{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-13/beer-institute-best-in-brew-honorees","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-13/beer-institute-best-in-brew-honorees.md","title":"Beer Institute Honors 16 Professionals","headline":"Beer Institute Names 16 Honorees for 2026 BEST IN BREW Honors Across Brewing and Supply Chain","description":"The Beer Institute recognized 16 professionals with its 2026 BEST IN BREW Honors, spanning brewing, manufacturing.","section":"Business","published_at":"2026-11-13T14:31:20+00:00","modified_at":"2026-11-13T14:31:20+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["The Beer Institute recognized 16 professionals with its 2026 BEST IN BREW Honors on November 13, 2026.","Honorees include Jeff Knapper of Anheuser-Busch, Phil Savastano of The Boston Beer Company and Mary Jane Saunders of the Beer Institute.","The award program is in its third year and honors employees across brewing, manufacturing, sustainability, operations and corporate leadership."],"companies":[{"name":"Beer Institute","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/000aohx/beer-institute","website":"http://www.beerinstitute.org"},{"name":"Anheuser-Busch InBev","is_primary":false,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0000doq/anheuser-busch-inbev","website":"http://ab-inbev.com"},{"name":"Constellation Brands","is_primary":false,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00006nh/constellation-brands","website":"http://cbrands.com"}],"source":{"publisher":"GlobeNewswire","title":"Beer Institute Recognizes Industry Professionals with 2026 BEST IN BREW Honors","url":"https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/11/13/3402600/0/en/beer-institute-recognizes-industry-professionals-with-2026-best-in-brew-honors.html"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Business","Beer Institute","Anheuser-Busch InBev","Constellation Brands"],"body_markdown":"The Beer Institute recognized 16 professionals with its 2026 BEST IN BREW Honors on November 13, 2026, celebrating contributions across brewing, manufacturing, sustainability, operations and corporate leadership. The [GlobeNewswire](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/11/13/3402600/0/en/beer-institute-recognizes-industry-professionals-with-2026-best-in-brew-honors.html) release announced the honors.\n\n## Inside the 2026 BEST IN BREW Class\n\nThe [Beer Institute](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/000aohx/beer-institute) is the national trade association for U.S. brewers, beer importers and suppliers. Its 2026 honorees include Jeff Knapper, senior director of heritage operations at [Anheuser-Busch](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0000doq/anheuser-busch-inbev); Matt Clay, quality process manager at Asahi Beer USA's Octopi Brewery; Terry Sparks, BE superintendent at Ball Corporation; and Mary Jane Saunders, general counsel at the Beer Institute.\n\nThe list also names Phil Savastano, chief supply chain officer at The Boston Beer Company; Chris Baruffi, brewer at Cape May Brewing; Edgar Guillaumin, VP of public affairs at [Constellation Brands](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00006nh/constellation-brands); Eric Smith, brewer, bartender and cellar man at Eagle Creek Brewing Company; Mike Miskiewicz, senior director of national on-premise sales at HEINEKEN USA; and Bryson Alcordo, sales manager at Kona Brewing Hawaii.\n\nRounding out the class are Derek Van Gelder, senior manager of global customer fulfillment at MicroStar Logistics; Jason Boose, senior manager of the barley program at Molson Coors Beverage Company; Ken Smith, operations site director for Gambrinus at Rahr Corporation; Robert Poortenga, facility and property director at 3 Floyds Brewing; Susannah Thiel, planning coordinator at Tilray Beverages; and Levi Wyatt, corporate social responsibility manager at Yakima Chief Hops.\n\n\"Behind every beer is an incredible team of talented professionals, many working in roles people might not expect,\" said Brian Crawford, president and CEO of the Beer Institute. \"This year's BEST IN BREW honorees represent the dedication, innovation and expertise that make our industry strong.\"\n\n## The Industry Behind the Honors\n\nAccording to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), the beer industry contributes $471 billion to the U.S. economy and supports 2.42 million American jobs, with 7,228 active breweries in the United States. The Beer Institute's Beer Serves America study puts the jobs figure at more than 2.42 million. The same records describe the Beer Institute as a Washington, D.C.-based trade association founded in 1862 that represents large brewers, craft brewers, importers and suppliers.\n\n## Beer Institute's Recent Policy and Data Work\n\nIn June 2026, the Beer Institute partnered with the Brewers Association and the National Beer Wholesalers Association to build coalition support for the CHEERS Act, which would accelerate tax recovery for draft beer equipment investments by bars, restaurants and taprooms, according to akta.pro company records. In November 2025, it joined the American Distilled Spirits Alliance, the Distilled Spirits Council, Wine America and the Wine Institute to lobby senators for a federal ban on intoxicating hemp products containing THC. That same month, it convened its annual membership meeting in Washington, D.C., from November 5 to 7, 2025, and launched data products covering World Cup beer sales and non-alcohol beer growth trends.\n\n## Next Steps for Beer Institute\n\nThe Beer Institute's October 2026 taxable removals estimate is scheduled for December 8, 2026, GlobeNewswire reported on November 4, 2026.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}