Master Brewers Awards

Honoring excellence in brewing science, technology, and operations. Our awards recognize the individuals who drive our industry forward through innovation and service.

  • Award of Honor: Recognizes esteemed members of Master Brewers for their substantial contributions to brewing science, technology, or operations, which have positively impacted the Association. While recipients are not required to have made contributions in all of these areas, the award acknowledges the significance of their achievements, even if their impact is concentrated in a single field.​ Nominees for the award must be current Master Brewers members in good standing. ​
  • Award of Merit: Recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the brewing industry. Membership in Master Brewers is not required for nominees.
  • Distinguished Life Service: Recognizes Master Brewers members who have provided sustained and exceptional lifetime commitment and service to the​ Association. Nominees for the award must be current Master Brewers members in good standing. ​

Ready to Nominate?

Recognize a fellow colleague for their achievements. The 2026 nomination period is now open.

Submit a Nomination

Important Dates

Deadline: May 15, 2026

Awardees will be notified in June and celebrated at the Annual Conference.

2025 Award Recipients

Kathy Kinton
LIFE SERVICE

Kathy Kinton

Distinguished Life Service Award

Recognized for her exceptional lifetime commitment and decades of dedicated service to the Association.

Dave Thomas
HONOR

Dave Thomas

Award of Honor

Honored for substantial contributions to brewing science and his influential work within the technical community.

John Mallett
MERIT

John Mallett

Award of Merit

Acknowledged for outstanding contributions to the global brewing industry and excellence in operational leadership.

Complete Past Awardees Listing

2025: Mr. David A. Thomas (Award of Honor)
2025: Mr. John Mallett (Award of Merit)
2025: Kathy M. Kinton Williams (Distinguished Life Service Award)
2023: Ms. Susan E. Welch (Distinguished Life Service Award)
2023: Mr. Darren L. Goodlin (Award of Honor)
2023: Mr. Daniel J. Carey (Award of Merit)
2022: Dr. Charles W. Bamforth (Honorary Life Member)
2022: Mr. Travis Audet (Award of Honor)
2022: Ms. Carol A. Stoudt (Award of Merit)
2022: Mr. Tom Eplett (Distinguished Life Service Award)
2021: Mr. Kristopher C. Scholl (Honorary Lifetime Member: Past President)
2021: Ms. Susan E. Welch (Award of Honor)
2021: Dr. Michael J. Lewis (Honorary Life Member)
2021: Mr. Joseph D. Hertrich (Distinguished Life Service Award)
2019: Dr. Inge Russell (Distinguished Life Service Award)
2019: Mr. Aaron Justus (Inge Russell Best Paper Award)
2017: Dr. R. Alex Speers (Distinguished Life Service Award)
2015: Dr. Graham G. Stewart (Inge Russell Best Paper Award)
2015: Mr. Mustafa A. Rehmanji (Award of Merit)
2015: Mr. John M. Houseman (Award of Honor)
2014: Mr. Larry Chase (Inge Russell Best Paper Award)
2014: Ms. Acacia K. Baldner (Inge Russell Best Paper Award)
2014: Dr. Jens Voigt (Award of Honor)
2013: Mr. Thomas C. Volke (Honorary Lifetime Member)
2013: Mr. Gary E. Luther (Award of Merit)
2013: Mr. Jaime Jurado (Award of Honor)
2013: Ms. Alison K. Hamm (Student Travel Grant)
2012: Mr. Jerrold F. Hilton (Distinguished Life Service Award)
2011: Van A. Havig (Inge Russell Best Paper Award)
2011: Mr. Raymond J. Klimovitz (Distinguished Life Service Award)
2010: Dr. Sylvie Van Zandycke (Presidential Award: Best Poster)
2010: Dr. Johannes Tippmann (Presidential Award: Best Oral Paper)
2009: Tim Schwartz (William A. Hipp Scholarship)
2009: Mr. David P. Kapral (Inge Russell Best Paper Award)
2008: Mr. Bryan Kapschull (William A. Hipp Scholarship)
2008: Mr. Brian N. Connery (William A. Hipp Scholarship)
2008: Mr. Beatus D. Schehl (Inge Russell Best Paper Award)
2008: Helge Ulmer (Inge Russell Best Paper Award)
2008: Dr. Elke Arendt (Inge Russell Best Paper Award)
2007: Dr. Inge Russell (Inge Russell Best Paper Award)
2007: Mr. Todd A. Marcus (William A. Hipp Scholarship)
2005: Dr. Inge Russell (Honorary Lifetime Member)
2005: Mr. Finn B. Knudsen (Award of Merit)
2004: Mr. Francis J. Kirner (Honorary Lifetime Member)
2003: Mr. Karl M. Strauss (Distinguished Life Service Award)
2003: Kathy M. Kinton Williams (Honorary Lifetime Member)
2003: Mr. Nick J. Huige (Award of Merit)
2001: Dr. Inge Russell (Award of Merit)
1992: Mr. Karl M. Strauss (Award of Honor)
1981: Mr. Karl M. Strauss (Award of Merit)
1963: Mr. Karl M. Strauss (Honorary Lifetime Member: Past President)
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