Our panelists tackle the questions, how do we justify the luxury of beer in our current climate? Why is the localization of beer and its ingredients important? And why does connection to beer’s true agricultural roots matter?

Ophelia Flores is a Cellarwoman at Big Grove Brewery. Originally from the Northside of Chicago, Ophelia has worked with Big Grove for almost 4 years in a variety of positions. Having graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Graphic Design and a minor in Anthropology she often says, “I came for the school and stayed for the beer.” Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City is an Iowa Platinum Green rated brewery which produces 20,000+ barrels serving all 99 counties of Iowa. Ophelia is interested in the history of beer and how that ties into the experience of its drinkers.

Zoe Licata (moderator) is a reporter for the beer industry trade publication Brewbound. Before joining Brewbound in early 2021, she spent several years as a freelance reporter in her home state of Massachusetts. When not writing about beer (and giving "young people" insights on behalf of Gen. Z drinkers), she's rooting on her beloved Boston sports teams and serving as a guinea pig for all things "beyond beer."

Daniel Pollard is the award-winning Brewmaster and Director of Operations for Bridger Brewing Co. where he divides his time between their locations in Bozeman and Three Forks. He has over twelve years of hands-on experience in the brewing industry.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Montana Brewers Association, as well as on the Bylaws Committee and the Brewery Safety Committee for the Master Brewers Association of the Americas, the Craft Beer Subcommittee for the American Society of Brewing Chemists, and serves as a Beer Judge for the North American Brewers Association.

Daniel is also a Lean Bronze Certified Manufacturing Specialist, and Certified Operational Excellence Leader; consulting with his colleagues at the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center at Montana State University on implementing waste reduction strategies, and throughput accounting principles for clients around the state.

Ron Silberstein founded Admiral Maltings, bringing together his partners Curtis Davenport and Dave McLean (Magnolia Brewing). Located in Alameda Point in Alameda, CA. Admiral Maltings produces premium quality malt using traditional floor-malting methods and sustainably grown (organic or no-till), locally sourced grain. With its focus on process, terroir and grain variety, Admiral Maltings fosters a robust connection between craft brewers and distillers and their local agricultural community. Admiral steeped in its first batch of malt in July 2017.

Prior to founding Admiral Maltings, Ron opened Thirsty Bear Organic Brewery in 1996 - the brewery became San Franciscoʼs first and only CCOF certified organic brewery in 2007. Prior to succumbing to the Pandemic in the fall of 2021, Thirsty Bear was oldest brewery restaurant in San Francisco.

A “retired” attorney, Ron graduated from the inaugural class of the American Brewers Guild, Craft Brewing Science and Engineering Program and a graduate of the Malt Academy at the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centreʼs (CMBTC). Its intensive, two-week Practical Course on Malt and Malting Barley is the only such program in North America. He is a founding member of the San Francisco Brewers Guild, and for many years sat on its board of directors and obtained brewery and industry sponsorships to fund SF Beer Week. Since he left the Board, the Guild grew to become the Bay Area Brewers Guild.

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