Deschutes Brewery has named Veronica Vega, who started her career with the company in 2006 as a tour guide, its new brewmaster.
In the position, Vega will head up the brewery’s research and development initiatives, alongside fellow brewmaster Brian Faivre, who leads Deschutes’ technical brewing operations, the company said.
After her stint as a tour guide, Vega worked in the company’s cellar and eventually shifted into a production role, where she was able apply her background in biology. For the last three-and-a-half years, she has worked as the lead brewer at Deschutes’ original pub location in Bend, Ore.
“We have an extremely talented brewing department,” said Vega, in company statement. “I look forward to working collaboratively with both our R&D and production teams to innovate on the process of experimental aspects of our brewing efforts.”
Deschutes president Michael LaLonde said Vega’s familiarity with every aspect of the business — from tour guide, to the cellar, to the brewpub — should give her a leg up as she takes on the brewmaster title.
“Veronica has done a fantastic job heading up our Bend pub for the past few years,” said LaLonde. “Her experience with Deschutes at every level givers her a unique insight in her new role.”
Deschutes, the nation’s eighth largest craft brewery by volume, sold 337,094 barrels in 2014, according to the Brewers Association.