Meet the women behind some of your favorite beers

By Kristen Kuchar

History tells us that it was women who were the original brewers, and there continues to be a growing number of women pursuing this career path. Fortunately for beer drinkers in Colorado, this state has a robust, supportive community of women in the beer industry utilizing their passion, creativity and skills to produce top-notch brews. We reached out to a handful to learn how they got started, their favorite place to grab a pint and the best part about being a brewer in Colorado.

JulieAnne Diehl

Brewer at Denver Beer Co., Lowry taproom

What inspired you to become a professional brewer?
When I was a kid all I wanted to do was work in a kitchen; I loved food and providing for people. When I was old enough to work in the industry, I got a job at a craft beer bar in my hometown, and the owner (Josh Royal) took the time to teach me about beer. His generosity and patience with me inspired me to continue in the industry. In college I started an internship at Platt Park Brewing, and when I graduated, the brewmaster (Greg Mathews) asked me to be his assistant. I initially told him that was crazy. I had no idea how to make beer. He convinced me to try and told me I could learn. I am grateful for the people who saw something in me and took a chance on me, because I can’t imagine doing anything else now.

Favorite style to brew? Or a specific favorite beer you have brewed?
I am a sucker for a kettle sour for a brew day, but my favorite beer I have ever made is a Munich Dunkel named Crispy Bits. My only hobby is baking, and the concept was to make it taste like the crispy bits on a loaf of bread.

Name one of your favorite, female-made Colorado beers.
Something I love about the community here is that there is never a shortage of woman-made beers around. I love supporting all my peers but currently am really excited about our beer we made for International Women’s Month as a collaboration with a few other women brewers. It is a Belgian Wit named “Need Help With That?”

Favorite place in Colorado to grab a pint?
The brewery I frequent the most, outside of DBC, of course, is Platt Park. I love the beers, and it being the place I learned to brew it always feels like coming home.

What’s the best part about being a brewer in Colorado?
Being a brewer in Colorado means that I always have people to lean on. The community in the brewing industry has the mindset of a rising tide raises all boats. There is also a large concentration of women brewers here, and it’s nice to know that I have other ladies that understand the experiences I have had as a woman in this industry.

Emilie Stewart Maskwa

Senior product development, brewer at Blue Moon RiNo

What inspired you to become a professional brewer?
It started off in Texas when I was either 12 or 13. The Holy Family of Nazareth seventh-grade science fair was a big deal, and if you wanted to best the paper mache volcanoes and potato alarm clocks you needed to bring your “A” game. Displaying even then a precocious ability to curry favor with authority, I asked Ms. Parchman, “What kind of beer do you like?” With help from my dad, an enthusiastic (if inconsistent) homebrewer, a six-pack of barleywine rode along with my paper and poster board. High marks were awarded. My path led me to the MillerCoors Eden Brewery, where I honed my skills from the lab to brewing operations. Transitioning to the Blue Moon Brewery, I am the senior product development brewer. I run the 2-barrel pilot system, overseeing research and development for the Blue Moon family of brands.

Favorite style to brew? Or a specific favorite beer you have brewed?
My favorite style to brew and drink is Czech dark lagers. With their rich maltiness and smooth finish, they offer a perfect canvas for brewing expertise and creativity to shine. Whether it’s crafting traditional recipes or adding a unique twist, I find joy and satisfaction in the nuanced flavors and meticulous process of brewing Czech dark lagers. I also have a passion for sourcing new and novel ingredients and developing recipes that allow these unique elements to shine. Whether it’s exotic hops, rare grains, unconventional adjuncts, or exotic fruits, I really enjoy the challenge of incorporating these ingredients into Blue Moon’s brewing creations.

Name one of your favorite, female-made Colorado beers.
Chosen Family ESB, crafted by Lady Justice Brewing, is more than just a killer beer with notes of biscuit, bread, caramel, and honey. Lady Justice Brewing’s commitment to their mission shines through their Community-Supported Beer (CSB) memberships, where 100% of profits over cost are channeled directly to CSB nonprofit partners. Beyond financial support, the brewery weaves community engagement into the fabric of its taproom, offering opportunities to volunteer, collaborate on brews, and much more. They moved locations to Englewood in late March of this year – make sure you stop by and support these amazing people and their incredible mission.

Favorite place in Colorado to grab a pint?
My favorite place in Colorado to grab a pint is definitely Cannonball Creek Brewery. Lucky for me, it’s conveniently close to my house, making it a regular haunt. What keeps me coming back time and time again is the consistently excellent beer they brew. Whether I’m in the mood for a classic style or something more adventurous, Cannonball Creek always delivers. The brewery’s commitment to quality and innovation shines through in every pint.

What’s the best part about being a brewer in Colorado?
The best part about being a brewer in Colorado is undoubtedly the vibrant and passionate craft beer community. From fellow brewers to enthusiastic beer lovers, there’s a shared excitement and appreciation for quality beer that permeates the entire state. Colorado’s rich brewing tradition, coupled with its stunning natural landscapes, provides endless inspiration and opportunities for creativity. Whether collaborating on new recipes, exploring innovative brewing techniques, or simply enjoying a pint with friends, being part of Colorado’s brewing scene is a truly rewarding experience that fosters camaraderie and creativity.

Kate Stephens

Brewer at Rock Cut Brewing

What inspired you to become a professional brewer?
I started at Rock Cut Brewing as a bartender in 2018. I liked craft beer, the people, and the atmosphere, so thought working at my favorite local brewery would be fun. I come from a background of production work in baking, so after a year or so of working in the bar I began to express interest in moving to the back. I started as a brewer’s assistant with a focus on lab work and research, and have since grown to the position of lead brewer. I never anticipated being a brewer, but am so happy to be part of this industry. The problem solving and creativity on a daily basis, the community, and the endless evolution of craft beer make for a very rewarding and satisfying career.

