company, Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company, Pittsburgh Brewing Company, and Samuel Adams Boston Lager. He reflects on consulting for early Oregon microbrewers and on changes in the brewing industry during his career. Scheurle also discusses his later work hosting food and beer pairings and his interest in the relationship between beer and food. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on May 22, 2019 at the Oswego Place Assisted Living Community in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Jeff Alworth is a writer and podcaster based in Portland, Oregon. In his interview, Alworth reflects on growing up in Boise, Idaho, and attending high school in Salt Lake City; studying religious studies at Lewis & Clark College and South Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; and traveling to India. He discusses co-founding BlueOregon, a progressive news blog, in 2004 and working as a researcher at Portland State University for thirteen years. During this period, he began writing about beer for Willamette Week and other publications and started Beervana, a beer-focused blog, in 2006. Alworth discusses the differences in audience, process, and expectations among print journalism, blogging, and book publishing, as well as the financial aspects of publishing, including sponsorship and the decline of print periodicals. He also reflects on memorable experiences traveling to conduct research for his writing on brewing and beer. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on May 29, 2019 at Alworth's home in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Beth Hartwell was co-founder and co-owner of Hart Brewing Company, later Pyramid Brewing, in Kalama, Washington. When it opened in 1984, Hart Brewing was the fourth craft brewery to open in Washington State and the second brewery to operate in Kalama. In her interview, Hartwell reflects on growing up in Southern California, her early interest in food and cooking, meeting her future husband Tom Baune at Oregon State University, and her work for Procter & Gamble in San Francisco and Weyerhaeuser in Longview, Washington. She discusses starting a neighborhood grocery in Seattle before establishing the brewery in Kalama and describes the process of opening and operating Hart Brewing, including its relationship with the emerging Portland brewing community. Hartwell also reflects on her experiences as a woman working in male-dominated industries and her pride in the increasing participation of women in brewing. She discusses her life and work after the brewery was sold in 1989, including her continued involvement with handcrafted food producers and community food programs. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on June 26, 2019 at The Valley Library in Corvallis, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Annie Johnson reflects on her childhood in Germany, New Mexico, the Middle East, and California and how those experiences shaped her appreciation for international foods, beers, and cultures. She discusses beginning to homebrew with friends and how brewing became a creative outlet while she worked for the California State Legislature. Johnson describes her efforts to master distinct international beer styles through repeated practice and by judging competitions herself. She recounts the publicity surrounding her 2013 American Homebrewers Association Homebrewer of the Year award, including how interviewers' questions about race and gender prompted her to reconsider her own identity and experiences in homebrewing. Johnson also discusses her transition to working for PicoBrew and how the position influenced her work and relationships within the brewing industry. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on November 2, 2019 in Seattle, Washington.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Ashley Rose Salvitti is the founder of Brewvana, a brewery tour and beer education company in Portland, Oregon. In her interview, Salvitti reflects on growing up in New York and North Carolina, studying art and psychology, developing an early interest in beer, and moving to the West Coast. She discusses her work as a server and bartender at Liberty Steakhouse and Brewery in High Point, North Carolina, and at Laurelwood Brewing Company and Hopworks Urban Brewery in Portland, including her experiences helping to open brewery facilities and pubs. Salvitti reflects on changes in Portland's breweries, beer culture, and consumers during the twelve years following her move to Oregon. She talks at length about founding Brewvana in 2010, developing and managing the company, and her experiences as an entrepreneur. She also discusses the sale of a majority interest in Brewvana to City Brew Tours in November 2019. