Jeff Dailey, Sensory Manager

John I. Haas

Jeff Dailey (he/him) is the sensory manager at John I. Haas in Yakima, Washington. Born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado, Jeff grew up along with the craft brewing industry, savoring the so-called Napa Valley of beer. After a career in law and corporate insurance, Jeff switched industries, attending graduate school at Washington State University to focus on sensory science. Jeff has been with John I. Haas since 2019 and manages the trained sensory panels responsible for evaluating experimental hops from the Hop Breeding Company, innovative products from the research and development team, and every grower lot of hops during harvest (30 to 40 million pounds' worth). Since starting at HAAS, Jeff developed the Sensory Plus process for LUPOMAX hop blending, a new sensory lexicon, methods for detecting smoke taint in hops, and methods for combining sensory and instrumental chemistry for characterizing and tracking the shelf life of hop-based products and beer. In his free time, Jeff enjoys reading, distance running, perfecting his home pizza recipes, and drinking well-made West Coast Pilsners.

Claire Desmarais, Marketing Manager

CLS Farms

Claire Desmarais (she/her) is a fifth generation hop grower out of the Yakima Valley. She focuses primarily on marketing and sales along with coordinating technical seminars, manages the farm's two proprietary varieties, strategizes product development, collaborates with brewers on new products and recipe development, and manages the farm's social media.

Tom Nielsen, Director of Brewing and Beverage Innovation

Abstrax Hops

Tom Nielsen (he/him) embarked on his brewing journey in 2004, stepping into the dynamic world of craft beer at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Armed with a Bachelor of Science in food science and technology from Rutgers University, Tom quickly distinguished himself as a pioneering force within Sierra Nevada's nascent research and development (R&D) department. Over the span of two decades, Tom's leadership shaped Sierra Nevada's R&D landscape, spearheading pivotal advancements in brewing quality, method refinement, and innovation.

Ascending to the role of manager of R&D and raw materials, Tom helmed a proficient team of scientists and analysts, orchestrating multifaceted initiatives to elevate brewing excellence and foster groundbreaking techniques. His tenure at Sierra Nevada epitomized a relentless pursuit of excellence and a steadfast commitment to pushing the boundaries of brewing innovation. In February 2024, Tom embarked on a new chapter, joining Abstrax, a premier boutique flavor house renowned for its expertise in crafting distinctive hop and cannabis flavors.

Tom's impact reverberates across the global brewing community, as he has delivered countless compelling presentations at local, regional, national, and international conferences, disseminating invaluable insights and fostering collaborative discourse. His unwavering dedication to advancing the art and science of brewing underscores his desire to inspire brewers to push the boundaries of possibility and embrace the transformative power of flavor innovation.

Alexandra Nowell, Technical Brewing Advisor

CLS Farms

Alexandra Nowell (she/her) has been working in production-focused roles in the brewing industry for 15 years. She is the former brewmaster and director of brewery operations at Three Weavers in Inglewood, California. Alexandra's love of beer and inspiration for brewing is found in the roots of the recipe, where she strikes a balance between science, art, and intention. She is a self-professed born-and-raised California brewer and is known for creating balanced beers with bright and harmonious flavors and aromas. Over the course of her career, Alexandra has taken a special interest in the raw ingredient supply chain, with a focus on the crucial relationships linking brewers, growers, brokers, and all facets in between.