PORTLAND, Ore. – Craft Brew Alliance, Inc. (“CBA”) (Nasdaq: BREW), a leading craft brewing company, announced today that its Chief Executive Officer Andy Thomas will be the keynote speaker at the Opening Session of the Master Brewers Conference in Atlanta on October 12. In his keynote, Thomas will address critical trends and issues impacting the beer industry today, including the increased competition as more than 6,000 breweries compete for consumer share of mind.
The Master Brewers Association of the Americas has been providing technical leadership for the brewing industry for over 130 years. One of the primary activities to facilitate an exchange of knowledge and ideas is the Master Brewers Conference, which attracts brewers, researchers and beer industry experts from around the world. This year’s conference will host more than 650 attendees and 95 exhibits at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta from October 12-14.
Mr. Thomas, who has served as the chief executive officer for CBA since January 1, 2014, brings more than two decades of leadership experience in consumer packaged goods and the beer and beverage industries to his role at CBA. From 2011 to 2013, he was president of commercial operations for CBA, where he helped establish the company’s distinctive portfolio strategy, which combines the power of national lifestyle brands such as Kona Brewing Co. strong regional craft brands. Prior to joining CBA, Thomas served as an independent consultant and senior advisor to The Monitor Group, a global management consulting firm. From 1995 to 2007, he spent 12 years at Heineken, working with brewers and beers in more than 55 countries across four continents, and served as president and CEO of Heineken USA from 2005 to 2007. Thomas holds an MBA from the Simon Graduate School of Business, University of Rochester, and a Bachelor of Science degree, with a concentration in marketing, from Bryant University.
Master Brewers is a nonprofit (501 C3) professional, scientific organization dedicated to advance, support, and encourage scientific research into brewing malt beverages and related industries and to make that research available to the public through conferences, discussion groups, journals, publications, and seminars.
About Craft Brew Alliance
Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) is a leading craft brewing company that brews, brands, and brings to market world-class American craft beers.
Our distinctive portfolio combines the power of Kona Brewing Company, a dynamic, fast-growing national craft beer brand, with strong regional breweries and innovative lifestyle brands Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Cisco Brewers, Omission Brewing Co., Redhook Brewery, Square Mile Cider Co., Widmer Brothers Brewing, and Wynwood Brewing Co. CBA nurtures the growth and development of its brands in today’s increasingly competitive beer market through our state-of-the-art brewing and distribution capability, integrated sales and marketing infrastructure, and strong focus on partnerships, local community and sustainability.
Formed in 2008, CBA is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and operates breweries and brewpubs across the U.S. CBA beers are available in all 50 U.S. states and 30 different countries around the world. For more information about CBA and our brands, please visit www.craftbrew.com.