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on December 3, 2019 in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Karen Sheley is co-founder of Gateway Brewing in Portland, Oregon, and a project manager at Country Malt Group-Great Western Malting. In her interview, Sheley reflects on growing up outside Syracuse, New York, with her brother and sister and supportive parents, and on the enduring importance of music in her life, particularly the community and social relationships fostered through studying classical saxophone. She discusses studying musicology at Northwestern University and her transformative experience traveling to Russia shortly after college. She recounts teaching and working in the recently post-Soviet Czech Republic and describes how those experiences sparked her interest in the connections between brewing and historical social structures. Sheley discusses her work in Louisville and her move into Portland's brewing industry through Widmer Brothers Brewing, emphasizing the importance of social and professional networks throughout her life. She reflects on the Pink Boots Society as a forum for women in brewing to exchange ideas and experiences about work and life in the beer industry. Drawing on her experience in supply chain management, Sheley also discusses the financial, administrative, and social structures of breweries and considers the changing role of women who support small breweries through other employment. She concludes by reflecting on the decline of the middle market in craft beer and the increasing polarization of Oregon breweries between small, locally focused operations and larger, diversified, attraction-based breweries. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton at Sheley's residence on December 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Brian Bolduc is Assistant Director of Business and Sales at Goschie Farms in Silverton, Oregon, a commissioner for the Oregon Hop Commission, and a board member of the Oregon Brewers Guild. In his interview, Bolduc reflects on growing up on the East Coast, where his parents owned a bed and breakfast and motel in a coastal Maine community, and his family's move to Stayton, Oregon, when he was an adolescent. He contrasts life on the East Coast with the agricultural community of the mid-Willamette Valley and discusses how summer farm jobs increased his knowledge of and interest in agriculture. Bolduc describes his experiences at Oregon State University, where he majored in Business, served as president of Sigma Pi fraternity, worked for SafeRide, interned with Beaver Sports Properties, and participated in a hospitality internship for the 2010 NBC Olympics. He discusses his job search after graduation and subsequent work in digital advertising at KGW and management positions at SurveyMonkey. Bolduc also discusses his work at Goschie Farms, including the addition of new positions, company structure, social media and traditional outreach, Salmon Safe certification, experiments with growing barley and producing estate beers, and the effects of COVID-19 and the 2020 wildfires on the hop harvest and breweries. This interview was conducted November 24, 2020 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Ken Whiteman is co-founder of pFriem Family Brewers and Vice President of the Oregon Brewers Guild. In his interview, Whiteman reflects on growing up in Colorado and Washington and living in Germany and Austria during elementary school while his father conducted research as an atmospheric scientist. He discusses studying physics at Colorado College and electrical engineering through a combined program with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, as well as beginning to homebrew while in college. Whiteman describes his work as a control systems engineer and engineering manager at Electro Scientific Industries and his experiences starting and leading businesses in several industries. He discusses relocating to Hood River and co-founding pFriem Family Brewers with Josh Pfriem and Rudy Kellner in 2011; the brewery opened in 2012. Whiteman reflects on the company's growth and evolution and its response to the health restrictions and shutdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This interview was conducted November 25, 2020 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Ben Edmunds is the founding brewmaster at Breakside Brewery in Portland, Oregon. In his interview, Edmunds reflects on growing up in southeastern Michigan, attending Yale University and majoring in Spanish, and his experiences with outdoor and wilderness education. He discusses beginning to homebrew, learning different beer styles, and developing an interest in brewing as a career before moving to Oregon. Edmunds describes his experiences at the Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago, his work at Upright Brewing, and joining Breakside during its founding. He reflects on Breakside's growth from a neighborhood brewpub into a regional brewery, the development of its brewing program, and his experiences mentoring new brewers. Edmunds concludes by considering how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the brewing industry. This interview was conducted December 3, 2020 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Felicia Reninger is a sales representative, bartender, and occasional brewer at Montavilla Brew Works in Portland, Oregon. In her interview, Reninger reflects on growing up in California, moving to the Ashland area as a young adult, and developing an interest in homebrewing and the Southern Oregon