Approach
First and foremost, I specialize in formal analysis of beer. I taste against typology and look to see a beer as a whole. Then, I enjoy breaking a beer apart and figuring out the elements (water, yeast, barley, malt, other ingredients, etc.) as well as considering secondary and tertiary pieces and influences (time, vessel, temperature, etc.). Not to clone a beer, but to understand it. And, when brewing, to improve upon it.
Personal Journey
Despite living with a Fine Wine Specialist and expecting a child this Halloween, I am currently a Beer Judge reviewing beers for Beer Connoisseur and brew at the Green Dragon Bistro and Pub with the Green Dragon Brew Crew on Rogue’s 1-barrel pilot system. I also judge, grade and administer exams, and organize competitions for the Beer Judge Certification Program.
I became passionate about beer while living in Upstate New York. The brewing scene was starting to explode and while studying 60+ hours a week for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust Level 3 Advanced exam, I would relax with a one off growler of beer from the local bottle shop, Eddy’s Beverage Inc. in Saratoga Springs.
When my husband Aaron and I decided to leave our jobs and move back to the West Coast in 2012, we decided to go on a 7-month EU Austerity Drinking Tour (hitting up Eastern Canadian provinces along the way) you can read all about it on my other half’s site Wayward Wine.
When we returned stateside, we landed in PDX, Beervana, the one and only Portland, Oregon.
Awards & Beer @ Beer Events
Red Bung “Beer Lover’s Award”, Oregon Brew Crew
People’s Choice, Brew and Chew Hullabaloo (twice!)
Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives collab for the Archaeology Roadshow
Willamette Weekly Pro/Am, Portland, Oregon (twice!)
Brewer’s Memorial Ale Fest, Newport, Oregon
“Bottler’s Beer” – 1st Place, Brewer Tomb Restoration Competition, Lone Fir Cemetery
Credentials
Business of Craft Brewing Certificate, Portland State University
National Beer Judge, Beer Judge Certification Program
Level 3 Advanced with Merit, Wine and Spirit Education Trust
American Brewster 