Craft beer veteran Julia Herz will now lead the organization

By Jay McKinney

In a state dominated by award-winning craft breweries, the art of homebrewing can be overlooked. From hobbyists brewing for friends to chemistry geeks who are refining the next Gold Medal beer recipe, there’s no wrong or right way to brew from home. However, it is a sector of the industry that deserves strong leadership, and the Brewers Association has scored with its newly appointed executive director of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA), Julia Herz.

With more than 30 years of brewing and industry experience, including two prior roles at the Brewers Association, Herz has an impressive resume when it comes to craft beer. She is an award-winning homebrewer, a judge with the Beer Judge Certification Program, an advanced Cicerone and the founder of Craftbeer.com. Herz has also co-authored two essential resources for beer lovers, “Beer Pairing: The Essential Guide from the Pairing Pros,” and CraftBeer.com’s Beer & Food Course.

“The Brewers Association is pleased to welcome back Julia, an accomplished homebrewer, beer educator and evangelist whose exuberance has had a positive impact throughout the craft brewing community,” says Bob Pease, president and CEO of the organization. “Julia has been integral to the success of the Brewers Association in her past role as the craft beer program director, contributing to the elevation of craft beer and the advancement of the community. We’re confident that her energy and passion will drive growth for the American Homebrewers Association and the hobby of homebrewing.”

It’s worth noting that some of Colorado’s most successful craft breweries such as New Belgium, got their start in humble basement and garage operations. Homebrewing is a technical craft marked by trial and error, but with the AHA’s passionate and uplifting community, anyone could produce the next Fat Tire.

“My brewing journey began in 1991 with my first batch of homebrew. I’ve spent many years since as a fierce advocate for the craft brewing community and now, many batches of homebrew later, I can’t wait to walk in the footsteps of so many amazing people as leader of the AHA,” Herz says. “I will always consider myself a beer beginner on an endless journey to learn more about the art of craft beer and the AHA is the perfect place to do that. I genuinely believe in the reward and value of the hobby and am eager to showcase homebrewing to new audiences.”