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.
These materials were donated to the Special Collections and Archives Research Center by Brian Butenschoen in 2015 and Christina LaRue in 2019.
Collection is open for research.
Oregon Brewers Guild Records (MSS OBG), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
The Oregon Brewers Guild collection is complemented by several other collections. The
Further information regarding the values, logistics, and goals of the burgeoning regional brewing community can be found in organizational collections like the
Collections linked to Oregon State University research, as well as other manuscript collections, are described on the
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.
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
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.
Proclamation by Governor Neil Goldschmidt.
Meeting minutes, correspondence
Brochures, statistical and annual reports, convention publication
Menus, recipes, advertisements
Statistical data
Visitor’s guides and directories
Advertisements for beer and brewing merchandise and paraphernalia, catalogs, a clothing price list
Press releases, promotional materials dues, production and tax information, correspondence, 4 pictures of packaging.
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.
Standing Stone, Mia and Pia’s Pizzeria and Brewhouse in Klamath Falls, tabling at event, 9 photographs, 1 contact print, 12 negatives.
Focused on Cave Junction location, map and labels, 6 photographs of brewery and restaurant
2 color prints of Guild emblem by Trish Leahy-Graff.
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.
Erickson Report 1997, Widmer Brothers 1994, Oregon Ale and Beer Company 1995, Rogue 1999 10th anniversary celebration.
Quality certification information, objectives, and requirements; application forms; emblem; related news clippings; license agreements; announcement from Karl Ockert 1998.
Of note are releases from 1996 addressing craft brewers’ frustration with “impostor” contract brewers in Oregon.
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.
Reactions to articles about beer drinkers, discussions of proposed tax increases
Fact sheets, correspondence
Business plan, membership directory, bylaws, member benefits, facts and figures, brief history and timeline, sales figures and estimates, membership list.
Surveys include member breweries’ administrative teams, business statistics, wage information, and benefits offered.
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.
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.
Annual plans, financial reports, Quality Mark Program information and application, event announcements and information, work plans, meeting details.
1998 event calendar, 2005 Governor’s Conference resource directory, 2000-2001 travel and resource directory.
Sections include market potential, market development, competitive dynamics, available resources, the “gestation” period, organizational flexibility.
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
Volume 4, Issue 7; Volume 7, Issue 1; Volume 9, Number 1
Colorized floor and building plans, location statistics, maps, aerial photographs, building design sketches, demographic information.
Includes management team with portraits, legislative news, recently passed legislation, and legislator scorecard.
Historical information about Frank H. Steinbart and company, correspondence, obituaries, 1 photograph.
Published by Portland, Oregon Visitors Association; focused on brewpubs and microbrews; historical and statistical information; festival information; story ideas.
News clippings about Oregon legislature; correspondence; promotional materials; meeting agendas; advocacy statements featuring brewers, hop growers, and allied industries.
Talking points, speaker agreement for Brian Butenschoen.
Press releases, brewery participation and beer variety descriptions, images and logos, food pairing and contact information.
Promotional brochures, event handouts, correspondence, Associate membership information and application, membership and attendance list, catering plans, agendas, temporary sales permit application.
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.
Revised statutes for general alcoholic liquors, distilled liquors, wine, cider, and malt beverages; civil penalties and rules for state agencies; miscellaneous provisions
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.
Includes “100 favorite restaurants,” restaurant of the year, restaurant descriptions, promotions, and menus.
Published by
Published by
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Publication of the Oregon Restaurant Association. 7 issues: April through December.
Publication of the Oregon Restaurant Association. 9 issues: January through December.
Publication of the Oregon Restaurant Association. 5 issues: January through March, December, Media Kit.
Publication of the Oregon Restaurant Association. 8 issues: January through February, April, June, August, November through December, Media Kit.
Publication of the Oregon Restaurant Association. 10 issues: January through February, April through August, November through December, Media Kits 2010-2011.
Trade publication for brewpub owners and beer professionals; Premier issue 1996 with press release insert, March through May 1997, September 1997, December 1997.
Trade publication for brewpub owners and beer professionals; January through July, September through October.
Trade publication for brewpub owners and beer professionals; January through February, April through May, July, September through October, December.
Trade publication for brewpub owners and beer professionals; January through December, Buyer’s Guide.
”Informational and educational link between breweries and consumers.” Premier issue, June, November/December.
The Official Magazine of the Microbrew Appreciation Society.
June 1995, December 1995, January/February 1996, July 1997.
May through September issues.
Color copy of September issue “Brewery Focus” section, focused on BridgePort Brewing Company, by Chris Crabb, Karl Ockert, and Paula Troyer.
Premier issue 1994, July-August 2002, March-April 2005, October 2005.
January through February, May through June.
Organization profile with membership newsletter, application, statistics, insights, and legislative information.
2009 draught beer profit data sheet; Brewers’ Resource Directory (including breweries, their suppliers, wholesalers, and professional organizations) 2007-2008, 2009-2010; stewardship reports, 2006-2008.
54th edition international directory of breweries and affiliated industries; includes production, regulatory, distribution, and other industry information.
2nd edition compiled by Brewers Publications. Includes subject chapters ranging from design to distribution; written by John Hickenlooper, Jim Koch, Sheri Winter, and more.
14th edition published by Institute for Brewing Studies; includes brewing statistics and contact information for breweries, brewing equipment, and marketing.
Promotional pamphlet published by the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association, includes economic impact data for the country and Oregon.
Beervana guides to microbrews, drinking, and wine; 1998 issue contains cover story on McMenamins’ expansion.
Includes several stories related to Northwest microbrewery expansions.
Includes stories on contract brewing and microbrew authenticity in Oregon.
Includes stories on contract brewing and microbrew authenticity, as well as debates over brewing terminology and labeling.
Includes stories on McMenamins’ renovations of the Crystal Ballroom, and Portlandtourism.
Includes stories on microbrewers’ quality mark efforts.
Includes stories on “Made in Oregon” quality mark program.
Includes many stories on discontent over and proposed changes to Oregon’s beer tax structure.
FoodDay, Diner, A;&E sections, include guides to Oregon’s wineries, restaurants, beers, and brewers festivals.
Includes Oregon Brewers Guild and Portland BrewBus-sponsored Travelhost breweries 1996 map,
This series contains materials related to beer festivals and brewing trade shows in Oregon, mostly brochures, programs, and advertisements.
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.
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.
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.
Special publications by the
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.
A Tradition of Excellence Part 1: An Introduction to the U.S. Hop Industry (1995) and Oregon Brew Pubs (1996).
A Tradition of Excellence Parts 2 and 3: Processing and Processed Hop Products, and USA Hops Research and Development.