Julia Herz rejoins the Brewers Association as Executive Director of the American Homebrewers
Not-for-profit trade association of U.S. craft breweries the Brewers Association(BA) have rehired their former craft beer program director Julia Herz in a new role as executive director of the American Homebrewers Association®(AHA). Herz was laid off from the BA back in June 2020, part of a major round of COVID-19 related layoffs that rocked the industry and cemented the doom and gloom outlook for craft beer in the wake of the pandemic. With things looking up and with Herz working as a successful industry consultant over the last year + the organization has brought her back to lead the homebrewing division of the group.
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Herz (pronounced “hers”) has more than two decades of experience in the brewing industry, including two prior roles at the Brewers Association. She is a cause marketer, an award-winning homebrewer, a BJCP certified beer judge, an Advanced Cicerone®, a beer educator, and co-author of Beer Pairing: The Essential Guide from the Pairing Pros and CraftBeer.com’s Beer & Food Course. Herz’s accomplishments include creating and publishing Craftbeer.com, the website for craft beer lovers, and passionately leading the promotion of small and independent craft brewers via national beer holidays, the independent craft brewer seal, and promoting responsible beer appreciation to mainstream media and beer lovers.
“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,” said Bob Pease, president and CEO, Brewers Association. “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.”
“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,” said Herz. “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.”
Founded in 1978 in Boulder, Colorado by Charlie Papazian and Charlie Matzen, the American Homebrewers Association is a not-for-profit trade organization committed to promoting the community of homebrewers and empowering them to make the best beer in the world. The AHA provides educational resources for homebrewing, hosts the world’s largest amateur beer competition, the National Homebrew Competition (NHC), publishes Zymurgy® magazine, advocates for homebrewers’ rights in the United States, and hosts events promoting fermented beverages, including the annual conference Homebrew Con™. Beer lovers and anyone interested in making their own beer are invited to learn more at HomebrewersAssociation.org. Follow the AHA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Herz’s first day with the American Homebrewers Association will be December 1.