Von Ebert Brewing’s own Madeleine “Maddy” McCarthy has been selected as the 2022 recipient of the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation brewing scholarship to the prestigious Siebel Institute in Chicago, IL.

Out of an outstanding group of talented applicants ranging from newcomers to relative pros Madeleine rose to the top of the pack. This is not Maddy’s first brewing scholarship either, she was also one of eleven ladies selected in 2019 for Pink Boots Society’s scholarship program to New Mexico State University Brewing and Distilling in the Belgium and Netherlands. Maddy is also now an Oregon Brewers Guild DEI Committee member who helped select and hand out their own scholarship recently in the Mashing Barriers program seeking to advance the careers of underrepresented groups in the industry.

The Glen Hay Falconer Foundation was established after the untimely passing of Eugene, Oregon brewer Glen Hay Falconer. The organization holds various fundraisers like an exclusive Falconer hop blend and a brewers golf tournament to fund scholarships for the craft beer industry’s brightest future stars. The scholarship program encompasses over half of the United States geography and this year’s scholarship drew candidates from throughout that region.  The scholarship is to the WBA Concise Course in Brewing Technology that takes place this November in Chicago.  The Concise Course in Brewing Technology is a two-week intensive program that covers every topic critical to successful brewery operations.  

Madeleine (“Maddy”) McCarthy began as a home brewer and translated that passion to a professional brewing career through hard work and perseverance.  Maddy began at a gluten-free brewery making wort from roasted chestnuts and lentils, learning the craft and developing new recipes.  From there, Maddy worked her way to larger craft breweries and now to her current position at Von Ebert Brewing. In the words of a Selection Committee member, “Maddy’s journey pays tribute to her utmost determination, humility, and career vision.  And this journey has just begun for her and all of us.”

“What inspires us most about Maddy is her sense of community from her active mentorship of more junior brewers to her commitment to making the industry better more equitable and inclusive”, added another Selection Committee member.  “She elevates others through her enthusiasm for those breaking into professional brewing and takes pride being a catalyst in their success.  This goes right to the core of the ideals of the Falconer Foundation.”  Maddy co-founded a DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Committee at Von Ebert and plays a leading role in the Oregon Brewers Guild DEI Committee.  With the Guild, she was instrumental in developing an internship program at Von Ebert for individuals from under-served groups wanting to enter the craft beer industry.

Maddy has accomplished much over her relatively short craft brewing career, constantly demonstrating creativity in recipe development.  “Taking that innate talent and underscoring it with the science is something that the Concise Course will deliver for her,” stated a Selection Committee member.  “We all wish Maddy the best for the Siebel course and know that layering in the formal Siebel brewing education will help propel Maddy and her beers to that next level.”

The Foundation thanks the incredible Selection Committee for its dedication and energy.  The 2022 Selection Committee consisted of Christian Ettinger (Hopworks Urban Brewing), Jamie Floyd (Ninkasi Brewing), John Hannafan (Siebel Institute), Lisa Morrison (Belmont Station Bottle Shop & Biercafé), and Shaun O’Sullivan (21st Amendment Brewery) who were given the difficult decision of selecting a single recipient from a deep and talented group of deserving candidates.

To date, the Foundation has granted a total of 51 brewing education scholarships.

About The Glen Hay Falconer Foundation Scholarships

The mission of the Foundation is to provide opportunities for professional and aspiring brewers to further their knowledge and expertise. The Foundation strives to fulfill this mission by offering educational scholarships to an accredited brewing school. Since 2004, the Foundation has awarded 51 full-tuition brewing education scholarships.

The foundation offers a scholarship to the World Academy of Brewing held at the Siebel Institute of Technology each year. Follow this link for more information on the Siebel Institute of Technology Scholarships.

The Foundation also offers a full-tuition scholarship to the American Brewers Guild. Follow this link for more information on the American Brewers Guild Scholarship.