Name: Maura Schwartz
Age: 51
Occupation: International Development Consultant
Beer-ography: Schwartz started brewing about six years ago after flirting with the idea for years. She won second prize at the Eugene Beer Festival for her first homebrew, a pale ale. After that, she was hooked. Schwartz, who has graduated to an all-grain system, kegs all of her beer and says she never makes the same recipe twice.
Quotable Quote: "I love kitchen chemistry. I can plan and create and concoct things all day long and home brewing fits right into that."
Beer I can't live without: "Any good IPA."
The Pro
Name: Veronica Vega
Age 31
Occupation: Deschutes Brewery Brewer
Beer - ography: A biologist by training, Vega started at the Deschutes Brewery six years ago as a bartender and tour guide after being laid off from her national parks job. Within three years, Vega worked her way into a brewing position. "I read an article in Northwest Brewing News about female brewers and I got really excited," Vega said. Since then she's worked on the production line creating staples like Mirror Pond and Black Butte Porter. She's currently formulating a limited release Mexican-style lager for Cinco de Mayo.
Quotable Quote: "I still feel like a scientist, but there is obviously a very creative part of this. So I feel like I'm an artist as well."
Beer she can't live without: Red Chair Northwest Pale
The Entrepreneur
Name: Wendi Day
Age: 41
Occupation: Owner, Bend Brewing Company
Beer - ography: Day purchased BBC from her father, Jerry Fox, and his partner, Dave Hill, in 2000. She hired Tonya Cornett nine years ago as Central Oregon's first female brewmaster and together the duo cemented BBC's reputation as one of the preferred watering holes for Bend locals while garnering international acclaim for BBC's beers. BBC currently employs 31 people, including 12 bartenders, servers and managers who have more than 100 years of combined service at BBC.
Quotable Quote: "It's the friendships, relationships with co-workers and daily interactions with interesting people over the years that make Bend Brewing Co a personal success."
Beer she can't live without: BBC's Cherry Baltic Porter
