One taproom brewer seat is open for a three-year term. Taproom brewers are defined as those who sell more than 25% of their product onsite and do not operate significant food services.
Note: Only your vote in your voting membership class will count.
Taproom Brewery Candidates
Click on the candidate for more details.
Tomme Arthur
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Owner, The Lost Abbey
Vista, California
I have been a passionate advocate for craft beer since I first laced up my boots back in 1996. It has been an awesome adventure to be part of the growth and cultivation of our industry. I started out as a pub brewer and became a brewery owner. At our zenith we brewed 15,000 barrels of beer. Today I am in charge of a smaller company with four taprooms and a small distributor network. I ran for the Brewers Association Board three years ago and I would be honored to serve another term, this time representing taprooms.
As my brewing career now spans almost 30 years, I have a great sense of our history. The recent re-imagining of our company to “Grow Down” our brewery has really taught me a lot about our industry and where the opportunities are. Today we are a hybrid company with both forward-facing hospitality operations and distributed brands. I am currently on the Brewers Association (BA) Events Committee and worked on the Public Relations and Marketing Committee in the past.
The BA is the single best resource for breweries. The amount of content continually cultivated amazes me. If a brewery is looking for answers, the BA is like a veritable treasure trove of information. If the data doesn’t exist, the BA does an incredible job to produce it. It also brings the community together which fosters communication and an array of problem solving opportunities. There will always be challenges and together we can overcome them.
We have an incredible community of consumers. The opportunities for small and independent brewers is limitless. We have carved our place in beer and people know what craft beer is. The future of craft beer will continue to evolve as new consumers reach legal drinking age. The amount of flavors in beer has reached staggering limits but the consumer wants more. Brewers seeking a bigger tomorrow will need to reach them.
Chris Nicholson
General Manager, Roadmap Brewing Company
San Antonio, Texas
My career in craft beer started in 2018 as the first and only employee at Roadmap Brewing Company when we opened our doors. Over the past six years I have gained perspective on growth, success, and the difficulties of running an independent brewery. I fully understand the challenges facing our industry today and believe that these experiences have equipped me with the skills necessary to provide valuable insight for the continued advancement of our industry. I currently serve on the Taprooms Committee for the Brewers Association (BA) and look to continue improving the organization as a member of the Board of Directors.
In my time at Roadmap, I am fortunate to have worn many hats covering the areas of operations management, finances, inventory management, staffing, events, and human resources (HR). This has provided me with the unique perspective of understanding a variety of aspects within the brewing industry which can be utilized to benefit other breweries, whether it be experiences with opportunities or challenges that we have faced in the past or continue to face.
The BA can help its members navigate business challenges by providing insight, education, and legislative resources into topics of interest that affect the bottom line. We live in a world now where every aspect of operating a brewery is increasingly expensive. Making quality beer is no longer enough to survive. Shared resources on creative problem solving and the ability to do more with less will be necessities moving forward.
The biggest opportunity is the ability to provide unique experiences for customers beyond just the liquid in the glass. Taprooms provide a “third space” for consumers to relax, socialize, and create a sense of community. Whether it is beer pairing dinners, local artist pop ups, or mug clubs, small businesses can cater the entire experience directly to a specific customer base. Large corporations are unable to impact customers at an individual level in this manner.
Tracy Cryder
Owner and Co-Founder, Southern Tail Brewing
Little Rock, Arkansas
I bring a depth of leadership and commitment to the brewing community; I was part of the inaugural mentorship program, and am no stranger to board service. While Southern Tail has just opened, I’m confident that my business, leadership, and passion bring contributions that the Brewers Association can benefit from. Additionally, I have deep respect for being the “new kid” and while I have a lot of value to add, want to do so in a respectful and collaborative way. We have huge opportunities, and I’m confident I can be trusted in guiding our future.
I have been an executive leading a team of over 5,000 people, managing a portfolio of over $3 billion in revenue, and recognized as one of the foremost leaders on Artificial Intelligence (AI), women in leadership, and business strategy. I have been the president of Pink Boots Society for Arkansas as well as served nationally to guide over 500 scholarship application evaluations. I’m deeply passionate about culture and believe we have huge opportunities to support modern breweries.
I have spent my entire career advising large organizations such as Coca-Cola, Jim Beam Brands, Walgreen’s, Target, and many others in a highly regulated industry for over two decades. I have been a business owner for over 15 years, and bring deep analytical, technology, and leadership skills to bear. Additionally, I’m a realtor and bring deep expertise on balancing property, ownership, and cost considerations.
We are facing difficult economic challenges (rising costs of ingredients), market challenges (dynamic market, with several competing trends), and a people challenge (employees) that is unprecedented. The challenges are extraordinary, and to make things more complex, much of the industry has been built by individuals that started as successful homebrewers, not business owners. Many owners are grappling with trying to manage one of the most complex businesses and need tools, support, and a path forward.
Veronica Zamora Espinoza
Co-Owner and Accountant, Turkey Forrest Brewing
Houston, Texas
I would like to be a part of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) or Human Resources (HR) department. I am currently a co-owner of a nanobrewery and have had many experiences with customers and clients that have helped me learn the community. We were the first Mexican American brewery to open in our city of Houston in 2021. I have sought out mentoring programs to help with the establishment of a better understanding of owning a business, especially in this community. Brewing is a completely different type of business and I am still learning.
As the first Mexican American-owned brewery, we have established a following for unique and great customers who have become regulars. I have a background in accounting and have been taking classes for human resources to try and understand more of the inner workings of many of our leaders, manager, and investors.
By highlighting how some businesses have overcome some issues in their businesses. Having knowledgeable and experienced webinars with contributors who would like to help the community grow.
When we first sought out to create our company, our vision and mission was to bring a part of our culture into our brewing techniques and brews. We quickly found that some were great ones, and others not so much, but we have learned much from our mistakes. We have gathered a good following and have always found ways to give back to the community that enjoy our beers.
Remember!
- Only one ballot per member brewing company will be counted (NOT one vote per location).
- Voting member criteria are described by the BA bylaws (no breweries in planning, suppliers, etc.).
- Ballots will be accepted through Nov. 13, 2024.