Speakers 2024
BOB PEASE- PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)
THE BREWERS ASSOCIATION- USA
Bob Pease is the President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Brewers Association.
Pease is responsible for the strategic development and tactical execution of the association’s mission. He has led the charge to strengthen small and independent brewers' voice in both Washington, D.C. and state capitols.
His work has established the Brewers Association as the voice of small and independent brewers on Capitol Hill.
In 2020, after a 12-year effort, Pease saw the culmination of his efforts with the passing of the Craft Beverage Modernization & Tax Reform Act. This legislation effectively reduced on a permanent basis the Federal Excise Tax rates for small brewers by half.
He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, a graduate of the Siebel Institute Professional Beer Tasting and Styles course and is a certified TIPS trainer. In 2015 and 2020, Pease was named “Beer Industry Person of the Year” by Brewbound. In 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023, Pease was named one of the top lobbyists in Washington, D.C. by The Hill.com.
STEVE “HENDO” HENDERSON- ROCKSTAR BREWER
ACADEMY, AUSTRALIA
Hendo is a brewing coach and mentor based out of Brisbane, Australia
He’s one part professional brewer, one part beer geek, one part prolific beer creator, one part international beer judge, all mixed with a generous dash of irreverent personality!
An avid home brewer, Hendo decided to get into professional brewing by undertaking postgraduate study to satiate his thirst for knowledge when Internet forums weren’t really a thing. He holds a Graduate Certificate in Brewing from Federation University and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Hendo also runs the Rockstar Brewer Academy, an online mentoring and coaching program for professional brewers who are looking for the tools to grow their brewing skills through quality, consistency and passion.
AMÉLIE TASSIN- TIPPLE MARKETING & WOMEN IN BEER
FESTIVAL, SCOTLAND
Amélie Tassin is the Founder and Director of Tipple Marketing, a marketing and strategy agency based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
With over 15 years’ experience, Amelie has worked across several European sectors from retail banking and property development to cosmetics and food and drink. Her agency's work is truly 'the Swiss Army knife of marketing' and offers tailored services for all needs thanks to Amelie's wealth of cross-industry experience.
In 2018 she founded Women In Beer, a 'women who beer' group in Edinburgh, in 2019 the successful Women In Beer Festival (WIB Fest), a celebration of women in the industry with an impressive roster of events including tap takeovers, talks, and tastings.
In 2023 she launched the Women in Beer Mentorship Programme. Aimed at women who work in the beer and brewing sector, the programme allows them to be paired with experienced women of the industry who will share advice, skills, and access to a wider network.
STEVE GROSSMAN- SIERRA NEVADA BREWING COMPANY USA
Steve grew up in Southern California, where he and his younger brother Ken learned about the art of home brewing. Steve continued to homebrew throughout college, and when Ken founded Sierra Nevada in 1980, Steve’s passion for craft beer was immediately put to good use.
In the early years of the brewery, he helped establish the Southern California distribution network and was involved in direct sales.
Today, Steve works with Sierra Nevada’s international export program, and serves as an ambassador and spokesperson for the brewery both domestically and abroad. Steve also serves as a director of the brewery’s wildly popular Beer Camp, which brings people to Sierra Nevada for a unique and intensive hands-on beer education.
Steve is an avid cyclist and a connoisseur of wine, beer, and great food.
PETE BROWN - BEER AUTHOR & JOURNALIST,
UNITED KINGDOM
Pete is a British author, journalist, broadcaster and consultant specialising in food and drink.
He was named British Beer Writer of the Year in 2009, 2012, 2016 and 2021, has won three Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards, been shortlisted twice for the Andre Simon Awards, and in 2020 was named an “Industry Legend” at the Imbibe Hospitality Awards.
He was recently accused of being the 31st most important person in the drinks industry.