About Us

The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild (VCBG) was formed in December 2010. The mission of the VCBG is to create the best business environment in the United States for independent craft beer businesses to manufacture and headquarter their operations. The VCBG organizes craft brewers around its four primary committees: marketing & tourism, government affairs, quality, and farm breweries. The VCBG also provides its members with business services focused on training as well as reducing operational costs and maximizing profitability and productivity. The VCBG manages four major beer festivals a year as well as one of the largest state-based independent craft beer competitions. The VCBG is led by a CEO, Chairman, Vice Chairman and Co-Chairs from each primary committee.

The VCBG is the state affiliate of the Brewers Association. The VCBG is an affiliate of the Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA).

The VCBG’s founding was motivated by the VMA and eleven founding members’ desire to create a comprehensive and professional organization dedicated to the growth of independent craft breweries in the Commonwealth. The VCBG’s founding was driven by the need to make important legislative changes that would ensure the growth of craft beer in Virginia. As such, one of the principal accomplishments of the VCBG is the passage of SB604 in 2012 which allowed breweries to sell their products for on-premise consumption. Since that time, the VCBG has led the passage of over a dozen bills and regulations that have continued to assure the profitability and growth of Virginia craft beer manufacturing. The VCBG is an advocate for the craft beer community and its success is because of the commitment and cooperation of its members.

Membership

The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild offers three membership options: Brewery Membership, Brewery in Planning and Associate Member.

• VCBG Brewery Membership – Only small independent and traditional breweries, as defined by the Brewers Association, May be Brewery Members. Further, the Brewery must be open and brewing beers for public consumption. Membership rates are calculated by the number of barrels produced in prior year. 

• VCBG Brewery in Planning Membership – Brewery is in the planning stages and not open to the public.

• VCBG Associate Membership - This membership is extended to businesses and organizations that provide support services or products to the craft beer industry (e.g., equipment manufacturers, agricultural interests, economic development, etc.) 

Please contact Betty Arnold if you have questions or would like to discuss membership.

Leadership

Chair
Sten Sellier, Beltway Brewing Company

Vice-Chair
Kevin Erskine, Coelacanth Brewing

Communications/Website
Caryn Foster Durham, Durham Strategy + Consulting 

Staff
Brett Vassey, Virginia Craft Brewers Guild President & CEO
Betty Arnold, Virginia Craft Brewers Guild Member Services Director

Guild Committees

Government Affairs Committee 

The Government Affairs Committee is made up of VCBG brewery members to advise the VCBG Leadership Council and advocate pro-brewery state public policies. Specifically, this committee's work is exclusively focused on Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) regulations and legislation. The committee also works on specialized government affairs priorities as directed by the VCBG President and CEO or VCBG Council Leadership.

Co-Chair: Porter Hardy, Smartmouth Brewing Company
Co-Chair: Hunter Smith, Champion Brewing Company

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Tourism & Marketing Committee

The Tourism & Marketing Committee is dedicated to the expansion of independent craft beer in the marketplace. This group collaborates with the Virginia Tourism Corporation to promote the Virginia Craft Beer Industry throughout the Commonwealth. The members develop tasting room standards, peer networks, tourism promotions, economic development relationships, a professional beer festival series and an annual craft beer competition.

Co-Chair: Neil Burton, Strangeways Brewing
Co-Chair: Chris Burns, Old Ox Brewery

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Farm Brewery Committee

The Farm Brewery Committee is dedicated to protecting the rural character of Virginia through the expansion of farm breweries. The committee also promotes agricultural resources for the brewery supply-chain and protects rural structures from overdevelopment as well as co-manages the development of a VCBG beer festival in partnership with the State Fair of Virginia.

Co-Chair: Lisa Pumphrey, Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery
Co-Chair: Janell Zurschmeide, Dirt Farm Brewing

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Quality Committee

The Quality Committee is a peer network focused on brewery safety, quality assurance, lab services & equipment vendors, employee development and training, and finance. The committee coordinates its quality assurance and safety training with the Manufacturing Skills Institute, Brewers Association and Master Brewers Association. The committee has initiated its own quality and safety training certificate and is working on a Brewer Technician Certification. The committee also coordinates with Virginia’s community colleges and universities. Finally, the committee hosts an annual quality seminar and is working toward regional quality workshops.

Co-Chair: Kate Lee, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Co-Chair: Shawn Phillips, Spencer Devon Brewing

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Virginia Craft Beer Cup Leaders
The Virginia Craft Beer Cup is one of only three state-based competitions founded and operated by a state Guild. The competition is independently judged using BJCP Rules and judges. The competition is only open to independent Virginia craft breweries that are VCBG members. The Virginia Craft Beer Cup is professionally managed by VCBG staff, leaders and an independent head judge.

Bill Butcher, Port City Brewing Company
Bill Madden, Mad Fox Brewing
Duke Fox, Starr Hill Brewery

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