homebrewing community. She discusses her move to Portland and her work as the beer and wine steward at Market of Choice and as a sales representative for Three Creeks Brewing Company. Reninger describes her experiences working with distributors, participating in the Oregon Brew Crew and homebrew competitions, and becoming involved with the Pink Boots Society. She also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her work. Reninger concludes by reflecting on characteristics of breweries and brewpubs that can contribute to welcoming environments for people of different genders and sexualities. This interview was conducted December 7, 2020 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Barbara Stone discusses her upbringing in Oregon, family history, education, and career path into Oregon's food, beverage, brewing, and hop industries. Raised in Oregon City, Oregon, she reflects on her family's roots in the state, community theater activities, and early interests in science, mathematics, and criminal justice. Stone describes working as an Oregon State Police cadet before transitioning into property management and later food manufacturing. She discusses positions with Oregon Ice Cream, producer of Alden's Organic, Julie's Organic, and Cascade Glacier products, as well as Chobani Gelato and Will Leather Goods, where she developed experience in supply chain management, production planning, logistics, and operations. Stone recounts joining Ninkasi Brewing Company in Eugene, where she worked in production and supply chain roles and participated in the company's growth. She describes her later transition to John I. Haas, Inc. and the broader BarthHaas organization, working with brewers, hop growers, and suppliers throughout North America. Topics include Oregon craft brewing culture, hop contracting, relationships between breweries and hop growers, the Pink Boots Society, diversity and inclusion efforts, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the brewing industry. This interview was conducted December 9, 2020 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Madeline McCarthy discusses growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, developing an interest in homebrewing with her future husband, and moving to Portland, Oregon, in 2013. She describes working as a beer tour guide with Brewvana before beginning her professional brewing career at Ground Breaker Brewing, where she learned gluten-free brewing techniques. McCarthy discusses her subsequent work at Sasquatch Brewing, including her involvement in the brewery's small-batch and research and development program and the creation of Gold Dust Woman, a glitter beer. She also reflects on her work at Migration Brewing and Von Ebert Brewing and on changes in the brewing industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other topics include gender and women's experiences in brewing, McCarthy's participation in the Pink Boots Society and SheBrew, and the importance of education and mentorship in the brewing industry. This interview was conducted December 12, 2020 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Cat Wiest discusses her upbringing in San Luis Obispo, California; family influences; education; and unconventional path into commercial brewing. She reflects on coastal California, time spent in Guam, competitive swimming and water polo, hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2006, and years spent commercial fishing in Alaska and California, where she met her husband and gained experience working in male-dominated industries. Wiest describes entering brewing through homebrewing and recounts positions at Pyramid Brewing Company in Berkeley, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers in San Francisco, Seabright Brewery in Santa Cruz, and Pelican Brewing Company in Tillamook, Oregon. She discusses learning brewery operations, labor organizing efforts at Pyramid, mentorship, brewing education at the University of California, Davis, and the World Brewing Academy's International Diploma in Brewing Technology program. Wiest also reflects on the creation and popularization of glitter beer, her involvement with the Pink Boots Society, and service on its Board of Directors. In a follow-up interview recorded in 2022, she discusses gender discrimination, workplace harassment, wage equity, leadership development, industry reform efforts, the Rat Magnet disclosures, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and the challenges women continue to face in the brewing industry. These interviews were conducted January 7, 2021 and March 4, 2022 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Michele Wonder discusses growing up in Long Beach and Cypress, California, her education in outdoor recreation and photography, and her experiences living and working in Dublin, Ireland, Colorado, and California. She reflects on coming out in her mid-20s and discusses characteristics of welcoming and inclusive spaces, including how she has encountered them in the restaurant and brewing industries. Wonder describes moving to Portland in 2013 and becoming increasingly interested in the brewing industry. She recounts her introduction to homebrewing through the Oregon Brew Crew and her work at F.H. Steinbart Company, as well as her participation in the SheBrew homebrew competition and beer festival and the Pink Boots Society. Wonder also discusses helping manage the Black Is Beautiful Homebrew Project PDX in 2020, a collaborative fundraising effort involving Oregon homebrewers. Topics include homebrewing, beer education, gender and LGBTQ+ experiences, community building, and diversity and inclusion in the brewing industry. This interview was conducted January 14, 2021 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Nicole Mandala discusses her upbringing in Southern California, family background, education, and career in the brewing industry. She reflects on childhood experiences in Los Angeles, frequent moves within California, and an early interest in music, reading, and political activism. Mandala describes working at Tower Records during high school, involvement with community radio and social justice organizations, and living in Amsterdam and elsewhere in Europe as a young adult, where she was introduced to diverse beer cultures and traditions. After settling in Boston, she completed a degree in Visual and Media Arts at Emerson College while working in the music industry and craft beer hospitality. Mandala recounts earning Certified Cicerone status, homebrewing, and entering professional brewing through Mystic Brewery and Long Trail Brewing Company. She discusses brewing and leadership roles at Stone Brewing in California and Virginia, including helping establish Stone's Richmond brewery, before moving to Portland to serve as brewmaster at Widmer Brothers Brewing. She also reflects on women in brewing, mentorship, diversity and inclusion efforts, industry consolidation, sustainability, supply chain challenges, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on brewing operations. This interview was conducted January 22, 2021 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Nigel Francisco discusses his upbringing in Eugene, Oregon; family background; education; aviation career; and role in the growth of Ninkasi Brewing Company. He reflects on childhood experiences in Eugene and Bend, outdoor recreation, early employment delivering newspapers, and attending Lane Community College's flight program. Francisco describes his career as a pilot and flight instructor, including his experiences in the airline industry before and after September 11, 2001, and explains how concerns about career stability led him to pursue an MBA and explore opportunities in business management. He recounts becoming an early investor in Ninkasi Brewing Company, joining the company as Chief Financial Officer in 2009, and helping guide its rapid growth from a small draft-focused brewery into a leading regional craft brewery. Francisco discusses brewery expansion projects, company culture, sustainability initiatives, the transformation of Eugene's Whiteaker neighborhood, and challenges associated with growth and changing consumer perceptions of independent breweries. He also reflects on diversity and inclusion in aviation and brewing, leadership philosophy, service on the Oregon Tourism Commission, teaching in the University of Oregon MBA program, and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic as Ninkasi's Chief Executive Officer. This interview was conducted February 4, 2021 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Laura Ulrich discusses growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, in a large German-American family and reflects on the influence of sports, Catholic education, and family life on her development. She describes attending Bishop DuBourg High School and Lindenwood University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, before moving to Fort Collins, Colorado. There, she worked as a bartender and on the bottle line at Odell Brewing Company, entering the brewing industry before moving to San Diego in 2004 to join Stone Brewing Co. Ulrich recounts advancing from packaging and cellar operations to become Stone's first female brewer and discusses workplace culture, opportunities for advancement, and the experiences and challenges of women in production brewing during the 2000s. Ulrich also discusses meeting brewer Teri Fahrendorf in 2007, when Stone Brewing was the first stop on Fahrendorf's "Road Brewer" trip, and her subsequent involvement with the Pink Boots Society. She describes the organization's early mission and development from an informal network of women brewers into an international nonprofit supporting education and professional development across the fermented beverage industry. Ulrich details her service on the Pink Boots Society board and as president from 2016 to 2020, discussing organizational growth, scholarships, chapter development, leadership challenges, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and efforts to build a sustainable future beyond its founder. She also reflects on mentorship, representation, professional advancement, and changing opportunities for women in brewing. This interview was conducted February 13, 2021 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

This interview is available for streaming online and has computer-generated captions. The transcript is forthcoming.

Ryan Pappe discusses his upbringing in southern Oregon, family roots in Klamath County, and childhood in Roseburg during a period of economic transition in Douglas County. He reflects on family life, Catholic education, theater activities at Roseburg High School, and attending Willamette University, where he studied theater and philosophy. Pappe describes working during college, including participating in the children's theater at the Enchanted Forest, and discovering homebrewing after graduation while living in Portland. He recalls sharing beer with housemates and becoming involved in Portland's craft beer culture through the Oregon Brew Crew, beer festivals, and self-directed brewing education. Pappe recounts his transition from homebrewing to professional brewing, beginning as an assistant brewer at Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2006, where he gained experience in production brewing and observed the development of Ohio's craft beer scene. He returned to the Pacific Northwest in 2007 to work at Dick's Brewing Company in Centralia, Washington, and joined Portland Brewing in 2008. He became Lead Brewer in 2010 and Head Brewer in 2011. Pappe discusses the relationship between Portland Brewing and Pyramid Breweries, changes in ownership, brewery management and workforce development, and the challenges of operating a large regional production brewery. He reflects on hiring and training brewers, the evolution of Oregon's craft brewing industry from a grassroots movement to a mature industry, and the business pressures facing regional breweries. The interview concludes with Pappe's reflections on the closure of Portland Brewing's brewing operations in February 2021 and the brewery's place in Oregon brewing history. The interview was conducted February 18, 2021 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Doug Hodges discusses his childhood in Des Moines, Iowa, where he grew up in a family with roots in western Iowa farming communities. He recalls family life, baseball, fishing, and his early interests in writing, journalism, and literature. Hodges reflects on attending Simpson College and the University of Northern Iowa before relocating to Portland in 1988, discussing the city's culture, bookstores, music scene, and quality of life. A major focus of the interview is Hodges' career at Portland Brewing Company. He describes working in warehouse, manufacturing, and distribution jobs in Portland before joining Portland Brewing in 2003. Beginning in dock sales and packaging operations, Hodges discusses learning brewery production and later moving into brewing, production management, and plant management roles. He details the operational challenges of running a large production brewery, including equipment upgrades, staffing, brewery expansion, workplace safety, and employee retention. Hodges reflects on Portland Brewing's acquisition by Pyramid Breweries and subsequent ownership changes, the relationship between the Portland Brewing and Pyramid brands, and changes in the craft brewing industry over the course of his career. He concludes by reflecting on Portland Brewing's closure in 2021, the brewery's place in Oregon craft brewing history, and the employees and others who sustained its operations over more than three decades. The interview was conducted February 24, 2021 by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Daniel Rothman reflects on growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, where family road trips, exposure to Southwestern history and culture, and an early introduction to European beer helped shape his interests. He discusses attending Tulane University, returning to Arizona to complete community college coursework, and ultimately transferring to Lewis & Clark College in Portland in 1987. Rothman recalls his experiences in Portland's emerging craft beer scene as a bartender, homebrewer, and customer at pioneering breweries and pubs including BridgePort Brewing, Portland Brewing, McMenamins, and Henry Weinhard's. Much of the interview focuses on Rothman's brewing career with McMenamins during the early years of Oregon's craft brewing industry. He describes learning to brew through homebrewing and mentorship from brewers including Keith Mackey, Scott Barrow, Jack Harris, and Conrad Santos. Rothman discusses brewing at the Lighthouse Brew Pub in Lincoln City, Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, the West Linn Pub, and the Fulton Pub, offering detailed reflections on brewing practices, company culture, product consistency, pub operations, naming specialty beers, and the challenges of working with small-scale brewing systems. He also reflects on relationships among Oregon brewers, the growth and increasing competitiveness of the craft beer industry, interactions with figures including Michael Jackson and Fred Eckhardt, and his later brewing career in Arizona before transitioning to a career in finance. Throughout the interview, Rothman emphasizes the importance of education, experimentation, collaboration, and pub culture in shaping early craft brewing. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton May 6, 2022 on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Joe Casey reflects on his childhood in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he participated in 4-H, raised animals, competed in junior rodeo events, and became an accomplished BMX racer. He discusses his education at Lewis & Clark College, the University of Oregon, and Portland State University, where he studied biology and microbiology and developed an interest in fermentation science. Casey recalls discovering Oregon's emerging craft beer culture in the early 1990s through imported beers, brewpub visits, and homebrewing. The interview focuses in part on Casey's nearly three-decade career with Widmer Brothers Brewing and its successor organizations. He describes joining Widmer in 1995, initially working on the kegging line before moving into brewing operations as the company expanded production and entered new markets. Casey discusses brewery culture, the roles of founders Kurt and Rob Widmer, brewing automation, ingredient sourcing, hop selection, and relationships between brewers and Pacific Northwest hop growers. He also examines changes in the brewing industry, including consolidation, proprietary hop varieties, sustainability initiatives, and the growth of craft beer nationally. Casey details his work developing and launching Omission beer, one of the first widely distributed beers crafted to reduce gluten, as well as his involvement in hop procurement, product innovation, industry organizations, and brewing education. Throughout the interview, he reflects on changes in brewing technology, agriculture, regulation, and industry practices over the course of his career. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton February 21, 2023 in the Valley Library.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Michelle Haunold Lorenz discusses growing up in Corvallis, Oregon, as one of seven children in the family of hop scientist Dr. Alfred Haunold and his wife, Ruth. She reflects on family life, formative experiences in school, her family's Catholic upbringing, and the influence of her mother's involvement in social justice causes, including the sanctuary movement and support for farm worker organizing. Lorenz recalls accompanying her father to hop fields, harvests, grower gatherings, and industry events, and describes how her understanding of the significance of his work as a hop breeder developed over time. Lorenz discusses her years at Oregon State University, where she studied anthropology and worked at the OSU Library during the transition from card catalogs to computerized records. She recalls her involvement with KBVR-FM and the Pacific Northwest independent music scene in the 1980s, as well as working at The Beanery and the Old World Center, where she sold homebrewing supplies, served beer, and witnessed the early development of Old World's brewery operations. She describes moving to San Francisco and working in music retail and distribution before co-founding Gearhead Records and Gearhead Magazine, a punk and underground music label and magazine. Lorenz discusses the challenges of building an independent music business and reflects on creativity, entrepreneurship, community, archival work, and the parallels she sees between her father's scientific career and her own work in music and publishing. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton June 6, 2023 on Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Tiah Edmunson-Morton's interview was conducted in 2023 in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives (OHBA), founded in 2013 at Oregon State University. Edmunson-Morton discusses her upbringing in Eugene, Oregon; her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Oregon and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio; her archival training at San José State University; and her early archival work at Lane Community College and Oregon State University. She recalls changes in her position and classification within the University Archives before and after the creation of the Special Collections and Archives Research Center (SCARC) in 2011. The interview focuses primarily on the founding and development of OHBA, including its origins, early cornerstone collections, and the role of oral history in documenting Oregon's hops and brewing history. Edmunson-Morton discusses outreach and teaching, including her authorship of The Brewstorian blog, work in the classroom, and support for and leadership of an OSU course on beer history. She also reflects on her connections to archaeology, interactions with USDA hop scientist Al Haunold, and the development of her research on women connected to Oregon's pre-Prohibition brewing industry. The interview concludes with Edmunson-Morton's reflections on OHBA's future and her experiences and accomplishments during its first decade of collection building. The interview was conducted by Chris Petersen February 13, 2024 in the Valley Library.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Van Havig discusses his childhood in Massachusetts and Southern California, growing up in a family shaped by Midwestern traditions, travel, skiing, and an early appreciation for beer and food culture. He reflects on attending Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and describes the intellectual environment of the college, his involvement in music and record collecting, and Portland's independent culture in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Havig recounts studying economics at Reed and the University of Minnesota before leaving a doctoral program to pursue brewing as a profession. He describes learning to brew through homebrewing and his early professional experiences at Minnesota Brewing Company, where he worked in kegging and production operations under veteran brewers. Havig then traces his career with Rock Bottom Brewery, discussing brewer training, recipe development, brewery installation projects, and his work as head brewer in Bethesda, Maryland, and Portland. He reflects on changes in American craft brewing during the 1990s and 2000s, including hop varieties, IPA development, Belgian-style beers, and brewing culture in different regions of the United States. Havig also discusses his departure from Rock Bottom, the founding of Gigantic Brewing Company with Ben Love, navigating brewery ownership and employee management, adapting the business during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his evolving role as a mentor and educator within the brewing industry. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton June 10, 2024 at the Gigantic Brewing Robot Room in Portland, Oregon.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Alexandra Farnham reflects on growing up on a small farm in New Jersey in a family of artists, where gardening, livestock, food preservation, and home winemaking were part of daily life. She discusses how these experiences contributed to her interests in art, agriculture, biology, food, and fermentation. After moving to Oregon to attend Lewis & Clark College, she became involved in Portland's artistic community and began homebrewing, drawing on resources such as F.H. Steinbart Co. Farnham discusses her work at McMenamins Hillsdale Brewery & Pub in the mid-1980s, including brewing and serving beers such as Hammerhead, Terminator, Liquidator, Hillsdale Ale, and Maid Marion. She describes working with open fermenters, learning about ingredients and malting, and participating in early brewing experiments, including McMenamins' blackberry beers. She reflects on working with brewer Conrad Santos and alongside John Harris, the influence of beer writer Fred Eckhardt, early Oregon brewing festivals, and the community of brewers, homebrewers, and beer enthusiasts in Portland. The interview also explores Farnham's work at a small winery in Sandy, Oregon; the founding and operation of the Elusive Trout Pub with her partner, Steven Dirks, and Mike King; efforts to introduce Oregon microbrewed beer to a logging-town audience; and relationships with breweries including Widmer and Pyramid. Farnham discusses her subsequent careers in glassblowing, healthcare, and surgical technology and reflects on connections among art, craftsmanship, fermentation, and food production. The interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on August 28, 2024, via Zoom.

The transcribed audio is available online through the Voices of Northwest Brewing site.

Tim Hohl discusses his transition from a 25-year career in radio journalism to founding Coin Toss Brewing Company in Oregon City. He describes covering Portland's craft beer scene as a journalist and hosting the weekly radio segment “The Beer Geek,” as well as his parallel development as a homebrewer and eventual decision to open a brewery. Hohl discusses founding Coin Toss in 2015 and his efforts to incorporate Oregon history into the brewery's branding and beer development. The interview explores Coin Toss Brewing's growth and changing business model, including its shift to home delivery and direct-to-consumer sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hohl reflects on the challenges of operating in an increasingly competitive craft beer market and the decision to close the brewery in 2024. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton August 28, 2024 in the Valley Library.

This interview is available for streaming online and has computer-generated captions. The transcript is forthcoming.

Dr. Alfred Haunold is a retired hops geneticist. In this interview, he discusses his influential career and the evolution of the Pacific Northwest hop industry since 1965. He recounts arriving in Oregon to find the industry struggling with downy mildew. His pioneering work included developing disease-resistant triploid hops by genetically modifying the English Fuggle variety. This research led to the release of the Willamette and Columbia varieties. Haunold also details creating Nugget, a revolutionary high-alpha hop that transformed the market, and clarifies the team-based history of the Cascade hop. Grower Gail Goschie provide perspective on the on-farm impact of these innovations. This interview was conducted by Gail Goschie, Shaun Townsend, Russell Karow, Jema Patterson, Tiah Edmunson-Morton, and Dr. Haunold's daughter, Julie Catala, May 6, 2025 at Karow's residence in Corvallis, Oregon.

This interview is available for streaming online and has computer-generated captions. The transcript is forthcoming.

Stuart Ramsay is a writer, consultant, and former brewery marketing and pub manager. Ramsay recounts his childhood in remote Highland communities in Scotland, his emigration to the United States in the late 1970s, and his early work in pubs and social clubs, discussing his experiences with beer, service, and community spaces. He traces his entry into American craft brewing through work at Yakima Brewing and Malting Company under Bert Grant and his subsequent role at BridgePort Brewing in Portland, where he managed the pub and oversaw sales and marketing at one of Oregon’s first brewpubs. Ramsay discusses early craft brewing practices, beer styles, sanitation challenges, and relationships among brewers, pub staff, and consumers, as well as the development of beers such as Blue Heron. He reflects on the development of Portland’s beer culture, the founding of the Oregon Brewers Festival, the role of hops and local agriculture, and gender dynamics in early brewing spaces. Ramsay also discusses the evolution of craft beer, his later work writing about whiskey, and the role of pubs as social spaces. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on October 17, 2025, at Ramsay’s residence in Portland, Oregon.

This interview is available for streaming online and has computer-generated captions. The transcript is forthcoming.

