Program

Doors Open + Beers & Networking

Panel Discussion

• Simon Thorpe

  , CEO, Pabst Brewing Company

  

  Simon Thorpe

  CEO, Pabst Brewing Company

  Simon is a seasoned beer industry veteran with a deep understanding of the U.S. beer market. Simon joined Pabst as CEO on December 1, 2016. Before joining PBC, Simon was the President & CEO of Duvel Moortgat USA, where he led the transformation of the company’s U.S. craft brewing business into a respected leader in the craft beer segment. He was instrumental in building the high-end success of Duvel Moortgat’s Brewery Ommegang in Upstate New York, and established Duvel Moortgat’s partnerships with Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City, MO and Firestone Walker Brewing Company in Paso Robles, CA. He also led the development of Duvel Moortgat’s import brand portfolio including Duvel, La Chouffe, Liefmans, and Mardesous. Prior to joining Duvel Moortgat, Thorpe led various private equity projects in Europe and was formerly head of strategy, M&A and new markets for InBev and President & CEO of InBev USA. His career has spanned beer, support services, art and stationery, food, and personal care categories in the Americas, Europe and Asia, including senior management positions with Compass, Crayola and Kellogg’s. His early career was with Tambrands and Unilever. Thorpe was born and educated in England and has spent 12 years living in Belgium and 19 years in the USA. He resides in Los Angeles, where Pabst is headquartered, with his wife Kati and son Henry.

• Christian McMahan

  , President, Wachusett Brewing Company

  

  Christian McMahan

  President, Wachusett Brewing Company

  Christian McMahan is President of Wachusett Brewing Company, the 2nd largest packaging brewer in Massachusetts and one of the top 10 fastest growing craft breweries in the US in 2016. Christian has over 20+ years of beverage experience, including his work as Chief Marketing Officer for Heineken USA, Vice President of Marketing for Diageo North America and The Boston Beer Company.

• Chuck Salzman

  , President, Peerless Beverage Company

  

  Chuck Salzman

  President, Peerless Beverage Company

  Chuck is the president and a 3rd generation owner at Peerless Beverage Company, which distributes over 8 million cases in New Jersey annually. He has been with Peerless for 19 years and served in numerous roles across the company. Chuck currently serves on the national distributor councils for Constellation Brands, Ballast Point Brewing, and Diageo USA. He is also a member of the MillerCoors regional distributors council. Chuck is a graduate of The University of Vermont and holds an MBA from Fordham University – The Gabelli School of Business.

• Simon Thorpe, CEO, Pabst Brewing Company
• Christian McMahan, President, Wachusett Brewing Company
• Chuck Salzman, President, Peerless Beverage Company

Beers & Networking