Well Crafted NC Oral History Collection

Oral history interview with Leah Wong Ashburn, 2018
Leah Wong Ashburn, president and CEO of Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, North Carolina, discusses the history of Highland, community initiatives and fundraisers that Highland leads or participates in, sustainability efforts at the brewery, the brewery's recent rebranding, and growth of their physical plant and public spaces.
Oral history interview with Becky Ayers, 2018
Becky Ayers, co-owner and co-brewer at Triskelion Brewing Company in Hendersonville, NC discusses the challenges of opening a new brewery, changes to Hendersonville and the Seventh Avenue area, and the importance of formal education and sound business planning.
Oral history interview with Raelle Childers, 2018
Raelle Childers, assistant brewer at Pilot Brewing in Charlotte, NC, discusses her background as a home brewer, her process in developing new recipes, and some challenges that come with moving from home brewing to commercial brewing. She also discusses some of the challenges that come with being a woman in a male-dominated industry.
Oral history interview with Collette Coggins and Morgan Owle-Crisp, 2018
Morgan Owle-Crisp, co-owner and president, and Collette Coggins, co-owner and vice president, discuss their work at 7Clans Brewing in Cherokee, NC. They discuss their decision to begin the brewery through contract brewing, their plans for future growth, and the ways in which they bring their Cherokee heritage into the beer names and artwork.
Oral history interview with Kelly Cubbin, 2018
Kelly Cubbin, owner and manager at Southern Appalachian Brewery in Hendersonville, NC, discusses the work of purchasing an existing brewery in 2006, changes to the local brewing industry since she and her husband bought the brewery, and the importance of supporting the local community and other local businesses. She also talks about the resources that she and her husband relied on when entering the industry, including other local brewery owners and local organizations aimed at assisting small business owners.
Oral history interview with Genisis Dancer, 2018
Genisis Dancer, assistant brewer at Pig Pounder Brewery in Greensboro, NC, discusses the work that went into getting the equipment ready for Pig Pounder's opening, the success of their Boar's Brown Ale, the brewery's recent growth in styles offered, and her advice for a woman looking to become a commercial brewer.
Oral history interview with Meredith Gotz, 2018
Meredith Gotz, Brewer's Assistant at Foothills Brewing in Winston-Salem discusses her history in the brewing industry, and her work today at Foothills both in the brewery and with lab work. She details the role of education and training in the industry, and discusses the importance of the Pink Boots Society.
Oral history interview with Sarah Gulotta, 2018
Sarah Gulotta, production brewer at Hi-Wire Brewing in Asheville, NC, discusses her education as one of the first students in Asheville-Buncombe Community College's brewing program, her work as a hot side production brewer at Hi-Wire, and the importance of the Pink Boots Society, Biere de Femme, and other opportunities for people to see women working in the brewing industry.
Oral history interview with Rachael Hudson, 2018
Rachael Hudson, owner and head brewer at Pilot Brewing in Charlotte, NC, discusses the challenges related to opening a new brewery, the importance of a small batch and experimental beer focus, and her projections for the growth of the industry. She talks about challenges related to being a woman in a male-dominated industry, including issues related to maternity leave that may limit a woman's professional growth in the field.
Oral history interview with Jackie Hudspeth, 2018
Jackie Hudspeth, co-owner of Bombshell Beer Company in Holly Springs, NC, discusses her role as the manager of facilities and distribution at the brewery. She also discusses the brewery's charitable work.
Oral history interview with Ellen Joyner, 2018
Ellen Joyner, co-owner of Bombshell Beer Company in Holly Springs, NC, discusses the challenges faced in opening and growing a brewery. She also talks about the changes to the craft beer scene in North Carolina, including an emphasis on the local and increasing competition for shelf and tap space.
Oral history interview with Lisa McDonald, 2018
Lisa McDonald, co-owner of Sanctuary Brewing Company in Hendersonville, NC, discusses their brewery space and beers, the challenges they faced in opening their brewery, and their plans for future growth. She also talks about the wide range of advocacy work and community engagement events that the brewery sponsors.
Oral history interview with Michelle Miniutti, 2018
Michelle Miniutti, co-owner of Bombshell Beer Company in Holly Springs, NC, discusses the history of Bombshell, including challenges and changes, as well as the Triangle brewing scene more broadly. She also discusses the brewery's charitable work and community engagement efforts.
Oral history interview with Nicole Preyer, 2018
Nicole Preyer, co-owner of Preyer Brewing Company in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina, describes her brewery and its connections to the community. Topics include: education, working in the brewing industry, family owned businesses, and her unique experiences as a woman in the brewing industry.
Oral history interview with Anita Riley, 2018
Anita Riley, assistant brewer at Lonerider Brewing Company in Raleigh, NC, discusses her education from Asheville-Buncombe Technical College, her work with the Pink Boots Society and its annual Biere de Femme festival, and her writing about women in the North Carolina beer industry.
Oral history interview with Carli Smith, 2018
Carli Smith, head brewer at Bold Missy Brewing in Charlotte, NC, discusses her early career at Gordon Biersch in San Diego, her move to Charlotte, and her work at Bold Missy. She describes her brewing philosophy and recipe development process, and notes the ways in which she has changed some of the Bold Missy core beers since she arrived. She also talks about her work with the Pink Boots Society in San Diego as well as the new chapter forming in Charlotte.
Oral history interview with Katie Smith, 2018
Katie Smith, brewer at Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, NC, discusses the changing and growing Asheville beer scene, the experience of traveling to Germany on a Pink Boots Society scholarship, her work as a brewer at Highland, and her experience working with Asheville Beer Week.
Oral history interview with Rebecca Spence, 2018
Rebecca Spence, assistant brewer at Haw River Farmhouse Ales in Saxapahaw, NC, discusses her background combining industrial and home brewing, her interest in fermentation and experimenting with mixed culture beers, and the importance of community and the Pink Boots Society in North Carolina.
Oral history interview with Carol Waggener, 2018
Carol Waggener, Founder and "Head Kegwasher" at Bold Missy Brewery in Charlotte, NC, discusses her decision to open a brewery, some of the challenges faced in opening the brewery, the importance of quality and community, and the future of Bold Missy and Charlotte beer. She also describes her surprise at how the brewery has become a hub for women's groups and women's causes that are looking to celebrate "Bold Missys."
Oral history interview with Jenny Williams and Celeste Ybanez, 2018
Jenny Williams, founder, and Celeste Ybanez, chief operating officer, of Frog Level Brewing Company in Waynesville, North Carolina, discuss how the brewery has grown since it opened in 2011 as the first brewery in Haywood County. They talk about operating as a family-owned business, Williams' background as a military veteran, their decision to open a restaurant within the brewery, and the challenges and benefits of being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry.