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Oregon Brewers Guild Records, 1988-2015

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Oregon Brewers Guild
Title
Oregon Brewers Guild Records
Dates
1988-2015 (inclusive)
1992-2010 (bulk)
Quantity
4.00 cubic feet, including 18 print photographs and 12 negatives, (5 boxes, including 1 oversize box)
Collection Number
MSS OBG
Summary
The Oregon Brewers Guild Records offer a look into the early, formative years of one of the nation’s oldest craft brewer associations, as well as their work in more recent tyears.
The Oregon Brewers Guild was founded in 1992 and is a non-profit trade, marketing, and lobbying association that represents the Oregon craft brewing industry. It's mission is to protect the brewing industry of the state and the interests of Guild members through education, advocacy, and events.
Repository
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

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

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

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

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

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

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Content Description

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

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

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Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

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

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

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

Acquisition Information

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

Related Materials

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

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

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

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015

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

    • Description: Oregon Craft Beer Month

      Proclamation by Governor Neil Goldschmidt.

      Dates: 1988
      Container: Box/Folder 1.01
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Greater Oregon Brewers Association

      Meeting minutes, correspondence

      Dates: 1991-1995
      Container: Box/Folder 1.02
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Brewers Guild applications
      Dates: 1991-1997
      Container: Box/Folder 1.03
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Hops

      Brochures, statistical and annual reports, convention publication

      Dates: 1994
      Container: Box/Folder 1.04
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Food

      Menus, recipes, advertisements

      Dates: 1994, 2007
      Container: Box/Folder 1.05
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Liquor Control Commission beer sales

      Statistical data

      Dates: 1994
      Container: Box/Folder 1.06
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Portland travel information

      Visitor’s guides and directories

      Dates: 1994-2005
      Container: Box/Folder 1.07
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Merchandise catalog information binder

      Advertisements for beer and brewing merchandise and paraphernalia, catalogs, a clothing price list

      Dates: 1994-1995
      Container: Box/Folder 1.08
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Membership list
      Dates: 1995
      Container: Box/Folder 1.09
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: “Financing the Pacific Northwest’s Emerging Craft Brew Industry,” report by Jerry Boehn
      Dates: 1995
      Container: Box/Folder 1.10
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Deschutes Brewery

      Press releases, promotional materials dues, production and tax information, correspondence, 4 pictures of packaging.

      Dates: 1994-2002
      Container: Box/Folder 1.11
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Beer promotional materials

      Brewpub guides, Portland craft beer fest, Oregon food, Oregon Brewers Guild temporary tattoos, Rogue press release, information about Northwest brewing industry, hop tour, Oregon Brewers Guild presentation, Full Sail menu, barley information sheet from 1994.

      Dates: 1994-2015
      Container: Box/Folder 1.12
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Photographs and negatives

      Standing Stone, Mia and Pia’s Pizzeria and Brewhouse in Klamath Falls, tabling at event, 9 photographs, 1 contact print, 12 negatives.

      Dates: circa 1995
      Container: Box/Folder 1.13
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Wild River Brewing and Pizza Company

      Focused on Cave Junction location, map and labels, 6 photographs of brewery and restaurant

      Dates: circa 1995
      Container: Box/Folder 1.14
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Brewers Guild original artwork

      2 color prints of Guild emblem by Trish Leahy-Graff.

      Dates: circa 1995
      Container: Box/Folder 1.15
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association annual packets

      Several annual packets, including statements of member benefits; event invitations, schedules, and programs; issue papers, industry publications (Main Ingredient); “Restaurant Management Information and Control Reports,” by Dr. Edward E. Sanders, published by Oregon Restaurant Association 1992 and 1995.

      Dates: 1995-2010
      Container: Box/Folder 1.16
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Miscellaneous newsletters

      Erickson Report 1997, Widmer Brothers 1994, Oregon Ale and Beer Company 1995, Rogue 1999 10th anniversary celebration.

      Dates: 1994-1999
      Container: Box/Folder 1.17
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Brewers Guild quality mark and certificate program

      Quality certification information, objectives, and requirements; application forms; emblem; related news clippings; license agreements; announcement from Karl Ockert 1998.

      Dates: 1995-1998
      Container: Box/Folder 1.18
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Press releases

      Of note are releases from 1996 addressing craft brewers’ frustration with “impostor” contract brewers in Oregon.

      Dates: 1995-1999
      Container: Box/Folder 1.19
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Truth in Labeling controversy

      Press releases, news clippings, correspondence, and other information related to Brewers Guild members attempting to halt larger contract brewers from claiming local, small-batch production and misleading consumers. Craft brewers petitioned the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, often targeting Oregon Beer and Ale, a subsidiary of the Boston Beer Company.

      Dates: 1996
      Container: Box/Folder 1.20
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Correspondence

      Reactions to articles about beer drinkers, discussions of proposed tax increases

      Dates: 1995-2005
      Container: Box/Folder 1.21
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Microbrewery definition

      Fact sheets, correspondence

      Dates: 1995-1996
      Container: Box/Folder 1.22
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Brewers Guild general information

      Business plan, membership directory, bylaws, member benefits, facts and figures, brief history and timeline, sales figures and estimates, membership list.

      Dates: 1996
      Container: Box/Folder 1.23
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Annual survey

      Surveys include member breweries’ administrative teams, business statistics, wage information, and benefits offered.

      Dates: 1996
      Container: Box/Folder 1.24
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Anheuser-Busch Companies, Consumer Awareness and Education packet

      Anheuser-Busch-sponsored packet containing resources for responsible drinking and stopping drunk driving, family communication, advertising opportunities and more; correspondence from law enforcement and school district officials, consultants, and more from local municipalities across the country, in appreciation of their distribution.

      Dates: 1996
      Container: Box/Folder 1.25
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Portland Media report

      Quarterly reports of publications or broadcasts aimed at garnering positive media attention, sponsored and assisted by the Portland Oregon Visitors Association. Includes dates, names, and valuations.

      Dates: 1996-1999
      Container: Box/Folder 1.26
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Brewers Guild general information

      Annual plans, financial reports, Quality Mark Program information and application, event announcements and information, work plans, meeting details.

      Dates: 1997
      Container: Box/Folder 1.27
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon travel information

      1998 event calendar, 2005 Governor’s Conference resource directory, 2000-2001 travel and resource directory.

      Dates: 1998-2005
      Container: Box/Folder 1.28
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: R.S. Weinberg and Associates report, “Factors Which Will Determine a Brewer’s Future Growth"

      Sections include market potential, market development, competitive dynamics, available resources, the “gestation” period, organizational flexibility.

      Dates: 1997
      Container: Box/Folder 1.29
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: American Brewers Guild Brewing School Application Packet

      Course catalog, including descriptions and images of (exclusively men) doing brewing science, and faculty profiles with a single woman member; application forms; degree descriptions; housing information; alumni listing and information

      Dates: 1998
      Container: Box/Folder 1.30
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Brewers Guild Newsletter

      Volume 4, Issue 7; Volume 7, Issue 1; Volume 9, Number 1

      Dates: 1999-2003
      Container: Box/Folder 1.31
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Pearl Brewing Blocks promotional material

      Colorized floor and building plans, location statistics, maps, aerial photographs, building design sketches, demographic information.

      Dates: 1998
      Container: Box/Folder 1.32
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Restaurant Association legislative report

      Includes management team with portraits, legislative news, recently passed legislation, and legislator scorecard.

      Dates: 1999
      Container: Box/Folder 1.33
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: F.H. Steinbart Company

      Historical information about Frank H. Steinbart and company, correspondence, obituaries, 1 photograph.

      Dates: 1999-2001
      Container: Box/Folder 1.34
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Promotional Packet, beer in Portland

      Published by Portland, Oregon Visitors Association; focused on brewpubs and microbrews; historical and statistical information; festival information; story ideas.

      Dates: 2004
      Container: Box/Folder 1.35
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Beer Tax Coalition

      News clippings about Oregon legislature; correspondence; promotional materials; meeting agendas; advocacy statements featuring brewers, hop growers, and allied industries.

      Dates: 2007
      Container: Box/Folder 1.36
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Northwest Food Service Show speaker information

      Talking points, speaker agreement for Brian Butenschoen.

      Dates: 2007
      Container: Box/Folder 1.37
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Brewers Guild fresh hop beer making promotional packet

      Press releases, brewery participation and beer variety descriptions, images and logos, food pairing and contact information.

      Dates: 2008
      Container: Box/Folder 1.38
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Craft Beer Month

      Promotional brochures, event handouts, correspondence, Associate membership information and application, membership and attendance list, catering plans, agendas, temporary sales permit application.

      Dates: 2011
      Container: Box/Folder 1.39
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Legislative advocacy

      Specifically focused on the Small brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act, a bill that proposed reducing tax rates for craft breweries. Lists of small brewers caucus, promotional materials, economic impact statement, copies of the bill, sponsorship circular, Oregon small breweries list, agendas, records of meetings with Representatives and Senators.

      Dates: 2012-2014
      Container: Box/Folder 1.40
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Quality Mark plaque
      Dates: circa 1999
      Container: Box/Folder 1.41
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Liquor Control Commission, liquor control laws and administrative rules

      Revised statutes for general alcoholic liquors, distilled liquors, wine, cider, and malt beverages; civil penalties and rules for state agencies; miscellaneous provisions

      Dates: 2000
      Container: Box/Folder 2.01
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015
    • Description: Oregon Bounty poster
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 5.01
      Location: Series 1: Operational Records, 1988-2015

  • Series 2: Publications and Reports, 1994-2011

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

  • Series 3: Events, 1993-2010

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

    • Description: Miscellaneous brochures and programs

      Programs for first annual Spring Beer Fest at Multnomah Greyhound Park, 1995; Institute for Brewing Studies Conference and Trade Show for National Craft Brewers, 1997; promotional brochure and application for Northwest Food Service Show, 2008.

      Dates: 1995-2008
      Container: Box/Folder 3.24
      Location: Series 3: Events, 1993-2010
    • Description: The Great American Beer Festival

      Programs for the Great American Beer Festival in 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003, organized by the Brewers Association. Each includes maps, brewery index, sponsors, style guidelines, and advertisements.

      Dates: 1997-2003
      Container: Box/Folder 3.25
      Location: Series 3: Events, 1993-2010
    • Description: Oregon Brewers Festival

      Programs for years 1993 through 1999 and 2005. Each includes introductory statements, glossaries, style guides, brewery index, and tasting notes sections. Also included is a public promotional pamphlet for the 1998 Oregon Brewers Festival, published in a newspaper or periodical.

      Dates: 1993-2005
      Container: Box/Folder 3.26
      Location: Series 3: Events, 1993-2010
    • Description: Oregon Craft Beer Month

      Special publications by the Oregonian and the Portland Tribune, advertising and celebrating Oregon’s craft breweries in July 2006 through 2010. Include schedules, event information, and brewery spotlights. Also, 2009 Oregon Craft Beer Month Guide, including hops and brewing stories, Oregon Brewers Guild members, and calendar of events.

      Dates: 2006-2010
      Container: Box/Folder 3.27
      Location: Series 3: Events, 1993-2010

  • Series 4: Videos, 1995-1996

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

    • Description: Oregon breweries and hop industry

      A Tradition of Excellence Part 1: An Introduction to the U.S. Hop Industry (1995) and Oregon Brew Pubs (1996). Oregon Brew Pubs is available online.

      Dates: 1995-1996
      Container: Box/Folder 4.01
      Location: Series 4: Videos, 1995-1996
    • Description: Hop industry

      A Tradition of Excellence Parts 2 and 3: Processing and Processed Hop Products, and USA Hops Research and Development.

      Dates: 1995
      Container: Box/Folder 4.02
      Location: Series 4: Videos, 1995-1996

Finding Aid Authors: Tiah Edmunson-Morton and Lance Burch.
2021

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