Brew Talks: Industry Networking and Business Discussions

Doors Open + Beers & Networking

Discussion I

• Bryan Slekes

  , Senior Director of Finance, Great Divide Brewing Company

  

  Bryan Slekes

  Senior Director of Finance, Great Divide Brewing Company

  Bryan Slekes is the senior director of finance for Great Divide Brewing Company. In this role, Bryan oversees finance, HR, and national sales. Prior to joining Great Divide, Bryan’s background and experience stems from private and public finance, commercial real estate development and sales. In his spare time, Bryan enjoys biking, skiing, and spending time with his family.

• David Fields

  , Managing Partner, Wormtown Brewery

  

  David Fields

  Managing Partner, Wormtown Brewery

  David Fields is the managing partner and majority owner of Wormtown Brewery in Worcester, Massachusetts. Since joining the business in 2014, Fields has helped the company scale from just 2,700 barrels to an expected 27,000 barrels in 2017. Prior to purchasing a majority stake in the brewery, Fields was the managing partner of Consolidated Beverages, an Anheuser-Busch distributor in Auburn, Massachusetts. As a wholesaler, Fields served as the president of the Beer Distributors of Massachusetts and on the board of the NBWA. He is married with one son.

• John Bryant

  , Owner, No-Li Brewhouse

  

  John Bryant

  Owner, No-Li Brewhouse

  John Bryant is the owner of No-Li Brewhouse in Spokane, Washington (USA). No-Li is an internationally-recognized and award-winning craft brewing organization built on a foundation of people, world-class craft beers, and community. John has a 30-year industry track record that began at The Rainer Brewery in Seattle. Previous industry experience includes roles as the president of Oskar Blues Brewery; chief operating officer of Odell Brewing; vice president of sales and marketing at Deschutes Brewery and national brand manager of Henry Weinhard’s. John is currently the vice president of the Washington Brewers Guild. He previously served on the board of the Association of Brewers and the board of the Brewers Association of America. He is a past president of the Inland N.W. Craft Brewers Association and received the 2011 Colorado Brewers Guild Director's Award. No-Li Brewhouse was awarded the 2015 National Brewery Partner of the Year by the NBWA and named the 2016 Washington Brewery of the Year. The company has earned 23 international brewing medals.

• Bryan Slekes, Senior Director of Finance, Great Divide Brewing Company
• David Fields, Managing Partner, Wormtown Brewery
• John Bryant, Owner, No-Li Brewhouse

Beer Break

Discussion II

• Chris Cramer

  , Co-Founder & CEO, Karl Strauss Brewing Company

  

  Chris Cramer

  Co-Founder & CEO, Karl Strauss Brewing Company

  Chris Cramer is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Karl Strauss Brewing Company. Chris was related to Karl M. Strauss, the company’s original Master Brewer. Chris helped launch Karl Strauss Brewing Company in 1989. For the last 28 years, Chris has held a variety of leadership roles in the company including serving as the company’s President. He currently serves as CEO and is focused on defining long-term strategies for growth and identifying growth opportunities and resources for the company. In addition to his work with Karl Strauss, Chris sits on the board for the California Craft Brewers Association. Chris is a community activist and he personally championed many business and legislative reforms that helped pave the way for San Diego to become the capital of craft beer.

• Chris Cramer, Co-Founder & CEO, Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Beers & Networking