Favorite style to brew? Or a specific favorite beer you have brewed?
The first recipe I wrote was designed after the French 75 cocktail (champagne, gin, and lemon): Le Petit Citron. This beer was a quarantine project, so I poured a lot of time and research into it (and maybe a French 75 or two). I selected spices and herbs to mimic gin botanicals, made “teas” to figure out the right ratios, and for the first time, deep dove into different hops, malts, and adjuncts. The whole process was so enriching – brewing this beer will always have a special place in my heart.

Name one of your favorite, female-made Colorado beers.
The Helles from Bierstadt is absolutely phenomenal – it is delicate, crisp, and delicious.

Favorite place in Colorado to grab a pint?
It’s impossible to pick just one. Casey in Glenwood Springs is my go-to for sours (when I’m out that way). I love the diversity of Jessup Farm’s taplist, their barrel-aged stouts are particularly tasty. And when I’m in Denver, I must grab at least one crispy boi from Bierstadt. Locally, I love grabbing a pint from my friends at Avant Garde and Lumpy Ridge.

What’s the best part about being a brewer in Colorado?
The other brewers and breweries, with a special shout out to the Fort Collins chapter of Pink Boots Society. Everyone in the industry is so supportive and kind (and often, nerdy and strange). Collaborations are always an amazing time: Collab Fest is one of the most fun beer events in the state. So many beautiful and weird things come from that festival - I highly recommend going to see and sample the melding of all these brilliant minds.

Kelly McKnight

Lead R&D brewer at New Belgium Brewing

What inspired you to become a professional brewer?
I had been homebrewing since 2001 in my dorms at the University of Washington and then later went to Harvard to study chemistry and finish my pre-med requirements. During an intense period of studying for the MCAT, I decided to take a break to homebrew and have fun. As I was brewing I realized how happy I felt and knew that I had to become a brewer versus a doctor. My science background allowed me to score a brewing job at a 14-barrel brewpub in Boston. As head brewer I focused primarily on Belgian beers and worked with any and all unique ingredients that I could find.

Favorite style to brew? Or a specific favorite beer you have brewed?
I love brewing Belgian beers. Always have. My favorite beer that I have been working on for the last few years is Biere de Queer. It’s a mai tai beer with pineapple, naranjilla, calamansi and hibiscus. Tastes just like drinking a wonderful mai tai on the beaches of Kauai.

Name one of your favorite, female-made Colorado beers.
Ashleigh’s (Carter) Slow Pour Pils from Bierstadt Lagerhaus. No brainer!

Favorite place in Colorado to grab a pint?
100% Zwei Brewing Co. in Fort Collins. Zwei is my second home. Not only do I live right by it but Kirk and Eric brew some of the best beers in America. They mainly focus on German styles and always squeak in a few sours or other surprises. They have such high-quality brews and an awesome environment.

What’s the best part about being a brewer in Colorado?
A lot has changed in craft brewing over the past 15 years since I’ve been a brewer. I think Colorado brewers still have that spirit of inclusivity and openness to share information that was so awesome back in the day. Brewers here really love to hang out and elevate each other. It’s what has always made this industry special and key to personal, professional, and social growth.

Nicole Reiman

Brewer at The Grateful Gnome

What inspired you to become a professional brewer?
I woke up one morning and realized I was miserable at my job. I have a background in manufacturing and had recently started homebrewing. The more time I spent at breweries, the more I fell in love with the collaborative and energetic environment. Brewing exercised all parts of my brain, from creative to mechanical, and allowed the wanna-be scientist in me to shine. So I quit my job to start a new career and haven’t turned back.

Favorite style to brew? Or a specific favorite beer you have brewed?
These days I’m obsessed with lagers. Most of my brewing career revolved around hazy IPAs. So when I finally had the opportunity to brew what my heart desired, I was looking for a challenge within simplicity. Lagers use limited ingredients, allowing each one to shine and leaving little room for error. One of my mentors once told me, “the devil is in the details”, and there’s something quite devilish about lagers. Plus that’s all I want to drink these days.

Name one of your favorite, female-made Colorado beers.
That’s a hard decision! I’ve participated in many women centered collaborations for Pink Boots, and I’m lucky to have worked with bad-ass women throughout my career, especially at Odd13. My favorite so far is our release last year, Mystic Bloom, a sour with meyer lemon, honey and elderflower. Tart, floral, well balanced and spunky, a reflection of all the talented ladies that contributed.

Favorite place in Colorado to grab a pint?
Lafayette. The community there has supported me through my career, and there’s endless humble talent behind their creations. From traditional saisons at Cellar West to meticulously crafted hoppy beer at Liquid Mechanics to a purposely sourced beer list at Romero’s K-9 club, there’s something for everyone. I owe much of my success to the hard working craft beer lovers of Lafayette.

What’s the best part about being a brewer in Colorado?
There’s two. The first is our community and the collaboration within. This is a relatively young industry in the U.S., and sharing knowledge is integral to making the best product. Everything I know has come from my peers. And within that community is a wide range of skilled individuals, from farmers to biochemists. As brewers in agricultural Colorado, we source ingredients from our neighbors. We are graced with a plethora of local maltsters, hop farmers and yeast labs, a supergroup of nerds working together to make Colorado craft beer some of the best in the nation.

Kristen Kuchar is a freelance writer covering food, libations, music and other Colorado gatherings.