Dean Fassnidge discusses his upbringing in Portland, Oregon, and reflects on attending Benson Polytechnic High School and Oregon State University during the 1970s. He describes studying biochemistry-biophysics at OSU, student life in McNary Hall, and the scientific training he later applied to brewing and quality assurance. The interview focuses on Fassnidge's nearly twenty-year career at Blitz-Weinhard Brewery, which he joined in 1976 as an entry-level biochemist. He details the work of the brewery's quality control laboratory, including analytical testing, microbiological monitoring, sanitation oversight, sensory evaluation, and troubleshooting production issues. Fassnidge discusses the operation of Portland's largest regional brewery during a period of industry consolidation, including the role of the Weinhard family before the brewery's 1979 sale to Pabst Brewing Company and subsequent changes in corporate ownership. He describes his work in testing and developing beers including Henry Weinhard's Private Reserve, Henry's Ale, Henry's Red, and Weinhard's Root Beer, as well as his progression into brewing and eventual role as assistant brewmaster. He reflects on collaborations with Oregon State hop researcher Gail Nickerson, annual visits to Yakima Valley hop growers, participation in the Association of Brewing Chemists, and the growing influence of Cascade hops. Fassnidge also recalls interactions between established regional breweries and craft brewers, including visits from the McMenamin brothers during the early years of Oregon's microbrew industry. He discusses his later work in quality assurance, transition into education, and twenty-four-year career as a middle school science and mathematics teacher, from which he retired in 2024. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton January 23, 2026 on Zoom.

This interview is available for streaming online and has computer-generated captions. The transcript is forthcoming.

Abram Goldman-Armstrong discusses growing up on a subsistence farm in rural Yamhill County, Oregon, where his family's approach to food production, homebrewing, and cider-making shaped his early interest in fermentation. He recalls learning to make cider with bittersweet English apples, discovering craft beer as a teenager, and developing interests in writing, punk culture, and homebrewing. He describes his education at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and University College Cork in Ireland before returning to Oregon and pursuing professional work in brewing and cider-making. Goldman-Armstrong discusses his early work at White Oak Cider in Yamhill County and the founding and operation of Cider Riot! in Portland in 2013. He describes the cidery's production practices, its place within Portland's cider community, and its growth and closure in 2019. He reflects on changing consumer tastes and the business conditions affecting cider producers. The interview also explores Goldman-Armstrong's involvement in beer and cider culture through homebrewing, judging, writing, festival organizing, and education, including his work with the Oregon Brew Crew, the Beer Judge Certification Program, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Belmont Station, and Northwest Brewing News. He discusses the mentorship and relationships he experienced within homebrewing, brewing, and cider-making communities and their influence on his work. Additional topics include his move to Norway in 2020 and subsequent work with Tall Ship Craft Cider and Alde Sider in Hardanger, as well as his work as a carpenter and deconstruction specialist building breweries and tasting rooms. Goldman-Armstrong also discusses sustainability and organic brewing practices. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton July 15, 2026 on Zoom.

This interview is available for streaming online and has computer-generated captions. The transcript is forthcoming.

Phil Roche discusses his career in brewing and his experiences in the Oregon and Pacific Northwest craft beer industries from the early 1990s through the 2020s. He recalls discovering homebrewing, becoming involved with the Oregon Brew Crew, and participating in early brewing communities in Portland and Olympia. He discusses his volunteer work at Hair of the Dog Brewing Company, his first experience in professional brewing, and later positions at Umpqua Brewing Company in Roseburg, Oregon, and Fish Tale Brew Pub in Olympia, Washington. Roche discusses his two periods of employment at Full Sail Brewing Company in Hood River, including his transition to the company's Portland brewery and his work with brewer John Harris. He describes brewery operations, recipe development, brewing education, and the role of hops and other ingredients in brewing. He also reflects on participation in the Oregon Brewers Festival, brewing clubs, and changes in brewing practices and styles. The interview explores Roche's years at Ecliptic Brewing with founder John Harris, including recipe development, new product development, collaborations, packaging expansion, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Roche also discusses teaching process engineering for craft brewing and distilling at South Puget Sound Community College and reflects on changes in Oregon and Pacific Northwest craft brewing over the course of his career. This interview was conducted by Tiah Edmunson-Morton on August 7, 2026, via Zoom.

This interview is available for streaming online and has computer-generated captions. The transcript is forthcoming.